Daily News 08 / 01 / 2024
New rules to boost cybersecurity of the EU institutions enter into force
The new Cybersecurity Regulation laying down measures for a high level of common cybersecurity at the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union entered into force yesterday, 7 January 2024.
The Regulation lays down measures for the establishment of an internal cybersecurity risk management, governance and control framework for each Union entity, and sets up a new Interinstitutional Cybersecurity Board (IICB) to monitor and support its implementation by Union entities. It provides an extended mandate of the Computer Emergency Response Team for the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies (CERT-EU), as a threat intelligence, information exchange and incident response coordination hub, a central advisory body, and a service provider. In line with its mandate, CERT-EU is renamed to Cybersecurity Service for the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, but it retains the short name “CERT-EU”.
Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, said: “As the cyber threats are becoming more pervasive and the cyber attackers more sophisticated, achieving a high common level of cybersecurity across Union entities is paramount to ensure an open, efficient, secure and resilient EU public administration. The Regulation strengthens Union entities' cybersecurity and aligns the EU administration with the standards imposed on Member States, such as the Directive on high common levels of cybersecurity across the Union, also known as NIS 2. The rapid adoption of the Regulation proves the commitment of the EU towards these objectives. Now I call upon the co-legislators to swiftly engage on negotiations for the parallel Information Security Regulation.”
You will find more information in our press release.
(For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 2 295 86 15; Thomas Regnier - Tel: +32 2 291 33 91)
Statement by Executive Vice-President Vestager on the approval of two State aid measures
Today, the European Commission has approved under State aid rules, namely the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, a €2.9 billion French scheme supporting the production of batteries, solar panels, wind turbines and heat-pumps, related key components and critical raw materials.
Furthermore, the Commission has approved €902 million in State aid from Germany to Northvolt, a Swedish battery producer, also under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. The measure will support Northvolt's plans to build a gigafactory for the production of battery cells in Heide, Schleswig-Holstein, an assisted area for the purpose of regional aid, with total investments costs of about €2.5 billion.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “The production of net-zero equipment in Europe is of strategic interest for the European economy and society. It has immense importance for achieving our goals in clean mobility, sustainability, and competitiveness.
Today, the Commission has approved a €2.9 billion French scheme supporting the production of batteries, solar panels, wind turbines and heat-pumps, related key components and critical raw materials. The measure was assessed under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. It has since March 2023 enabled Member States to design simple and effective schemes to support investments in net-zero equipment, while ensuring that support is proportionate, targeted and temporary. It follows the approval of similar schemes in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, and Spain, worth in total €9.1 billion , and with several others in the pipeline. Also today, the Commission has adopted a separate decision approving €902 million of German support to Northvolt. The aid will enable Northvolt's investment in a gigafactory to produce battery cells for electric vehicles in Europe instead of the United States. It is the first individual measure that was approved in line with the exceptional possibility under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. It allows for providing higher amounts of aid if the investment is at risk of being diverted from Europe due to the availability of foreign subsidies. Today's decisions show that our State aid rules enable Member States to accelerate net-zero investments at this critical moment, while protecting the level playing field in the Single Market and cohesion objectives.”
A statement is available online.
(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 2 298 65 00; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)
Commission approves €902 million German State aid measure to support Northvolt in the construction of an electric vehicle battery production plant to foster the transition to a net-zero economy
The European Commission has approved a €902 million German measure to support Northvolt in the construction of a plant for the production of batteries for electric vehicles to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The aid was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.
Germany notified to the Commission, under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, a € 902 million measure to support Northvolt in the construction of a production plant for advanced and high-efficiency electric vehicle batteries in the city of Heide. The plant will have an annual capacity of 60 GWh. This translates to 800,000 to 1 million electric vehicles per year, depending on the size of the battery. The plant will start producing in 2026 and will reach full production capacity in 2029.
Under the measure, the aid will take the form of a €700 million direct grant and a €202 million guarantee. Without the aid, Northvolt would establish the plant in the United States, where support was offered in particular under the Inflation Reduction Act.
The Commission found that the German measure is in line with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, in particular Section 2.8, which enables Member States to support accelerated investments in sectors strategic for the transition towards a net-zero economy.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “This €902 million German measure is the first individual aid being approved to prevent an investment from being diverted away from Europe, under the new possibility offered by the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework since March 2023. It enables Germany to support the construction of Northvolt's production plant of batteries for electric vehicles. This is an important step for the electrification of transport in Europe, while preserving the level playing field in the Single Market.”
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 2 298 65 00; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)
La Commission autorise un régime d'aides d'État français de 2,9 milliards d'euros visant à soutenir les investissements dans les industries vertes pour favoriser la transition vers une économie à zéro émission nette
La Commission européenne a autorisé un régime d'aides français d'un montant de 2,9 milliards d'euros visant à soutenir les investissements dans les industries vertes (« crédit d'impôt investissements industries vertes ») pour favoriser la transition vers une économie à zéro émission nette, conformément au plan industriel du pacte vert. Le régime a été autorisé au titre de l'encadrement temporaire de crise et de transition en matière d'aides d'État, adopté par la Commission le 9 mars 2023 et modifié le 20 novembre 2023, afin de soutenir des mesures dans des secteurs essentiels pour accélérer la transition écologique et réduire la dépendance à l'égard des combustibles fossiles.
La France a notifié à la Commission, en vertu de l'encadrement temporaire de crise et de transition, un régime d'aides d'un montant de 2,9 milliards d'euros destiné à soutenir les investissements dans les industries vertes pour favoriser la transition vers une économie à zéro émission nette.
Dans le cadre de cette mesure, l'aide prendra la forme d'un crédit d'impôt. La mesure sera ouverte aux entreprises portant des projets d'investissements dans la production de panneaux solaires, batteries, éoliennes et pompes à chaleur, ainsi que des composants essentiels pour la production de ces équipements et des matériaux critiques nécessaires à leur production.
La Commission a constaté que le régime d'aides français était conforme aux conditions énoncées dans l'encadrement temporaire de crise et de transition, en particulier i) l'aide devrait encourager la production d'équipements stratégiques pour la transition vers une économie à zéro émission nette; ii) son montant par bénéficiaire ne dépassera pas les plafonds prévus au titre de l'encadrement temporaire de crise et de transition; et iii) elle sera accordée jusqu'au 31 décembre 2025 au plus tard.
La Commission a conclu que le régime français était nécessaire, approprié et proportionné pour accélérer la transition écologique et faciliter le développement de certaines activités économiques qui sont importantes pour la mise en œuvre du plan REPowerEU et du plan industriel du pacte vert, conformément à l'article 107, paragraphe 3, point c), du traité sur le fonctionnement de l'Union européenne (TFUE), et aux conditions énoncées dans l'encadrement temporaire de crise et de transition.
Margrethe Vestager, vice-présidente exécutive chargée de la politique de concurrence, a dit : « Grâce aux possibilités ouvertes par l'Encadrement temporaire de crise et de transition, les États-membres peuvent soutenir les investissements dans les filières essentielles à la transition vers une économie à zéro émission nette. Le régime de crédit d'impôt français, qui cible les batteries, les panneaux solaires, les éoliennes et les pompes à chaleur contribue aux objectifs ambitieux de l'Europe en matière de climat. »
Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne.
(Pour plus d'informations: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 2 298 65 00; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)
Commission approves re-introduction of Danish State aid scheme, including €3.87 billion budget increase, to support employees and self-employed with reduced working capacity
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the re-introduction of a Danish scheme, including an overall €3.87 billion (DKK 28.9 billion) budget increase, to facilitate the integration in the labour market of employees and self-employed persons with significantly reduced working capacity.
The Commission approved the original scheme in April 2002 (SA.8562). The so-called “Flexi-jobs” scheme is aimed at supporting the employment of workers who would not be able to hold a job in regular terms, for example due to disabilities, through subsidies to the employer or the self-employed person. The aid amount is calculated as a percentage of the remuneration provided by the relevant collective agreements. With today's decision the Commission approved its re-introduction until 31 December 2030.
The Commission assessed the reintroduced measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions. The Commission found that the scheme continues to be necessary and appropriate to support the integration in all economic sectors of persons who would otherwise be excluded from the labour market. Furthermore, the Commission concluded that the scheme remains proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary to achieve its objective. Moreover, its positive effects outweigh any potential distortion of competition and trade in the EU. On this basis, the Commission approved the Danish scheme under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under case number SA.103445 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 2 298 65 00; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)
La Commission autorise l'acquisition de Casino par EPEI
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l'acquisition du contrôle exclusif de Casino, Guichard-Perrachon S.A. (« Casino »), basée en France par EP Equity Investment S.à r.l. (« EPEI »), basée au Luxembourg.
La transaction concerne principalement le marché de l'achat et de la vente de biens de consommation courante.
La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problèmes de concurrence, compte tenu des positions limitées des entreprises concernées. La transaction notifiée a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée du 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.11319.
(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 2 298 65 00; Sara Simonini- Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission clears acquisition of Davidsen by Kesko
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Davidsen Koncernen A/S of Denmark by Kesko Corporation of Finland.
The transaction relates primarily to the distribution of building materials.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified 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.11282.
(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 2 298 65 00; Sara Simonini- Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission clears acquisition of Arriva by I Squared Capital
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Arriva Plc of the UK by I Squared Capital Advisors LLC of the US.
The transaction relates primarily to the market of passenger transportation services, in particular train and bus services.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the companies are not active in the same or vertically related markets. The notified 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.11362.
(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 2 298 65 00; Sara Simonini- Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
ANNOUNCEMENT
Commissioner Johansson visits Greece and Cyprus to discuss migration management
Between 7 and 9 of January, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, is in Greece and Cyprus to discuss current challenges in migration management and security.
During her visit to Greece, the Commissioner will meet with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as well as with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Migration and Asylum, and the Minister of State.
Commissioner Johansson will also participate in the event “European Solutions on the Common Challenge of Migration”, hosted by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Migration and Asylum, and meet with the Greek Task Force on Integration and with NGOs working in the area of migration and asylum.
In Cyprus, the Commissioner will meet with the Ministers of Interior and Foreign Affairs, as well as with the Deputy Minister for Social Welfare. She will also meet with stakeholders active in the field of migration and asylum, and visit the Zenon Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and the Pournara reception centre.
The visit builds on the ongoing work to implement the EU Action Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean route, including by strengthening the partnership with key countries of origin and transit along the route, in full coordination with Member States. The EU also continues to provide financial and operational support to Greece and Cyprus on migration and border management, including with the support of EU Agencies (Frontex, EUAA, Europol).
(For more information: Anitta Hipper - Tel.: +32 2 298 56 91; Elettra Di Massa – Tel.: +32 2 298 21 61)
Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases