12.3.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L 651 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 502/1999 of 12 February 1999 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to the Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 of 12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs Code ('), as last amended by European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 82/97 (3) and in particular Article 249 thereof, (1)  Whereas Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 (3), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 46/1999 (*) lays down provisions for the implementation of Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92; Whereas difficulties during recent years throughout the transit procedures have caused, and continue to cause, significant losses for the budgets of the Member States and Community’s own resources and represent a permanent threat to European trade and economic operators; Whereas modernisation of transit procedures is therefore considered to be necessary and their computerisation represents a significant element in modernisation; Whereas a Council resolution with regard to the computerisation of customs transit was adopted by (') OJ L 302, 19.10.1992, p. 1. (2) OJ L 17, 21.1.1997, p. 1. (}) OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 1. (4) OJ L 10, 15.1.1999, p. 1. ( ( ( ( 5 6 7 8 ) ) ) ) O O the Internal Market Council, at its meeting on 23 November 1995 (°); the need for computerisation was recognised in Decision No 210/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 1996 adopting an action programme for customs in the Community (Customs 2000) (°); Whereas computerisation was further recom- mended by the European Parliament’s Temporary Committee of Inquiry into the Community Transit System () and by the Commission in its action plan for transit in Europe (3); Whereas the introduction of new computerised procedures based on the wuse of modern information technology and electronic data interchange (EDI) requires the adaptation of legal provisions to answer the procedural, technical, security-linked and legal certainty needs; Whereas the implementation of technical, procedural and physical security measures is of vital importance to achieve and maintain a reliable and secure operation of computerised transit system; Whereas the European Parliament and Council have adopted on 24 October 1995 Directive J C 327, 7.12.1995, p. 2. J L 33, 4.2.1997, p. 24. Final Report (PE 220.895/fin.), 20.2.1997. 0OJ C 176, 10.6.1997, p. 3.