Date: 2023-11-30Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 152/2023 of 13 June 2023 amending Annex II (Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) to the EEA Agreement [2023/2549]
Executive Summary:
This EEA Joint Committee Decision No. 152/2023 amends Annex II to the EEA Agreement to incorporate Commission Implementing Regulations EU 2022/248 and EU 2022/380, which register geographical indications for the spirit drinks "Pregler/Osttiroler Pregler" and "Homokháti szibarack pálinka," respectively. This decision will not apply to Liechtenstein. The decision entered into force on June 14, 2023.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Amendment of Annex II:**
* Commission Implementing Regulations EU 2022/248 and EU 2022/380 are added to Chapter XXVII of Annex II to the EEA Agreement after point 9aw.
* **Geographical Indications:**
* Regulation EU 2022/248 registers "Pregler/Osttiroler Pregler" as a geographical indication for a spirit drink.
* Regulation EU 2022/380 registers "Homokháti szibarack pálinka" as a geographical indication for a spirit drink.
* **Liechtenstein Exclusion:**
* This decision does not apply to Liechtenstein due to its agreement with the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products.
* **Authentic Texts:**
* The Icelandic and Norwegian language texts of Regulations EU 2022/248 and EU 2022/380 are authentic.
* **Entry into Force:**
* The decision entered into force on June 14, 2023, following notification under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement.
* **Publication:**
* The decision will be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European Union.
Impact Analysis:
EEA Members (excluding Liechtenstein):
* Impact: Must recognize and enforce the registered geographical indications for "Pregler/Osttiroler Pregler" and "Homokháti szibarack pálinka" within their territories, as per the incorporated EU regulations.
* Action Required: Update relevant national regulations and enforcement mechanisms to align with the amended Annex II of the EEA Agreement.
European Commission:
* Impact: Responsible for ensuring the proper implementation and enforcement of the regulations across the EEA (excluding Liechtenstein).
* Action Required: Monitor the application of the decision by EEA members and address any inconsistencies or non-compliance.
Producers of "Pregler/Osttiroler Pregler" and "Homokháti szibarack pálinka":
* Impact: Their geographical indications are now officially recognized within the EEA, providing legal protection against misuse and imitation.
* Action Required: Ensure their production methods and product characteristics continue to comply with the requirements specified in the registered geographical indications.
Liechtenstein:
* Impact: This specific decision regarding spirit drinks does not apply.
* Action Required: No action is required concerning this specific decision.
Key Entities Referenced
EEA Agreement: Agreement on the European Economic Area
EEA Joint Committee: The committee responsible for decisions related to the EEA Agreement
Commission Implementing Regulation EU 2022/248: Commission Implementing Regulation registering a geographical indication of a spirit drink
Commission Implementing Regulation EU 2022/380: Commission Implementing Regulation registering a geographical indication of a spirit drink
Regulation EU 2019/787: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding spirit drinks
Liechtenstein: A European country to which specific parts of the decision do not apply under certain conditions
PreglerOsttiroler Pregler: A geographical indication of a spirit drink
Homokhti szibarack plinka: A geographical indication of a spirit drink
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2023/2549 30.11.2023
DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE No 152/2023
of 13 June 2023
amending Annex II (Technical regulations, standards, testing and certification) to the EEA Agreement
[2023/2549]
THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE,
Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (“the EEA Agreement”), and in particular Article 98
thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/248 of 15 February 2022registering a geographical indication of
a spirit drink under Article 30(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council
‘Pregler’/‘Osttiroler Pregler’(1)is to be incorporated into the EEA Agreement.
(2) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/380 of 28 February 2022registering a geographical indication of
a spirit drink under Article 30(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council
[‘Homokháti őszibarack pálinka’](2)is to be incorporated into the EEA Agreement.
(3) This Decision concerns legislation regarding spirit drinks. Legislation regarding spirit drinks shall not apply to
Liechtenstein as long as the application of the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss
Confederation on trade in agricultural products is extended to Liechtenstein, as specified in the introduction to
Chapter XXVII of Annex II to the EEA Agreement. This Decision is therefore not to apply to Liechtenstein.
(4) Annex II to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The following points are inserted after point 9aw (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/888) of Chapter XXVII
of Annex II to the EEA Agreement:
‘9ax. 32022 R 0248: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/248 of 15 February 2022 registering a
geographical indication of a spirit drink under Article 30(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European
Parliament and of the Council ‘Pregler’/‘Osttiroler Pregler’ (OJ L 41, 22.2.2022, p. 14).
9ay. 32022 R 0380: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/380 of 28 February 2022 registering a
geographical indication of a spirit drink under Article 30(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European
Parliament and of the Council [‘Homokháti őszibarack pálinka’] (OJ L 74, 7.3.2022, p. 1).’
Article 2
The texts of Implementing Regulations (EU) 2022/248 and (EU) 2022/380 in the Icelandic and Norwegian languages, to be
published in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union, shall be authentic.
(1) OJ L 41, 22.2.2022, p. 14.
(2) OJ L 74, 7.3.2022, p. 1.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2549/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 30.11.2023
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on 14 June 2023, provided that all the notifications under Article 103(1) of the EEA
Agreement have been made*.
Article 4
This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European
Union.
Done at Brussels, 13 June 2023.
For the EEA Joint Committee
The President
Nicolas VON LINGEN
* No constitutional requirements indicated.
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2549/oj