Daily News 14 / 01 / 2022
La Commission demande que la durabilité soit au cœur des systèmes d'éducation et de formation de l'UE
La Commission a publié aujourd'hui une proposition de recommandation du Conseil sur l'apprentissage pour la durabilité environnementale. L'objectif de la proposition est d'aider les États membres, les écoles, les établissements d'enseignement supérieur, les organisations non gouvernementales et tous les prestataires d'enseignement à doter les apprenants d'une compréhension et de compétences en matière de durabilité, de changement climatique et d'environnement. Un nouveau cadre européen de compétences sur le développement durable publié par le Centre commun de recherche, également disponible aujourd'hui, recense les compétences nécessaires à la transition verte, y compris la pensée critique, la prise d'initiative, le respect de la nature et la compréhension de l'impact des actions et décisions quotidiennes sur l'environnement et le climat mondial. La proposition de la Commission invite les États membres à, entre autres, fournir aux apprenants de tous âges l'accès à une éducation et une formation inclusives et de haute qualité sur le changement climatique, la biodiversité et la durabilité. Il appelle également à mobiliser des fonds nationaux et européens pour investir dans des infrastructures, une formation, des outils et des ressources durables et vertes afin d'accroître la résilience et la préparation de l'éducation et de la formation à la transition verte. Pour plus d'informations, veuillez consulter le nouveau portail de l'Espace européen de l'éducation. Un communiqué de presse est également disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Sonya Gospodinova – Tél.: +32 229 66953; Célia Dejond – Tél.: +32 229 88199)
Food safety: Food additive Titanium Dioxide banned as of this summer
Today, the European Commission has adopted a ban on the use of Titanium Dioxide as a food additive (E171). The ban will apply after a six-month transitory period. This means that, as from this summer, this additive should no longer be added to food products. Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, in charge of Health and Food Safety, said: “The safety of the food our citizens eat and their health are non-negotiable. This is why we ensure strict and continuous scrutiny of the highest safety standards for consumers. A cornerstone of this work is to make sure that only safe substances, backed by sound scientific evidence, reach our plates. With today's ban, we are removing a food additive that is no longer considered as safe. I count on Member States authorities for their cooperation in ensuring that food operators end the use of E171 in foods.” Titanium Dioxide is used to impart white colour to many foods, from baked goods and sandwich spreads to soups, sauces, salad dressing and food supplements. Member States unanimously endorsed the Commission's proposal, put forward last autumn. It was based on a scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority which concluded that E171 could no longer be considered as safe when used as a food additive. More information is available in this Q&A. (For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 229 82054)
Brazil: EU releases €1 million in emergency funds to support people affected by floods
The European Commission has allocated €1 million in emergency funds to respond to the consequences of floods in Brazil. During the past two months, heavy rains affected several Brazilian municipalities, particularly in the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais, resulting in disastrous consequences for the population and the loss of houses, schools and vital infrastructures. Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: “Following the worrying developments of the heavy rains affecting Brazil, the EU is providing emergency funds for the affected population. Together with our humanitarian partners on the ground, we are working to ensure a prompt response for the vulnerable people facing the consequences of floods, in particular those forced to leave their homes as consequence of the disaster.” This funding aims to cover urgent needs through the provision of food, drinking water, shelter and household items. Humanitarian partners will also support the population with healthcare services to mitigate the risk of disease outbreaks. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi - Tel.: +32 229 69140)
Mergers: Commission prohibits proposed acquisition of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering by Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings
The European Commission has prohibited, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering CO., Ltd (DSME) by Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings (HHIH). The merger between the two South Korean shipbuilders would have created a dominant position by the new merged company and reduced competition in the worldwide market for the construction of large liquefied gas (‘LNG') carriers (‘LLNGCs'). The decision follows an in-depth investigation by the Commission of the proposed transaction. The Commission found that the transaction, as notified, would have resulted in (i) the creation of a dominant position by the merged company in the market for the construction of large LNG carriers, (ii) a reduced choice in suppliers and (iii) higher prices for EU customers and ultimately for energy consumers. The Commission's decision is based on the following considerations: (i) the parties enjoy very large and increasing market shares; (ii) there are very few alternatives for customers; (iii) there is limited capacity in the market; (iv) there are very high barriers to entry and no buyer power; and (v) the coronavirus pandemic has had no impact on the demand for large LNG carriers. The parties did not formally offer remedies to meet the Commission concerns. Consequently, the Commission has prohibited the proposed transaction. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “Large LNG vessels are an essential element in the supply chain of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and enable the transport of this source of energy around the globe. LNG contributes to the diversification of Europe's source of energy and therefore improves energy security. The merger between HHIH and DSME would have led to a dominant position in the global market for the construction of large LNG vessels, for which there is significant demand from European carriers. Given that no remedies were submitted, the merger would have led to fewer suppliers and higher prices for large vessels transporting LNG. This is why we prohibited the merger.” A press release is available online. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie - Tel.: +32 229 86500; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)
Aides d'État : la Commission autorise un régime français de 250 millions d'euros visant à indemniser les entreprises à l'aval des exploitations agricoles affectées par le gel d'avril 2021
La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu des règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État, un régime d'aides français d'un montant de 250 millions d'euros visant à indemniser les entreprises du secteur de la transformation et de la commercialisation de produits agricoles dont l'approvisionnement en matière première agricole est étroitement lié aux zones touchées par les épisodes de gel survenus entre les 4 et 14 avril 2021, notamment les vignerons indépendants, les coopératives viticoles, les expéditeurs de fruits et les entreprises de transformation de produits sous indication géographique. L'aide prendra la forme de subventions directes. La Commission a évalué la mesure sur la base des règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État et notamment les principes d'appréciation commun des lignes directrices concernant les aides d'État dans les secteurs agricole et forestier et dans les zones rurales. La Commission a constaté que l'ampleur de l'impact négatif économique des gels d'avril 2021 sur le secteur concerné est de nature à justifier la compensation des dommages subis par les entreprises en aval. En outre, la Commission a constaté que les éventuelles distorsions de concurrence engendrées par le soutien de l'État seront limitées au minimum. Par conséquent, la Commission a conclu que la mesure est conforme aux règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État. Plus d'informations sont disponibles sur le site web de la Direction Générale de la Concurrence de la Commission dans le registre des aides d'État, sous le numéro SA.100729. (Pour plus d'informations: Daniel Ferrie - Tél.: +32 229 86500; Giulia Astuti – Tél.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)
State aid: Commission approves €60 million Austrian wage subsidy scheme to support seasonal businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic
The European Commission has approved a €60 million Austrian wage subsidy scheme to support seasonal businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the mandatory closure measures that the Austrian government imposed between 22 November and 12 December 2021 (17 December 2021 in Upper Austria) to prevent the spread of the virus. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the public support will take the form of wage subsidies covering part of the wage costs for those employees that started the employment relationship between 3 November and 12 December 2021 (17 December for Upper Austria). The measure aims to provide transitory support until the eligible companies will be able to apply for the short-time work program (called ‘Kurzarbeit'), covering the wage costs of workers that have been employed for at least one full calendar month of salary. The measure will help seasonal businesses to cover their wage costs, to resume their activities and to avoid lay-offs. The Commission found that the Austrian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the measure will assist companies that are particularly affected by the coronavirus outbreak and is aimed at avoiding layoffs; (ii) the monthly wage subsidies will not exceed 80% of the monthly gross salary of the benefitting personnel; and (iii) the aid will be granted no later than 30 June 2022. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case numbers SA.101086 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie - Tel.: +32 229 86500; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)
Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Powen by ACEK, the Benjumea Family and Brookfield
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Kishoa, S.L. (‘Powen') by Acek Desarrollo y Gestión Industrial, S.L. (‘ACEK'), Mr José and Mr Rafael Benjumea (the ‘Benjumea Family'), all of Spain, and Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. (‘Brookfield') of Canada. Powen provides decentralised solar power generation for business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) self-consumption. ACEK is active in steel, automotive components and renewable energy services. The Benjumea Family is active in direction and management of subsidiary companies. Brookfield is a global asset manager. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that the companies' combined and individual market shares remain minimal both for horizontal and vertical relationships in the markets where the parties are active. 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.10552. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie - Tel.: +32 229 86500; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Grenoble se lance en tant que Capitale écologique européenne en 2022 : le commissaire Sinkevičius participe à la cérémonie d'ouverture
Demain, la ville française de Grenoble deviendra officiellement la capitale écologique européenne de 2022, succédant ainsi à la ville finlandaise de Lahti. La cérémonie d'ouverture se déroulera en présence du commissaire à l'environnement, aux océans et à la pêche, Virginijus Sinkevičius, de Barbara Pompili, ministre française de la Transition écologique, et d'Eric Piolle, maire de Grenoble, entre autres participants. Le commissaire Sinkevičius a déclaré : « Grenoble a mérité le titre de Capitale écologique grâce à son engagement indéfectible dans le but de devenir une ville plus saine pour et avec ses citoyens. J'espère que l'année Capitale écologique de Grenoble donnera un nouvel élan à son leadership vert et inspirera d'autres villes européennes à bénéficier des possibilités offertes par le Pacte vert européen. » Grenoble a obtenu ce titre en tant que pionnière de la transition durable, notamment en tant que première collectivité locale française à adopter un plan climat. Grenoble a mis en place des politiques urbaines visant à diminuer la pollution et la perte de biodiversité, telles que la limitation de la vitesse à 30 km/h dans toute la ville, ce qui en fait la plus grande zone française à faibles émissions. Tout au long de son année en tant que Capitale verte, Grenoble invitera les acteurs locaux à s'engager à agir sur un ou plusieurs des 12 indicateurs environnementaux. Le lancement de l'année de Grenoble coïncide avec la présidence française du Conseil, dont les priorités comprennent la mise en œuvre du Pacte vert européen et l'action en faveur de la pollution zéro, de la neutralité climatique, de la protection renforcée de la biodiversité et de la réalisation d'une économie circulaire. La cérémonie d'ouverture de la Capitale écologique aura lieu le samedi 15 janvier à 17h00 CET. Le direct peut être regardé ici. Vous trouverez plus d'informations dans la note d'information. (Pour plus d'informations: Adalbert Jahnz – Tél.: + 32 229 53156; Daniela Stoycheva – Tél.: +32 229 53664)
CALENDAR – Commissioners' Weekly Activities
Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases
The Spokesperson's Service has re-opened the Berlaymont press room to a limited number of journalists. For more information, please see here.