28.8.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 216/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1500/2003 of 18 February 2003 on administering the double-checking system without quantitative limits in respect of the export of certain steel products from the Russian Federation to the European Community (Text with EEA relevance) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Article 133 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1)  The Agreement on partnership and cooperation estab- lishing a partnership between the European Commu- nities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Russian Federation, of the other part ('), entered into force on 1 December 1997. (2)  The European Community and the Russian Federation agreed to establish a double-checking system in respect of certain steel products for the period ranging from 13 October 1997 to 31 December 1999. This Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters was approved on behalf of the European Community by means of Deci- sion 97/741[EC (). The system was extended for the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2001 by means of Decision 2000/294/EC (}). Regulation (EC) No 2135/97 (%), extended by Regulation (EC) No 793/ 2000 (°), established the corresponding implementing legislation for the Community. (3)  The situation relating to imports of certain steel products from the Russian Federation to the Community has been the subject of thorough examination and, on the basis of relevant information supplied to them, the Parties have concluded an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters (°) which establishes a double-checking system without quantitative limits for the period between the date of entry into force of this Regulation and 31 December 2004, unless both Parties agree to terminate the system earlier. (4)  The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (7), JL 327, 28.11.1997, p. 3. J L 300, 4.11.1997, p. 36. J L 96, 18.4.2000, p. 44. J L 300, 4.11.1997, p. 1. J L 96, 18.4.2000, p. 1. HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Atrticle 1 1. For the period running from the date on which this Regu- lation enters into force to 31 December 2004, in accordance with the provisions of the abovementioned Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters, imports into the Community of certain steel products originating in the Russian Federation, as listed in Appendix [, shall be subject to the presentation of a surveillance document conforming to the model shown in Appendix II issued by the authorities in the Community. 2. For the period running from the date on which this Regu- lation enters into force to 31 December 2004, imports into the Community of the steel products originating in the Russian Federation and listed in Appendix I shall, in addition, be subject to the issue of an export document issued by the competent Russian authorities. The export document shall conform to the model shown in Appendix III. It shall be valid for exports throughout the customs territory of the Community. The importer must present the original of the export document not later than 31 March of the year following that in which the goods covered by the document were shipped. 3. Shipment is considered to have taken place on the date of loading on to the exporting means of transport. 4. The classification of the products covered by this Regula- tion is based on the tariff and statistical nomenclature of the Community (hereinafter called the ‘CN’). The origin of the products covered by this Regulation shall be determined in accordance with the rules in force in the Community. 5. The competent authorities of the Community undertake to inform the Russian Federation of any changes in the CN in respect of products covered by this Regulation before their date of entry into force in the Community.