Commission Decision of 3 March 1989 laying down detailed rules for the declassification of documents covered by professional or business secrecy (89/196/EEC, Euratom, ECSC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of l February 1983 concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community ( 1 ), and in particular Article 9 thereof,

Having regard to Commission Decision No 359/83/ECSC of 8 February 1983 concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Coal and Steel Community ( 2 ), and in particular Article 9 thereof,

Whereas, under the rules governing the opening to the public of the historical archives of the Communities, documents and records covered by the obligation of professional or business secrecy may not be released to the public unless the person or undertaking concerned does not object; whereas, to this effect, the Commission must give notice of its intention to release the documents and records to the public;

Whereas prior notification of the person or undertaking concerned is often difficult, particularly in cases of change of address or legal succession;

Whereas, to ensure that the procedure for opening the historical archives of the Communities to the public operates efficiently, provision should be made to enable the Commission to inform the person or undertaking concerned by means of a notice published in the Official Journal of the European Communities,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: