COUNCIL DECISION
of 20 November 2012
on the conclusion of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (CAA)
(2013/1/EU)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207 in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and Article 218(7) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,
Whereas:
(1)
The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part (1) (‘the Association Agreement’), entered into force on 20 November 1995.
(2)
Article 47 of the Association Agreement provides for the conclusion, where appropriate, of agreements on mutual recognition in the field of conformity assessment, and Article 55 of the Agreement provides for the use of best endeavours to approximate the laws of the Parties in order to facilitate the implementation of the Agreement.
(3)
The Protocol to the Association Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (CAA) (‘the Protocol’) was signed on behalf of the Union on 6 May 2010.
(4)
The Protocol should be approved.
(5)
The Commission is responsible for ensuring the Union’s external representation in connection with the Protocol, including information and notification functions, and forwarding replies to requests in accordance with the Annexes. The Protocol will be implemented on the basis of the relevant Union legislation on accreditation, market surveillance and the marketing of products.
(6)
It is necessary to empower the Commission to make technical amendments to the Protocol,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (CAA) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.
The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision.
Article 2
The President of the Council shall transmit, on behalf of the Union, the diplomatic note provided for in Article 16 of the Protocol.
Article 3
The Commission shall be authorised to approve amendments pursuant to Articles 7, 13 and 15 of the Protocol, after consultation with the special committee appointed by the Council in accordance with Article 218(4) of the Treaty.
Article 4
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Done at Brussels, 20 November 2012.