MARKET ACCESS DATABASE

Transcription

1 MARKET ACCESS DATABASE USER GUIDE 1

2 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVE OF THIS DOCUMENT WHAT IS THE MARKET ACCESS DATABASE? HOW DOES THE MADB ASSIST YOU? APPLIED TARIFFS EXPORTER'S GUIDE TO IMPORT FORMALITIES STATISTICAL DATABASE COMPLAINT REGISTER SEARCH COMPLAINTS REGISTER A NEW COMPLAINT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS TRADE BARRIERS DATABASE SEARCH FOR A BARRIER FICHE SEARCH FOR UPDATES AND NEWS SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY DATABASE SEARCH FOR A BARRIER FICHE SEARCH FOR UPDATES AND NEWS TRADE BARRIERS REGULATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS USEFUL LINKS YOUR COMMENTS DISCLAIMER

3 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. OBJECTIVE OF THIS DOCUMENT The purpose of this user guide is to illustrate the functioning of the Market Access database providing step by step instructions on how to use each section. The database is accessible via a hyperlink from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Trade homepage WHAT IS THE MARKET ACCESS DATABASE? In the framework of the Commission s Market Access Strategy, the Market Access Database (MADB), freely available to all economic operators throughout the EU and acceding/candidate countries via the Internet, was set up and has been progressively developed in order to meet the following needs: to provide basic information of interest to EU exporters (e.g. import duties, related taxes and documentary import requirements applicable in export markets, trade statistics, studies on market access related topics); to list all trade barriers affecting EU exports by country and by sector and to ensure systematic follow-up of the barrier identified and to provide an interactive means of communication between business and the European authorities, allowing an exchange of information on-line. The MADB is available on the Internet at the following address madb.europa.eu NB: THE APPLIED TARIFFS AND IMPORT FORMALITIES SECTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR USERS INSIDE THE EU. THE OTHER SECTIONS ARE AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE. 3

4 1.3. HOW DOES THE MADB ASSIST YOU? FROM THE MADB HOMEPAGE CLICK ON THE TARGETED SECTION To obtain information on how the Market Access Partnership between the Commission, Member States and business tackles concrete problems of EU business in third country markets consult the MARKET ACCESS PARTNERSHIP WEBPAGE. To obtain information on import duties and internal taxes applicable to your exports to various third country markets go to the APPLIED TARIFFS DATABASE SECTION. To know more about the import procedures and documents required for the import of particular products into non-eu countries go to the EXPORTERS' GUIDE TO IMPORT FORMALITIES SECTION. To obtain an overview of trade flows between the EU (including individual Member States) and non-eu countries go to the STATISTICAL DATABASE SECTION. To notify the European Commission of barriers to trade and investment you encounter in third country markets go to the COMPLAINT REGISTER SECTION. To find information on trade barriers which may affect you in the individual countries go to the TRADE BARRIERS DATABASE SECTION. To find information on Sanitary and Phytosanitary barrier on export to non-eu countries go to the SPS DATABASE SECTION. To address trade barriers you may face in the context of your international operations through a formal investigation under the Commission's Trade Barrier Regulation go to the TRADE BARRIERS REGULATION SECTION. If you have questions, you will hopefully find the answers in our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) SECTION. 4

5 A collection of links to other sites which you may find useful is available in the USEFUL LINKS INCLUDING FOR SMES SECTION. Last but not least, you can consult on-line the USER'S GUIDE available in all 23 EU languages. 5

6 2. APPLIED TARIFFS The Applied Tariffs Database contains information on import duties and taxes applicable in numerous non-eu countries, allowing database users to calculate a landed cost for their products by entering its specific standard Harmonized System code. NB: The applied tariffs database is available for users connecting from countries of the EU (or in one of the acceding or candidate countries). No access is possible from the rest of the world. APPLIED TARIFFS: SEARCH To obtain required information from this section, please follow the steps below: Step 1 Go to the Applied Tariffs Input form by clicking on the "Applied Tariffs Database" heading in the Home page Step 2 Select your target country/customs area The Applied Tariffs Database allows you to select an export market and to obtain the customs duty and internal taxes that apply to a particular product. Search the appropriate country/customs area in the drop-down menu; Select the appropriate country/customs area. 6

7 Step 3 The database may be searched by typing a product code or a product description. You can either indicate the Harmonised System (HS code) product code for the product or you can make a query on the basis of a keyword. IF YOU KNOW THE PRODUCT CODE Type the product code in the product code box - 4 to 6 digits in the foreseen space (on the blue line); Click on Search HS code 1 (on the right side of the product code box); An information page on copyrights will open 2 Click on Accept or Deny 3. Your are on the Applied Tariffs page Proceed to Step 4 IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE PRODUCT CODE YOU HAVE 3 OPTIONS: A, B OR C 1 STANDARD HARMONIZED SYSTEM CODE 2 LICENSE ACCEPTANCE : The information in the Market Access Applied Tariffs Database section or Import Formalities section may not be used for resale (or in the provision of consultancy services), redistribution, building of databases, storage, or for any purpose other than reference use by a European Union user personally located within one of the 27 Member States of the European Union, Croatia, Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in support of the user's own international business processes in the European Union. All other use is prohibited unless explicitly approved in writing by the owner of the data. 3 At this stage, if you deny, you are not allowed to access this section. 7

8 OPTION A Click on the Browse product code link and the Chapter list page will open (list of product nomenclature); If you find the description for your product listed in one of the 21 sections, Click on the appropriate Chapter name in the right hand side column. A product list page will open with more detailed product descriptions and their respective codes; Click on the code in the first column on the left for the appropriate product; When you click on a link the product code is entered in the Search form automatically. If that is the product code you want just click the Confirm button and the window will be closed; In the Search form, click on Search HS code 1 ; You are on the Applied Tariffs page. Proceed to Step 4 OPTION B Click on the Full text Search link and the product nomenclature page will open; Enter the product description in the product description box and click on Search HS code 1. A product list page will open with more detailed product descriptions and their respective codes; Click on the code in the first column on the left for the appropriate product; When you click on a link the product code is entered in the Search form automatically. If that is the product code you want just click the Confirm button and the window will be closed; In the Search form, click on Search HS code 1 ; You are on the Applied Tariffs page. Proceed to Step 4 1 STANDARD HARMONIZED SYSTEM CODE 8

9 OPTION C Type the product name in the Product description box and click on Search Keyword ; If the product description is in the catalogue, a product list page will open with more detailed product descriptions and their respective codes; In the Search results page, click on the code in the first column on the left for the appropriate product; You are on the Applied Tariffs page. Proceed to Step 4 Step 4 READ THE APPLIED TARIFFS DISPLAY Click on the appropriate product code in the first column on the left to access more details on the final product code page. 9

10 AN EXAMPLE OF TARIFF DETAILS The last page provides an overview of duty measures and tariffs applied, taxes and additional duties. In the section "Tariffs related notes" link at the top of the page you will find specific notes related to the requested product. 10

11 3. EXPORTER'S GUIDE TO IMPORT FORMALITIES In this section you will find all you need to know about the import procedures and documents required for the importation of particular products to Non-EU countries. NB: The applied tariffs database is available for users connecting from countries in the EU (or in one of the acceding or candidate countries). No access is possible from the rest of the world. IMPORT FORMALITIES: SEARCH To obtain required information from this section, please follow the steps below: Step 1 Go to the Import formalities Input form by clicking on the "Exporter's Guide to Import Formalities" heading on the Home page: Step 2 Select your target country/customs area You need to select your target country to use the Exporter s Guide section of the website by choosing from the options available in the drop-down menu. Search a country/customs area by clicking in the drop-down menu; Select the appropriate country/customs area. 11

12 Step 3 Enter a product code You can now add either the product code or description for the product concerned IF YOU KNOW THE PRODUCT CODE Type the product code in the product code box - 4 to 6 digits in the foreseen space (on the blue line); Click on Search HS code 1 (on the right side of the product code box); An information page on copyrights will open 2 Click on Accept or Deny 3. Proceed to Step 4 IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE PRODUCT CODE YOU HAVE 3 OPTIONS: A, B OR C OPTION A Click on the Browse product code link and the Chapter list page will open (list of product nomenclature); If you find the description for your product listed in one of the 21 sections, Click on the appropriate Chapter name in the right hand side column. A product list page will open with more detailed product descriptions and their respective codes; 1 STANDARD HARMONIZED SYSTEM CODE 2 LICENSE ACCEPTANCE : The information in the Market Access Applied Tariffs Database section or Import Formalities section may not be used for resale (or in the provision of consultancy services), redistribution, building of databases, storage, or for any purpose other than reference use by a European Union user personally located within one of the 27 Member States of the European Union, Croatia, Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in support of the user's own international business processes in the European Union. All other use is prohibited unless explicitly approved in writing by the owner of the data. 3 At this stage, if you deny, you are not allowed to access this section. 12

13 Click on the code in the first column on the left for the appropriate product; When you click on a link the product code is entered in the Search form automatically. If that is the product code you want just click the Confirm button and the window will be closed; In the Search form, click on Search HS code 1. Proceed to Step 4 OPTION B Click on the Full text Search link and the product nomenclature page will open; Enter the product description in the product description box and click on Search HS code 1. A product list page will open with more detailed product descriptions and their respective codes; Click on the code in the first column on the left for the appropriate product; When you click on a link the product code is entered in the Search form automatically. If that is the product code you want just click the Confirm button and the window will be closed; In the Search form, click on Search HS code 1. Proceed to Step 4 OPTION C Type the product name in the Product description box and click on Search Keyword ; If the product description is in the catalogue, a product list page will open with more detailed product descriptions and their respective codes; 1 STANDARD HARMONIZED SYSTEM CODE 13

14 Step 4 In the "Search results" page, click on the code in the first column on the left for the appropriate product. Proceed to Step 4 CONSULT THE LIST OF APPLICABLE IMPORT FORMALITIES AND PROCEDURES These are divided into: o Overview of import procedures: This provides an overview of the import procedures and contacts for importing to the country concerned. o General requirements: This section includes copies of documents generally applicable for the country concerned with translation into English. o Specific requirements: This section provides the specific documents required for the importation of the specific product you have selected. 14

15 4. STATISTICAL DATABASE The Statistical Database provides an overview of trade flows between the EU and non- EU countries for particular products. SEARCH FOR STATISTICS To obtain statistical information from this section, please follow the steps below: Step 1 Go to the Statistical Database Input form by clicking on the "Statistical Database" heading in the Home page Step 2 Select EU Member State(s) NB: The "Select EU Member State(s)" box is automatically configured to EUR 27. OPTION 1 - EUR 27: the EUR 27 mode provides you with trade statistics for the whole of the EU (and all twenty-seven EU Member States individually). OPTION 2 - EUR 25: Selecting EUR 25 provides you with trade statistics for twenty-five EU Member States (before the accession of Romania and Bulgaria in 2007). OPTION 3 - selecting a specific Member State provides you with the statistics for the EU Member State selected. A list of the EU Member States is available by clicking on the button. Search EU Member States by clicking in the drop-down menu Select the appropriate option 1, 2 or 3 15

16 Step 3 Select a partner country The "Select a partner country" box is automatically configured to "All partners". OPTION 1 All partners: selecting this option provides you with the trade statistics for all countries. OPTION 2 - selecting a specific partner country provides you with the trade statistics for the specific partner country selected. You may select one of the EU partner countries by clicking on the target country name in the drop-down menu. The default selection is "All partners". Search all partners or the targeted partner country by clicking in the drop-down menu; Select the appropriate option 1 or 2. Step 4 Select reporting year(s) The default selection in the "Select reporting year(s)" box is the latest available reporting year. In the select reporting year(s) box you can choose: OPTION 1 - to view the trade statistics for any individual year (as far back as 2002). OPTION 2 - to view the trade statistics for more than one year at a time. Search one or more reporting years by clicking in the drop-down menu; Select the appropriate option 1 or 2; To select more that one reporting year, click and highlight the relevant years while pressing "Ctrl" or "Shift" buttons at the same time. 16

17 Step 5 Select indicator(s) The "Select indicator(s)" box contains the following four categories: Imports Value: highlighting this category will provide the import value in thousands of Euros of a particular product from the partner country selected (all partners or a specific partner country) to the reporting country selected (EUR 27, EUR 25, or a specific EU Member State). Imports Quantity: highlighting this category will provide the import quantity in thousands of kilos of a particular product from the partner country selected (all partners or a specific partner country) to the reporting country selected (EUR 27, EUR 25, or a specific EU Member State). Exports Value: highlighting this category will provide the export value in thousands of Euros of a particular product from the reporting country selected (EUR 27, EUR 25, or a specific EU Member State) to the partner country selected (all partners or a specific partner country). Exports Quantity: highlighting this category will provide the export quantity in thousands of kilos of a particular product from the reporting country selected (EUR 27, EUR 25, or a specific EU Member State) to the partner country selected (all partners or a specific partner country). To view the trade statistics concerning imports and/or exports value and/or imports and/or exports quantity: Search indicator(s) by clicking in the drop-down menu; Select the appropriate indicator; To select more that one indicator, click and highlight the relevant indicator while pressing "Ctrl" or "Shift" buttons at the same time. 17

18 Step 6 Enter a product code IF YOU KNOW THE PRODUCT CODE Type the product code in the product code box - You may select a section, chapter, heading or product code up to 10 digits in the foreseen space (on the blue line); Click on Search HS code 1 (on the right side of the product code box); An information page on copyrights will open 2 Click on Accept or Deny 3. Proceed to Step 7 IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE PRODUCT CODE YOU HAVE 2 OPTIONS: A OR B OPTION A Click on the Browse product code link and the Chapter list page will open (list of product nomenclature); If you find the description for your product listed in one of the 21 sections, Click on the appropriate Chapter name in the right hand side column. A product list page will open with more detailed product descriptions and their respective codes; 1 STANDARD HARMONIZED SYSTEM CODE 2 LICENSE ACCEPTANCE : The information in the Market Access Applied Tariffs Database section or Import Formalities section may not be used for resale (or in the provision of consultancy services), redistribution, building of databases, storage, or for any purpose other than reference use by a European Union user personally located within one of the 27 Member States of the European Union, Croatia, Turkey and Fyrom in support of the user's own international business processes in the European Union. All other use is prohibited unless explicitly approved in writing by the owner of the data. 3 At this stage, if you deny, you are not allowed to access this section. 18

19 Click on the code in the first column on the left for the appropriate product; When you click on a link the product code is entered in the Search form automatically. If that is the product code you want just click the Confirm button and the window will be closed; In the Search form, click on Search HS code 1 ; Proceed to Step 7 OPTION B Click on the Full text Search link and the product nomenclature page will open; Type the product description in the product description box and click on Search HS code 1. A product list page will open with more detailed product descriptions and their respective codes; Click on the code in the first column on the left for the appropriate product; When you click on a link the product code is entered in the Search form automatically. If that is the product code you want just click the Confirm button and the window will be closed; In the Search form, click on Search HS code 1 ; Proceed to Step 7 1 STANDARD HARMONIZED SYSTEM CODE 19

20 Step 7 READ THE TRADE STATISTICS RESULTS PAGE The layout of the trade statistics results page varies depending on the selections that were made in the input form. AN EXAMPLE OF TRADE STATISTICS RESULTS TABLE Note: In the results table, the '-' sign indicates that no figures were reported by the EU Member State(s) for imports or exports of the selected product in the selected year(s). Decimal separator is the dot (.) Thousands separators are blank spaces. You may refine the search criteria at the bottom of the result page by clicking on other choices for the following parameters: year(s), EU Member State(s), Partner(s) and Indicator(s). Confirm your choice by clicking on the "Search" button. 20

21 To obtain the price per kilo for imports/exports: divide the figure in the imports or exports value column by the appropriate figure in the imports or exports quantity column. For example if the import value for product X from country X is Euros and the import quantity is 0.3 tonnes (300 kg) the dividing by 300 gives you a kilo price of 11 Euros. To download trade statistics data: transferring the data in the Trade Statistics Results page into a spreadsheet will allow you to perform calculations and make other analysis using the data requested. To export the results into the Microsoft Excel format: at the top of the Results page, click on the "excel" link or click on the right mouse button to display a menu and select the menu option "Export to Microsoft Excel" This will open an Excel worksheet and transfer the trade statistics data from the trade statistics table of the Market Access Database into an Excel sheet. 21

22 5. COMPLAINT REGISTER The Complaint register serves as a single entry point for all complaints from EU companies about trade barriers for exports to, or investments in, non EU-countries. It allows EU business to follow the progress of a complaint more easily. THE ADVANTAGES OF THE COMPLAINT REGISTER SIMPLE ON-LINE REGISTRATION OF TRADE BARRIERS. RECORDING OF ALL TRADE BARRIERS IN ONE PLACE. STANDARDISED ON-LINE INPUT FORMS. IN THIS SECTION YOU CAN SEARCH A COMPLAINT REGISTER A COMPLAINT REQUEST MORE INFORMATION 22

23 5.1. SEARCH COMPLAINTS To obtain information from this section, please follow the steps below: Step 1 Go to the Complaint register search Input form by clicking on the "Complaint Register" heading in the Home page and then clicking on the "Search Complaints" button at the bottom of the page. Step 2 Select sector, measure and/or country You may select one (or more) of the various sectors, one (or more) of the referred countries or one (or more) of the various measures by clicking in one of the drop-down menus. Select sector, measure, country by clicking in the drop-down menu You can select one or more element by pushing on the "Ctrl" button while you click on the appropriate choice Click on "Search" 23

24 Step 3 READ THE RESULT TABLE AN EXAMPLE OF COMPLAINT DETAILS 24

25 5.2. REGISTER A NEW COMPLAINT To register a new complaint, please follow the steps below: Step 1 Go to the Complaint register Search form by clicking on the "Complaint Register" heading in the Home page and then hitting the 'Register a new complaint' button. Step 2 Fill in the form It is not compulsory to complete all the fields in the form. However the more complete the information you provide, the easier it will be for the European Commission services to follow up your complaint. Compulsory fields are marked with a "*". The company or organisation name and contact information recorded in the form will not be displayed publicly in the Complaint Register. If you need help, a completed fictional example form is available on-line at this address: You are not obliged to use this form. You may also submit a complaint by ordinary letter, but it is in your interest to include as much relevant information as possible. You can send this form by ordinary mail to the following address: European Commission DG Trade Market Access Unit Rue de la Loi 200 B-1049 Brussels BELGIUM Step 3 Register your complaint You must click on "Register complaint" at the bottom of the form page to finish your registration. The system will display a page with the data that will be submitted. Once confirmed your complaint has been registered. 25

26 5.3. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS KIND OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM THIS SECTION: Does filling in the Complaint Register guarantee that my complaint will be followed up by the Commission Services? How will I be informed of progress made in following up my complaint? Can I submit the complaint in my own language? Is the Complaint Register linked to the Trade Barriers Regulation (TBR) procedure? How long will it take to resolve my complaint? Will my complaint also be recorded in the Market Access Database? I am concerned that the third country authorities will discover that I have made a complaint. How do you protect against disclosure of my identity? WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE COMPLAINT REGISTER OR HAVE ANY SUGGESTION? Please feel free to contact the Market Access Unit Trade-Market-Access-Dbase@ec.europa.eu 26

27 6. TRADE BARRIERS DATABASE In this section you can find information about specific trade barriers which EU exporters are faced with on third country markets SEARCH FOR A BARRIER FICHE To obtain required information from this section, please follow the steps below: Step 1 Go to the Barrier fiche Search form by clicking on the "Trade Barrier Database" heading in the Home page Step 2 Select sector, measure or country You may select one (or more) of the various sectors, one (or more) of the referred countries or one (or more) of the various types of measures by clicking in one of the drop-down menus. Select sector, measure or country by clicking in the drop-down menu You can select one or more elements by pushing on the "Ctrl" button while you click on the appropriate choice Click on "Search" 27

28 Step 3 AN EXAMPLE OF BARRIER LIST RESULT NB: by clicking on "Other search criteria", you will get a list of cross-tables providing an overview of the number of barrier fiches available for a given combination of country, sector and measure: 28

29 Country and Sector cross table Country and Measure cross table Sector and Measure cross table 6.2. SEARCH FOR UPDATES AND NEWS On the same page, you may click on links providing the latest news concerning updates, resolved barriers fiches or new barrier fiches. 29

30 You may search for the fiches that have been changed and or checked in the last week or last month. You may also find information on resolved cases by clicking on the heading "Resolved barrier fiches". 30

31 7. SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY DATABASE The information contained in this database on sanitary and phytosanitary barriers has been provided by the agro-food industry, Member States, EU Delegations in Third Countries, Commission Services and SPS notifications from the WTO SEARCH FOR A BARRIER FICHE To obtain required information from this section, please follow the steps below: Step 1 Go to the SPS Barriers Input form by clicking on the "SPS Export Database" heading in the Home page 31

32 Step 2 Enter search criteria to find SPS barrier fiches By third country: Click on the "By third country" heading in the Home page Click on the appropriate country and the SPS list result will open. Click on the appropriate item to open the barrier fiche detail. By product section: Click on the "By product section" heading in the Home page Select a product list Select the appropriate product and the SPS list result will open Click on the appropriate item to open the barrier fiche detail By product description: Click on the "By product description" heading in the Home page Select a country or a product description (Please enter a keyword and the system will search on all the product descriptions) Click on Search and the product description list will open Click on the appropriate item to open the barrier fiche detail. By SPS measure: Click on the "By SPS measure" heading in the Home page Select a measure and the SPS list result will open. Click on the appropriate item to open the barrier fiche detail. By third country vs product section Click on the "By third country vs product" heading in the Home page You'll get product groups listed in a table Click on a product to see the description Click on a number in the table below to see the list of related barriers. By third country vs product measure Click on the "By third country vs measure" heading in the Home page You'll get measures listed in a table Click on an item to see more details Click on a number in the table below to see the list of related barriers. You may also find information on resolved cases by clicking on the section "Resolved SPS problems" 32

33 AN EXAMPLE OF A RESOLVED BARRIER FICHE 7.2. SEARCH FOR UPDATES AND NEWS You may also search for the last updated fiches by clicking on the section "Last updates". You can search for fiches changed and/or checked in the last week or last month. 33

34 By selecting the "What's new" heading you will get information concerning the fiches created in the last month. You may send your comments or queries by clicking on the "Contact" heading. 34

35 8. TRADE BARRIERS REGULATION In this section you will be redirected to the Trade Barriers Regulation website to find information on the formal procedures under the EU's Trade Barriers Regulation WHAT IS THE TRADE BARRIERS REGULATION (TBR)? To obtain information from this section OVERVIEW LEGISLATION REPORTS AND TEXTS LIST OF CASES COMPLAINTS: Please click on the link to the TBR webpage below: 35

36 9. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS In this section you can find answers to the most frequently asked questions. GENERAL QUESTIONS 1. What is the Market Access Database? 2. How does the EU's Market Access Strategy help you? 3. What's in the Market Access Database? 4. How can the EU eliminate trade barriers? 5. How can you help yourself? TERMS OF USE 1. Do I have to pay? Can anyone use it? 2. I am located in the EU. Why can I not get access to the applied tariffs and import formalities sections? 3. I am an official representative of a member state and I work in a non-eu country. How can I get access to the applied tariffs and import formalities sections? 4. I get the message "Access is not allowed from an open proxy server". What does this mean? OTHER ISSUES 1. Where can I find similar information, on helping exporters in third countries to export to the EU? 2. Where else do I find tariffs applied by the EU on imports originating from third countries? ABBREVIATIONS List of abbreviations used in the Market Access Database 36

37 10. USEFUL LINKS INCLUDING FOR SMES This section provides information concerning EU and Member State authorities and international organisations involved in trade operations and trade promotion. PLEASE CHOOSE A LINK CATEGORY BY CLICKING ON IT 11. YOUR COMMENTS You may send your comments or queries to the Market Access Unit in DG Trade by clicking on "Contact" at the bottom of the home page. 37

38 12. DISCLAIMER The Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to the material in this document. This material is: Information of a general nature only which is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual or entity; Not necessarily comprehensive, complete, accurate or up to date; Non-professional of legal advice (if you need specific advice, you should always consult a suitably qualified professional). Please note that it cannot be guaranteed that a document available on line exactly reproduces an officially adopted text. Only European Union legislation published in the paper editions of the Official Journal of the European Union is deemed authentic. This disclaimer is neither intended to limit the liability of the Commission in contravention of any requirements laid down in applicable national law nor to exclude its liability for matters which may not be excluded under that law. 38