L 185/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 25.7.2000 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1608/2000 of 24 July 2000 laying down transitional measures pending the definitive measures implementing Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, wines and grape musts ('), as last amended by Regula- tion (EC) No 1427/96 (%), Council Regulation (EEC) No 3895/91 of 11 December 1991 laying down rules for the description and presentation of special wines (%), and Council Regulation (EEC) No 2333/92 of 13 July Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 1992 laying down general rules for the description and Community, presentation of sparkling wines and aerated sparkling wines (%), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1429/ 96 (19). Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 of 17 (2)  Nevertheless, operators and administrations concerned May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine ('), and in particular Article 80 thereof, should be assured of a smooth transition between the often old provisions adopted on the basis of Council Whereas: Article 81 of Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 repeals the following Regulations with effect from 1 August 2000: Council Regulation (EEC) No 1873/84 of 28 June 1984 authorising the offer or disposal for direct human consumption of certain imported wines which may have undergone oenological processes not provided for in Regulation (EEC) No 337/79 (%), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2839/98 (}), Council Regulation (EEC) No 823/87 of 16 March 1987 laying down special provisions relating to quality wines produced in speci- fied regions (%), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1426/96 (°), Council Regulation (EEC) No 4252/88 of 21 December 1988 on the preparation and marketing of liqueur wines produced in the Community (%), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1678/1999 (7), Council Regulation (EEC) No 2048/89 of 19 June 1989 laying down general rules on controls in the wine sector (¢), Council Regulation (EEC) No 2390/89 of 24 July 1989 laying down general rules for the import of wines, grape juice and grape must (°), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2838/98 (1%, Council Regulation (EEC) No 2391/89 of 24 July 1989 defining certain products in the wine sector falling within CN codes 2009 and 2204, and originating in third countries ('), Council Regula- tion (EEC) No 2392/89 of 24 July 1989 laying down general rules for the description and presentation of Regulation (EEC) No 337/79 of 5 February 1979 on the common organisation of the market in wine (V), repealed by Council Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 of 16 March 1987 on the common organisation of the market in wine (*¥), in its turn repealed by Regulations (EC) No 1493/1999 and (EEC) No 823/87 and the rules of application of Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999. In order to permit a smooth transition and continuity of the applicable arrangements pending the imminent final- isation and adoption of the implementing measures, provision should therefore be made for some of the Council provisions repealed by the said Article 81 to continue in force for a brief transitional period. The temporary continuation in force of those provisions entails the Commission Regulations adopted on their basis remaining in force; those Regulations will, however, be explicitly repealed at the end of the trans- itional period. Since the key elements of the subject matter of the Regulations referred to in Article 81 have already been regulated in Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 or in the implementing Regulations adopted to date by the Commission, the transitional period in question does not affect the implementation by the Council on the planned date of the main features of the reform of the common organisation of the market in wine. However, in order not to burden economic operators and national administrations with measures entering into force on different dates, the date of entry into force () O L 179, 14.7.1999, p. 1. of Commission Regulation (EC) No 881/98 of 24 April () O L 176, 3.7.1984, p. 6. 1998 laying down detailed rules for the protection of () O] L 354, 30.12.1998, p. 12. () O] L 84, 27.3.1987, p. 59. () O] L 184, 24.7.1996, p. 1. () O] L 232, 9.8.1989, p. 13. (9 O] L 373, 31.12.1988, p. 59. (") O L 184, 24.7.1996, p. 3. () O] L 199, 30.7.1999, p. 10. (9 O L 368, 31.12.1991, p. 1. (% O] L 202, 14.7.1989, p. 32. (%) O] L 231, 13.8.1992, p. 9. () O] L 232, 9.8.1989, p. 7. (19) O] L 184, 24.7.1996, p. 9. (% OJ L 354, 30.12.1998, p. 11. (7) O L 54, 5.3.1979, p. 1. (") O L 232, 9.8.1989, p. 10. (%) O] L 84, 27.3.1987, p. 1.