Daily News 31 / 10 / 2022

Loi sur les marchés numériques : entrée en vigueur des règles européennes pour des marchés numériques ouverts

Demain, la loi européenne sur les marchés numériques (DMA) entrera en vigueur. Le nouveau règlement mettra fin aux pratiques déloyales des entreprises qui jouent le rôle de « gatekeepers » dans l'économie des plateformes en ligne. Il a été proposé par la Commission en décembre 2020 et approuvé par le Parlement européen et le Conseil en un temps record, en mars 2022. La DMA définit quand une plateforme numérique joue le rôle de contrôleur d'accès (« gatekeeper »). Il s'agit de plateformes numériques qui constituent une passerelle importante entre les utilisateurs professionnels et les consommateurs, dont la position peut leur conférer le pouvoir d'agir comme un décideur privé et de fonctionner comme un goulot d'étranglement dans l'économie numérique. Pour résoudre ces problèmes, la DMA établit une liste d'obligations que les « gatekeepers » devront respecter, y compris l'interdiction de certains comportements. Avec son entrée en vigueur, la DMA entrera dans sa phase cruciale de mise en œuvre et commencera à s'appliquer dans six mois, à compter du 2 mai 2023. Ensuite, dans un délai de deux mois et au plus tard le 3 juillet 2023, les gardiens potentiels devront notifier leurs services de plateforme de base à la Commission, s'ils atteignent les seuils établis par la DMA. Vous trouverez le communiqué de presse ici et le document de questions-réponses mis à jour ici. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 2 295 86 15; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

European Forest Fire report: Three of the worst fire seasons on record took place in the last six years

Today, the Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) published the latest edition of its Annual Report on Forest Fires in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa in 2021. It concludes that last year's fire season was the second worst in the EU territory in terms of burnt area (since records began in 2006), after 2017 when over 10,000 km² had burnt. More than 5,500 km² of land burnt in 2021 – more than twice the size of Luxembourg – with over 1,000 km² burnt within protected Natura 2000 areas, the EU's reservoir of biodiversity. The report does not cover this year's fires, which have been even more destructive than the ones in 2021. The annual reports allow having past fire seasons as a reference when analysing preliminary data on the impact of wildfires in the current year. With this perspective, 2022 is looking even worse, confirming the worrying destructive trend of recent years. In fact, an area covering 8,600 km² already burnt this year. This is one of the largest area scorched by wildfires in Europe by the end of October, setting new burnt records in nine EU countries. In total, since the worst fire season on records in 2017, 35,340 km² – an area larger than Belgium – have been scorched by wildfires. About 35% of the total area burnt, more than 11,600 km², was in the Natura 2000 network area. Although the area burnt by wildfires has been remarkably extensive in 2022, the number of human casualties has been contained thanks to prevention measures implemented by EU Member States and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). In 2021, the EU further strengthened this mechanism's capacity by increasing aerial firefighting means to assist countries during that fire season. This support was extensively used during the fires that hit the Mediterranean region in 2021 and in 2022. This stronger capacity is coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Office. The Joint Research Centre offers support by providing timely information on fires in progress, helping to deploy EU-funded aerial means where they are most needed. The JRC gives a key contribution to wildfire disaster risk reduction in Europe and globally, through the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). A press release is available online.  (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova - Tel.: +32 229 66953; Flore Boutier - Tel.: +32 229 66043)

Solidarity with Ukraine: Commission will provide €100 million to further support Member States welcoming those fleeing the war

On Friday, the Commission made available a further €100 million to seven Member States that have been hosting large numbers of refugees. The decision follows the 9 April Global Pledging event “Stand Up for Ukraine”, where the Commission committed up to €400 million to support refugees from Ukraine in the most affected Member States. The first tranche of €248 million as emergency assistance was allocated to five front line Member States in May. Therefore, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Czechia have benefited already from the additional support. This second tranche of the emergency assistance from home affairs funds will support Poland, Slovakia, Czechia, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Member States can use these funds to continue offering immediate assistance to refugees, such as food, transport and temporary accommodation. These funds can also support their capacity to integrate refugees, including the vulnerable ones, such as unaccompanied minors. Civil society organisations, local and regional authorities also play a key role in offering assistance. Member States will therefore need to ensure that this emergency funding also flows to them. To ensure that funds are quickly disbursed, the Commission will release the money based on results achieved, rather than the actual costs. The remaining €52 million will be channeled at a later stage towards emerging needs, such as accommodation projects, providing quality psychological first aid, mental health and psychosocial support to persons fleeing Ukraine. (For more information: Anitta Hipper — Tél.: + 32 229 85691; Yuliya Matsyk — Tél.: +32 229 13173, Andrea Masini — Tél.: +32 229 91519) 

New taxonomy disclosure rules will increase the transparency of financial market actors in gas and nuclear  

The European Commission has today updated the technical standards to be used by financial market participants when disclosing sustainability-related information under the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR). These amendments will ensure full transparency about investments in sectors and sub-sectors of the economy covered by and compliant with the EU Taxonomy, allowing investors to make informed investment decisions in line with their sustainability preferences. The Commission will continue to step up its efforts to ensure coherence and consistency across the EU Sustainable Finance Framework. Today's amended Delegated Regulation will require financial market participants to also disclose by way of a simple graph the extent to which their portfolios are exposed to the gas and nuclear-related activities that comply with the Taxonomy, as set out in the Complementary Climate Delegated Act (CDA). Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, said: “Earlier this year we included gas and nuclear as transitional activities in the sustainable finance Taxonomy, in a limited number of circumstances and under strict conditions. Renewables are an absolute priority in the EU taxonomy, all the more so in the current geopolitical context, but gas and nuclear have a role to play in our pathway to net zero in this energy transition. With today's rules, the financial sector will be required to provide full transparency regarding the degree of sustainability of financial products – with additional transparency required for investments that include gas and nuclear. Today's requirements will now be formally transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council, who will have three months to scrutinise the act. The updated Delegated Regulation is available here. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229 87624)

Global community convenes in Prague to take concrete actions for an open, free and secure Internet

A high-level multi-stakeholder event on the Future of the Internet, organised by the Commission in cooperation with the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU, will take place on Wednesday 2 November in Prague, Czechia. It will focus on concrete actions to deliver on the principles enshrined in the Declaration on the Future of the Internet, which gathered signatories from over 60 partners in April 2022, committing to an internet that is open, free, global, interoperable, reliable, and secure, and limiting the impact of disinformation. It will also showcase issues related to disinformation surrounding the war in Ukraine. Vice-President Věra Jourová, who will speak at the event, said: “This week, European and international partners will gather in Prague together with civil society, academia and industry to discuss ways to deliver the Internet that we want: a digital space that respects fundamental freedoms and universal human rights, promotes digital literacy and limits disinformation. As the future of the Internet is also the future of our democracies, media and economies, it is our duty to ensure that it's is a safe and trusted space for everyone.” The event will be livestreamed here, and information about the programme and participants is available here. During the event – at 12:30 CET – there will be a press point with Vice-President Věra Jourová, Deputy Prime Minister of Czechia for Digitalisation and Minister of Regional Development Ivan Bartoš, and Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

Aides d'État: la Commission prolonge et modifie l'encadrement temporaire de crise

La Commission a adopté vendredi une modification de l'encadrement temporaire de crise pour les aides d'État afin de permettre aux États membres de continuer d'exploiter la flexibilité prévue par les règles en matière d'aides d'État pour soutenir l'économie dans le contexte de la guerre menée par la Russie contre l'Ukraine. L'encadrement temporaire de crise a été adopté le 23 mars 2022 et modifié pour la première fois le 20 juillet 2022 afin de compléter le train de mesures de préparation à l'hiver, dans le respect des objectifs du plan REPowerEU. Compte tenu des retours d'information reçus des États membres, et à la lumière du récent règlement relatif à une intervention d'urgence concernant les prix élevés de l'énergie et de la proposition de la Commission relative à un nouveau règlement d'urgence pour faire face aux prix élevés du gaz dans l'UE et garantir la sécurité de l'approvisionnement cet hiver, la modification : (i) prolonge jusqu'au 31 décembre 2023 toutes les mesures prévues dans l'encadrement temporaire de crise; (ii) relève les plafonds fixés pour des montants d'aide limités ; (iii) introduit une flexibilité supplémentaire en ce qui concerne le soutien de trésorerie aux entreprises du secteur de l'énergie ; (iv) accroît la flexibilité et les possibilités de soutien en ce qui concerne les entreprises touchées par l'augmentation des coûts de l'énergie ; (v) introduit de nouvelles mesures visant à soutenir la réduction de la demande d'électricité ; et (vi) clarifie les critères d'évaluation des mesures de soutien à la recapitalisation. En outre, la Commission a décidé aujourd'hui de prolonger jusqu'au 31 décembre 2023 la possibilité d'accorder des mesures de soutien à l'investissement en vue d'une reprise durable au titre de l'encadrement temporaire des aides d'État COVID. Une déclaration prononcée par Margrethe Vestager, vice-présidente exécutive chargée de la politique de concurrence, est disponible ici. Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Daniel Ferrie – Tél.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tél.: +32 229 98163)

State aid: Commission extends ongoing in-depth inquiry into Gibraltar's corporate tax regime to reassess tax ruling to Mead Johnson Nutrition Gibraltar subsidiary

The European Commission has extended the scope of its ongoing in-depth inquiry into Gibraltar's corporate tax regime to reassess the compatibility with State aid rules of a 2012 tax ruling granted to MJN Holdings Gibraltar Limited (‘MJN GibCo'), on which the Commission had adopted a decision, subsequently annulled by the General Court. In December 2018, the Commission found that Gibraltar's corporate tax exemption regime for interest and royalties, as well as five tax rulings (including a 2012 tax ruling in favour of MJN GibCo), were illegal under EU State aid rules. In April 2022, the General Court partially annulled the Commission's decision. In particular, the Court found that the 2014 Commission's decision opening proceedings was not sufficiently precise as to the measure in favour of MJN GibCo. At the same time, the Court confirmed the Commission's decision on the tax exemption regime (the Commission's findings on the other four tax rulings were not challenged before the Court and are final). Following the partial annulment, the Commission has decided to extend the scope of its original investigation to specify further the measure in favour of MJN GibCo, in line with the Court's indications, and reassess the information submitted by the UK in relation to MJN GibCo 2012 tax ruling. MJN GibCo is a subsidiary of the infant and child nutrition products manufacturer Mead Johnson Nutrition group. The 2012 tax ruling exempted MJN GibCo from income taxation on the royalties received from a Dutch limited partnership, of which MJN GibCo was the main shareholder. Whereas royalties were not taxable in Gibraltar in 2012, the ruling in favour of MJN GibCo continued to apply and exempt royalties after a 2013 legislative amendment that brought such income within the scope of taxation in Gibraltar as from 1 January 2014. The extension of the in-depth investigation gives Gibraltar as well as all interested third parties an opportunity to submit comments on the measures subject to the extension. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. In accordance with Article 92 of the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU, the Commission is competent for administrative procedures that were initiated before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.34914 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500;Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

State aid: Commission approves €185 million Dutch scheme to support adjustment of businesses in the context of Brexit

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €185 million Dutch scheme to compensate companies for the costs of adapting to the new customs procedures following the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. In particular, the scheme is aimed at helping companies bear the costs of (i) adapting information and communication technologies (‘ICT') to take account of new customs requirements, and (ii) training and external consultancy on customs requirements. The scheme will be open to companies of all sizes active in all economic sectors that, since Brexit, either (i) have been required, for the first time, to make customs declarations to countries outside the EU, (ii) or have seen an increase in the volume and complexity of their cross-border customs requirements. The aid will take the form of direct grants. The maximum aid amount per beneficiary will range from €10,000 to €40,000 depending in particular on the type of costs. For ICT adaptation carried out by terminal, ports and energy trading platform companies, the aid amount can be up to €500,000. The scheme will run until 31 December 2023. The scheme will be funded by the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, established to mitigate the economic and social impact of Brexit, subject to approval under the specific provisions governing funding from that instrument. The Commission assessed the measure under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions. The Commission found that the scheme facilitates the development of an economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. On this basis, the Commission approved the Dutch scheme under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.102014 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.  (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500;Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

State aid: Commission approves €512 million Italian measure to compensate Poste Italiane for setting up and upgrading digital services

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €512 million Italian measure to compensate Poste Italiane for setting up and upgrading digital services in its post office network in small municipalities in Italy. The scheme is part of Italy's National Plan for Complementary Investments that will supplement the Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan with national resources. The aim of the measure is to provide new digital public administration services to citizens and companies in small municipalities with less than 15,000 inhabitants, thereby filling the digital gap of those areas, boosting economic growth and entrepreneurial development, and improving the business and consumer environment. The measure will support the installation and/or the upgrade of (i) ATMs, (ii) self-service stations for access to digital public services, and (iii) interactive screens and front desks in the targeted offices of Poste Italiane. Under the measure, which will run until 31 December 2026, the support will take the form of a direct grant and will cover the development costs. This follows two Italian measures to support Poste Italiane in (i) the deployment of recharging infrastructure and (ii) the creation of co-working spaces, which the Commission approved on 5 October 2022 and on 19 October 2022 respectively. The three measures are part of a broader project (“Progetto Polis”) that will enable Poste Italiane to deliver a variety of services to the population of small municipalities and remote areas in Italy.The Commission assessed the measure under the EU State aid rules, and in particular under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions. The Commission found that the measure is necessary and appropriate to improve digital access and simplify digital public administration in the targeted areas. Moreover, the measure is proportional as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and has a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under case number SA.104539 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

State aid: Commission approves prolongation Italian scheme to support rail freight transport

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the prolongation of an Italian scheme to encourage freight transport to shift from road to rail. The measure was originally approved by the Commission in December 2016 (SA. 45482), prolonged in October 2017 (SA.48759) and November 2019 (SA.55025), and is set to expire in December 2022. The purpose of the scheme is to promote the modal shift of freight transport from road to rail, which is a greener mode of transport, and contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and road congestion. Italy notified to the Commission its intention to prolong the scheme until the end of 2027 with a budget increase of €200 million, bringing the overall budget to €500 million. The Commission assessed the prolongation under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 93 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union on transport coordination, and the 2008 Commission Guidelines on State aid for railway undertakings. The Commission concluded that the scheme continues to be necessary and appropriate to promote the use of rail transport, in particular in Southern Italy where the imbalance between rail and road is still significantly more pronounced. Furthermore, the Commission concluded that the measure continues to be proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and to have a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission found that the prolongation of the scheme is in line EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under case number SA.103155 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Prima Industrie by Alpha and Peninsula.

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Prima Industrie S.p.A (‘Prima Industrie') of Italy by Alpha Private Equity Funds (‘Alpha') and Peninsula Investments S.C.A (‘Peninsula'), both of Luxembourg. Prima Industrie is a manufacturer of laser machines and sheet metal working machinery, industrial laser sources, and addictive manufacturing systems. Alpha is a private equity investor across several European sectors, such as industrial manufacturing, service and distribution. Peninsula makes equity investments in different sectors, such as industrial manufacturing, technology, business services and financial technologies. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given that there are no overlaps 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.10916. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Axa Customer Solutions by Athora

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Axa Customer Solutions Aktiengesellschaft (‘Axa Customer Solutions') of Germany, by Athora Holding Ltd. (‘Athora') of Bermuda. Axa Customer Solutions holds a portfolio of deferred annuities and endowments in Germany. Athora is a life insurance and reinsurance group focused on the European market. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given the companies' moderate combined market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. 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.10895. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500;Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

Concentrations : la Commission autorise l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint de l'Activité Déchets Dangereux de Suez par Global Infrastructure Management et Meridiam

La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint de l'Activité Déchets Dangereux de l'ancien groupe Suez, basée en France, par les sociétés Meridiam SAS (« Meridiam »), basée en France, et Global Infrastructure Management LLC (« GIP »), basée aux États-Unis. L'Activité Déchets Dangereux est constituée d'actifs dans le domaine de l'enfouissement, de l'incinération et du traitement physico-chimique des déchets dangereux en France. Ces actifs ont été précédemment acquis par Veolia lors de l'acquisition de l'ancien groupe Suez, mais ils sont soumis à une obligation de séparation depuis la décision M.9969– Veolia/Suez. Meridiam et GIP sont tous deux des fonds d'investissements actifs dans les secteurs de l'énergie et de l'environnement. La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence, compte tenu de son impact très limité sur la structure du marché, ainsi que du fait que la nouvelle entité n'aurait ni la capacité ni l'incitation de verrouiller l'accès aux déchets incinérés et aux exutoires de déchets dangereux. La transaction a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure normale 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.10759. (Pour plus d'informations: Daniel Ferrie – Tél: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tél.: +32 229 98163)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Vice-President Jourová in Bratislava to discuss equality and LGBT rights

Vice-President Věra Jourová will travel to Bratislava on 3 and 4 November. On 3 November, she will meet with the LGBTIQ community and visit the place of the recent shooting to pay her respects to the victims. In the aftermath of the shooting, President von der Leyen has underlined the EU's commitment to fighting hate crime and speech in all forms and to protecting the LGBTIQ community. On 4 November, the Vice-President will meet with Prime Minister Eduard Heger, Minister of Justice Viliam Karas and Minister of Interior Roman Mikulec. She will then participate in the meeting of Parliamentary Committees to exchange views on equality, disinformation, radicalisation as well as Ukraine. The Vice-President will also discuss the Commission's proposal for a European Media Freedom Act with the representatives of the Slovak media and meet with the Archbishop of Bratislava to discuss equality. (For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 2 298 46 80; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.:+32 229 63444)

UE — Balkans occidentaux: Les ministres de la justice et des affaires intérieures débattront de l'Ukraine, des migrations et de la gestion des frontières

Les 3 et 4 novembre, le forum ministériel UE-Balkans occidentaux sur la justice et les affaires intérieures, qui se tiendra à Tirana, abordera la voie commune à suivre dans le domaine de la justice, des migrations et de la sécurité. Ylva Johansson, commissaire chargée des affaires intérieures, participera à la réunion des ministres de l'intérieur ; et, Didier Reynders, commissaire à la justice, participera à la réunion des ministres de la justice. Le 3 novembre, les réunions « Affaires intérieures » commenceront par aborder les questions de sécurité à la suite de l'agression injustifiée de la Russie contre l'Ukraine. La commissaire Johansson discutera avec les ministres de l'intérieur des derniers développements en matière de migration, d'asile et de gestion des frontières. Les discussions s'appuieront sur l'approche commune en matière de migration proposée par la commissaire Johansson avec les partenaires des Balkans occidentaux lors du processus de Prague, le 24 octobre, et de la réunion du processus de Berlin, le 20 octobre. Europol, Frontex et l'Agence de l'Union européenne pour l'asile participeront également aux réunions. Une conférence de presse suivra sur EbS. Le 4 novembre, le commissaire Reynders participera à la réunion des ministres de la justice, en commençant par la discussion sur l'état de droit dans l'Union européenne et les Balkans occidentaux. Le commissaire Reynders procédera à un échange de vues sur les poursuites engagées contre la criminalité organisée et la corruption. Les participants discuteront ensuite des mesures prises contre la guerre d'agression menée par la Russie contre l'Ukraine. Le commissaire Reynders fera le point sur les activités de la task force « Freeze and Seize » et sur les récentes initiatives visant à ériger en infraction pénale la violation des sanctions de l'UE, adoptées en mai 2022. Le commissaire fera également part de ses préoccupations concernant les programmes de citoyenneté par investissement mis en œuvre par certains partenaires des Balkans occidentaux. La conférence de presse du commissaire Reynders aura lieu vendredi à 14h00 (heure locale). (Pour plus d'informations : Anitta Hipper – Tél. : +32 2 298 56 91 ; Christian Wigand – Tél. : +32 2 296 22 53 ; Fiorella Belciu – Tél. : +32 2 299 37 34 ; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tél.: +32 2 296 34 44)

Liste des points prévus à l'ordre du jour des prochaines réunions de la Commission

Veuillez noter que ces informations sont données sous réserve de modifications.

Prochains événements de la Commission européenne

Eurostat: communiqués de presse