Where the law stands, Dossier 2021/0297(COD)
Generalised scheme of tariff preferences
Applying a generalized scheme of tariff preferences and repealing Regulation (EU) No 978/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council
Ordinary legislative procedure (COD): Parliament and the Council decide together as equals. · First reading
A proposed EU law. Parliament and the Council must agree on the same text: Parliament adopts its position, then negotiates with the Council.
Where it stands
Published as law
Completed: published in the Official Journal on 22 June 2026 and now EU law.
- Referred to committee(done) 4 October 2021
- Committee work(done) Report adopted 3 May 2022
- Tabled for plenary(done) 17 May 2022
- Negotiations with the Council(done) Deal approved in committee 27 January 2026
- Plenary vote(done) Adopted 28 April 2026
- Published as law(done) 22 June 2026
Decided in plenary
28 April 2026 · decision 1
Trade & customs, New EU law
Generalised scheme of tariff preferences
Passed 459 for · 127 against · 70 abstained by a large majority
AI summary:The scheme grants reduced or zero customs duties on imports from low and lower-middle income countries, with special arrangements for vulnerable countries and least developed countries.
What changed
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary
AI summary:The changes strengthen conditionality for standard GSP and GSP+ by requiring ratification and implementation of conventions, and add new definitions and procedures for monitoring and withdrawal. The changes introduce new provisions on safeguards, migration, and civil society consultation, and modify the tariff suspension schedules. The changes remove the concept of sustainable products and the associated tariff reductions, and adjust the product graduation criteria. The changes add a human rights and environmental impact assessment for granting preferences and allow for sectoral withdrawal. The other changes are formal: updated references, spelling corrections, and terminology alignment.
Who works on it
- Lead committee
- International Trade
- The MEP who drafts the report and negotiates it on behalf of the committee.
- Bernd Lange (S&D)
- An MEP who follows a report on behalf of their own group when another group holds the rapporteur.
- Gabriel Mato (EPP), Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D), Enikő Győri (Patriots), Daniele Polato (ECR), Karin Karlsbro (Renew), Majdouline Sbai (Greens), Lynn Boylan (The Left)
The text, version by version
Newest first.
Adopted by Parliament· 28 Apr 2026
AI summary:Parliament's amended version of the proposed regulation on applying a generalised scheme of tariff preferences, which repeals Regulation (EU) No 978/2012.
Tabled for plenary· 17 May 2022
AI summary:Parliament's amended version of the proposed regulation on the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) for 2024-2033. It strengthens conditionality, monitoring, and safeguards, and adds new conventions to Annex VI.
Committee draft· 6 Jan 2022
AI summary:The draft report proposes amendments to the Commission's regulation on a generalised scheme of tariff preferences (GSP), covering standard GSP, GSP+ and EBA arrangements.
Committee opinions: Opinion (AFET), Draft opinion (DEVE), Draft opinion (AFET), Opinion (DEVE)
Timeline
Newest first.
Outcome 2 steps
22 June 2026
Published in the Official Journal
The act is now EU law.
17 June 2026
Signed by the Presidents of Parliament and the Council
The last step before the act is published in the Official Journal.
Plenary stage 2 steps
28 April 2026
Plenary vote
Sitting of 28 Apr 2026 Adopted text TA10-0114/2026Report A9-0147/2022
30 March – 27 April 2026
147 amendments tabled for the plenary vote
Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.
Amendments 1–119Amendment 120Amendments 121–124Amendment 125Amendments 126–127Amendment 127Amendments 128–129Amendment 130Amendment 131Amendments 132–139Amendments 140–146
Negotiations with the Council 4 steps
27 January 2026
Committee approved the deal reached with the Council
The provisional agreement from the trilogues goes to the whole Parliament for a vote.
1 December 2025
Trilogue meeting
Negotiation between Parliament, Council and Commission on a common text.
17 June 2025
Trilogue meeting
Negotiation between Parliament, Council and Commission on a common text.
6 June 2022
Plenary endorsed the mandate to negotiate with the Council
Parliament’s negotiators can now seek a compromise text with the Council (in “trilogues”).
Plenary stage 1 step
17 May 2022
Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
Committee stage 6 steps
3 May 2022
Committee vote: report adopted
INTA (International Trade) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
2 February 2022
Committee opinion adopted
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
6 January 2022
Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in INTA (International Trade). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
7 December 2021
Draft opinion from AFET (Foreign Affairs)
An associated committee gives its view to the lead committee.
25 November 2021
Draft opinion from DEVE (Development)
An associated committee gives its view to the lead committee.
4 October 2021
Referred to the INTA (International Trade) committee
The lead committee prepares Parliament’s report.
Official record: Legislative Observatory, 2021/0297(COD)