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Document C:2022:145:FULL

    Official Journal of the European Union, C 145, 1 April 2022


    Display all documents published in this Official Journal
     

    ISSN 1977-091X

    Official Journal

    of the European Union

    C 145

    European flag  

    English edition

    Information and Notices

    Volume 65
    1 April 2022


    Contents

    page

     

    II   Information

     

    INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

     

    European Commission

    2022/C 145/01

    Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10613 – PORSCHE AUSTRIA / WOLFGANG DENZEL AUTO / SAUBERMACHER DIENSTLEISTUNG / JV) ( 1 )

    1

    2022/C 145/02

    Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10644 – TOWERBROOK CAPITAL PARTNERS / NEW MOUNTAIN CAPITAL / CLOUDMED SOLUTIONS / R1 RCM) ( 1 )

    2


     

    IV   Notices

     

    NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

     

    European Commission

    2022/C 145/03

    Euro exchange rates — 31 March 2022

    3

    2022/C 145/04

    Administrative Commission of the European Communities on social security for migrant workers – Rates for conversion of currencies pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No 574/72

    4

    2022/C 145/05

    Summary of European Commission Decisions on authorisations for the placing on the market for the use and/or for use of substances listed in Annex XIV to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) (Published pursuant to Article 64(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006)  ( 1 )

    6

    2022/C 145/06

    New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

    7

    2022/C 145/07

    New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

    8

    2022/C 145/08

    New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

    9

    2022/C 145/09

    New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

    10

    2022/C 145/10

    New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

    11

     

    European Data Protection Supervisor

    2022/C 145/11

    Summary of the Opinion of the European Data Protection Supervisor on the Proposal for Regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising (The full text of this Opinion can be found in English, French and German on the EDPS website: www.edps.europa.eu)

    12


     

    V   Announcements

     

    PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

     

    European Commission

    2022/C 145/12

    Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10689 – OCP GROUP / KOCH INDUSTRIES / JORF FERTILIZER COMPANY) – Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )

    15

    2022/C 145/13

    Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10218 – GAUSELMANN/GREENTUBE/JV) – Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )

    17


     


     

    (1)   Text with EEA relevance.

    EN

     


    II Information

    INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

    European Commission

    1.4.2022   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    C 145/1


    Non-opposition to a notified concentration

    (Case M.10613 – PORSCHE AUSTRIA / WOLFGANG DENZEL AUTO / SAUBERMACHER DIENSTLEISTUNG / JV)

    (Text with EEA relevance)

    (2022/C 145/01)

    On 21 March 2022, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

    in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

    in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32022M10613. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law.


    (1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.


    1.4.2022   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    C 145/2


    Non-opposition to a notified concentration

    (Case M.10644 – TOWERBROOK CAPITAL PARTNERS / NEW MOUNTAIN CAPITAL / CLOUDMED SOLUTIONS / R1 RCM)

    (Text with EEA relevance)

    (2022/C 145/02)

    On 29 March 2022, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

    in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

    in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32022M10644. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law.


    (1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.


    IV Notices

    NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

    European Commission

    1.4.2022   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    C 145/3


    Euro exchange rates (1)

    31 March 2022

    (2022/C 145/03)

    1 euro =


     

    Currency

    Exchange rate

    USD

    US dollar

    1,1101

    JPY

    Japanese yen

    135,17

    DKK

    Danish krone

    7,4379

    GBP

    Pound sterling

    0,84595

    SEK

    Swedish krona

    10,3370

    CHF

    Swiss franc

    1,0267

    ISK

    Iceland króna

    142,00

    NOK

    Norwegian krone

    9,7110

    BGN

    Bulgarian lev

    1,9558

    CZK

    Czech koruna

    24,375

    HUF

    Hungarian forint

    369,77

    PLN

    Polish zloty

    4,6531

    RON

    Romanian leu

    4,9463

    TRY

    Turkish lira

    16,2823

    AUD

    Australian dollar

    1,4829

    CAD

    Canadian dollar

    1,3896

    HKD

    Hong Kong dollar

    8,6918

    NZD

    New Zealand dollar

    1,6014

    SGD

    Singapore dollar

    1,5028

    KRW

    South Korean won

    1 347,37

    ZAR

    South African rand

    16,1727

    CNY

    Chinese yuan renminbi

    7,0403

    HRK

    Croatian kuna

    7,5740

    IDR

    Indonesian rupiah

    15 947,00

    MYR

    Malaysian ringgit

    4,6677

    PHP

    Philippine peso

    57,514

    RUB

    Russian rouble

     

    THB

    Thai baht

    36,911

    BRL

    Brazilian real

    5,3009

    MXN

    Mexican peso

    22,0903

    INR

    Indian rupee

    84,1340


    (1)  Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.


    1.4.2022   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    C 145/4


    ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL SECURITY FOR MIGRANT WORKERS

    Rates for conversion of currencies pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No 574/72

    (2022/C 145/04)

    Article 107(1), (2) and (4) of Regulation (EEC) No 574/72

    Reference period: January 2022

    Application period: April, May and June 2022

    janv-22

    EUR

    BGN

    CZK

    DKK

    HRK

    HUF

    PLN

    1 EUR =

    1

    1,95580

    24,4700

    7,44106

    7,52472

    358,680

    4,55220

    1 BGN =

    0,511300

    1

    12,5115

    3,80461

    3,84739

    183,393

    2,32754

    1 CZK =

    0,0408663

    0,0799263

    1

    0,304088

    0,307507

    14,6579

    0,186031

    1 DKK =

    0,134390

    0,262839

    3,28852

    1

    1,01124

    48,2029

    0,611767

    1 HRK =

    0,132895

    0,259917

    3,25195

    0,988882

    1

    47,6670

    0,604965

    1 HUF =

    0,00278800

    0,00545276

    0,0682224

    0,020746

    0,0209789

    1

    0,0126915

    1 PLN =

    0,219674

    0,429639

    5,37544

    1,63461

    1,65299

    78,7929

    1

    1 RON =

    0,202208

    0,395479

    4,94804

    1,50464

    1,52156

    72,5281

    0,920491

    1 SEK =

    0,096545

    0,188822

    2,36246

    0,718396

    0,726473

    34,6288

    0,439491

    1 GBP =

    1,19756

    2,34218

    29,3043

    8,91108

    9,0113

    429,540

    5,45151

    1 NOK =

    0,099930

    0,195444

    2,44530

    0,743588

    0,751949

    35,8431

    0,454903

    1 ISK =

    0,00684530

    0,0133880

    0,167505

    0,0509362

    0,0515089

    2,45527

    0,031161

    1 CHF =

    0,961468

    1,88044

    23,5272

    7,15434

    7,23478

    344,860

    4,37679


    janv-22

    RON

    SEK

    GBP

    NOK

    ISK

    CHF

    1 EUR =

    4,94540

    10,35788

    0,835034

    10,00696

    146,086

    1,04008

    1 BGN =

    2,52858

    5,29598

    0,426953

    5,11655

    74,6936

    0,531791

    1 CZK =

    0,202100

    0,423288

    0,034125

    0,408947

    5,96998

    0,0425041

    1 DKK =

    0,664610

    1,39199

    0,112220

    1,34483

    19,6324

    0,139775

    1 HRK =

    0,657221

    1,37651

    0,1109721

    1,32988

    19,4141

    0,138221

    1 HUF =

    0,0137878

    0,0288777

    0,00232807

    0,0278994

    0,407286

    0,00289973

    1 PLN =

    1,086377

    2,27536

    0,183435

    2,19827

    32,0913

    0,228478

    1 RON =

    1

    2,09445

    0,168851

    2,02349

    29,5397

    0,210312

    1 SEK =

    0,477453

    1

    0,0806182

    0,96612

    14,1038

    0,100414

    1 GBP =

    5,92239

    12,4041

    1

    11,9839

    174,946

    1,24555

    1 NOK =

    0,494196

    1,035068

    0,0834453

    1

    14,5984

    0,103935

    1 ISK =

    0,033853

    0,070903

    0,00571605

    0,0685006

    1

    0,00711963

    1 CHF =

    4,75484

    9,95877

    0,802858

    9,62137

    140,457

    1

    Source: ECB

    Note: all cross rates involving ISK are calculated using ISK/EUR rate data from the Central Bank of Iceland

    reference: janv-22

    1 EUR in national currency

    1 unit of N.C. in EUR

    BGN

    1,95580

    0,511300

    CZK

    24,4700

    0,0408663

    DKK

    7,44106

    0,134390

    HRK

    7,52472

    0,132895

    HUF

    358,680

    0,00278800

    PLN

    4,55220

    0,219674

    RON

    4,94540

    0,202208

    SEK

    10,35788

    0,096545

    GBP

    0,835034

    1,19756

    NOK

    10,00696

    0,099930

    ISK

    146,086

    0,00684530

    CHF

    1,04008

    0,961468

    Source: ECB

    Note: ISK/EUR rates based on data from the Central Bank of Iceland

    1.

    Regulation (EEC) No 574/72 determines that the rate for the conversion into a currency of amounts denominated in another currency shall be the rate calculated by the Commission and based on the monthly average, during the reference period specified in paragraph 2, of reference rates of exchange of currencies published by the European Central Bank.

    2.

    The reference period shall be:

    the month of January for rates of conversion applicable from 1 April following,

    the month of April for rates of conversion applicable from 1 July following,

    the month of July for rates of conversion applicable from 1 October following,

    the month of October for rates of conversion applicable from 1 January following.

    The rates for the conversion of currencies shall be published in the second Official Journal of the European Union (C series) of the months of February, May, August and November.


    1.4.2022   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    C 145/6


    Summary of European Commission Decisions on authorisations for the placing on the market for the use and/or for use of substances listed in Annex XIV to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

    (Published pursuant to Article 64(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (1))

    (Text with EEA relevance)

    (2022/C 145/05)

    Decision granting an authorisation

    Reference of the decision (2)

    Date of decision

    Substance name

    Holder of the authorisation

    Authorisation number

    Authorised use

    Date of expiry of review period

    Reasons for the decision

    C(2022) 1789

    25 March 2022

    4-Nonylphenol, branched and linear, ethoxylated (4-NPnEO)

    EC No: -, CAS No:-

    Cytiva Sweden AB, Björkgatan 30, BA1-1, 75 184 Uppsala, Sweden

    REACH/22/9/0

    Industrial use of emulsifiers containing 4-NPnEO for the manufacture of chromatography resins used by the biopharmaceutical industry, food and beverage sector and academia

    4 January 2033

    In accordance with Article 60(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, the socio-economic benefits outweigh the risk to human health and the environment from the uses of the substance and there are no suitable alternative substances or technologies.


    (1)  OJ L 396, 30.12.2006 , p. 1.

    (2)  The decision is available on the European Commission website at: Authorisation (europa.eu)


    1.4.2022   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    C 145/7


    New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

    (2022/C 145/06)

    Image 1

    National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Italy

    Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

    Issuing country: Italy

    Subject of commemoration: 170th Anniversary of the foundation of the Italian National Police

    Description of the design: The design depicts two officers of the ‘Polizia di Stato’ (Italian National Police Force), a woman and a man, standing out in the foreground, in front of a police car. Above, the arc-shaped inscription ‘POLIZIA DI STATO’; at the right ‘RI’, acronym of the Italian Republic; the inscription ‘R’, identifying the Mint of Rome, the initials ‘AM’ of the designer Annalisa Masini and the dates ‘1852 - 2022’, appear at the left, in the centre and at the right, respectively.

    The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

    Estimated number of coins to be issued: 3 000 000

    Date of issue: January 2022


    (1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.

    (2)  See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).


    1.4.2022   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    C 145/8


    New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

    (2022/C 145/07)

    Image 2

    National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Slovenia

    Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

    Issuing country: Slovenia

    Subject of commemoration: The 150th anniversary of the birth of architect Jože Plečnik

    Description of the design: The design shows a detail of the grand window of the National and University library’s reading room with a pillar in front of it. It is supplemented with a composition of letters A R H. P L E Č N I K. These letters are built into the window in exact order and can be metaphorically read as the architect’s signature, which is actually exhibited in his own work. The letters are inserted into deepened window openings and can be understood (in the language of architect Plečnik) as spatial architectural interventions, as emphases, inserted into façade or as geometrically designed objects. The whole composition displays an idea of space that reflects the wealth of the architect’s ideas. It is centred around the main pillar, which has a role to mark the coin’s space and set the ratio outside – inside or front – back, one of Plečnik’s common gestures when designing space. With that, the composition becomes a spatial miniature, space within space, multi-layered and mystical. At the bottom, the inscription “JOŽE PLEČNIK«. At the left, vertically, the year ‘1872’. At the right, vertically, the country of issuance ‘SLOVENIJA’ and underneath the year of issuance ‘2022’.

    The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

    Number of coins to be issued: 1 000 000

    Date of issue: January 2022


    (1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.

    (2)  See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).


    1.4.2022   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    C 145/9


    New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

    (2022/C 145/08)

    Image 3

    National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Germany

    Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

    Issuing country: Germany

    Subject of commemoration: Bundeslander series – Thuringia

    Description of the design: The design shows Wartburg Castle, the first German castle to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The inner part also features the name ‘THÜRINGEN’ and the issuing country’s country code ‘D’ at the bottom, the mint mark of the respective mint (‘A’, ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘G’ or ‘J’) as well as the engraver’s mark on the right and the the year ‘2022’ on the left. The artist: Olaf Stoy (Rabenau).

    The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

    Estimated number of coins to be issued: 30 000 000

    Date of issue: 25 January 2022


    (1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.

    (2)  See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).


    1.4.2022   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    C 145/10


    New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

    (2022/C 145/09)

    Image 4

    National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Italy

    Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

    Issuing country: Italy

    Subject of commemoration: The 30th Anniversary of the death of Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino

    Description of the design: The design depicts in the centre the portraits of the two Italian judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, inspired by a picture of Tony Gentile. Above, the arc-shaped inscription ‘FALCONE – BORSELLINO’, underneath the dates ‘1992 2022’, with the acronym of the Italian Republic ‘RI’ in between; on the right, ‘R’, identifying the Mint of Rome; on the left, ‘VdS’, initials of the designer Valerio de Seta.

    The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

    Estimated number of coins to be issued: 3 000 000

    Date of issue: January 2022


    (1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.

    (2)  See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).


    1.4.2022   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    C 145/11


    New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

    (2022/C 145/10)

    Image 5

    National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Luxembourg

    Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

    Issuing country: Luxembourg

    Subject of commemoration: The 50th Anniversary of the legal protection of the Luxembourg flag

    Description of the design: The design depicts at the left hand the effigy of the Grand Duke Henri and at the right hand the Luxembourg tricolor flag. The year ‘1972’ appears above the flag and the issuing year ‘2022’ is depicted below. At the bottom centre the name of the issuing country ‘LËTZEBUERG’ is represented.

    The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

    Estimated number of coins to be issued: 500 000

    Date of issue: January 2022


    (1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.

    (2)  See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).


    European Data Protection Supervisor

    1.4.2022   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    C 145/12


    Summary of the Opinion of the European Data Protection Supervisor on the Proposal for Regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising

    (The full text of this Opinion can be found in English, French and German on the EDPS website: www.edps.europa.eu)

    (2022/C 145/11)

    The European Commission adopted on 25 November 2021 a Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the transparency and targeting of political advertising (‘Proposal’), as part of a larger legislative package on ‘Democracy and Integrity of the European Elections’.

    The objective of the Proposal is to support the functioning of the single market for political advertising services, as well as to promote high European standards of transparency in political campaigning and free and fair elections in the EU, strengthen the resilience of democratic processes in the EU and combat disinformation, information manipulation and interference in elections.

    The EDPS recognises political communication as essential to the participation of citizens, political parties and candidates in democratic life and to the fundamental right to freedom of expression. At the same time, he recalls that these rights and freedoms are interdependent with the rights under Article 7 of the Charter to respect for private and family life, home and communications, and under Article 8 of the Charter to the protection of personal data.

    The EDPS welcomes the aim of the Proposal to lay down harmonised rules on the transparency obligations for providers of political advertising and related services and on the use of targeting and amplification techniques. The EDPS has previously expressed serious concerns with regard to the significant risks related to targeted advertising, most recently in his Opinion 1/2021 on the Proposal for a Digital Services Act, as well as in the EDPS Opinion 3/2018 on online manipulation and personal data.

    The EDPS agrees that there is a need to complement the provisions applicable to the processing of personal data in the context of political advertising contained in the GDPR and EUDPR. In this regard, the EDPS considers that that the Proposal needs to go even further and to provide additional restrictions on the processing of personal data in the context of targeting political advertising. Given the multitude of risks associated with online targeted advertising, the EDPS urges the co-legislators to consider stricter rules, by (1) providing for a full ban of microtargeting for political purposes; and (2) introducing further restrictions of the categories of data that may be processed for the purposes of political advertising, including targeting and amplification, in particular prohibiting targeted advertising based on pervasive tracking.

    The EDPS also offers in the Opinion other specific comments and recommendations on certain elements of the Proposal, such as the relationship with the existing legal framework on data protection, the roles and responsibilities of the actors involved in the political advertising and the cooperation among the authorities responsible for supervision and enforcement, including data protection authorities.

    1.   INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

    1.

    The European Commission adopted on 25 November 2021 a Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the transparency and targeting of political advertising (‘Proposal’) (1). The Proposal had already been envisaged in the European Democracy Action Plan presented by the Commission in December 2020 (2).

    2.

    The Proposal is part of a larger legislative package on ‘Democracy and Integrity of the European Elections’, which includes also a proposal for a Regulation (recast) on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (3), and two proposals for a Directive (recasts) on the rights of citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals in European elections and municipal elections. The EDPS has been separately consulted on the other three proposals.

    3.

    The objective of the Proposal, as stated by the Commission, is to support the functioning of the single market for political advertising services, as well as to promote high European standards of transparency in political campaigning and free and fair elections in the EU, strengthen the resilience of democratic processes in the EU and combat disinformation, information manipulation and interference in elections, by laying down harmonised rules on:

    the transparency obligations for providers of political advertising and related services to retain, disclose and publish information connected to the provision of such services; and

    the use of targeting and amplification techniques in the context of the publication, dissemination or promotion of political advertising that involve the use of personal data (4).

    4.

    The Proposal complements the proposal for the Digital Services Act (‘DSA’) (5), which includes certain general transparency obligations for online intermediaries as regards online advertising. Compared to the DSA, it expands the categories of information to be disclosed in the context of political advertising, as well as the scope of the relevant service providers concerned. While the DSA imposes transparency requirements on online platforms, the Proposal seeks to cover the entire spectrum of political advertising publishers, as well as other relevant service providers involved in the preparation, placement, promotion, publication and dissemination of political advertising (6). Additionally, there is complementarity and synergies with the requirement under the DSA to have assessments of systemic risks by very large online platforms stemming from the functioning and use of systems for selecting and displaying advertisement, with actual or foreseeable effects related to electoral processes (7).

    5.

    On 25 November 2021, the Commission requested the EDPS to issue an Opinion on the Proposal, in accordance with Article 42(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725. The EDPS was also informally consulted during the process of preparation of the Proposal, and communicated his informal comments on 10 November 2021. He welcomes the fact that his views have been sought at an early stage of the procedure and encourages the Commission to continue with this good practice. The comments and recommendations in this Opinion are limited to the provisions in the Proposal that are most relevant from data protection perspective.

    4.   CONCLUSIONS

    51.

    In light of the above, the EDPS makes the following main recommendations:

    to further specify that the Proposal complements and is without prejudice to the application of both the GDPR and the EUDPR as regards the processing of personal data in the context of political advertising;

    to provide for a full ban of microtargeting for political purposes and introduce further restrictions of the categories of data that may be processed for the purposes of political advertising, in particular prohibiting targeted advertising based on pervasive tracking;

    to further clarify the roles and responsibilities of the actors involved in political advertising involving the processing of personal data and the use of targeting and amplification techniques;

    to further clarify which actors shall be responsible for the transmission of information to other interested entities;

    to explicitly refer both to ‘competent authorities’ and ‘supervisory authorities’ in Article 15(6) of the Proposal.

    Brussels, 20 January 2022.

    Wojciech Rafał WIEWIÓROWSKI


    (1)  COM(2021) 731 final.

    (2)  COM/2020/790 final https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_2250

    (3)  COM(2021) 734 final.

    (4)  Explanatory memorandum, p. 6 and Recital (6) of the Proposal (‘This Regulation should also address the use of targeting and amplification techniques in the context of the publication, dissemination or promotion of political advertising that involve the processing of personal data. The rules of this Regulation that address the use of targeting and amplification are based on Article 16 of the TFEU’).

    (5)  COM (2020) 825 final ,https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12418-Digital-Services-Act-package-ex-ante-regulatory-instrument-of-very-large-online-platforms-acting-as-gatekeepers and https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12417-Digital-Services-Act-deepening-the-Internal-Market-and-clarifying-responsibilities-for-digital-services

    (6)  See Explanatory memorandum, pages 3 and 4.

    (7)  Idem.


    V Announcements

    PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

    European Commission

    1.4.2022   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    C 145/15


    Prior notification of a concentration

    (Case M.10689 – OCP GROUP / KOCH INDUSTRIES / JORF FERTILIZER COMPANY)

    Candidate case for simplified procedure

    (Text with EEA relevance)

    (2022/C 145/12)

    1.   

    On 24 March 2022, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

    This notification concerns the following undertakings:

    OCP S.A., (‘OCP’, Morocco),

    KAES Phosphate Holdings, LLC (‘KAES’, USA), indirectly owned by Koch Ag & Energy Solutions, LLC (‘KAES Parent’, USA), and ultimately controlled by Koch Industries, Inc. (‘KII’, USA),

    Jorf Fertilizer Company III, S.A. (‘JFC III’, Morocco), a wholly-owned subsidiary of OCP.

    OCP and KAES will acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of JFC III.

    The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

    2.   

    The business activities of the undertakings concerned are the following:

    OCP and its subsidiaries are global producers, suppliers and distributors of phosphate fertilisers (including DAP, MAP, TSP, NP, NPK and NPS). OCP is also active in the extraction and sale of phosphate rock, and its conversion into phosphoric acid, which it both sells and processes to produce phosphate fertilisers.

    KAES is an indirect subsidiary of KAES Parent, ultimately controlled by KII, which controls a diverse portfolio of companies involved in refining and chemicals, process and pollution control equipment and technologies, minerals, fertilisers, commodity trading and services, polymers and fibers, glass, forest and consumer products, electronic connectors, printing and packing, enterprise software and investments. KII is active in the fertiliser and sulphur sectors through KAES Parent.

    JFC III is an OCP subsidiary, operating a production unit at the Jorf Lasfar production plant, where it produces phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilisers - DAP, MAP, NPK, NPS and NP.

    3.   

    On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

    Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

    4.   

    The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

    Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

    M.10689 – OCP GROUP / KOCH INDUSTRIES / JORF FERTILIZER COMPANY

    Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

    Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

    Fax +32 22964301

    Postal address:

    European Commission

    Directorate-General for Competition

    Merger Registry

    1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

    BELGIQUE/BELGIË


    (1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

    (2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.


    1.4.2022   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    C 145/17


    Prior notification of a concentration

    (Case M.10218 – GAUSELMANN/GREENTUBE/JV)

    Candidate case for simplified procedure

    (Text with EEA relevance)

    (2022/C 145/13)

    1.   

    On 24 March 2022, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

    This notification concerns the following undertakings:

    Gauselmann AG (‘Gauselmann’), Germany;

    Greentube Internet Entertainment Solutions GmbH (‘Greentube’), controlled by Novomatic Group (both: Austria);

    Newly incorporated Joint Venture.

    Gauselmann and Greentube will acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a newly created company constituting a joint venture.

    The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.

    2.   

    The business activities of the undertakings concerned:

    for Gauselmann: development and sale of slot machines, development of games for gambling, online-gambling and sports betting as well as operation of gambling halls, active primarily in Germany and other European countries.

    for Greentube: part of the Novomatic Group, which provides games for gambling, gambling solutions and related services as a full-service provider across all segments of the gambling industry, active primarily in Austria, active in 75 countries overall.

    for the newly incorporated Joint Venture: establishment of a platform for online-gambling.

    3.   

    On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

    Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

    4.   

    The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

    Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

    Case M.10218 – Gauselmann/Greentube/JV

    Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

    Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

    Fax +32 22964301

    Postal address:

    European Commission

    Directorate-General for Competition

    Merger Registry

    1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

    BELGIQUE/BELGIË


    (1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

    (2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.


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