Daily News 09 / 08 / 2023

Acte sur la gouvernance des données : des logos communs pour identifier facilement les intermédiaires de données et les organisations altruistes en matière de données reconnus dans l'UE

Aujourd'hui, la Commission met en place des logos communs pour identifier facilement les prestataires de services d'intermédiation de données et les organisations altruistes en matière de données reconnus dans l'UE. Ces prestataires de services et organisations connecteront les détenteurs de données (particuliers ou entreprises), aux utilisateurs de données.

L'identification de services d'intermédiation de données et d'organisations altruistes en matières de données s'inscrit dans le cadre de la mise en œuvre de l'Acte sur la gouvernance des données. Les services d'intermédiation de données et les organisations altruistes qui remplissent les conditions énoncées dans l'Acte et optent pour l'utilisation des logos devront les afficher clairement sur chaque publication en ligne et hors ligne. L'utilisation de ces logos au niveau de l'UE distinguera les services reconnus des autres services, ce qui contribuera à la transparence sur le marché des données.

Le logo des organisations altruistes en matière de données reconnues dans l'UE doit être accompagné d'un code QR comportant un lien vers le registre public de l'UE de ces organisations. Ce registre sera disponible à partir du 24 septembre 2023.

Les logos ont été adoptés au moyen d'un règlement d'exécution et seront enregistrés en tant que marques, afin de les protéger contre tout usage abusif.

Les données constituent une ressource puissante qui peut alimenter l'innovation dans l'ensemble des écosystèmes industriels européens. L'Acte sur la gouvernance des données vise à rendre davantage de données disponibles en renforçant la confiance dans le partage des données et en surmontant les obstacles techniques.

(Pour plus d'informations : Sonya Gospodinova — Tél.: + 32 2 296 69 53; Marietta Grammenou — Tél.: + 32 2 298 35 83)

State aid: Commission approves €26.7 million Spanish measure to support the upgrade of Cobre Las Cruces' refinery

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €26.7 million Spanish measure to support Cobre Las Cruces S.A. (‘CLC') in upgrading its refinery in Gerena, Sevilla. The measure will contribute to the EU's strategic objectives relating to the European Green Deal and to regional development.

In particular, the measure will help CLC transform its mono-metallurgical refinery, exclusively extracting and producing copper to date, into a poly-metallurgical refinery. The upgraded single integrated refinery will be capable of extracting and producing several metals, namely copper, zinc, lead and silver. The aid will take the form of two direct grants totalling €26.7 million.

The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU'), which allows aid to promote the economic development of areas where the standard of living is abnormally low or where there is serious underemployment, and the Regional Aid Guidelines (‘RAG'). On this basis, the Commission approved the Spanish measure under EU State aid rules.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: "This €26.7 million measure enables Spain to support Cobre Las Cruces in transforming its refinery, allowing it to produce various key metals necessary for the transition to a decarbonised economy. The measure will also contribute to the development of the region, while limiting possible distortions of competition."

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Sara Simonini- Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)

State aid: Commission approves €150 million Italian scheme to support companies in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine

The European Commission has approved a €150 million Italian scheme to support companies active in the region of Sicily in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies. The new Framework amends and prolongs in part the Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted on 23 March 2022 to enable Member States to support the economy in the context of the current geopolitical crisis, already amended on 20 July 2022 and 28 October 2022.

Under the scheme, which goes under the name “Sicilian Energy Bonus”, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The scheme will be open to companies active in Sicily in all sectors with a number of exceptions, such as primary agriculture, fishery and banking. The purpose of the scheme is to compensate eligible beneficiaries for part of the cost increase of gas and electricity incurred during 2022, compared to 2021, and to help them overcome their financial difficulties linked to the current crisis.

The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €2 million per company; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2023. The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a severe disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules.

More information on the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia's war against Ukraine and foster the transition towards a net-zero economy can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.107640 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Sara Simonini- Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Valoriza by Morgan Stanley

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Valoriza Servicios Medioambientales, S.A. of Spain (‘Valoriza') by Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Inc. (‘MSI') of the US.

Valoriza collects, treats, recycles and manages waste, including construction and demolition debris, and produces electricity and gas as a result of such activities. It is also active in, among others, urban street cleaning, management of street furniture and pavement maintenance in Spain, Australia, and Colombia. MSI, a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley of the US, invests in infrastructure assets.

The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that the companies' activities do not overlap and are not vertically related. 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.11200.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Marta Pérez-Cejuela – Tel.: +32 229 63770)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control of a logistic facility by PLD and NBIM

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of a logistic facility by Prologis, L.P. (‘PLD') of the US and Norges Bank Investment Management (‘NBIM') of Norway.

The logistic facility is located in Veghel, the Netherlands. PLD owns, operates and develops real estate properties, mainly for industrial purposes, in Asia, Europe and North and South America. NBIM manages Norway's Government Pension Fund Global on behalf of the Norwegian Ministry of Finance, focusing on worldwide investments including real estate investments in Europe, Japan and North America.

The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given its limited impact on the market. 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.11172.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Marta Pérez-Cejuela – Tel.: +32 229 63770)

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases