L 210/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 10. 8.1999 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 19 July 1999 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to copying paper (notified under document number C(1999) 2144) (Text with EEA relevance) (1999/554[EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, (6) ~ Whereas in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 of 23 March 1992 on a Community eco-label award scheme ('), and in particular the second subparagraph of Article 5(1) thereof, (1)  Whereas the first subparagraph of Article 5(1) of Regula- tion (EEC) No 880/92 provides that the conditions for the award of the Community eco-label shall be defined by product group; (2)  Whereas Article 10(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 states that the environmental performance of a product shall be assessed by reference to the specific criteria for product groups; (3)  Whereas, by Decision 96/467[EC (?), the Commission established ecological criteria for the award of Community Eco-label to copying paper, which, according to Article 3 thereof, expire 16 July 1999; (4)  Whereas it is appropriate to revise the definition of the product group and the ecological criteria that were established by Decision 96/467/EC in order to reflect the developments in the market; (5)  Whereas it is appropriate to adopt a new Decision estab- lishing the specific ecological criteria for this product group, which will be valid for a further period of three years after the expiry of the period of validity of the previous criteria; (EEC) No 880/92 the Commission has consulted the principal interest groups within a consultation forum; (7)  Whereas the measures set out in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the committee set up under Article 7 of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The product group ‘copying paper’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘the product group’) shall mean: ‘Sheets or reels of unprinted paper in different formats, which are used for copying, fax machines or office printers. Thermally sensitive paper and carbonless paper are exclu- ded'. Article 2 The environmental performance of the product group as defined in Article 1 shall be assessed by reference to the specific ecological criteria set out in the Annex. Article 3 The product group definition and the criteria for the product group shall be valid from 17 July 1999 until 1 July 2002. If, however, on 1 July 2002 a new Decision establishing the ecological criteria for this product group has not yet been adopted, this period of validity shall instead end either on 1 July 2003 or on the date of adoption of the new Decision, whichever is sooner.