14.10.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L 3151 | (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1762/2004 of 24 September 2004 on administering of the double-checking system without quantitative limits in respect of the export of certain steel products from the Republic of Moldova to the European Community THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Moldova, of the other part (1), entered into force on 1 July 1998. (2)  The situation relating to imports of certain steel products from the Republic of Moldova to the European Community has been the subject of thorough exami- nation and, on the basis of relevant information supplied to them, the Parties have concluded an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters (3, which establishes a double-checking system without quantitative limits for the period between the date of entry into force of this Regulation and 31 December 2006, unless both Parties agree to terminate the system earlier. (3)  The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (?), HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 1. For the period 29 October 2004 to 31 December 2006, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova establishing a double-checking system without quantitative limits in respect of the export of certain steel products from the Republic of Moldova to the European Community, imports into the Community of certain () O] L 181, 24.6.1998, p. 3. (®) See p. 33 of this Official Journal. () O] L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. steel products originating in the Republic of Moldova, as listed in Annex I, shall be subject to the presentation of a surveillance document conforming to the model shown in Annex I issued by the authorities in the Community. 2. For the period referred to in paragraph 1, imports into the Community of the steel products originating in the Republic of Moldova and listed in Annex I shall, in addition, be subject to the issue of an export document issued by the competent Moldovan authorities. The export document shall conform to the model shown in Annex III. It shall be valid for exports throughout the customs territory of the Community. In order to obtain the surveillance document referred to in paragraph 1, the importer must present the original of the export document fully completed. In any case, the importer must present the original of the export document not later than 31 March of the year following that in which the goods covered by the document were shipped. 3. The classification of the products covered by this Regu- lation is based on the tariff and statistical nomenclature of the Community (hereinafter referred to as the CN). The origin of the products covered by this Regulation shall be determined in accordance with the rules in force in the Community. 4. The competent authorities of the Community shall inform the Republic of Moldova of any amendments in the CN in respect of products covered by this Regulation before the date of entry into force of such amendments in the Community. 5. Goods shipped before the 29 October 2004 shall be excluded from the scope of this Regulation. Shipment is considered to have taken place on the date of loading on to the exporting means of transport. Article 2 1. The surveillance document referred to in Article 1 shall be issued automatically by the competent authority in the Member States, without charge for any quantities requested, within five working days of presentation of an application by any Community importer, wherever established in the Community. This application shall be deemed to have been received by the competent national authority no later than three working days after submission, unless it is proven otherwise.