2.9.2008 Official Journal of the European Union L 235/1 | (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is obligatory) REGULATIONS COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 856/2008 of 24 July 2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 laying down a uniform format for visas as regards the numbering of visas THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, (5)  As regards Iceland and Norway, this Regulation constitutes a development of provisions of the Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 62(2)(b)(iii) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament, Whereas: The current legal framework provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 (") and the additional technical specifications, adopted by the Commission on 7 February 1996 and 27 December 2000, do not allow for reliable searches in the Visa Information System established under Regulation (EC) No 767/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 on the Visa Information System (VIS) and the exchange of data between Member States on short-stay visas (VIS Regulation) (3). (2)  The numbering system in use does not allow in particular for sufficient characters to be indicated on the visas issued by Member States with large numbers of applications. (3) A consistent and unique visa sticker numbering system is therefore essential for the verification in the VIS. (4)  Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 should be amended accordingly. () O] L 164, 14.7.1995, p. 1. () O] L 218, 13.8.2008, p. 60. Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Agreement concluded by the Council of the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway concerning the latters’ association with the implemen- tation, application and development of the Schengen acquis () which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point B of Council Decision 1999/437/EC () on certain arrangements for the application of that Agreement. As regards Switzerland, this Regulation constitutes a development of provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Agreement signed between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation concerning the association of the Swiss Confederation with the implementation, appli- cation and development of the Schengen acquis, which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point A of Decision 1999/437[/EC read in conjunction with Article 4(1) of Council Decisions 2004/849/EC (°) and 2004/860/EC (9. As regards Liechtenstein, this Regulation constitutes a development of provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Protocol signed between the European Union, the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis, which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point A of Decision 1999/437[EC, read in conjunction with Article 3 of Council Decision 2008/261/EC ('). 10.7.1999, p. 36. 10.7.1999, p. 31. 15.12.2004, p. 26. 370, 17.12.2004, p. 78. 83, 26.3.2008, p. 3.