Means for the exchange and storage of information and common data requirements
Article 6
1. All exchanges of information, such as declarations, applications or decisions, between customs authorities and between economic operators and customs authorities, and the storage of such information, as required under the customs legislation, shall be made using electronic data-processing techniques. 2. Common data requirements shall be drawn up for the purpose of the exchange and storage of information referred to in paragraph 1. 3. Means for the exchange and storage of information, other than the electronic data-processing techniques referred to in paragraph 1, may be used as follows: (a) on a permanent basis where duly justified by the type of traffic or where the use of electronic data-processing techniques is not appropriate for the customs formalities concerned; (b) on a temporary basis, in the event of a temporary failure of the computerised system of the customs authorities or of the economic operators. 4. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the Commission may adopt in exceptional cases decisions allowing one or several Member States to use means for the exchange and storage of information other than electronic data-processing techniques. Such a decision on a derogation shall be justified by the specific situation of the Member State requesting it and the derogation shall be granted for a specific period of time. The derogation shall be reviewed periodically and may be extended for further specific periods of time upon further application by the Member State to which it is addressed. It shall be revoked where no longer justified. The derogation shall not affect the exchange of information between the Member State to which it is addressed and other Member States nor the exchange and storage of information in other Member States for the purpose of the application of the customs legislation.