23. 7. 96 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 182/9 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1418/96 of 22 July 1996 laying down detailed rules for the use of a graphic symbol for quality agricultural products specific to the most remote regions THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3763/91 of 16 December 1991 introducing specific measures in respect of certain agricultural products for the benefit of the French overseas departments ('), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2598/95 (?), and in particular Article 20 (5) thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1600/92 of 15 June 1992 concerning specific measures for the Azores and Madeira relating to certain agricultural products (), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2537/95(%), and in particular Article 31 (5) thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1601/92 of 15 June 1992 concerning specific measures for the Canary Islands with regard to certain agricultural products (¥), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2537/95, and in particular Article 26 (5) thereof, Whereas the Council has decided to introduce a graphic symbol with a view to ensuring greater awareness and consumption of natural and processed quality agricultural products specific to the most remote regions of the Community; whereas detailed rules required for the implementation of this measure should be laid down; Whereas the Council Decision stipulates that the condi- tions for the use of the graphic symbol, namely the drafting of the list of natural and processed agricultural products which may bear the symbol and the definition of the quality characteristics, methods of production, packaging and manufacture of processed products must be proposed by the trade organizations in the most remote regions; whereas it should be specified that these requirements may be adopted by reference to existing standards under Community rules or, failing these, to international standards, or by reference to traditional methods of cultivation and manufacture; Whereas in order to make the best possible use of this specific promotional instrument available to producers () OJ No L 356, 24. 12. 1991, p. 1. () OJ No L 267, 9. 11. 1995, p. 1. () OJ No L 173, 27. 6. 1992, p. 1. () O] No L 260, 31. 10. 1995, p. 10. () OF No L 173, 27. 6. 1992, p. 13. and manufacturers of quality products specific to the most remote regions and in the interests of simplifying mana- gement and control and making them more effective, the right to use the graphic symbol should be conferred on the operators directly responsible for the production, packaging with a view to marketing and manufacture of the products concerned, established in those regions who give an undertaking to observe certain rules; Whereas it is the responsibility of the competent authori- ties in the regions concerned to adopt the additional administrative requirements needed to ensure the correct operation of the mechanisms put in place and to guarantee observance of the rules undertaken; Whereas provision should be made for the Commission to be notified of the information required to enable it to ensure that the conditions for the implementation of this measure are as uniform as possible in the various very remote regions; Whereas the joint Management Committee of the mana- gement committees concerned has not delivered an opinion within the period set by its chairman, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 1. The graphic symbol introduced pursuant to Article 20 of Regulation (EEC) No 3763/91, Article 30 of Regula- tion (EEC) No 1600/92 and Article 26 of Regulation (EEC) No 1601/92 shall be used only with a view to increasing awareness and consumption of natural and processed agricultural products specific to the most remote regions which satisfy requirements laid down on the initiative . of trade organizations representative of operators in the abovementioned regions. 2. The requirements referred to in paragraph 1 shall concern quality standards and compliance with cultiva- tion, production and manufacturing techniques and presentation and packaging standards. These requirements shall be defined by reference to Community rules or, failing these, to international stan- dards or, where necessary, shall be adopted specifically in respect of products from the most remote regions on a proposal from the representative trade organizations.