31. 3. 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 87/47 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 738/9%4 of 30 March 1994 laying down certain rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 520/94 establishing a Community procedure for administering quantitativ quotas ‘ THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 520/94 of 7 March 1994 establishing a Community procedure for administering quantitative quotas ('), and in particular Article 24 thereof, Whereas general rules should be laid down for applying Regulation (EC) No 520/94 to any Community quantita- tive quota, with the exception of those referred to in Article 1 (2) thereof; Whereas the administration of quantitative quotas is based on a system of licences issued by the Member States ; whereas it is therefore necessary to adopt common rules concerning the formalities for lodging applications for licences and also the use of licences; Whereas to that end the information to be set out in the applications for licences and the conditions for accepting applications should be determined uniformly ; Whereas, in order to ensure that import or export licences can be used throughout the Community, it is necessary to introduce a Community licence and a common form for the licences which, to simplify matters, should require completion of only those details that are strictly necessary to administer the quotas; Whereas in order to ensure the smooth operation of trade transactions covered by licences, certain practical rules should be laid down, concerning for example the date to be taken into consideration for converting the value of the goods into ecus to be shown on the licence, and the procedures to be followed for obtaining extracts or repla- cement licences ; Whereas the use of rapid means of exchanging informa- tion between the Commission and the Member States should be laid down; Whereas provision should also be made to ensure obser- vance of Regulation (EC) No 520/94, in particular as regards false statements on licence applications or breaches of the obligation to return the licence ; Whereas, howevert, to prevent insurmountable administra- tive or technical difficulties for the administrative authori- ties in certain Member States, the latter are authorized, by way of exception, for a transition period ending no later than 31 December 19985, to use such forms of their own () OJ No L 66, 10. 3. 1994, p. 1. as exist on the date of entry into force of this Regulation for issuing import licences, subject to certain provisions, in particular that the applicant for the import licence indicates, when presenting his application, that he wishes to use the licence in the Member State to which he is applying ; Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee set up by Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No 520/94 to administer the quotas, ) HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION : TITLE 1 GENERAL RULES Article 1 This Regulation lays down general rules for the imple- mentation of Regulation (EC) No 520/94, hereinafter referred to as the ‘basic Regulation’, without prejudice to any specific arrangements which may be laid down by the Commission pursuant to the procedure provided for in Article 23 of the basic Regulation. Competent authorities Article 2 The competent administrative authorities referred to in Atticle 2 (7) of the basic Regulation are listed in Annex L In the interests of keeping the said Annex up to date, the Member States shall immediately inform the Commission of any changes affecting the information it contains. Licence applications Article 3 1. Applications for import or export licences, in writing, shall be sent to or lodged with the competent administrative authorities listed in Annex L Applications may be transmitted to the authorities by fax, telex or any other means of computerized data transfer. In this case they shall be confirmed no later than three working days after the closing date for the receipt of applications by sending or delivering direct to the compe-