Brussels, 22/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday the Council adopted, without discussion, the regulation that will allow Member States to suspend customs duties on weapons and military equipment. Proposed in 1988, this regulation will apply from 1st January 2003. It exempts parts and components for incorporation or fitting into the listed goods and to goods for use in training or testing of the listed goods. Objects covered include certain rare gases, explosives, detonators, certain photographic goods and certain chemical products, leather articles, clothing, textiles, steel articles such as containers, machinery and equipment and recorders and reproducers. It also applies to certain vehicles, aircraft, ships and boats, optical and cinematographic apparatus etc. On the other hand the Commission stressed in a communiqué, while welcoming the decision of the Council that equipment for the armed forces but which are not for defence (televisions for the officers mess for example), are not covered. In order to reduce administration charges, surveillance costs and the end of use of this equipment the ruling will only apply for three years.
To protect military secrets of Member States, the relevant authority of the State from where the armed forces import the materials will have to provide a certificate relating that the goods to be imported comply with the necessary conditions.