2.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 188/1

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Euro exchange rates (1)

1 August 2005

(2005/C 188/01)

1 euro=

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,2219
JPY	Japanese yen	136,67
DKK	Danish krone	7,4605
GBP	Pound sterling	0,69140
SEK	Swedish krona	9,3930
CHF	Swiss franc	1,5591
ISK	Iceland króna	78,66
NOK	Norwegian krone	7,8575
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9557
CYP	Cyprus pound	0,5738
CZK	Czech koruna	30,073
EEK	Estonian kroon	15,6466
HUF	Hungarian forint	244,97
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,6960
MTL	Maltese lira	0,4293
PLN	Polish zloty	4,0580
RON	Romanian leu	3,5043
SIT	Slovenian tolar	239,49
SKK	Slovak koruna	38,915
TRY	Turkish lira	1,6138
AUD	Australian dollar	1,6057
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,4874
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	9,4982
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,7829
SGD	Singapore dollar	2,0267
KRW	South Korean won	1 254,28
ZAR	South African rand	8,0087
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	9,9030
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,3025
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	11 952,63
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,583
PHP	Philippine peso	68,579
RUB	Russian rouble	34,9400
THB	Thai baht	50,780

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(1)  

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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2.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 188/2

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Commission communication in the framework of the implementation of the Council Directive 88/378/EEC of 3 May 1988 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning the safety of toys

(2005/C 188/02)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(Publication of titles and references of harmonised standards under the directive)

ESO (1)	Reference and title of the harmonised standard (and reference document)	Reference of superseded standard	Date of cessation of presumption of conformity of superseded standard Note 1
CEN	EN 71-1:1998 (2)  (4) Safety of toys — Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties	EN 71-1:1988	Date expired (31.1.2001)
	EN 71-1:1998/A5:2000	Note 3	Date expired (31.5.2001)
	EN 71-1:1998/A1:2001	Note 3	Date expired (31.7.2001)
	EN 71-1:1998/A2:2002	Note 3	Date expired (31.8.2002)
	EN 71-1:1998/A6:2002	Note 3	Date expired (30.9.2002)
	EN 71-1:1998/A7:2002	Note 3	Date expired (30.11.2002)
	EN 71-1:1998/A8:2003 (3)	Note 3	Date expired (31.3.2004)
	EN 71-1:1998/A4:2004	Note 3	31.12.2005
	EN 71-1:1998/A10:2004	Note 3	31.12.2005
	EN 71-1:1998/A11:2004	Note 3	31.12.2005
CEN	EN 71-2:2003 Safety of toys — Part 2: Flammability	EN 71-2:1993	Date expired (31.3.2004)
CEN	EN 71-3:1994 Safety of toys — Part 3: Migration of certain elements	EN 71-3:1988	Date expired (30.6.1995)
	EN 71-3:1994/A1:2000	Note 3	Date expired (31.10.2000)
	EN 71-3:1994/A1:2000/AC:2000
	EN 71-3:1994/AC:2002
CEN	EN 71-4:1990 Safety of toys — Part 4: experimental sets for chemistry and related activities	—
	EN 71-4:1990/A1:1998	Note 3	Date expired (31.10.1998)
	EN 71-4:1990/A2:2003	Note 3	Date expired (31.1.2004)
CEN	EN 71-5:1993 Safety of toys — Part 5: Chemical toys (sets) other than experimental sets	—
CEN	EN 71-6:1994 Safety of toys — Part 6: Graphical symbol for age warning labelling	—
CEN	EN 71-7:2002 Safety of toys — Part 7: Finger paints — Requirements and test methods	—
CEN	EN 71-8:2003 Safety of toys — Part 8: Swings, slides and similar activity toys for indoor and outdoor family domestic use	—
CENELEC	EN 50088:1996 Safety of electric toys	None	—
	Amendment A2:1997 to EN 50088:1996	Note 3	Date expired (1.3.2000)
	Amendment A1:1996 to EN 50088:1996	Note 3	Date expired (1.10.2001)
	Amendment A3:2002 to EN 50088:1996	Note 3	Date expired (1.3.2005)

Note 1

Generally the date of cessation of presumption of conformity will be the date of withdrawal (‘dow’), set by the European Standardisation Organisation, but attention of users of these standards is drawn to the fact that in certain exceptional cases this can be otherwise.

Note 3

In case of amendments, the referenced standard is EN CCCCC:YYYY, its previous amendments, if any, and the new, quoted amendment. The superseded standard (column 3) therefore consists of EN CCCCC:YYYY and its previous amendments, if any, but without the new quoted amendment. On the date stated, the superseded standard ceases to give presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the directive.

NOTE:

—

Any information concerning the availability of the standards can be obtained either from the European Standardisation Organisations or from the national standardisation bodies of which the list is annexed to Directive 98/34/EC (5) of the European Parliament and of the Council amended by Directive 98/48/EC (6).

—	Publication of the references in the Official Journal of the European Union does not imply that the standards are available in all the Community languages.

—	This list replaces all the previous lists published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Commission ensures the updating of this list.

More information about harmonised standards on the Internet at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/newapproach/standardization/harmstds/

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(1)  ESO: European Standardisation Organisation:

—	CEN: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels, tel. (32-2) 550 08 11; fax (32-2) 550 08 19 (http://www.cenorm.be)

—	CENELEC: rue de Stassart 35, B-1050 Brussels, tel. (32-2) 519 68 71; fax (32-2) 519 69 19 (http://www.cenelec.org)

—	ETSI: 650, route des Lucioles, F-06921 Sophia Antipolis, tel. (33) 492 94 42 00; fax (33) 493 65 47 16 (http://www.etsi.org)

(2)

Notice: In accordance with the Commission Decision of 30 July 2001 (OJ L 205, 31.7.2001, p. 39), Clause 4.20(d) of EN 71-1:1998, concerning the C-weighted peak emission sound pressure level produced by a toy using percussion caps, grants presumption of conformity only as from 1 August 2001.

(3)

Notice: The standard EN 71-1:1998/A8:2003 only addresses the risks caused by ‘small balls’ (as defined in the standard as ‘spherical, ovoid, or ellipsoidal object’) that are designed or intended to be thrown, hit, kicked, rolled, dropped or bounced. Toys containing small balls which are not covered by the standard shall undergo an EC type-examination certificate before placed on the market.

(4)

Notice: In accordance with the Commission Decision of 9 March 2005 (OJ L 63, 10.3.2005, p. 27), Clause 4.6 of standard EN 71-1:1998 and Clause 8.14 thereof, in so far as it relates to the 24-hour period during which a toy must be submerged in a container, do not cover all the risks presented by toys and component parts of toys made of expanding materials. The standard does not give a presumption of conformity in that respect.

(5)  OJ L 204, 21.7.1998, p. 37.

(6)  OJ L 217, 5.8.1998, p. 18.

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2.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 188/5

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3900 — CVC/Wavin)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2005/C 188/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1.

On 25 July 2005, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking CVC Capital Partner Group Sarl (CVC, Luxemburg) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Beheermaatschappij Wavin B.V. (Wavin, Netherlands) by way of purchase of shares.

2.	The business activities of the undertakings concerned are: — for CVC: investment fund, — for Wavin: manufacture and supply of pipe systems.

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. 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. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3900 — CVC/Wavin, to the following address: European Commission Directorate-General for Competition Merger Registry J-70 B-1049 Brussels

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

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2.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 188/6

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Status of EC accession to UN/ECE regulations in the area of vehicle approval as of 31 December 2004

(2005/C 188/04)

The Commission publishes hereafter a table summarising the state of UN/ECE regulations as last amended (annexed in the 1958 Agreement concerning the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted and/or be used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions) to which the EC has acceded as of 31 December 2004.

Regulation number	Series of amendments  (1)  (2)	Supplements to the series  (1)  (2)	Short title of Regulation
1	2	—	Asymmetric headlamps (R2 and/or HS1)
3	2	9	Retro-reflecting devices
4	0	10	Rear registration-plate lamp
5	2	—	Asymmetric headlamps (Sealed Beam)
6	1	12	Direction indicators
7	2	8	End-outline marker-, front/rear position-,side-,stop- lamps (M, N and O)
8	5	—	Headlamps (H1, H2, H3, HB3, HB4, H7, H8, H9, HIR1, HIR2 and/or H11)
10	2	2	Electro-magnetic compatibility
11	2	—	Door latches and hinges
12	3	3	Behaviour of steering device under impact
13	10	—	Braking (categories M, N and O)
13H	0	3	Braking (passenger cars)
14	6	1	Seat-belt anchorages
16	4	16	Seat belts
17	7	1	Seat strength
18	3	—	Anti-theft
19	2	9	Front fog lamps
20	3	—	Asymmetric headlamps (H4)
21	1	3	Interior fittings
22	5	1	Protective helmets and visors for motorcyclists
23	0	10	Reversing lamps
24	3	2	Diesel smoke and power
25	4	—	Head restraints
26	3	—	External projections
27	3	—	Advance warning triangles
28	0	3	Audible warning devices
30	2	13	Tyres (motor vehicles and their trailers)
31	2	—	Asymmetric headlamps (halogen sealed beam)
34	2	1	Fire risks
37	3	25	Filament lamps
38	0	9	Rear fog lamps
39	0	4	Speedometer
43	0	8	Safety glazing
44	4	—	Child restraint system
45	1	4	Headlamp cleaners
46	2	—	Rear-view mirrors
48	2	10	Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices (M, N and O)
49	4	—	Emissions (diesel, NG & LPG)
50	0	7	Front/rear position-, stop-lamps, direction indicators, rear registration-plate lamps (L)
51	2	3	Sound levels (M and N)
53	1	5	Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices (L3)
54	0	16	Tyres (commercial vehicles and their trailers)
56	1	—	Headlamps (mopeds)
57	2	—	Headlamps (motorcycles)
58	1	—	Rear underrun protective device
59	0	—	Replacement silencing systems
60	0	2	Driver operated controls — identification of controls, tell-tales and indicators (moped/motorcycles)
62	0	1	Anti-theft (moped/motorcycles)
64	0	2	Tyres (temporary use spare wheels/tyres)
66	0	—	Strength of superstructure (buses)
67	1	5	LPG equipment
69	1	2	Rear marking plates for slow moving vehicles
70	1	3	Rear marking plates for heavy and long vehicles
71	0	—	Field of vision, agricultural tractors
72	1	—	Headlamps (HS1) (motorcycles)
73	0	—	Lateral protection (goods vehicles and their trailers)
74	1	3	Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices (L1)
75	0	11	Tyres (motorcycles/mopeds)
77	0	8	Parking lamps
78	2	3	Braking (category L)
79	1	3	Steering equipment
80	1	2	Strength of seats and their anchorages (large passenger vehicles)
81	0	—	Rear-view mirrors (motorcycles/mopeds)
82	1	—	Headlamps (HS2 moped)
83	5	5	Emissions
85	0	4	Power — internal combustion and electric (M and N)
86	0	2	Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices (agricultural tractors)
87	0	6	Daytime running lamps
89	0	1	Speed limitation devices
90	1	5	Replacement brake linings and their assemblies
91	0	7	Side marker lamps
93	1	3	Front underrun protective devices
96	1	2	Diesel emission (agricultural tractors)
97	1	2	Alarm systems
98	0	5	Headlamps with gas-discharge light sources
99	0	2	Gas-discharge light sources
100	0	1	Electric vehicle safety
101	0	6	CO2 emission/fuel consumption (M1) and electric energy consumption and range (M1 and N1)
102	0	—	Close coupling devices
103	0	2	Replacement catalytic converters
104	0	2	Retro-reflective markings (heavy and long vehicles)
105	3	—	Carriage of dangerous goods — construction of vehicles
106	0	3	Tyres (agricultural vehicles)
108	0	2	Retreaded tyres (motor vehicles and their trailers)
109	0	2	Retreaded tyres (commercial vehicles and their trailers)
110	0	3	Compressed natural gas systems
111	0	1	Roll-over stability of tank vehicles (N and O)
112	0	4	Asymmetrical headlamps (filament lamps)
113	0	3	Symmetrical headlamps (filament lamps)
114	0	—	Replacement airbags
115	0	—	LPG-CNG retrofit systems
[116] (3)	0	—	Unauthorised use (anti-theft and alarm systems)
[117] (3)	0	—	Tyres — rolling resistance
[118] (3)	0	—	Fire resistance of interior materials
[119] (3)	0	—	Cornering lamps
[120] (3)	0	—	Power — internal combustion (agricultural tractors and mobile machinery)

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(1)  This column lists the latest amendment to the Regulation concerned that the European Communities has acceded to by 31.12.2004. Some of the more recent series of amendments or supplements to the series of amendments will enter into force after that date. The date of entry into force of these amendments should be checked in the latest version of the UN-ECE status document TRANS/WP.29/343/Rev.xx, available at:

http://www.unece.org/trans/main/wp29/wp29wgs/wp29gen/wp29fdocstts.html.

(2)  All relevant corrigenda up until 31/12/2004 have also been adopted, unless otherwise indicated.

(3)  This Regulation has not entered into force as of 31.12.2004.

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2.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 188/10

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3862 — Bilfinger Berger/WIB/JVC)

(2005/C 188/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 26 July 2005, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in German and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

—	from the Europa competition web site (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This web site 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 under document number 32005M3862. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

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2.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 188/10

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3813 — Fortune Brands/Allied Domecq)

(2005/C 188/06)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 10 June 2005, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. 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:

—	from the Europa competition web site (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This web site 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 under document number 32005M3813. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

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2.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 188/11

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3643 — Sephora/El Corte Ingles/JV)

(2005/C 188/07)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 9 March 2005, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in Spanish and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

—	from the Europa competition web site (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This web site 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 under document number 32005M3643. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

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2.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 188/11

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.3832 — MatlinPatterson L.P./Matussière & Forest)

(2005/C 188/08)

(Text with EEA relevance)

On 4 July 2005, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. 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:

—	from the Europa competition web site (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This web site 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 under document number 32005M3832. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

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2.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 188/12

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Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid

(2005/C 188/09)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Aid No: XT 87/02

Member State: Germany

Region: Bavaria

Recipient: Sozialer Hilfsdienst Weiße Feder gemeinnützige GmbH, Munich

Legal basis: Bayerische Haushaltsordnung (BayHO)

Regulation (EC) No 1784/1999

EPPD zu Ziel 3

Ergänzendes Programmplanungsdokument Ziel 3

Total amount of aid granted to the recipient: Total eligible costs: EUR 295 794

ESF: EUR 54 786

Maximum aid intensity: 80 %

Date of implementation: October/November 2002

Payment of individual aid: Last payment expected to be in June 2004

Project duration: 1.1.2002 to 31.12.2003

Objective: This is a general training measure for unemployed mentally ill and mentally handicapped persons with a view to placement on the general labour market. The aim is to provide skills in maintenance work and housekeeping. The measure will help to provide transferable skills which will significantly improve the placement potential of the participants. The measure is based on the framework plan for general vocational skill acquisition measures for the handicapped and mentally ill in Bavarian integration firms/self-help firms of 18.7.2001.

Economic sector(s) concerned: Other services

Name and address of the granting authority:

Regierung von Oberbayern

Integrationsamt

D-80534 Munich

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2.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 188/13

---

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises, as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 364/2004 of 25 February 2004 as regards the extension of its scope to include aid for research and development

(2005/C 188/10)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Aid No	XS 64/04
Member State	Spain
Region	La Rioja
Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid	Ayuda a la elaboración de protocolos familiares
Legal basis	Resolución de 1 de junio de 2004 del presidente de la Agencia de desarrollo económico de La Rioja, por la que se aprueban las bases reguladoras de la concesión de ayudas para la elaboracion de protocolos familiares de las empresas, y su convocatoria para el año 2004. (B.O.R de 6 de julio de 2004)
Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company	Aid scheme	Annual overall amount		EUR 33 000
		Loans guaranteed
	Individual aid	Overall aid amount
		Loans guaranteed
Maximum aid intensity	In conformity with Articles 4(2)-(6) and 5 of the Regulation		Yes
Date of implementation	6.7.2004
Duration of scheme or individual aid award	Until 31.12.2006, max. until 30.6.2007
Objective of aid	Aid to SMEs		Yes
Economic sectors concerned	All sectors eligible for aid to SMEs		Yes
	Limited to specific sectors
	— Coalmining
	— All manufacturing
	or
	Steel
	Shipbuilding
	Synthetic fibres
	Motor vehicles
	Other manufacturing
	— All services
	or
	Transport services
	Financial services
	Other services
Name and address of the granting authority	Name: Agencia de desarrollo economico de La Rioja
	Address: C/. Muro de la Mata 13-14 E-26071 Logroño (La Rioja)
Large individual aid grants	In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation		Yes

Aid No	XS 145/03
Member State	United Kingdom
Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid	WRAP (SME) Capital Support Scheme WRAP (SME) Lease Guarantee Scheme
Legal basis	Section 153 Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Financial Assistance for Environmental Purposes (No 2) Order 2000 (SI 2000:2211)
Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company	Aid scheme	Annual overall amount
		2002	GBP 765 000
		2003	GBP 1 300 000
		2004	GBP 5 700 000
		2005	GBP 4 200 000
		Total	GBP 11 965 000
		Loans guaranteed
	Individual aid	Overall aid amount
		Loans guaranteed
Maximum aid intensity	In conformity with Article 4(2)-(6) and Article 5 of the Regulation	Yes
Date of implementation	31.3.2003
Duration of the scheme or individual aid award	Until 31.3.2006
Objective of aid	Aid to SMEs	Yes
Economic sectors	All sectors eligible for aid to SMEs
	Limited to specific sectors	Recycling
	— Coalmining
	— All manufacturing
	or
	Steel
	Shipbuilding
	Synthetic fibres
	Motor vehicles
	Other manufacturing
	— All services
	or
	Transport services
	Financial services
	Other services
Name and address of the granting authority	Name: Waste & Resources Action Programme Liz Goodwin
	Address: The Old Academy, 21 Horse Fair, Banbury Oxon OX16 0AH
Large individual aid grants	In conformity with Article 6 of the Regulation The measure excludes awards of aid or requires prior notification to the Commission of awards of aid, (a) if the total eligible costs are at least EUR 25 million and — the gross aid intensity is at least 50 %, — in areas which qualify for regional aid, the net aid intensity is at least 50 %; or (b) if the total gross aid amount is at least EUR 15 million.	Yes

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2.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 188/16

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Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises

(2005/C 188/11)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Aid No: XS 70/03

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Objective 2 Map United Kingdom

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Objective 2 2000-2006 SME Trade Fair Support

Legal basis: Industrial Development Act 1982, Sections 7 & 11.

Section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Annual expenditure of Objective 2 measures:

2003: EUR 33,34 million

2004: EUR 33,03 million

2005: EUR 21,59 million

2006: EUR 20,34 million

Total: EUR 108,30 million

Maximum aid intensity: 50 % towards the cost of first-time support for trade fairs and exhibitions from the combination of public sources. No one SME will receive more than EUR 15 000 000 in assistance

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: No award will be given after 30 June 2007

Objective of aid: To enable SMEs fulfilling the definition in Annex 1 of the block exemption located in the Objective 2 region to initially access trade fairs and exhibitions in order to improve their marketing potential.

Economic sector(s) concerned: All sectors excluding sensitive sectors: coal mining, steel manufacture, ship building, synthetic fibre production, motor vehicle manufacture and tier 1 suppliers, transport services and financial services.

Name and address of granting authority: Administering Authorities:

Government Office for the East of England

Government Office for the East Midlands

Government Office for London

Government Office for the North East

Government Office for the North West [Liverpool]

Government Office for the North West [Manchester]

Government Office for the South East

Government Office for the South West

Government Office for the West Midlands

Government Office for Yorkshire and Humberside

Welsh Assembly Government

Scottish Executive

Government of Gibraltar [Department of Trade, Industry and Telecommunications]

Contact for correspondence:

Department of Trade and Industry

Regional European Funds Directorate

3 Floor, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET

Aid No: XS 133/03

Member State: Italy

Region: Tuscany

Title of aid scheme: Automatic fiscal aid measures to support the productive base

Legal basis:

—	Art. 1 legge 341/95 e s.m. e i. di cui alla legge 266/97

—	Decreto legislativo 112/98, art. 19

—	Decreto legislativo 123/98

—	Decreto Giunta regionale n. 6108/03

Annual expenditure planned: EUR 20 million

Maximum aid intensity: The aid intensity for the individual firm, expressed in gross grant equivalent (gge), may not exceed 15 % of the total investment cost in the case of small firms or 7,5 % in the case of medium-sized firms.

Where the areas covered by the scheme qualify for exemption under Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty, the aid ceiling is 18 % gge for small firms and 14 % gge for medium-sized firms.

Date of implementation: November 2003, when the Commission received the notification.

Duration of scheme: Period 2003-06

Objective of aid: The aid in the form of a tax bonus is intended for expenditure on measures to set up new plant, and to expand, modernise, restructure, convert, reactivate and relocate production plant.

Economic sectors concerned: ISTAT Codes 1991

Section C — Mining and quarrying

Section D — Manufacturing

Section F — Construction

Division K 72 — Computer and related activities

Division K 74 — Other professional and business activities

Division I 63 — Supporting and auxiliary transport activities

Firms engaged in the production, processing or marketing of products listed in Annex I to the EC Treaty and firms in the shipbuilding industry are excluded.

The recipient firms must be financially and economically sound.

Name and address of the granting authority: Regione Toscana, via di Novoli 26, I-50127 Firenze

Additional information: Activities linked to exporting, i.e. the actual exporting of goods, the establishment and operation of a foreign distribution network and other current expenditure linked to exporting are excluded, and the aid is not conditional on the preferential use of domestic rather than imported products.

Only expenditure incurred since the date on which the aid application was submitted is eligible.

Only consultancy services that are not continuous or regular, or connected with the normal operating expenses of the firm are eligible for aid.

Aid No: XS 138/03

Member State: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Title of aid scheme: Automatic fiscal aid measures to support the productive base.

Legal basis:

Legge n. 341/95 e s.m. di cui alla legge n. 266/97; decreto legislativo n. 112/98, art. 19; decreto legislativo n. 123/98; Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001; delibera di Giunta regionale n. 109 — 10275 dell'1.8.2003

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme:

2003: EUR 34 500 000

2004: EUR 45 000 000

2005: EUR 45 000 000

2006: EUR 45 000 000

Maximum aid intensity: For tangible and intangible investments and for consultancy the aid intensity applicable will be 8 % nge + 10 % gge for small firms and 8 % nge + 6 % gge for medium-sized firms, where the production plant is in areas of the region which fall within the scope of Article 87(3)(c); for small and medium-sized firms with production plant in other areas of the region the aid intensity will be 15 % gge and 7,5 % gge respectively.

In any case no large individual amounts of aid will be granted, in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001.

Date of implementation: 27 October 2003 (no aid will be granted in any event before this summary has been notified to the Commission)

Duration of scheme:

Objective of aid: The aid, in the form of a tax bonus, is intended for tangible or intangible fixed assets for measures to set up new plant, and to expand, modernise, restructure, convert, reactivate and relocate production plant in the region.

Economic sector(s) concerned: SMEs with production plant in the region operating in the following sectors:

mining and quarrying, manufacturing, production and distribution of electricity, gas and water, construction covered by sections C, D, E and F of the ISTAT 1991 classification of economic activities. The sections eligible for aid under subsection DA are: 15.52; 15.81.1; 15.81.2; 15.82; 15.85; 15.88; 15.89.1; 15.89.2; 15.96; 15.98; 15.99.

Firms operating in the following sectors are also eligible for aid:

the telecommunications sector;

services which could have a positive influence on the development of the above production activities.

The scheme is subject to the exclusions and limitations laid down by the Community rules for the steel industry, shipbuilding, synthetic fibres, motor manufacturing and the transport industry.

Name and address of granting authority:

Regione Piemonte

Direzione Industria

Via Pisano n. 6, I-10152 Torino

Other information: The aid scheme does not apply to export-related activities, i.e. aid directly linked to the quantities exported, to the establishment and operation of a distribution network or to other current expenditure linked to the export activity, and aid contingent upon the use of domestic over imported goods.

The scheme does not apply to firms active in the production, marketing or processing of agricultural products, as referred to in Annex 1 to the EC Treaty.

Only expenditure incurred since the date on which the aid application was submitted is eligible.

Only consultancy services that are not continuous or regular, or connected with the normal operating expenses of the firm are eligible for aid.

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2.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 188/19

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COUNCIL DECISION 2005/…/JHA

of

amending Decision 2003/170/JHA on the common use of liaison officers posted abroad by the law enforcement agencies of the Member States

(2005/C 188/12)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 30(1)(a), (b) and (c), Article 30(2)(c) and Article 34(2)(c) thereof,

Having regard to the initiative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1),

Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament (2),

Whereas:

Following the evaluation of the implementation of Council Decision 2003/170/JHA (3), certain provisions of that Decision should be amended to take account of current practice relating to the use by the Member States of Europol liaison officers posted abroad in order to channel information in accordance with the Europol Convention (4), and relating to the initiative for holding liaison officers meetings,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Amendment of Council Decision 2003/170/JHA

Council Decision 2003/170/JHA is hereby amended as follows:

1.

the following subparagraph shall be added to Article 1(1): ‘In this Decision, “Europol liaison officer” means a Europol employee, posted abroad to one or more third countries or to international organisations to support and coordinate the cooperation with the authorities in those countries or organisations and Europol by facilitating the exchange of information between them.’;

2.

the following subparagraph shall be added to Article 1(2): ‘This Decision is without prejudice to Europol liaison officers' tasks within the framework of the Europol Convention, its implementing arrangements, and cooperation agreements concluded between Europol and the third country or international organisation concerned.’;

3.	the following sentence shall be added to Article 4(1): ‘Such meetings may also be held at the initiative of any other Member State and especially of those Member States acting as a 'lead nation' for the EU cooperation in a particular country or region.’;

4.

the following paragraphs shall be added to Article 8: ‘3.   In accordance with national law and the Europol Convention, Member States may make a request to Europol to use Europol liaison officers seconded to third countries or international organisations, with a view to the exchange of relevant information. Requests shall be addressed to Europol via the Member States' national units in accordance with the Europol Convention. 4.   Europol shall ensure that its liaison officers seconded to third countries and international organisations provide it with information relating to serious threats to Member States of criminal offences for which Europol is competent under the Europol Convention. Such information shall be communicated to the competent authorities of the Member States concerned via the national units in accordance with the Europol Convention.’.

Article 2

Application to Gibraltar

This Decision shall apply to Gibraltar.

Article 3

Entry into force

This Decision shall enter into force 14 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

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(1)  OJ …

(2)  OJ …

(3)  OJ L 67, 12.3.2003, p. 27.

(4)  OJ C 316, 27.11.1995, p. 1.

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2.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 188/21

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Call for the submission of proposals under a Community action programme promoting non-governmental organisations primarily active in the field of environmental protection

(2005/C 188/13)

Under the terms of Decision No 466/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 1 March 2002 laying down a Community action programme promoting environmental NGOs (1) primarily active in the field of the environment, the Commission invites European non-governmental organisations, which are primarily active in the field of environmental protection and enhancement with a view to sustainable development to present proposals with a view to obtaining a financial contribution. NGOs also active in the field of animal protection may participate in this Programme, provided that such activities serve to achieve environmental protection objectives (within the principles of Article 174 of the EC Treaty).

Financial assistance under this Call for Proposals is subject to the availability of funds.

Contributions would be towards the costs that European environmental NGOs have to bear in carrying out the activities provided for in their 2006 annual work programme. Applicant organisations should be operating at a European level, either singly or in the form of several coordinated associations, with a structure (membership base) and activities covering at least three European countries. Coverage of two European countries is acceptable, provided that the primary objective of the activities is to support the development and implementation of Community environmental policy.

The Programme will be open to the participation of European NGOs established (legally registered) in either:

—	the Member States,

—	Bulgaria, Romania,

—

Turkey,

—	Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Serbia & Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Croatia.

The participation of NGOs from Bulgaria and Turkey is subject to the formal agreement between the government of each of these States and the Community, as these countries have not yet signed agreements. Only organisations from countries that have formally signed such agreements with the Community to participate in the action programme will be considered. Compliance with this criterion will be checked only at the final selection stage in December 2005.

Financial assistance under this Call for Proposals may be provided for activities, which involve contributing to the development and implementation of Community environmental policy and legislation in different regions of Europe. The Programme will also contribute to the strengthening of small regional or local associations working to apply the ‘acquis communautaire’ in relation to the environment and sustainable development in their local area.

Support from this Programme will target the priority areas from the Sixth Environment Action Programme (2):

—	Limiting climate change,

—	Nature and bio-diversity — protecting a unique resource,

—	Health and environment,

—	Ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources and waste.

In addition to the areas mentioned above, implementation and enforcement of Community environmental legislation and environmental education will also remain of interest.

When awarding grants, the Commission will also pay due attention to participation from countries and regions previously under-represented in the Programme, with focus on the new Member States and the non-member States.

The Programme is a co-financing instrument. The rate of overall Community assistance shall not exceed 70 % of the applicant's average audited annual eligible expenses during the preceding two years in the case of NGOs based in the Community, or 80 % in the case of NGOs based in the Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and the Balkan countries, nor 80 % of the applicant's eligible expenses for the current year. The amount of a grant will only become final once the audited financial statement of the beneficiary has been accepted by the Commission.

Beneficiaries will be selected on the basis of the criteria set out in the information dossier relating to this Call for Proposals and within the limits of the available budget.

The procedure for the appraisal of a request is as follows:

—	receipt, recording and acknowledgement of receipt by the Commission,

—	examination by the services of the Commission,

—	formulation of the final decision and communication of the result to the applicant.

The decision of the Commission is final.

The entire procedure is strictly confidential. In the event of approval by the Commission, a single contract (expressed in euro) will be concluded between the Commission and the party submitting the proposal.

The information dossier relating to this Call for Proposals which sets out the eligibility, selection and award criteria (including details of the weighting system) and the application, assessment and approval procedure, can be obtained by applying in writing to the following address (preferably by fax):

Secretariat DG Environment A.3

European Commission

Office: BU-5 06/130

B-1049 Brussels

Fax (00) (32-2) 299 10 68

It may alternatively be downloaded from the Commission web site at the following address:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/funding/intro_en.htm

Proposals must be submitted by 3 October 2005 at the latest.

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(1)  OJ L 75, 16.3.2002, pp. 1-6

(2)  OJ L 242, 10.9.2002, pp. 1-15

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