26.11.2013

Official Journal of the European Union

C 345/1

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.7022 — Immochan/CNP Assurances/Galerie Commerciale de Kirchberg)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2013/C 345/01

On 14 November 2013, 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 French 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 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/en/index.htm) under document number 32013M7022. EUR-Lex is the online access to the European law.

26.11.2013

Official Journal of the European Union

C 345/2

Euro exchange rates (1)

25 November 2013

2013/C 345/02

1 euro =

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,3514
JPY	Japanese yen	137,57
DKK	Danish krone	7,4585
GBP	Pound sterling	0,83480
SEK	Swedish krona	8,8915
CHF	Swiss franc	1,2311
ISK	Iceland króna
NOK	Norwegian krone	8,2755
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	27,269
HUF	Hungarian forint	298,21
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,7030
PLN	Polish zloty	4,1916
RON	Romanian leu	4,4473
TRY	Turkish lira	2,7030
AUD	Australian dollar	1,4754
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,4272
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	10,4773
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,6458
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,6924
KRW	South Korean won	1 432,79
ZAR	South African rand	13,5965
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	8,2344
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,6424
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	15 878,01
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,3506
PHP	Philippine peso	59,267
RUB	Russian rouble	44,5414
THB	Thai baht	43,218
BRL	Brazilian real	3,0956
MXN	Mexican peso	17,5598
INR	Indian rupee	84,4560

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

26.11.2013

Official Journal of the European Union

C 345/3

Commission communication in the framework of the implementation of the Directive 2008/57/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 on the interoperability of the rail system within the Community (recast)

(Publication of titles and references of harmonised standards under Union harmonisation legislation)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2013/C 345/03

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
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)
CEN	EN ISO 3381:2011 Railway applications — Acoustics — Measurement of noise inside railbound vehicles (ISO 3381:2005)
CEN	EN 12080:2007+A1:2010 Railway applications — Axleboxes — Rolling bearings
CEN	EN 12081:2007+A1:2010 Railway applications — Axleboxes — Lubricating greases
CEN	EN 12082:2007+A1:2010 Railway applications — Axleboxes — Performance testing
CEN	EN 12663-1:2010 Railway applications — Structural requirements of railway vehicle bodies — Part 1: Locomotives and passenger rolling stock (and alternative method for freight wagons)
CEN	EN 12663-2:2010 Railway applications — Structural requirements of railway vehicle bodies — Part 2: Freight wagons
CEN	EN 12665:2011 Light and lighting — Basic terms and criteria for specifying lighting requirements
CEN	EN 13103:2009+A2:2012 Railway applications — Wheelsets and bogies — Non-powered axles — Design method	EN 13103:2009+A1:2010 Note 2.1	Date expired (31.1.2013)
CEN	EN 13104:2009+A2:2012 Railway applications — Wheelsets and bogies — Powered axles — Design method	EN 13104:2009+A1:2010 Note 2.1	Date expired (30.4.2013)
CEN	EN 13145:2001+A1:2011 Railway applications — Track — Wood sleepers and bearers
CEN	EN 13230-1:2009 Railway applications — Track — Concrete sleepers and bearers — Part 1: General requirements
CEN	EN 13230-2:2009 Railway applications — Track — Concrete sleepers and bearers — Part 2: Prestressed monoblock sleepers
CEN	EN 13230-3:2009 Railway applications — Track — Concrete sleepers and bearers — Part 3: Twin-block reinforced sleepers
CEN	EN 13230-4:2009 Railway applications — Track — Concrete sleepers and bearers — Part 4: Prestressed bearers for switches and crossings
CEN	EN 13232-2:2003+A1:2011 Railway applications — Track — Switches and crossings — Part 2: Requirements for geometric design
CEN	EN 13232-3:2003+A1:2011 Railway applications — Track — Switches and crossings — Part 3: Requirements for wheel/rail interaction
CEN	EN 13232-4:2005+A1:2011 Railway applications — Track — Switches and crossings — Part 4: Actuation, locking and detection
CEN	EN 13232-5:2005+A1:2011 Railway applications — Track — Switches and crossings — Part 5: Switches
CEN	EN 13232-6:2005+A1:2011 Railway applications — Track — Switches and crossings — Part 6: Fixed common and obtuse crossings
CEN	EN 13232-7:2006+A1:2011 Railway applications — Track — Switches and crossings — Part 7: Crossings with moveable parts
CEN	EN 13232-8:2007+A1:2011 Railway applications — Track — Switches and crossings — Part 8: Expansion devices
CEN	EN 13232-9:2006+A1:2011 Railway applications — Track — Switches and crossings — Part 9: Layouts
CEN	EN 13260:2009+A1:2010 Railway applications — Wheelsets and bogies — Wheelsets — Product requirements
CEN	EN 13261:2009+A1:2010 Railway applications — Wheelsets and bogies — Axles — Product requirements
CEN	EN 13262:2004+A2:2011 Railway applications — Wheelsets and bogies — Wheels — Product requirements
CEN	EN 13272:2012 Railway applications — Electrical lighting for rolling stock in public transport systems
CEN	EN 13481-2:2012 Railway applications — Track — Performance requirements for fastening systems — Part 2: Fastening systems for concrete sleepers
CEN	EN 13481-3:2012 Railway applications — Track — Performance requirements for fastening systems — Part 3: Fastening systems for wood sleepers
CEN	EN 13481-5:2012 Railway applications — Track — Performance requirements for fastening systems — Part 5: Fastening systems for slab track with rail on the surface or rail embedded in a channel
CEN	EN 13481-7:2012 Railway applications — Track — Performance requirements for fastening systems — Part 7: Special fastening systems for switches and crossings and check rails
CEN	EN 13674-1:2011 Railway applications — Track — Rail — Part 1: Vignole railway rails 46 kg/m and above
CEN	EN 13674-2:2006+A1:2010 Railway applications — Track — Rail — Part 2: Switch and crossing rails used in conjunction with Vignole railway rails 46 kg/m and above
CEN	EN 13674-3:2006+A1:2010 Railway applications — Track — Rail — Part 3: Check rails
CEN	EN 13715:2006+A1:2010 Railway applications — Wheelsets and bogies — Wheels — Tread profile
CEN	EN 13749:2011 Railway applications — Wheelsets and bogies — Method of specifying the structural requirements of bogie frames
CEN	EN 13803-1:2010 Railway applications — Track — Track alignment design parameters — Track gauges 1 435 mm and wider — Part 1: Plain line
CEN	EN 13803-2:2006+A1:2009 Railway applications — Track — Track alignment design parameters — Track gauges 1 435 mm and wider — Part 2: Switches and crossings and comparable alignment design situations with abrupt changes of curvature
CEN	EN 13848-5:2008+A1:2010 Railway applications — Track — Track geometry quality — Part 5: Geometric quality levels — Plain line
CEN	EN 13979-1:2003+A2:2011 Railway applications — Wheelsets and bogies — Monobloc wheels — Technical approval procedure — Part 1: Forged and rolled wheels	EN 13979-1:2003+A1:2009 Note 2.1	Date expired (30.9.2011)
CEN	EN 14033-1:2011 Railway applications — Track — Railbound construction and maintenance machines — Part 1: Technical requirements for running
CEN	EN 14067-4:2005+A1:2009 Railway applications — Aerodynamics — Part 4: Requirements and test procedures for aerodynamics on open track
CEN	EN 14067-5:2006+A1:2010 Railway applications — Aerodynamics — Part 5: Requirements and test procedures for aerodynamics in tunnels
CEN	EN 14067-6:2010 Railway applications — Aerodynamics — Part 6: Requirements and test procedures for cross wind assessment
CEN	EN 14531-6:2009 Railway applications — Methods for calculation of stopping and slowing distances and immobilisation braking — Part 6: Step by step calculations for train sets or single vehicles
CEN	EN 14535-1:2005+A1:2011 Railway applications — Brake discs for railway rolling stock — Part 1: Brake discs pressed or shrunk onto the axle or drive shaft, dimensions and quality requirements
CEN	EN 14535-2:2011 Railway applications — Brake discs for railway rolling stock — Part 2: Brake discs mounted onto the wheel, dimensions and quality requirements
CEN	EN 14587-2:2009 Railway applications — Track — Flash butt welding of rails — Part 2: New R220, R260, R260Mn and R350HT grade rails by mobile welding machines at sites other than a fixed plant
CEN	EN 14601:2005+A1:2010 Railway applications — Straight and angled end cocks for brake pipe and main reservoir pipe
CEN	EN 14813-1:2006+A1:2010 Railway applications — Air conditioning for driving cabs — Part 1: Comfort parameters
CEN	EN 14813-2:2006+A1:2010 Railway applications — Air conditioning for driving cabs — Part 2: Type tests
CEN	EN 14865-1:2009+A1:2010 Railway applications — Axlebox lubricating greases — Part 1: Method to test the ability to lubricate
CEN	EN 14865-2:2006+A2:2010 Railway applications — Axlebox lubricating greases — Part 2: Method to test the mechanical stability to cover vehicle speeds up to 200 km/h
CEN	EN 15020:2006+A1:2010 Railway applications — Rescue coupler — Performance requirements, specific interface geometry and test methods
CEN	EN 15153-1:2013 Railway applications — External visible and audible warning devices for trains — Part 1: Head, marker and tail lamps
CEN	EN 15153-2:2013 Railway applications — External visible and audible warning devices for trains — Part 2: Warning horns
CEN	EN 15220-1:2008+A1:2011 Railway applications — Brake indicators — Part 1: Pneumatically operated brake indicators
CEN	EN 15227:2008+A1:2010 Railway applications — Crashworthiness requirements for railway vehicle bodies
CEN	EN 15273-2:2013 Railway applications — Gauges — Part 2: Rolling stock gauge	EN 15273-2:2009 Note 2.1	30.11.2013
CEN	EN 15273-3:2013 Railway applications — Gauges — Part 3: Structure gauges	EN 15273-3:2009 Note 2.1	30.11.2013
CEN	EN 15302:2008+A1:2010 Railway applications — Method for determining the equivalent conicity
CEN	EN 15313:2010 Railway applications — In-service wheelset operation requirements — In-service and off-vehicle wheelset maintenance
CEN	EN 15355:2008+A1:2010 Railway applications — Braking — Distributor valves and distributor-isolating devices
CEN	EN 15427:2008+A1:2010 Railway applications — Wheel/rail friction management — Flange lubrication
CEN	EN 15437-1:2009 Railway applications — Axlebox condition monitoring — Interface and design requirements — Part 1: Track side equipment and rolling stock axlebox
CEN	EN 15437-2:2012 Railway applications — Axlebox condition monitoring — Interface and design requirements — Part 2: Performance and design requirements of on-board systems for temperature monitoring
CEN	EN 15461:2008+A1:2010 Railway applications — Noise emission — Characterisation of the dynamic properties of track sections for pass by noise measurements
CEN	EN 15528:2008+A1:2012 Railway applications — Line categories for managing the interface between load limits of vehicles and infrastructure
CEN	EN 15551:2009+A1:2010 Railway applications — Railway rolling stock — Buffers
CEN	EN 15566:2009+A1:2010 Railway applications — Railway rolling stock — Draw gear and screw coupling
CEN	EN 15594:2009 Railway applications — Track — Restoration of rails by electric arc welding
CEN	EN 15595:2009+A1:2011 Railway applications — Braking — Wheel slide protection
CEN	EN 15610:2009 Railway applications — Noise emission — Rail roughness measurement related to rolling noise generation
CEN	EN 15611:2008+A1:2010 Railway applications — Braking — Relay valves	EN 15611:2008 Note 2.1	Date expired (30.4.2011)
CEN	EN 15612:2008+A1:2010 Railway applications — Braking — Brake pipe accelerator valve	EN 15612:2008 Note 2.1	Date expired (30.4.2011)
CEN	EN 15624:2008+A1:2010 Railway applications — Braking — Empty-loaded changeover devices	EN 15624:2008 Note 2.1	Date expired (30.4.2011)
CEN	EN 15625:2008+A1:2010 Railway applications — Braking — Automatic variable load sensing devices	EN 15625:2008 Note 2.1	Date expired (30.4.2011)
CEN	EN 15663:2009 Railway applications — Definition of vehicle reference masses
CEN	EN 15663:2009/AC:2010
CEN	EN 15686:2010 Railway applications — Testing for the acceptance of running characteristics of railway vehicles with cant deficiency compensation system and/or vehicles intended to operate with higher cant deficiency than stated in EN 14363:2005, Annex G
CEN	EN 15687:2010 Railway applications — Testing for the acceptance of running characteristics of freight vehicles with static axle loads higher than 225 kN and up to 250 kN
CEN	EN 15723:2010 Railway applications — Closing and locking devices for payload protecting devices against environmental influences — Requirements for durability, operation, indication, maintenance, recycling
CEN	EN 15734-1:2010 Railway applications — Braking systems of high speed trains — Part 1: Requirements and definitions
CEN	EN 15734-2:2010 Railway applications — Braking systems of high speed trains — Part 2: Test methods
CEN	EN 15734-2:2010/AC:2012
CEN	EN 15746-1:2010+A1:2011 Railway applications — Track — Road-rail machines and associated equipment — Part 1: Technical requirements for running and working	EN 15746-1:2010 Note 2.1	Date expired (30.4.2011)
CEN	EN 15746-2:2010+A1:2011 Railway applications — Track — Road-rail machines and associated equipment — Part 2: General safety requirements	EN 15746-2:2010 Note 2.1	Date expired (30.4.2012)
CEN	EN 15806:2010 Railway applications — Braking — Static brake testing
CEN	EN 15807:2011 Railway applications — Pneumatic half couplings
CEN	EN 15827:2011 Railway applications — Requirements for bogies and running gears
CEN	EN 15839:2012 Railway applications — Testing for the acceptance of running characteristics of railway vehicles — Freight wagons — Testing of running safety under longitudinal compressive forces
CEN	EN 15877-1:2012 Railway applications — Marking on railway vehicles — Part 1: Freight wagons
CEN	EN 15892:2011 Railway applications — Noise Emission — Measurement of noise inside driver's cabs
CEN	EN 16116-1:2013 Railway applications — Design requirements for steps, handrails and associated access for staff — Part 1: Passenger vehicles, luggage vans and locomotives
CEN	EN 16116-2:2013 Railway applications — Design requirements for steps, handrails and associated access for staff — Part 2: Freight wagons
CEN	EN 16286-1:2013 Railway applications — Gangway systems between vehicles — Part 1: Main applications
CEN	EN 45545-1:2013 Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 1: General
CEN	EN 45545-2:2013 Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 2: Requirements for fire behavior of materials and components
CEN	EN 45545-3:2013 Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 3: Fire resistance requirements for fire barriers
CEN	EN 45545-4:2013 Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 4: Fire safety requirements for rolling stock design
CEN	EN 45545-5:2013 Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 5: Fire safety requirements for electrical equipment including that of trolley buses, track guided buses and magnetic levitation vehicles
CEN	EN 45545-6:2013 Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 6: Fire control and management systems
CEN	EN 45545-7:2013 Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 7: Fire safety requirements for flammable liquid and flammable gas installations
Cenelec	EN 45545-1:2013 Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 1: General
Cenelec	EN 45545-2:2013 Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 2: Requirements for fire behavior of materials and components
Cenelec	EN 45545-3:2013 Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 3: Fire resistance requirements for fire barriers
Cenelec	EN 45545-4:2013 Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 4: Fire safety requirements for rolling stock design
Cenelec	EN 45545-5:2013 Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 5: Fire safety requirements for electrical equipment including that of trolley buses, track guided buses and magnetic levitation vehicles
Cenelec	EN 45545-6:2013 Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 6: Fire control and management systems
Cenelec	EN 45545-7:2013 Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 7: Fire safety requirements for flammable liquid and flammable gas installations
Cenelec	EN 50122-1:2011 Railway applications — Fixed installations — Electrical safety, earthing and the return circuit — Part 1: Protective provisions against electric shock
Cenelec	EN 50122-1:2011/AC:2012
Cenelec	EN 50122-2:2010 Railway applications — Fixed installations — Electrical safety, earthing and the return circuit — Part 2: Provisions against the effects of stray currents caused by d.c. traction systems
Cenelec	EN 50122-3:2010 Railway applications — Fixed installations — Electrical safety, earthing and the return circuit — Part 3: Mutual Interaction of a.c. and d.c. traction systems
Cenelec	EN 50124-1:2001 Railway applications — Insulation coordination — Part 1: Basic requirements — Clearances and creepage distances for all electrical and electronic equipment
	EN 50124-1:2001/A1:2003	Note 3	Date expired (1.10.2006)
	EN 50124-1:2001/A2:2005	Note 3	Date expired (1.5.2008)
	EN 50124-1:2001/AC:2007
	EN 50124-1:2001/AC:2010
Cenelec	EN 50124-2:2001 Railway applications — Insulation coordination — Part 2: Overvoltages and related protection
Cenelec	EN 50124-2:2001/AC:2010
Cenelec	EN 50125-1:1999 Railway applications — Environmental conditions for equipment — Part 1: Equipment on board rolling stock
Cenelec	EN 50125-1:1999/AC:2010
Cenelec	EN 50125-2:2002 Railway applications — Environmental conditions for equipment — Part 2: Fixed electrical installations
Cenelec	EN 50125-2:2002/AC:2010
Cenelec	EN 50125-3:2003 Railway applications — Environmental conditions for equipment — Part 3: Equipment for signalling and telecommunications
Cenelec	EN 50125-3:2003/AC:2010
Cenelec	EN 50126-1:1999 Railway applications — The specification and demonstration of Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS) — Part 1: Basic requirements and generic process
	EN 50126-1:1999/AC:2006
	EN 50126-1:1999/AC:2012
	EN 50126-1:1999/AC:2010
Cenelec	EN 50129:2003 Railway applications — Communication, signalling and processing systems — Safety related electronic systems for signalling
Cenelec	EN 50129:2003/AC:2010
Cenelec	EN 50151:2003 Railway applications — Fixed installations — Electric traction — Special requirements for composite insulators
Cenelec	EN 50151:2003/AC:2010
Cenelec	EN 50155:2007 Railway applications — Electronic equipment used on rolling stock
	EN 50155:2007/AC:2010
	EN 50155:2007/AC:2012
Cenelec	EN 50159:2010 Railway applications — Communication, signalling and processing systems — Safety-related communication in transmission systems	EN 50159-1:2001 + EN 50159-2:2001 Note 2.1	Date expired (1.9.2013)
Cenelec	EN 50163:2004 Railway applications — Supply voltages of traction systems
	EN 50163:2004/A1:2007	Note 3	Date expired (1.3.2010)
	EN 50163:2004/AC:2013
	EN 50163:2004/AC:2010
Cenelec	EN 50238:2003 Railway applications — Compatibility between rolling stock and train detection systems
Cenelec	EN 50238:2003/AC:2010
Cenelec	EN 50317:2002 Railway applications — Current collection systems — Requirements for and validation of measurements of the dynamic interaction between pantograph and overhead contact line
	EN 50317:2002/A1:2004	Note 3	Date expired (1.10.2007)
	EN 50317:2002/A2:2007	Note 3	Date expired (1.2.2010)
	EN 50317:2002/A2:2007/AC:2010
Cenelec	EN 50317:2012 Railway applications — Current collection systems — Requirements for and validation of measurements of the dynamic interaction between pantograph and overhead contact line	EN 50317:2002 and its amendments Note 2.1	26.12.2014
Cenelec	EN 50317:2012/AC:2012
Cenelec	EN 50367:2012 Railway applications — Current collection systems — Technical criteria for the interaction between pantograph and overhead line (to achieve free access)
Cenelec	EN 50367:2012/AC:2013
Cenelec	EN 50388:2005 Railway applications — Power supply and rolling stock — Technical criteria for the coordination between power supply (substation) and rolling stock to achieve interoperability
Cenelec	EN 50388:2005/AC:2010
Cenelec	EN 50388:2012 Railway Applications — Power supply and rolling stock — Technical criteria for the coordination between power supply (substation) and rolling stock to achieve interoperability	EN 50388:2005 Note 2.1	13.2.2015
Cenelec	EN 50388:2012/AC:2013
Cenelec	EN 50463-1:2012 Railway applications — Energy measurement on board trains — Part 1: General
Cenelec	EN 50463-2:2012 Railway applications — Energy measurement on board trains — Part 2: Energy measuring
Cenelec	EN 50463-3:2012 Railway applications — Energy measurement on board trains — Part 3: Data handling
Cenelec	EN 50463-4:2012 Railway applications — Energy measurement on board trains — Part 4: Communication
Cenelec	EN 50463-5:2012 Railway applications — Energy measurement on board trains — Part 5: Conformity assessment
Cenelec	EN 50553:2012 Railway applications — Requirements for running capability in case of fire on board of rolling stock
Cenelec	EN 61375-1:2012 Electronic railway equipment — Train communication network (TCN) — Part 1: General architecture IEC 61375-1:2012
Cenelec	EN 61375-2-1:2012 Electronic railway equipment — Train communication network (TCN) — Part 2-1: Wire Train Bus (WTB) IEC 61375-2-1:2012
Cenelec	EN 61375-2-2:2012 Electronic railway equipment — Train communication network (TCN) — Part 2-2: Wire Train Bus conformance testing IEC 61375-2-2:2012
Cenelec	EN 61375-3-1:2012 Electronic railway equipment — Train communication network (TCN) — Part 3-1: Multifunction Vehicle Bus (MVB) IEC 61375-3-1:2012
Cenelec	EN 61375-3-2:2012 Electronic railway equipment — Train communication network (TCN) — Part 3-2: MVB (Multifunction Vehicle Bus) conformance testing IEC 61375-3-2:2012
Cenelec	EN 61375-3-3:2012 Electronic railway equipment — Train communication network (TCN) — Part 3-3: CANopen Consist Network (CCN) IEC 61375-3-3:2012

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 2.1:

The new (or amended) standard has the same scope as the superseded standard. On the date stated, the superseded standard ceases to give presumption of conformity with the essential or other requirements of the relevant Union legislation.

Note 2.2:

The new standard has a broader scope than the superseded standard. On the date stated the superseded standard ceases to give presumption of conformity with the essential or other requirements of the relevant Union legislation.

Note 2.3:

The new standard has a narrower scope than the superseded standard. On the date stated the (partially) superseded standard ceases to give presumption of conformity with the essential or other requirements of the relevant Union legislation for those products or services that fall within the scope of the new standard. Presumption of conformity with the essential or other requirements of the relevant Union legislation for products or services that still fall within the scope of the (partially) superseded standard, but that do not fall within the scope of the new standard, is unaffected.

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 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 or other requirements of the relevant Union legislation.

NOTE:

—

Any information concerning the availability of the standards can be obtained either from the European standardisation organisations or from the national standardisation bodies the list of which is published in the Official Journal of the European Union according to Article 27 of the Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 (2).

—

Standards are adopted by the European standardisation organisations in English (CEN and Cenelec also publish in French and German). Subsequently, the titles of the standards are translated into all other required official languages of the European Union by the national standardisation bodies. The European Commission is not responsible for the correctness of the titles which have been presented for publication in the Official Journal.

—

References to Corrigenda ‘…/AC:YYYY’ are published for information only. A Corrigendum removes printing, linguistic or similar errors from the text of a standard and may relate to one or more language versions (English, French and/or German) of a standard as adopted by a European standardisation organisation.

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

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

—	More information about harmonised standards and other European standards on the Internet at: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/european-standards/harmonised-standards/index_en.htm

(1) ESO: European standardisation organisation:

—	CEN: Avenue Marnix 17, 1000 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË, Tel. +32 25500811; fax +32 25500819 (http://www.cen.eu)

—	Cenelec: Avenue Marnix 17, 1000 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË, Tel. +32 25196871; fax +32 25196919 (http://www.cenelec.eu)

—	ETSI: 650 route des Lucioles, 06921 Sophia Antipolis, FRANCE, Tel. +33 492944200; fax +33 493654716 (http://www.etsi.eu)

(2) OJ L 316, 14.11.2012, p. 12.

26.11.2013

Official Journal of the European Union

C 345/16

Appointment of the Hearing Officer

2013/C 345/04

On 16 October 2013, the Commission appointed Mr Joos STRAGIER to the post of Hearing Officer, in accordance with Article 1 of the Commission Decision of 23 May 2001 on the terms of reference of Hearing Officers in certain competition cases (OJ L 162, 19.6.2001, p. 21).

26.11.2013

Official Journal of the European Union

C 345/17

Special Report No 12/2013 ‘Can the Commission and Member States show that the EU budget allocated to the rural development policy is well spent?’

2013/C 345/05

The European Court of Auditors hereby informs you that Special Report No 12/2013 ‘Can the Commission and Member States show that the EU budget allocated to the rural development policy is well spent?’ has just been published.

The report can be accessed for consultation or downloading on the European Court of Auditors' website: http://eca.europa.eu

A hard copy version of the report may be obtained free of charge on request to the Court of Auditors:

European Court of Auditors

Unit ‘Audit: Production of Reports’

12, rue Alcide de Gasperi

1615 Luxembourg

LUXEMBOURG

Tel. +352 4398-1

E-mail: eca-info@eca.europa.eu

or by filling in an electronic order form on EU-Bookshop.

26.11.2013

Official Journal of the European Union

C 345/18

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.7118 — AXA/Norges Bank/SZ Tower)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2013/C 345/06

On 18 November 2013, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which AXA (France) and Norges Bank (Norway) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1) (b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of SZ Tower (Germany) by way of purchase of assets.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	AXA is a global insurance groupe active in life, health and other forms of insurance, as well as in investment management,

—	Norges Bank is the Norway’s central bank. In addition to managing the investments of the Government Pension Fund Global, Norges Bank carries out several activities, in particular monetary policy, management of long-term foreing exchange reserves and financial stability,

—	SZ Tower is an office building in Munich, Germany, consisting of a 6-floor campus building and a 28-floor high-rise building with 3 lower levels and an underground garage.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the EC 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 the EC Merger Regulation (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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 (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.7118 — AXA/Norges Bank/SZ Tower, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

(2) OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32 (‘Notice on a simplified procedure’).

26.11.2013

Official Journal of the European Union

C 345/19

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.7097 — Bridgepoint/Orlando/La Gardenia Beauty)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2013/C 345/07

On 18 November 2013, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Bridgepoint Advisers Group Limited (‘Bridgepoint’, United Kingdom) and Orlando Italy Management SA (‘Orlando’, Luxembourg) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of La Gardenia Beauty SpA (‘La Gardenia’, Italy), currently solely controlled by Orlando, by way of other means.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	for Bridgepoint: private equity investments and funding,

—	for Orlando: private equity investments and funding,

—	for La Gardenia: retail distribution of perfumes and cosmetic products in specialized stores in Italy.

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

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 (+32 22964301), by e-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.7097 — Bridgepoint/Orlando/La Gardenia Beauty, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

26.11.2013

Official Journal of the European Union

C 345/20

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.7106 — PensionDanmark Holding/GDF SUEZ/Noordgas-transport)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2013/C 345/08

On 18 November 2013, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which PensionDanmark Holding (‘PensionDanmark’, Denmark) and GDF SUEZ SA (‘GDF SUEZ’, France) will acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control over Noordgastransport BV (‘NGT’, Netherlands) by way of a purchase of shares.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	for PensionDanmark: is a Danish not-for-profit, labour-market-related, life-insurance limited company,

—	for GDF SUEZ: one of the world’s leading industrial companies active throughout the entire energy value chain, in electricity and natural gas,

—	for NGT: provides transport and treatment services on its subsea gas transportation pipelines and onshore treatment facilities in the Netherlands.

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 (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.7106 — PensionDanmark Holding/GDF SUEZ/Noordgas-transport, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

MADO 1

1210 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

(2) OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32 (‘Notice on a simplified procedure’).

26.11.2013

Official Journal of the European Union

C 345/21

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.7092 — LIXIL Group/Development Bank of Japan/Grohe Group)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2013/C 345/09

On 18 November 2013 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings LIXIL Group Corporation (‘LIXIL’, Japan) and the Development Bank of Japan Inc. (‘DBJ’, Japan) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of Grohe Group Sàrl (‘Grohe’, Luxembourg) by way of purchase of shares.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	for LIXIL: supply of building materials and housing equipment; including sanitary products,

—	for DBJ: banking,

—	for Grohe: supply of water technology products for bathrooms and kitchens, in particular sanitary fittings and behind-the-wall flushing and installation systems.

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 (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.7092 — LIXIL Group/Development Bank of Japan/Grohe Group, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

(2) OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32 (‘Notice on a simplified procedure’).

26.11.2013

Official Journal of the European Union

C 345/22

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.7087 — Vitol/Carlyle/Varo)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2013/C 345/10

On 18 November 2013, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Funds managed by The Carlyle Group (‘Carlyle’) from the USA acquire joint control within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control over Varo Energy Holding SA (‘Varo’) from Switzerland. Varo is currently and will continue to be — indirectly — jointly controlled by Vitol Group BV (‘Vitol Group’) from the Netherlands. In addition, as part of the present transaction, Varo intends to acquire certain other companies from Vitol group in Germany.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

Carlyle is a global alternative asset manager, which manages funds that invest globally across four investment disciplines: Corporate Private Equity (buyout and growth capital), Real Assets (real estate, infrastructure and energy), Global Market Strategies (structured credit, mezzanine, distressed, hedge funds, and middle market debt) and Solutions (private equity fund of funds program and related co-investment and secondary activities),

—	Vitol Refining Group is part of Vitol Group which is active in the trading of commodities and financial instruments relating in particular to oil and gas, operation of storage terminals and exploration and production of oil and gas,

—	Varo operates a crude oil refinery in Switzerland and is active in the storage and wholesale marketing of petroleum products in Switzerland,

—	Vitol Germany, currently controlled by Vitol, is mainly active in selling refined petroleum products of middle distillates,

—	Petrotank, currently controlled by Vitol, is active in the operation of mineral oil products storage tank terminals in Germany.

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 (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.7087 — Vitol/Carlyle/Varo, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

(2) OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32 (‘Notice on a simplified procedure’).

26.11.2013

Official Journal of the European Union

C 345/23

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.7101 — Brookfield Property/Starwood/Interhotel Portfolio)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2013/C 345/11

On 15 November 2013, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Brookfield Property Partners LP (‘BPY’, Bermuda) together with Starwood Capital Group Global, LP (‘Starwood’, USA) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of 13 hotels in Germany (the ‘Interhotel Portfolio’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	BPY is a global commercial property company that owns, operates and invests in best-in-class office, retail, multifamily and industrial assets,

—

Starwood is a privately held global investment firm which invests in a number of asset classes — including multifamily, office, retail, hotel, industrial, residential and commercial land, senior housing, mixed-use and golf, and in all levels of the capital structure — including equity, preferred equity, mezzanine debt and senior debt, depending on the risk-reward profile,

—

The Interhotel Portfolio consists of 13 chain hotels located in the following six cities in Germany: Berlin (The Westin Grand Berlin, Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz), Dresden (The Westin Bellevue Dresden, Pullman Dresden Newa, Ibis Hotel Bastei, Ibis Hotel Königstein, Ibis Styles Hotel Lilienstein), Leipzig (The Westin Leipzig, Radisson Blu Leipzig, Astoria Leipzig), Erfurt (Radisson Blu Erfurt), Potsdam (Mercure Potsdam) and Chemnitz (Mercure Kongress Chemnitz).

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 (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.7101 — Brookfield Property/Starwood/Interhotel Portfolio, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

(2) OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32 (‘Notice on a simplified procedure’).

26.11.2013

Official Journal of the European Union

C 345/24

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

2013/C 345/12

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (2)

‘ELBE-SAALE HOPFEN’

EC No: DE-PGI-0005-01071-13.12.2012

PGI ( X ) PDO ( )

1. Name

‘Elbe-Saale Hopfen’

2. Member State or Third Country

Germany

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1. Type of product

Class 1.8.

Other products covered by Annex I (spices, etc.)

3.2. Description of product to which the name in point 1 applies

Botanical features:

The hop (Humulus lupulus L.) belongs to the same family as hemp (Cannabaceae) and to the order Urticales (nettles). It is a perennial, dioecious plant, i.e. only male or female inflorescences grow on one plant. Only the female plants are relevant for the actual cultivation of hops, as only they can produce hop cones (strobili). Hop cones consist of a strig, bracteoles and bracts. Tiny yellow sacs can be found at the base of the bracteoles. These sacs are glands which contain hop powder (lupulin) which is vital for the brewing industry.

Products:

The protection under Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 being applied for in respect of the name of the hop plant from the Elbe-Saale hop-growing region applies only to dried female hop cones and the products obtained by processing them, i.e. type 90 and type 45 hop pellets and CO2 and ethanol hop extracts. The raw hops are processed further with a view to:

—	reduced transport and storage costs,

—	improved flowability (pellets) as compared to raw hops,

—	the possibility of automatic dosing in brewhouses, and

—	better use of bitter and aromatic substances during the brewing process.

Typical hop products would be type 90 hop pellets (90 kg of pellets produced from 100 kg of raw hops), lupulin-enriched type 45 hop pellets (45 kg of pellets produced from 100 kg of raw hops), and CO2 and ethanol hop extract. During the pellet-making process, the hop cones are ground and pressed through a die to form pellets. To make lupulin-enriched type 45 hop pellets, the raw hops are ground whilst deep-frozen. They are then passed through a sieve which removes part of the cone material. No substances are added to the hops during either process.

Hop extract is produced by using a solvent such as CO2 or ethanol to separate the content from the hop pellets produced beforehand or the raw hops. Hop extraction is a physical process. The solvent is used exclusively as a conveyance and is removed from the cycle at the end of the process. The resin extracts which result from both processes are very stable when stored.

Use:

Hop cones from the Elbe-Saale hop-growing region and the products obtained by processing them are almost entirely (99 %) used for brewing beer. The acids and essential oils found in hops cultivated in the Elbe-Saale hop-growing region have a major influence on the brewing value.

In the Elbe-Saale hop-growing region, which is currently the second largest in Germany, it is mainly the bitter varieties that are cultivated, for example:

—	Hallertauer Magnum,

—

Herkules,

—	Hallertauer Taurus,

—	Northern Brewer,

—

Nugget,

—	Hallertauer Merkur.

Furthermore, small amounts of aromatic varieties, such as the Perle and Hallertauer Tradition, are also grown in the Elbe-Saale hop-growing region.

General and quality characteristics:

The Working Group on Hop Analysis (Arbeitsgruppe Hopfenanalyse) produces annual reports on the average alpha-acid content of various freshly harvested varieties from different hop-growing regions. The bitter varieties cultivated have a high alpha-acid content. The average alpha-acid content of the most common variety, Hallertauer Magnum, was 13,25 % over 15 years (1997 to 2011). The Perle aromatic variety harvested in the Elbe-Saale hop-growing region had an average alpha-acid content over 10 years (2003-2012) of 7,35 %. These values were provided by collectors’ laboratories. The hop-growing regions cover a large area, which enables farmers to produce consistently high-quality hop batches.

3.3. Raw materials (for processed products only)

—

3.4. Feed (for products of animal origin only)

—

3.5. Specific steps in production that must take place in the defined geographical area

The entire raw-hop production process, including the packaging and initial certification of harvested crops, takes place at the hop farms and therefore in the defined geographical area.

3.6. Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.

—

3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling

—

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area in which Elbe-Saale hops may be exclusively cultivated is made up of the following municipalities and urban areas, or the places or districts listed in brackets which are part of those municipalities or urban areas:

in Saxony:

the town of Mügeln, Ostrau, Großweitzschen, the town of Leisnig, Göda, Burkau, Panschwitz-Kuckau, the town of Elstra, the town of Weißenberg, the town of Löbau, Schönau-Berzdorf a.d. Eigen, the town of Bernstadt a.d. Eigen, the town of Grimma, Priestewitz, Klipphausen;

in Saxony-Anhalt:

the town of Bernburg (Weddegast), the town of Köthen (Baasdorf), the town of Südliches Anhalt (Edderitz, Großbadegast/Klein Badegast, Prosigk, Maasdorf), Nemsdorf-Görendorf, Obhausen, the town of Querfurt, Salzatal (Beesenstedt), Elsteraue (Rehmsdorf and Spora, including the Sprossen and Oelsen districts), Gleina, the town of Zeitz, Kretzschau (Grana, Salsitz), Wetterzeube, Molauer Land (Casekirchen, Molau, Aue);

in Thuringia:

Saaleplatte, Kutzleben, the town of Heringen-Helme, the town of Weißensee, the municipality of Gangloffsömmern, Frömmstedt, the town of Großenehrich, Rottleben, the town of Sondershausen, the town of Schkölen, Monstab.

5. Link with the geographical area

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area

Hops in the Elbe-Saale cultivation region are grown almost exclusively in selected areas with deep, loose soil belonging to the richer soil classes with a soil value of 60 to 100, and which have produced good quality hops over a period of longer than 50 years.

The chernozem (or black earth) and loess (similar to chernozem) soils in this geographical area, the Magdeburger Börde, Querfurt Plate and Thuringian Basin, are particularly suitable for growing hops. Other good areas for growing hops include the deep, slightly degraded, light-coloured loess soils between Leipzig and Dresden, such as the Lommatzscher Pflege, and the alluvial soils in the wide river valleys.

The climate in the Elbe-Saale region, the most northerly hop-growing region in Germany, is mostly similar to other well-known cultivation regions. As this region is more northerly, hops take up to six days longer to ripen than in the more southerly hop-growing areas of Germany; this is also influenced by the lower average long-term ground temperatures during the growing season from March to August. Compared with other hop-growing areas, the long-term average for annual rainfall is lower (450 l/m2 to 650 l/m2). To ensure stable crop yields, 74 % of crop-growing areas (as of 2011) are currently drip irrigated, as required, to make up for the lower rainfall in the months of June, July and August.

Another factor which ensures reliable delivery of hops is the pre-stressed concrete trellis structures which are only to be found in the Elbe-Saale hop-growing region. These pre-stressed concrete trellis structures have a long life with low repair costs, great stability and a high storm-resistance.

As hops are a wind-sensitive crop, in addition to choosing an area which is shielded from the wind it is essential to make use of natural copses or protective copses grown historically, or where necessary, for single or double rows of fast-growing coppice to be planted.

The risk of large-scale harvest losses due to hail or storms is reduced by the relatively large distances between the individual hop farms. Another advantage for trade and a further prerequisite for reliable delivery from the hop-growing region is plant health, i.e. hops which are free from fungal diseases, such as wilt for which there is currently no chemical cure. The area covered by the Elbe-Saale hop-growing region, as the crow flies, is about 280 km from east to west and about 85 km from north to south. There are currently 29 hop farms in this area (as at 2010/11).

There has been a hop-growing tradition in the Elbe-Saale region for over a thousand years. The first documentary proof of hop growing in this geographical area dates back to the 11th century. There have been legal provisions for hop growing in this region since the 13th century. There is considerable evidence of a flourishing hop culture in the south part of eastern Germany and a tradition of hop trading, e.g. the hop market in Dresden. The first detailed and precise indications of hop growing in this geographical area date back to the beginning of the 18th century. Reference to the high quality of hops from this geographical area can be found dating back to as early as 1784. Hops from this geographical area became very well known and this hop-growing region developed a very good reputation. To maintain this reputation, a hop seal was introduced as early as the 16th century, similar to the seal used in the Spalt hop-growing region. Even today, the origin of hops from the traditional Elbe-Saale growing area is officially confirmed by a seal.

Evidence of this geographical area’s historical roots in hops can still be seen in many place names, in the hop storehouses and hop kilns which still stand and the fact that hop motifs are included in the coat of arms of many places. Although the hop-growing area (in what is now part of three federal states in Germany) covered more than 1 000 ha in the 19th century, this area had shrunk by the beginning of the 20th century and, in 1934, hops were only harvested in gardens in the Hildburghausen district for use by local brewers. From 1950, hops were planted again with the technical support of the neighbouring Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. From 1964, a great step forward was made by importing the Northern Brewer bitter hop variety from the United Kingdom (licensed in 1968). By 1985, more than 80 % of the hop-growing region at that time was dedicated to bitter hops — mainly the Northern Brewer variety and, from 1973, a small amount of the Bullion bitter variety. The Hallertauer Magnum bitter hop variety has been cultivated here since the early 1990s. Today, bitter hops, which have hitherto made up at least 87 % of the growing area and over 86 % of the crop yield, continue to make up a large share of the hops grown; a share not matched by any other hop-growing region in Germany.

The first time the Elbe-Saale region (with its centre in the former Saalkreis district) was mentioned for hops was in 1947 in the context of a talk at the Halle-Gröbers agricultural college. Until 1957, hops grown in this region were referred to as coming from ‘middle Germany’ and were exported as ‘Saale hops’; they were awarded the gold medal at the Leipzig fair for the first time in 1966. In 1971, the region became a member of the International Hop Growers’ Convention and was recognised as the ‘GDR hop-growing region’. Only since 1990 has the region been called ‘Elbe-Saale’.

The large area of the hop-growing region, which has remained largely unchanged over time, makes it possible to have lower turnaround times and improves the utilisation rate for machinery and equipment, so that the processing and maintenance of hops is more effective. The large area involved is crucial for the production of consistently high-quality hop batches.

The climatic conditions are very important for the production of lupulin. The Elbe-Saale hop has the distinction of being cultivated in the well-known Saale-Unstrut wine-growing region and its surroundings, and in the Elbe Valley. It was called the ‘vine of the north’ in the Middle Ages and it replaced the grape vines in many places as it did not require such warm temperatures.

5.2. Specificity of the product

Bitter hops are mainly used to regulate the level of bitterness in brewing as they have a higher alpha-acid content which improves their efficiency. The bulk of hops in the Elbe-Saale region are bitter hops. Hops grown in the region until 1990 were mainly used to cover local demand from breweries in the GDR. Since 1990, the bitter hops grown in the Elbe-Saale region have been used by the largest breweries throughout the world.

Although hops were grown in the GDR to principally cover local demand and were barely exported, the quality of the hops from this area clearly met international requirements as early as 1970.

The hops grown in the Elbe-Saale region found international acclaim in the first Scientific Commission Meeting in 1974 and the XXVIIIth Conference of the International Hop Growers’ Convention in 1980 in Dresden, the reason being that hop yields in large areas of up to 90 ha (1979: 35 zentners) could compare with that of the Federal Republic.

Hop farmers learned more about new hop-growing methods and technical developments in this field in the ‘central exchange of experience’ which began in 1960. This tradition was continued successfully with the ‘Elbe-Saale Hop Day’, which took place every year from 1996 and, since 2002, now takes place every two years. This day is intended to foster interest from local breweries in local hops, a raw material essential for their production. Since 2006, a ‘hop queen’ has regularly been chosen to represent Elbe-Saale hops at regional, national and international level.

The extensive local know-how in hop cultivation has been supported since early 1950 by a long tradition in hop research in Jena. In 2009, a ‘hop information house’ was opened in the municipality of Groß Santersleben which offers a wealth of information on the Elbe-Saale hop-growing region.

For many regional breweries, hops from the Elbe-Saale region are synonymous with top quality. In some breweries which also operate as inns, only raw hops and hop pellets from the Elbe-Saale region are used, for example at the Bayerischer Bahnhof in Leipzig. Furthermore, local breweries, e.g. Altenburger Brauerei GmbH, Brauerei Landsberg GmbH and Privatbrauerei Schwerter Meißen GmbH are now sourcing hop pellets produced from raw hops grown locally. Elbe-Saale hops are exported worldwide mainly by trading companies: about 40 % to breweries in EU Member States (including Germany) and more than half to non-EU countries. Internationally active breweries are able to guarantee high quality beer made from the large and homogeneous hop batches from Elbe-Saale, amongst others. For example, the Radeberger Gruppe KG brewery giant, which is the current market leader on the German beer market and which is present across nearly all of Germany, uses hop pellets and hop extracts from hops grown in the Elbe-Saale region.

Since 2004, the Elbe-Saale cultivation area has provided trading samples of its bitter hop varieties every year at the German hop exhibition for comparison with all other hop varieties produced in Germany. Hop farmers from the Elbe-Saale region came third in 2007 and 2008, second in 2004 and first in 2005 in a survey of the three best bitter hop varieties amongst farmers.

5.3. Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI)

The climate described above, the special soil conditions, the location, the distance between farms and the specific farming methods used (type of trellis structure, wind protection, drip irrigation, etc.) together provide the best basis for hop growing, in particular for the bitter hop varieties. These are also the basis for guaranteeing stable yields and a consistently high alpha-acid content in hops from the Elbe-Saale region.

The large consistently high-quality batches from the Elbe-Saale region are prized by both regional breweries and the largest international breweries, for example in Latin America, Central Europe and Eastern Europe. The long tradition of hop growing in the Elbe-Saale region and its current position as the second largest hop-growing region in Germany have also contributed to its good reputation and world renown.

Reference to publication of the specification

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (3))

Markenblatt Vol. 25 of 22 June 2012, Part 7a-aa, p. 10037

(http://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/geo/detail.pdfdownload/35552)

(1) OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12. Replaced by Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012.

(3) See footnote 2.

26.11.2013

Official Journal of the European Union

C 345/30

Corrigendum to the notice from the Ministry of the Environment of the Italian Republic pursuant to Article 3(2)(a) of Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions for granting and using authorisations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons

( Official Journal of the European Union C 303 of 19 October 2013 )

2013/C 345/13

On page 2 of the contents and on page 17, the title of the notice should read as follows:

for:

read:

on page 17, second paragraph:

for:

‘Within 3 months of the date of publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, interested parties may under the rules in force submit applications for authorisation for oil and gas prospection and exploration in the reorganised area according to the geographical coordinates listed below.’,

read:

‘After 3 months from the date of publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, interested parties may under the rules in force submit applications for authorisation for oil and gas prospection and exploration in the reorganised area according to the geographical coordinates listed below.’.

		ISSN 1977-091X doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2013.345.eng
Official Journal of the European Union		C 345

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 56 26 November 2013

Notice No	Contents	page
	II Information
	INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
	European Commission
2013/C 345/01	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.7022 — Immochan/CNP Assurances/Galerie Commerciale de Kirchberg) ( 1 )	1

	IV Notices
	NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
	European Commission
2013/C 345/02	Euro exchange rates	2

2013/C 345/03	Commission communication in the framework of the implementation of the Directive 2008/57/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 on the interoperability of the rail system within the Community (recast) (Publication of titles and references of harmonised standards under Union harmonisation legislation) ( 1 )	3

2013/C 345/04	Appointment of the Hearing Officer	16

	Court of Auditors
2013/C 345/05	Special Report No 12/2013 Can the Commission and Member States show that the EU budget allocated to the rural development policy is well spent?	17

	V Announcements
	PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY
	European Commission
2013/C 345/06	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.7118 — AXA/Norges Bank/SZ Tower) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	18

2013/C 345/07	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.7097 — Bridgepoint/Orlando/La Gardenia Beauty) ( 1 )	19

2013/C 345/08	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.7106 — PensionDanmark Holding/GDF SUEZ/Noordgas-transport) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	20

2013/C 345/09	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.7092 — LIXIL Group/Development Bank of Japan/Grohe Group) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	21

2013/C 345/10	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.7087 — Vitol/Carlyle/Varo) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	22

2013/C 345/11	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.7101 — Brookfield Property/Starwood/Interhotel Portfolio) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	23

	OTHER ACTS
	European Commission
2013/C 345/12	Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs	24

	Corrigenda
2013/C 345/13	Corrigendum to the notice from the Ministry of the Environment of the Italian Republic pursuant to Article 3(2)(a) of Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions for granting and using authorisations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons (OJ C 303, 19.10.2013)	30