The Council of the European Union has issued a corrigendum to Regulation (EU) 2026/513, correcting a typographical error in the annex that lists platinum import restrictions under the Belarus sanctions regime. The error, which appeared in all 24 official EU languages, incorrectly cited CN code "7210 29" instead of "7110 29" for the platinum entry (ex 7110). The corrected text now reads "except for CN codes 7110 21 and 7110 29," ensuring that the intended exclusions are accurately reflected in the published legal text.
The corrigendum, dated 23 April 2026 and published on 5 August 2026, is a purely technical fix that does not alter the substance of the restrictive measures. It was classified as an obvious error under Procedure 2(c), and Member States had until Friday, 7 August, 17:00 to submit observations to the Council's Legal Service. The correction affects all parties applying the platinum import restrictions, including EU importers, customs authorities, and businesses handling platinum products.
Regulation (EU) 2026/513, which the corrigendum amends, is part of the EU's broader sanctions framework targeting Belarus for its involvement in Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The regulation updates the existing restrictive measures under Regulation (EC) No 765/2006, which has been progressively tightened since Belarus's support for Russia's invasion. The annex in question specifies the goods subject to import restrictions, with the platinum entry (ex 7110) being one of the items covered.
The correction clarifies that CN codes 7110 21 and 7110 29 are excluded from the platinum restrictions, meaning these specific product codes are not subject to the import ban. This distinction is critical for traders and customs officials who rely on the annex to determine which goods are prohibited. The previous erroneous reference to 7210 29, which corresponds to a different category of products, could have led to confusion and potential misapplication of the sanctions.
For EU importers and distributors of platinum products, the correction provides legal certainty, ensuring that only the intended codes are restricted. Customs authorities across the 27 member states will now apply the correct exclusions, reducing the risk of inadvertent violations or disputes. The fix also underscores the EU's commitment to maintaining the precision and integrity of its sanctions legislation, even in minor technical details.
While the corrigendum does not introduce new policy measures, it is a necessary step to ensure the effective implementation of the existing restrictions. The Council's swift action to correct the error, following the standard procedure for obvious mistakes, reflects the importance of accurate legal texts in the enforcement of sanctions. No further institutional follow-up is expected, as the correction is final and applies retroactively to the original regulation's publication.