This note seeks to provide an initial appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of the European Commission's Impact Assessment accompanying its proposal for a Council Decision on the association of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) with the European Union. The objective of the European Commission's proposal is to renew and revise the association of the OCTs with the EU. The 21 OCTs, comprising islands having special relations with Denmark (Greenland), France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are associated with the EU under Part Four of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Since 1958, the detailed rules and the procedures for this association have been laid down by the Council of the EU through successive Overseas Association Decisions (OADs), most recently in 2001. On a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, the Council adopts an OAD by unanimity. The present OAD will expire on 31 December 2013.