Daily News 30 / 01 / 2024
Commission welcomes provisional agreement for more thorough and more cost-effective urban wastewater management
The Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement reached today between the European Parliament and the Council on the Commission's proposal revising the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. This revised directive will substantially strengthen the protection of human health and the environment from harmful discharges of urban wastewater. It will also lead to cleaner rivers, lakes, groundwater and seas all around Europe.
With the new measures in place, more nutrients will be removed from urban wastewaters and new standards will be applied to micropollutants. The directive will now apply to a broader number of areas as it will also cover smaller agglomerations starting at 1,000 inhabitants.
Following the ‘polluter pays' principle, the new law will ensure that the costs for this protection will be partially covered by the responsible industry, rather than by the water tariffs or the public budget. In addition, it will drive the wastewater sector towards energy and climate neutrality. It will also improve the management of storm water, which will become more and more important in view of increasing heavy rainfall events due to climate change.
Finally, it will ensure access to sanitation in public spaces for the two million most vulnerable and marginalised people in the EU. This is in line with requirements set under the recently adopted revised Drinking Water Directive, which requires access to water for all.
The European Parliament and the Council will now formally have to adopt the new Directive before it can enter into force. It will then enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. Member States will then need to start working on the implementation of the requirements and send first updated national implementation programmes in 2026.
A press release with more information is available online.
(For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: +32 2 295 31 56; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)
La Commission dresse le bilan des progrès accomplis dans la transition écologique et numérique du secteur touristique
La Commission a publié un rapport sur son premier bilan du parcours de transition pour le tourisme, le plus avancé des parcours de transition. Deux ans après la publication de ce parcours, le rapport présente des résultats concrets dans tous les domaines d'action, soutenus par l'engagement des acteurs du tourisme dans tous les États membres de l'UE et au-delà.
Selon le rapport, 204 organisations — y compris des PME — ont répondu à l'appel et pris 424 engagements contribuant au renouveau du secteur touristique dans l'UE. La plupart des actions des parties prenantes visent à soutenir la transition écologique du secteur touristique. Par exemple, la région Pays de la Loire s'est engagée à développer une connectivité durable d'ici 2030, afin que toutes leurs destinations soient accessibles par des moyens de transport verts (mobilité douce ou collective), sans avoir besoin d'utiliser une voiture individuelle. Tout comme les autres engagements, cette initiative a été mise en avant sur le site de la Commission, offrant ainsi des exemples concrets à suivre.
La Commission a également concrétisé des engagements significatifs en faveur de la transition numérique du secteur, à travers d'initiatives telles que le règlement sur la location de logements de courte durée et l'espace européen commun des données pour le tourisme. Elle a également soutenu un certain nombre de domaines d'action via de multiples possibilités de financement présentées dans le guide sur le financement du tourisme par l'UE. La Commission a également créé un groupe d'experts « Ensemble pour le tourisme de l'UE (T4T) », afin de contribuer au partage des connaissances entre les acteurs du secteur, ainsi que pour identifier les domaines essentiels d'actions conjointes.
Les États membres ont également démontré leur soutien au parcours de transition au moyen de plusieurs mesures concrètes. Ils ont ainsi publié en décembre 2022 un programme de l'UE pour le tourisme à l'horizon 2030. Le parcours de transition reste un processus continu, et les parties prenantes peuvent continuer à partager leur engagement en faveur de la transition du tourisme dans l'UE.
(Pour plus d'informations : Johanna Bernsel – Tél. : + 32 2 298 66 99 ; Ana Martinez Sanjurjo – Tél.: +32 2 296 30 66)
Commission opens in-depth State aid investigation into Swedish tax exemption schemes for non-food biogas and bio-propane
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether two Swedish tax exemption schemes for non-food-based biogas and bio-propane used for heating or as motor fuel are in line with EU State aid rules.
In June 2020, the Commission approved the prolongation until 31 December 2030 of two schemes that exempt from energy and CO₂ taxation: (i) biogas and bio-propane that is used in heat generation and (ii) biogas and bio-propane that is used as motor fuel. The Commission found both schemes compatible with EU State aid rules, and in particular with the 2014 Guidelines on State Aid for Environmental Protection and Energy.
In December 2022, the General Court annulled the two 2020 Commission decisions on procedural grounds. Following the General Court's judgment, the Commission needs to open an in-depth investigation to re-examine the compatibility of the tax exemption schemes under EU State aid rules, and in particular the 2014 and 2022 Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy.
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Lea Zuber –-Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)
Commission approves €1 billion German State aid schemes to improve animal welfare in livestock breeding
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, two German schemes with a total budget of around €1 billion to improve animal welfare standards in breeding of livestock, in particular pigs. The measures will contribute to the achievement of the EU's strategic objectives relating to the European Green Deal, the Common Agricultural Policy and the Farm to Fork Strategy.
Germany notified the Commission of its plans to introduce two schemes with a total budget of around €1 billion to support livestock farmers in (i) investments to upgrade pig breeding sites, and (ii) implementing management practices to improve pigs welfare standards. Both schemes may be extended in the future to animals other than pigs. The schemes are open to small and medium-sized livestock farmers in Germany.
The Commission assessed the schemes under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU'), which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and under the 2022 Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas (‘2022 Agricultural Guidelines'). On this basis, the Commission approved the German schemes under EU State aid rules.
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Lea Zuber –-Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)
Commission clears acquisition of Duffle by Gharage, Dufry International and JET Central Core
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Duffle Travel Retail Platform GmbH (‘Duffle') by GHARAGE Ventures GmbH ('Gharage'), both of Germany, Dufry International AG (‘Dufry International') of Switzerland and Takeaway.com Central Core B.V. (‘JET Central Core') of the Netherlands.
The transaction relates primarily to the travel retail industry, in particular to the operation of an online marketplace for travel retail and delivery services at airports.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area. 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.11294.
(For more information: Lea Zuber –-Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)
Commission clears acquisition of Exercite Group by TA Associates and Warburg Pincus
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of JP Beteiligungs GmbH and AggroSport GmbH, including each of their direct and indirect subsidiary undertakings (‘Exercite Group') of Germany, by TA Associates Management, L.P. (‘TA Associates') and Warburg Pincus LLC (‘Warburg Pincus'), both of the US.
The transaction relates primarily to the provision of financial services, in particular of health and fitness benefits to employees.
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.11369.
(For more information: Lea Zuber –-Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)
Commission clears creation of joint venture by Pirelli and PIF
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. (‘Pirelli') of Italy and Public Investment Fund (‘PIF') of Saudi Arabia.
The transaction relates primarily to the production and sale of tyres in Saudi Arabia.
The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that the joint venture has no current or foreseen activities in the European Economic Area. 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.11396.
(For more information: Lea Zuber –-Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)
La Commission autorise l'acquisition de PLG par Oakley Capital et 21 Invest Group
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint de PLG Capital (« PLG »), basée en France par Oakley Capital V Master SCSp (« Oakley Capital »), basée au Royaume-Uni et 21 Invest Group, basée en Italie.
La transaction concerne principalement la fourniture de services d'externalisation aux sociétés pharmaceutiques.
La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence, compte tenu de la position de marché limitée résultant de la transaction proposée. 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.11398.
(Pour plus d'informations: Lea Zuber –-Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)
STATEMENTS
Statement by Executive Vice-President Vestager on announcement by Amazon and iRobot to abandon their transaction
The Commission takes note of Amazon's and iRobot's decision to terminate their agreement according to which Amazon intended to acquire sole control over iRobot. The abandonment follows the findings of the Commission's in-depth investigation and the sending of a Statement of Objections on 27 November 2023.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: "We looked closely at the dual role of Amazon as platform operator and market participant, and the implications of Amazon merging with the owner of a very successful product for which Amazon is already an important sales channel. During our investigation, we have been in close contact with the US Federal Trade Commission.
Our in-depth investigation preliminarily showed that the acquisition of iRobot would have enabled Amazon to foreclose iRobot's rivals by restricting or degrading access to the Amazon Stores. For example, Amazon would have been in a position to (i) delist or not list rival robot vacuum cleaners; (ii) reduce visibility of rival robot vacuum cleaners displayed in Amazon's marketplace; (iii) limit access to certain widgets or certain commercially attractive product labels; or (iv) raise the costs of iRobot's rivals to advertise and sell their robot vacuum cleaners on Amazon's marketplace. We also preliminarily found that Amazon would have had the incentive to foreclose iRobot's rivals because it would have been economically profitable to do so. All such foreclosure strategies could have restricted competition in the market for robot vacuum cleaners, leading to higher prices, lower quality, and less innovation for consumers.
Finally, when assessing transactions of this kind, it is key to take into account what the transaction would mean for rivals and customers of the merged entity. This applies in particular to transactions by which large, established sales channels acquire suppliers that are heavily dependent on the acquirer's infrastructure and customer reach to be successful in the EEA market.”
A statement is available online.
(For more information: Lea Zuber –-Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
La présidente von der Leyen coorganisera le sommet des partenaires sociaux à Val Duchesse avec le Premier ministre belge De Croo
Demain, mercredi 31 janvier, la présidente Ursula von der Leyen coorganisera le sommet des partenaires sociaux de Val Duchesse avec le Premier ministre De Croo, représentant la présidence belge du Conseil de l'UE. Le vice-président chargé de la promotion de notre mode de vie européen, Margaritis Schinas, le commissaire à l'emploi et aux droits sociaux, Nicolas Schmit, ainsi que les dirigeants des partenaires sociaux européens y participeront.
Au cours de ce sommet, les participants discuteront de la place du dialogue social dans la résolution des défis du monde du travail les plus pressant, notamment les pénuries de main-d'œuvre et de compétences. Le sommet devrait se conclure par la signature d'une « déclaration tripartite pour l'essor du dialogue social européen ».
Le sommet des partenaires sociaux de Val Duchesse a été annoncé par la présidente von der Leyen lors de son discours sur l'état de l'Union de 2023, dans lequel elle a souligné que « l'avenir de l'Europe sera construit avec et par nos partenaires sociaux ». Le sommet de demain intervient 39 ans après que l'ancien président de la Commission, Jacques Delors, a réuni les partenaires sociaux à Val Duchesse, marquant ainsi la naissance du dialogue social européen.
Le dialogue social fait partie intégrante du modèle social européen. Il est inscrit dans le traité sur le fonctionnement de l'Union européenne et constitue un principe clé du socle européen des droits sociaux. Dans sa recommandation de 2023 relative au renforcement du dialogue social, la Commission a souligné la nécessité de renforcer le dialogue social national et la négociation collective. Celle-ci était accompagnée d'une communication de la Commission sur la promotion du dialogue social au niveau de l'UE.
Les participants au sommet sont attendus pour 13h. La table ronde, les remarques d'ouverture de la Présidente et du Premier ministre et la cérémonie de signature auront lieu à partir de 15h15 et seront transmises en direct sur EbS.
(Pour plus d'informations: Veerle Nuyts — Tél.: + 32 229 96302; Flora Matthaes — Tél.: + 32 229 83951)
Commissioner Kyriakides hosts World Cancer Day “Europe's Beating Cancer Plan: Joining Forces” Event
Changing the realities of cancer is one of the main priorities of the European Commission in the area of health. Three years after the adoption of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan and days before World Cancer Day, Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, will host a high-level event on 31 January to take stock of EU's efforts to improve the lives of all those who are touched by cancer and to step up the fight against this disease.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission and Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, will participate with video messages in the Conference. Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the Commission responsible for Promoting our European Way of Life, will participate and deliver keynote remarks. The event will be closed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health of Belgium, Minister Frank Vandenbroucke.
The Conference will gather patients, health professionals, national experts, and representatives from international organisations and bodies such as the World Health Organization and the Union for International Cancer Control, as well as the EU institutions. Topics of discussion include how cooperation under the EU Cancer Plan has made a difference for cancer care in the EU, how outcomes for children with cancer can be improved, the importance of quality of cancer screening and access to psychosocial oncology. The conference will also address international cooperation and the key priority of tackling inequalities.
The event will take place from 14.00 until 17.15 and can be followed online here.
(For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker - Tel.: +32 2 298 46 80; Ana Apse-Paese - Tel.: +32 2 298 73 48)
Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases