Daily News 29 / 11 / 2022

Spain and Croatia will receive substantial financial support under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund for 2021-2027

The Commission has adopted the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programmes for Spain and Croatia. The total amount of the allocated funds for Spain, which cover this six-year period, is €1.57 billion, of which the EU contribution accounts for €1.12 billion.

The total amount of the allocated funds for Croatia is €348 million over the next six years, of which the EU contribution accounts for €243.6 million.

The programmes' allocations will be mostly dedicated to sustainable fisheries, sustainable aquaculture and processing as well as to sustainable blue economy in coastal regions and the strengthening of the international ocean governance.

For Spain, the programme will also put a strong focus on the Canary Islands, supporting this outermost region on structural investments particularly targeting the small-scale fisheries businesses, making the profession more attractive. For Croatia, the programme will reinforce the environmental actions undertaken under the Croatian prioritised action framework for Natura 2000.

Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said: “I am pleased to announce the adoption of the EMFAF programmes for Spain and Croatia. The EMFAF programme for Spain is the largest Member State programme and will play a crucial role for the future of the fishing sector in Spain. It will emphasise on the development of an ecosystem-based management, improve digitalisation and energy efficiency and will train professionals accordingly. It will open new perspectives for the sustainable development of this important sector in Spain and at the same time ensure the protection and restoration of biodiversity. The programme for Croatia will significantly accelerate the transition towards sustainable use of natural resources, support the protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity, as well as promote low-carbon aquaculture and processing.”

More information is available here and here. Spain's and Croatia's Partnership Agreements are also available.

(For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: +32 229 53156; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 229 82504)

Agriculture : le dernier rapport mensuel sur le commerce agroalimentaire fait état de la plus forte balance commerciale positive en août 2022

La Commission a publié aujourd'hui le dernier rapport mensuel sur le commerce agroalimentaire, qui montre que tant les exportations agroalimentaires que les importations de l'UE ont augmenté en août 2022. Cela a conduit au point le plus élevé pour les flux commerciaux mensuels de l'UE en 2022, à 35 milliards d'euros. La balance commerciale de l'UE a également atteint sa valeur la plus élevée de l'année du même mois, avec 5,6 milliards d'euros. La valeur des exportations de l'UE a augmenté de 6 % et les importations de 3 % par rapport à juillet 2022. Le rapport met également l'accent sur les flux commerciaux entre l'UE et l'Inde.

Les exportations les plus importantes en août ont concerné les préparations de céréales (1,7 milliards d'euros), le blé (1,6 milliards d'euros) et le vin (1,4 milliards d'euros). Une part importante des exportations de blé de l'UE est destinée à la région Moyen-Orient/Afrique du Nord (MENA) et à l'Afrique subsaharienne. En août seulement, 2 millions de tonnes de blé ont atteint la région MENA (48 % du total des exportations de blé de l'UE) et 1,5 millions de tonnes sont arrivées en Afrique subsaharienne (34 % du total des exportations de blé de l'UE). Au total, l'UE a exporté 148 milliards d'euros de produits agroalimentaires de janvier à août 2022.

En août 2022, l'UE a principalement importé du Brésil, du Royaume-Uni et d'Ukraine. Au total, les importations de l'UE de janvier à août 2022 ont atteint 110,9 milliards d'euros.

L'Inde est l'un des principaux partenaires commerciaux de l'UE. Les produits les plus importés sont le café, le thé, le cacao et les épices, pour une valeur de 521 millions d'euros, suivis par les farines de soja, le riz et le tabac brut. Les trois principaux produits de l'UE exportés vers l'Inde sont les fibres végétales, les produits laitiers et les fruits et fruits à coque (principalement des pommes et des poires).

Plus d'informations dans notre news item en ligne.

(Pour plus d'informations: Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tél.: +32 2 299 90 75; Thérèse Lerebours – Tél.: +32 2 296 33 03)

Propriété intellectuelle : de nouvelles règles rendront les dessins et modèles industriels plus rapides, moins chers et plus prévisibles

La Commission publie des règles révisées qui rendront moins coûteuse, plus rapide et plus prévisible la protection des dessins et modèles industriels dans l'ensemble de l'UE. Ces nouvelles règles rendront la protection des dessins ou modèles enregistrés plus accessible et abordable, en particulier pour les créateurs individuels et les PME, par exemple en facilitant leur présentation lors d'une demande d'enregistrement, ainsi qu'en diminuant les taxes à payer pour les dix premières années de protection.

Des procédures harmonisées contribueront à créer des conditions de concurrence équitables pour les entreprises dans toute l'Europe. Les nouvelles règles visent à assurer une plus grande complémentarité entre les règles européennes et nationales, par exemple en ce qui concerne les exigences d'enregistrement ou la simplification des règles d'invalidation des dessins enregistrés.

Les règles introduisent également une approche plus équilibrée de la protection des dessins et modèles. Cela garantit que les conceptions peuvent être reproduites pour les pièces de rechange, offrant aux consommateurs plus de choix dans la réparation de produits complexes, tels que les voitures par exemple.

Un dessin ou modèle industriel constitue l'apparence extérieure d'un produit caractérisé par ses lignes, ses contours ou sa forme. Les règles révisées moderniseront les règles-cadres de conception existantes et contribueront à améliorer les conditions d'innovation des entreprises. Plus d'informations dans le communiqué de presse.

(Pour plus d'informations: Johannes Bahrke – Tél.: +32 229 58615; Federica Miccoli – Tél.: +32 229 58300)

European skills: Launch of a large-scale partnership on skills in retail

Today, with the support of the Commission, retail employers and trade union associations Eurocommerce and Uni Europa have set up a large-scale skills partnership for the retail industrial ecosystem. The ambition of the partnership is to allow people and businesses to acquire new skills for the digital and green transitions of Europe's economy. The partnership will focus on promoting lifelong learning in the retail sector, help to share best practices as well as monitor available and needed skills.

Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton said: “This large-scale partnership under the Pact for Skills will help retail businesses embrace the green and digital transition, increase their resilience and remain competitive. Consumers will also benefit from a better performing retail ecosystem”.

Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit, said: “We welcome the new large-scale skills partnership for the ecosystem with the largest workforce in the EU. The Pact for Skills brings together all relevant players in the retail and wholesale value chain, to work together and tackle skills challenges in an inclusive and fair way.

Following commitments in other industrial ecosystems, this partnership is a concrete implementation of the Pact for Skills, one of the flagship initiatives under the European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience. Since its launch, nearly 1000 organisations have pledged to reskill over 6 million people in Europe. This initiative also contributes to the EU-level headline target that by 2030, at least 60% of all adults should participate in training every year.

(For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Federica Miccoli – Tel.: +32 229 58300)

Commission welcomes political agreement on the new EU product safety rules

The European Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement reached yesterday between the European Parliament and the Council on the core elements of the Regulation on general product safety, following the Commission's proposal in June 2021. This agreement will provide new rules to ensure that only safe products are sold to consumers in the EU, no matter whether they are sold in shops or on online marketplaces, and no matter whether they are produced in the EU or elsewhere. The Regulation will also address risks related to new technology products, such as cybersecurity risks, and introduce product safety rules for online marketplaces. The new rules are aligned and consistent with the Digital Services Act (DSA). Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, said: "Consumers have a right to know that they are using safe products. Too many dangerous products remain on the Union market, with an annual detriment caused by dangerous products estimated at EUR 11.5 billion. I welcome the provisional agreement on the Commission's proposal for a General Product Safety Regulation - we are reaching the finish line on this important file, a key element to help us better protect European consumers.” Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, added: “Yesterday's agreement takes us a step closer to a stronger and safer single market for consumers in the European Union, which will be beneficial for us all. The General Product Safety Regulation will ensure a level playing field for all companies selling to EU consumers, provide for clear rules for all businesses and enable better enforcement by authorities. For instance, third-country companies that export products to the EU will need to designate a responsible contact person in the EU. In this way, it will also make those companies accountable for the safety of the products that are bringing into the internal market.” The European Parliament and the Council will now need to formally adopt yesterday's political agreement.

(For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.: +32 229 63444; Cristina Torres Castillo - Tel.: +32 2 299 06 79)

Non-transposition of EU legislation: Commission takes action to ensure complete and timely transposition of EU directives

The Commission is adopting a package of infringement decisions due to the absence of communication by Member States of measures taken to transpose EU directives into national law (referred to as ‘non-communication infringements').nThe Commission is sending a letter of formal notice to those Member States who have failed to notify national measures transposing directives, whose transposition deadline expired recently.

In this case, there are 15 Member States who have not yet notified full transposition measures for 14 EU directives in the fields of environment and transport. Member States concerned now have two months to reply to the letters of formal notice and complete their transposition, or the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

See more details on our Press corner.

InvestEU: €90 million agreement signed for supporting Austrian SMEs in the areas of sustainability, innovation and digitalization

The European Investment Fund (EIF) and UniCredit Bank Austria have signed an agreement of €90 million for supporting Austrian small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and small mid-cap companies. This agreement benefits from a guarantee provided by the InvestEU programme. The agreement will improve the access to finance for Austrian businesses across the topics of sustainability, innovation and digitalisation, for instance by supporting the uptake of digital technologies and digital transformation of businesses.

Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for People, said: “InvestEU offers Austrian businesses great opportunities to access the finance they need to innovate, expand and create jobs. The investments supported by this agreement are exactly the sort needed to power the green and digital transitions across the EU. I look forward to seeing more such agreements supported by InvestEU in Austria in the months and years ahead.”

The InvestEU programme provides the EU with long-term funding by leveraging private and public funds in support of EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. The InvestEU Fund is implemented through financial partners who will invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee and thus mobilising at least €372 billion in additional investment.

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 96302; Flora Matthaes – Tel.: +32 229 83951)

Antitrust: Commission fines styrene purchasers €157 million in cartel settlement

The European Commission has fined Sunpor, Synbra, Synthomer, Synthos and Trinseo a total of €157 million for participating in a cartel concerning purchases on the styrene monomer merchant market. INEOS was not fined as it revealed the cartel to the Commission under the leniency programme. All six companies admitted their involvement in the cartel and agreed to settle the case.

The six buyers of styrene exchanged sensitive commercial information and coordinated their negotiation strategy on an industry reference price of styrene (the Styrene Monthly Contract Price or ‘SMCP'). Unlike in most cartels where companies conspire to increase their sales prices, the six companies colluded to lower an element of the price of styrene.

The Commission's investigation revealed the existence of a single and continuous infringement in the European Economic Area, spanning from 1 May 2012 to 30 June 2018.

The fines were set on the basis of the Commission's 2006 Guidelines on fines. All parties, except one, cooperated with the Commission under the leniency programme (2006 Leniency Notice). INEOS received full immunity for revealing the cartel. Sunpor, Synthomer Synthos and Trinseo benefited from a reduction of their fine for their cooperation with the Commission's investigation

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “With our decision today we fine six companies which participated in a purchasing cartel of styrene, a key input for many chemical products. The companies colluded and exchanged information on an industry reference price for styrene. Their plan was to influence the reference price negotiations to their advantage to buy styrene at a lower price. Purchasing cartels are not the most common type of cartels. Still, they are prohibited under our EU competition rules. They distort the competitive process which should be based on companies' independent decisions, and we will not tolerate them.”

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

Concentrations: la Commission autorise l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint de Bluevia par Telefónica, Predica et Vauban

La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint de Bluevia Fibra S.L. (« Bluevia ») par Telefónica S.A., toutes deux basées en Espagne, Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole S.A. (« Predica ») et Vauban Infrastructure Partners S.C.A. (« Vauban »), toutes deux basées en France.

Bluevia va opérer et exploiter un réseau fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) dans des zones rurales et d'autres zones moins peuplées d'Espagne. Telefónica est active dans les secteurs des télécommunications, des médias et du divertissement, et se concentre sur les services de téléphonie filaire et sans fil. Predica est une compagnie d'assurance vie et de santé détenue par le Groupe Crédit Agricole. Vauban est une société de gestion européenne spécialisée dans les investissements infrastructures et notamment dans la conception, la construction, la maintenance, le financement et l'exploitation d'infrastructure essentiels dans les secteurs du transport, de l'action social, du numérique et des services aux collectivités.

La Commission a conclu que l'acquisition envisagée ne souleverait pas de problème de concurrence, étant donné que l'opération ne crée aucun chevauchement horizontal ou vertical parmi les parties à la concentration. La transaction a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée de contrôle des concentrations.

De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet de la concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d'affaire M.10897.

(Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

Concentrations : la Commission autorise l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint de Gridspertise par Enel et CVC

La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l'acquisition du contrôle en commun de la société Gridspertise S.r.l., par Enel S.p.A., toutes deux basées en Italie, et CVC Capital Partners SICAV-FIS S.A. (« CVC »), basée au Luxembourg.

Gridspertise, actuellement contrôlée exclusivement par Enel, fournit des équipements pour les réseaux intelligents à des opérateurs et des utilisateurs de réseau. Enel est un groupe énergétique actif dans les secteurs de la production, la commercialisation, la distribution et la fourniture d'électricité et de gaz naturel. CVC gère des fonds et des plateformes d'investissement.

La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence, compte tenu de l'absence de chevauchements, ainsi que des liens verticaux limités, entre les activités de Gridspertise et de CVC. La transaction a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée de contrôle des concentrations.

De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d'affaire M.10943.

(Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of De Jong Papier Holding and DJV by Stora Enso

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of De Jong Papier Holding (‘De Jong') and DJV Holding (‘DJV'), both of the Netherlands, by Stora Enso AB of Sweden.

De Jong and DJV are mainly active in the production and supply of corrugated packaging in Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK, where they have production facilities. Stora Enso develops, produces and offers wood and biomass-based solutions and services. It is active in the production of both corrugated case materials and corrugated packaging, amongst other things, with several production plants throughout the European Economic Area.

The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the moderate combined market positions resulting from the transaction and the very limited vertical links between the companies' activities.

The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.10948.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

High-level Forum on legal pathways to protection

Today Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson will host the second High-level Forum to advance the work on safe and legal pathways for those people in need of protection. The Forum promotes closer cooperation with partner countries, UNHCR, IOM, civil and business organisations. It brings together EU Member States, the US, Canada, and the UK. The goal is to coordinate efforts to provide solutions for vulnerable refugees around the world. The discussion will focus on admission programmes, such as resettlement and humanitarian admission and also on promoting new labour pathways. The event will be live streamed here at 15h30 CET. More information will be made available in a press release once the Forum has concluded.

(For more information: Anitta Hipper - Tel.: + 32 229 85691, Fiorella Belciu – Tel.: +32 229 93734)

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases