THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof;

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 203 thereof;

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;

Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament1;

Whereas numerous acts of the Council and of the Commission determine periods, dates or time limits and employ the terms ‘working days’ or ‘public holidays’;

Whereas it is necessary to establish uniform general rules on the subject;

Whereas it may, in exceptional cases, be necessary for certain acts of the Council or Commission to derogate from these general rules;

Whereas, to attain the objectives of the Communities, it is necessary to ensure the uniform application of Community law and consequently to determine the general rules applicable to periods, dates and time limits;

Whereas no authority to establish such rules is provided for in the Treaties;

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: