Report on the application of Regulation (EU) No 978/2012 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences

Summary:

Pursuant to Article 40 of Regulation (EU) No 978/2012 (the 'GSP Regulation'), the Commission hereby submits a report on the application of the Regulation to the European Parliament and to the Council, five years after its adoption.

An independent external consultant was contracted to carry out a study to support this midterm evaluation. The staff working document (SWD) accompanying this report summarises the findings of and recommendations by the consultant.

Further information:

In 1971, the European Community first introduced a Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) following a resolution of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to create a system of preferences to support developing countries. The GSP is also based on the WTO's enabling clause, which permits developed countries to grant unilateral and non-reciprocal tariff preference to developing countries.

By providing preferential access to the EU market, GSP has the prime objective to assist developing countries in their efforts to reduce poverty and promote good governance and sustainable development, by helping them to generate in particular employment, industrialisation and additional revenue through international trade.

EUR-Lex: SWD(2018)430: Midterm evaluation of the generalised scheme of preferences https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2018:430:FIN

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