22.10.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 358/1

Communication in accordance with Article 34 (7)(a)(iii) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, on decisions relating to binding information issued by the customs authorities of the Member States concerning the classification of goods in the customs nomenclature

(2019/C 358/01)

The customs authorities shall revoke decisions relating to binding information from this day if they become incompatible with the interpretation of the customs nomenclature as a result of the following international tariff measures:

Classification Decisions, Classification Opinions or amendments to the Explanatory Notes of the Nomenclature of the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System, adopted by the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC document No NC2570 — report of the 62nd session of the HS Committee and CCC document No NC2626 — report of the 63rd session of the HS Committee):

AMENDMENTS TO THE EXPLANATORY NOTES TO BE DONE UNDER AN ARTICLE 8 PROCEDURE OF THE HS CONVENTION AND CLASSIFICATION OPINIONS AND DECISIONS EDITED BY THE HS COMMITTEE OF THE WCO

(62nd SESSION OF THE HSC — SEPTEMBER 2018)

DOC. NC2570

Classification Opinions approved by the HS Committee

6306.22/1

M/8

(63rd SESSION OF THE HSC — MARCH 2019)

DOC. NC2626

Amendments of the Explanatory Notes of the Nomenclature annexed to the HS Convention

Chapter 3	O/11
03.07	O/11
Chapter 16	O/11
16.05	O/11
26.21	O/16
28.11	O/16
Chapter 29	O/8
Chapter 29 Annex	O/9
29.38	O/4
30.01	O/2
30.02	O/7
Chapter 37	O/10
37.01	O/10
38.24	O/16 and O/21
90.18	O/36

Classification Opinions approved by the HS Committee

1202.42/1	O/12
1704.90/11	O/13
2523.90/1	O/14
3004.90/8	O/17
3208.20/1	O/18
3814.00/3	O/19
3824.99/23-24	O/20
3921.90/3	O/22
4411.12/1	O/23
8477.80/1	O/24
8479.60/3	O/25
8483.50/1	O/26
8517.70/6-7	O/27
8525.80/4	O/28
8538.10/1-3	O/29
8543.70/7	O/30
8708.29/4	O/31
8708.50/1-4	O/32
9029.90/1	O/33
9405.10/1	O/34
9405.40/2-3	O/34

Classification Decisions approved by the HS Committee

2938.90 (INN: List 116)	O/3
2939.71 (INN: List 83)	E/2
2939.79 (INN: Lists 1, 14 and 62)	E/2
3002.90 (INN: Lists 116 and 117)	O/1
INN: List 118	O/5
INN: List 119	O/6

Information regarding the contents of these measures can be obtained from the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union of the European Commission (rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200, 1049 Brussels, Belgium) or can be downloaded from the internet site of this Directorate-General:

https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/calculation-customs-duties/what-is-common-customs-tariff/harmonized-system-general-information_en

22.10.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 358/4

Euro exchange rates (1)

21 October 2019

(2019/C 358/02)

1 euro =

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,1173
JPY	Japanese yen	121,29
DKK	Danish krone	7,4708
GBP	Pound sterling	0,85930
SEK	Swedish krona	10,7311
CHF	Swiss franc	1,1002
ISK	Iceland króna	139,30
NOK	Norwegian krone	10,1638
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	25,630
HUF	Hungarian forint	329,98
PLN	Polish zloty	4,2788
RON	Romanian leu	4,7584
TRY	Turkish lira	6,5047
AUD	Australian dollar	1,6240
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,4643
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	8,7635
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,7432
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,5203
KRW	South Korean won	1 309,04
ZAR	South African rand	16,4831
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	7,9025
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,4378
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	15 713,09
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,6709
PHP	Philippine peso	57,046
RUB	Russian rouble	71,1373
THB	Thai baht	33,804
BRL	Brazilian real	4,6059
MXN	Mexican peso	21,4000
INR	Indian rupee	79,1690

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

22.10.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 358/5

Call For Proposals — EACEA/34/2019

Under The Erasmus+ Programme

Key Action 3 — Support for policy reform

Social inclusion and common values: the contribution in the field of education and training

(2019/C 358/03)

1. Objectives

This call for proposals will support transnational cooperation projects in the fields of general education and training and adult education. The call comprises two lots, one for general education and training (Lot 1) and one for adult education (Lot 2).

Each application must address one general objective and one of the specific objectives, which are listed separately for Lot 1 and for Lot 2. Both the general and specific objectives of the call are exhaustive: proposals that do not address them will not be considered.

Lot 1 — General education and training

General objectives

Projects submitted under this lot should aim at:

1.	Disseminating and/or scaling up good practices on inclusive learning initiated in particular at local level. In the context of the present call, scaling up means replicating good practice on a wider scale/transferring it to a different context or implementing it at a higher/systemic level; or

2.	Developing and implementing innovative methods and practices to foster inclusive education and promote common values.

Specific objectives

Proposals should address one of the following specific objectives:

a)	Enhancing the acquisition of social and civic competences, fostering knowledge, understanding and ownership of values and fundamental rights;

b)	Promoting inclusive education and training and fostering the education of disadvantaged learners, including through supporting educational staff in addressing diversity and reinforcing diversity among education staff;

c)	Enhancing critical thinking and media literacy among learners, parents and educational staff;

d)	Supporting the inclusion of newly arrived migrants in good quality education, including by assessing knowledge and validating prior learning;

e)	Fostering digital skills and competences of digitally excluded groups (including older people, migrants and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds) though partnerships between schools, business and the non-formal sector, including public libraries.

Projects under Lot 1 are encouraged to involve role models as an integral part of their activities.

Lot 2 — Adult education

The aim of this lot is to support projects that create or further develop transnational and national networks of adult education providers. These projects should help build up the capacity of Adult Education providers to implement European policy on adult learning at national and regional levels.

General objectives

Proposals should address one of the following three general objectives:

1.	Within participating countries, help to establish new national or regional networks of adult education providers, and facilitate their involvement in European cooperation (1); or

2.	Within participating countries, provide capacity-building support to existing national or regional networks of adult education providers, and improve their cooperation at European level; or

3.	Strengthen existing transnational networks of adult education providers by means of mutual learning, peer counselling, and capacity building.

Specific objectives

In addition, proposals should foster European cooperation between different providers (and relevant stakeholders), on either:

a)	Specific themes in adult learning (e.g. digital skills, literacy and numeracy, citizenship, career management skills, health literacy, personal finance, migrant integration, intergenerational learning, social inclusion …); or

b)	Specific innovative pedagogical approaches in adult education (e.g. blended learning, personalised learning approaches, educational technologies…); or

c)	Specific adult education learner groups (e.g. adult education for seniors or for people in isolated rural areas, inactive people, prisoners…); or

d)	Specific organisational management themes (financial sustainability, building up local or regional networks, internationalisation, strategic, professional development of staff, communication and social media engagement etc.); or

e)	Specific models of Adult Education (e.g. folk high schools, ‘second chance’); or

f)	Adult education generally.

2. Eligibility

2.1. Eligible applicants

Eligible applicants are public and private organisations active in the field of general education and training and adult education, or other socioeconomic sectors or organisations carrying out cross-sector activities (e.g. cultural organisations, civil society, sport organisations, recognition centres, chambers of commerce, trade organisations, etc.).

If higher education institutions are involved, they must have been awarded an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE).

National Agencies or other structures and networks of the Erasmus+ Programme, receiving a direct grant from the Commission in accordance with the legal basis of the Erasmus+ Programme are not eligible to participate. Nevertheless, the legal entities hosting the Erasmus+ National Agencies or the structures and networks mentioned above are considered eligible applicants.

Only applications from legal entities established in the following programme countries are eligible:

—	Member States of the European Union;

—	the EFTA/EEA countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway;

—	EU candidate countries: North Macedonia, Turkey and Serbia.

For British applicants: Please be aware that eligibility criteria must be complied with for the entire duration of the grant. If the United Kingdom withdraws from the EU during the grant period without concluding an agreement with the EU ensuring in particular that British applicants continue to be eligible, you will cease to receive EU funding (while continuing, where possible, to participate) or be required to leave the project on the basis of Article II.17 of the grant agreement.

Proposals from applicants in candidate countries may be selected, if on the date of award, agreements have entered into force setting out the arrangements for the participation of those countries in the programme.

Specific requirements by lot

Lot 1:

The minimum partnership composition requirement for this lot is 4 eligible organisations from 4 different programme countries.

If networks are involved in the project, the consortium must include at least 2 organisations which are not members of the network(s) and the consortium has to represent at least 4 eligible countries.

Lot 2:

The minimum number of partners required for this lot is 4 eligible organisations from 4 different programme countries.

If one of the 4 organisations is an existing transnational network, the project must include at least 2 organisations that are not members of that network.

2.2. Eligible activities and project duration

Only activities taking place in Programme countries (see Section 2.1) will be considered eligible for funding. Any costs relating to activities undertaken outside these countries or by organisations that are not registered in the Programme countries are not eligible. Exceptionally and on case by case basis activities involving other countries than the Programme countries can be granted but must have the prior and specific authorization from the Executive Agency.

Activities must start on: either 1 November or 1 December 2020 or 15 January 2021.

The project duration must be 24 or 36 months.

3. Expected results and examples of activities

Projects under Lot 1 — Education and training should lead to results such as:

—	increased awareness, knowledge and understanding of good practices in the relevant educational institutions and communities;

—	increased use of state of the art innovative approaches in policy or practice;

—	increased awareness, motivation and competence of educational leaders and educators with regard to inclusive educational approaches and the promotion of common values;

—	active engagement of families and local communities in supporting inclusive educational approaches and the promotion of common values;

—	more widespread and effective tools to support education and training institutions and learning providers in implementing inclusive education approaches and in promoting common values.

Examples of activities

Activities aimed at achieving the expected results listed above could include:

—	Cooperation and networking models which involve combinations of relevant (public/private) stakeholders across different sectors;

—	Adapting and applying learning practices to new target populations;

—	Conferences, seminars, workshops and meetings with policy and decision makers;

—	Assessing, sharing and validating good practices and learning experiences;

—	Training and other capacity-building activities (e.g. for teachers, local authorities, prison staff, etc.);

—	Supportive approaches and outreach practices from young people to young people as well as role model activities;

—	Targeted awareness-raising and dissemination activities including information material and effective communication strategies;

—	Operational or policy recommendations in the field of education and training that are relevant to the objectives of the Council Recommendation on promoting common values, inclusive education, and the European dimension of teaching and of the Paris Declaration;

—	Supportive approaches and outreach practices addressing disadvantaged groups and newly arrived migrants and refugees.

Projects under Lot 2 — Adult Education should lead to concrete results such as:

—	new networks of adult education providers, that increase their impact at local level and cooperate effectively at European level;

—	more effective and impactful cooperation at European level by existing networks of adult education providers.

Examples of activities

Activities aimed at achieving the expected results listed above could include:

—	Connecting with other stakeholder groups and networks, etc., in order to overcome the fragmented nature of adult education and training provision;

—	Piloting, assessing, validating and sharing good practices for building capacity in adult education;

—	Adapting and applying capacity-building practices to new situations, organisations, or regions;

—	Training and other capacity-building activities (e.g. for staff of local or regional authorities, staff of civil society organisations, associations, etc.);

—	Developing and implementing the necessary legal and financial structures to establish sustainable long term cooperation in the network;

—	Developing evidence-based operational or policy recommendations that are relevant to Adult Education at national or European level.

4. Budget available:

The total budget available for the co-financing of projects under the present call is EUR 20 000 000 allocated as follows:

— Lot 1 – General education and training	EUR 14 000 000
— Lot 2 – Adult education	EUR 6 000 000

The financial contribution from the EU cannot exceed 80 % of the total eligible project costs.

The maximum grant per project will be:

—	EUR 400 000 for projects of 24 months duration;

—	EUR 500 000 for projects of 36 months duration.

The Agency reserves the right not to distribute all the funds available.

5. Award criteria

Eligible proposals for both lots will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

1)	Relevance of the project (30 %)

2)	Quality of the project design and implementation (20 %)

3)	Quality of the partnership and the cooperation arrangements (20 %)

4)	Lot 1: Impact, dissemination and sustainability (30 %); Lot 2: Impact and sustainability (30 %).

6. Submission procedure and deadline

The submission deadline is: 25 February 2020 – 17:00 (Brussels time).

Applicants are requested to read carefully all information about the call for proposals EACEA/34/2019 and the submission procedure and to use the obligatory documents, which can be found under:

https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus/funding_en (Call reference EACEA/34/2019)

The application and its annexes must be submitted online using the designated e-form.

7. Call information

All information on the Call EACEA/34/2019 is available from the following website:

https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus/funding_en (Call reference EACEA/34/2019)

Email contact: EACEA-Policy-Support@ec.europa.eu

(1) Wherever possible, in each country, links should be established with the National Coordinator for adult learning and the national representative on the ET2020 Working Group on adult learning.

22.10.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 358/12

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9509 — Warburg Pincus/CDPQ/Allied Universal)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2019/C 358/06)

On 15 October 2019, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—	Warburg Pincus LLC (‘Warburg Pincus’, United States),

—	Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (‘CDPQ’, Canada),

—	Allied Universal Topco LLC (‘Allied Universal’, United States).

Warburg Pincus and CDPQ acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the whole of Allied Universal.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	for Warburg Pincus: global private equity firm active in a variety of sectors,

—	for CDPQ: Canadian long-term institutional investor managing funds essentially for public and parapublic pension and insurance plans,

—

for Allied Universal: security services and facilities management company providing integrated security solutions, cleaning and maintenance services, risk advisory and consulting services as well as temporary and permanent staffing solutions, predominantly in the United States and to a lesser extent in other countries, including in the United Kingdom.

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

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the 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.

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

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

M.9509 — Warburg Pincus/CDPQ/Allied Universal

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

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

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

(2) OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

22.10.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 358/14

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9600 — Saudi Aramco Development Company/Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering Company/JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2019/C 358/08)

On 15 October 2019, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—	Saudi Aramco Development Company (‘SADCO’, Saudi Arabia), a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Oil Company (‘Saudi Aramco’, Saudi Arabia),

—	Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (‘KSOE’, South Korea),

—	a newly created joint venture company.

SADCO and KSOE acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a newly created joint venture company.

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

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	SADCO is primarily engaged in the exploration, production and marketing of crude oil and in the production and marketing of refined products and petrochemicals,

—	KSOE is a provider of integrated systems and solutions for powering seaborne transportation and technology and services for the offshore industry,

—	the newly created joint venture company will construct and operate an engines and marine pumps manufacturing site in Saudi Arabia.

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

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

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

M.9600 — Saudi Aramco Development Company/Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering Company/JV

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

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

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

(2) OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

22.10.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 358/15

Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

(2019/C 358/09)

The European Commission has approved this minor amendment in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 6(2) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (1).

The application for approval of this minor amendment can be consulted on the Commission’s DOOR database.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘ACEITUNA ALOREÑA DE MÁLAGA’

EU No: PDO-ES-0785-AM01 — 17.1.2019

PDO (X) PGI ()

1. Name(s)

‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’

2. Member State or third country

Spain

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1. Type of product

Class 1.6. Fruit, vegetables and cereals, fresh or processed

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

A seasoned table olive obtained from the healthy fruit of the Aloreña variety of olive tree (Olea europaea, L.), harvested at the appropriate degree of ripeness before it changes colour, debittered in brine through natural fermentation and seasoned with thyme, fennel, garlic and pepper or extracts of these plants in a proportion ranging from 1 % to 3 %. This process is based on ancestral customs handed down from generation to generation.

The three types of ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’, verdes frescas (fresh green), tradicionales (traditional) and curadas (cured), share characteristics that are exclusively due to the variety and the preparation method used in the area in which they are grown and processed:

(a)

the olives are pickled in brine. The low oleuropein content means that they do not require treatment with caustic soda to remove their bitterness, and so they are debittered solely in water and salt, and seasoned with thyme, fennel, garlic and pepper. The olives are fresh with a varying degree of fermentation;

(b)	the free stone comes away easily from the flesh. This attribute is highly sought after in table olives;

(c)	regarding the internal characteristics, tasting panels have awarded it excellent evaluations for its flesh-to-stone ratio, its homogeneity, crisp texture and the firmness of the flesh;

(d)	since it is not treated with alkali, the olive stands out because of the presence of the skin and its fibrousness;

(e)

regarding the smell/taste, tasting panels in various organoleptic tests have awarded it positive evaluations for its seasonings, highlighting qualities such as its aroma and the appropriate balance of salt to its faint bitterness (typical of the alkali-free preparation method). The bitterness depends on the degree of fermentation of the olives; the fresh green olives are generally more bitter than the olives that have undergone full fermentation.

The processing of ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’ can result in three distinct products depending on the fermentation method used for the olives.

1. ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’ verde fresca (fresh green)

The olives are immediately put into containers in a cool place, where they can be stored for as long as there is no alteration to the organoleptic characteristics typical of this type of olive, or in coldrooms where they are kept at a maximum temperature of 15 °C, and can remain in these conditions for as long as there is no alteration to the organoleptic characteristics typical of this type of olive. After the olives are cracked and placed in brine, there must be a minimum of three days before they are packaged.

Organoleptic characteristics

The fresh green olives are typically light green in colour with a very pleasant smell reminiscent of green fruit and grass evoking their freshness and recent harvest. Similarly, the presence of the characteristic seasonings used in their preparation is noted. The olive has a firm and crisp texture, the flesh is easily removed from the stone, and remnants of the skin remain after chewing. Basic flavours include a characteristic bitterness, while on occasions the presence of salt can be identified depending on the type of seasoning used. Sensations on the palate include astringency and pungency.

2. ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’ tradicional (traditional)

Following delivery and grading, these olives are placed in containers in premises without air conditioning where they are stored for at least 20 days before being packaged for consumption. They can be stored in these conditions for as long as there is no alteration to the organoleptic characteristics typical of this type of olive.

Organoleptic characteristics

Traditionally seasoned olives are green to pale yellow rather than the intense green of the fresh olives. Their smell evokes fresh fruit and the typical seasonings used in their preparation rather than the fresh grassy notes particular to the fresh green olives. Less firm in texture, they retain their crispness, the flesh separates easily from the stone and the skin is present. These olives have a faint bitterness, with astringency and sharpness being less noticeable than in the fresh green olives.

3. ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’ curada (cured)

Following delivery and washing, these olives are placed without being cracked in fermenting tanks and cured for at least 90 days before packaging. They can be stored in these conditions for as long as there is no alteration to the organoleptic characteristics typical of this type of olive.

Organoleptic characteristics

The cured olive is yellow-brown in colour and smells of ripe fruit and fresh grass. The aroma of the seasonings and lactic notes, characteristic of the preparation and curing method, is present. Less firm and crisp in texture, the flesh separates easily from the stone, and remnants of the skin remain after chewing. It has an acid flavour, loses its bitterness in the mouth and has a sharp aftertaste.

Olives classed as designation of origin ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’ will necessarily be of best or superior quality:

Best quality olives: this category includes ‘Extra’ class olives, in accordance with the quality standard for table olives, with a size of 140-200.

Superior quality olives: this category includes class ‘I’ olives, in accordance with the quality standard for table olives, with a size of 140-260.

The evaluation method for organoleptic characteristics is based on COI/OT/NC No 1. The trade standard applicable to table olives is COI/OT/MO No 1, 2008. The method for the sensory analysis of table olives, based on research by the University of Córdoba’s Department of Food Science and Technology [Departamento de Bromatología y Tecnología de los Alimentos de la Universidad de Córdoba], is set out in the control body’s manual on quality and procedures.

3.3. Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

—

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

All steps in production must take place in the defined geographical area: production of the raw material, preparation of the product and final packaging.

Packaging takes place as orders arrive, and the olives must spend at least three days in the containers before being packaged. The seasonings that are typical of the local area are added to the olives at the packaging stage. The perishable nature of the product, its specific characteristics and the preparation method mean that packaging must always be carried out in the geographical area of the production and preparation of ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’ PDO, in order to obtain and preserve the organoleptic characteristics of the Aloreña olives through to their placing on the market.

3.5. Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

Packaging is based on the categories established in the quality standard for table olives. In this connection, the olives classed as designation of origin ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’ will necessarily be of best or superior quality.

To lengthen the marketing period, the olives may undergo treatment such as pasteurisation or be vacuum packed in a controlled atmosphere, provided that the final product retains its original organoleptic and physical features.

3.6. Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

The designation ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’ must be shown on the label. Packages must have numbered quality seals that will be issued by the management authority.

The label must state the type of olive: fresh green, traditional or cured.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The production area is located in the south-east of the province of Malaga and comprises a total of 19 municipalities: Alhaurín de la Torre, Alhaurín el Grande, Almogía, Álora, Alozaina, Ardales, El Burgo, Carratraca, Cártama, Casarabonela, Coín, Guaro, Málaga, Monda, Pizarra, Ronda, Tolox, El Valle de Abdalajís and Yunquera.

5. Link with the geographical area

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area

The natural district of Guadalhorce (Sierra de las Nieves and Valle del Guadalhorce) falls within the area of the Cordilleras Béticas mountain range. The Guadalhorce River and Valley are delimited by a series of mountain ranges and hills. This mountain system means that the production zone is clearly defined, with the only opening being at the mouth of the Guadalhorce River.

The district’s weather combines the continental climate and the typical climate of the Mediterranean basin, giving rise to a very singular microclimate that enables the production of a great diversity of crops from those common to tropical zones, such as avocados, to the cereal production found in flat farming plains. In this environment the olive is mainly located in dry zones on the slopes of the hills and mountains that surround the valley, which, together with the mildness of the climate, has a decisive influence on, amongst other things, the final characteristics of the product, the harvest date and tree habit.

The lie of the land is very uneven, with olive groves located on the slopes that surround the Guadalhorce Valley, which is clearly marked and encircled by the mountain range. Consequently, the olive tree grows on marginal and poor soils and is not of the highly productive sort found in cultivated farm land. Rather, this variety has low productivity, but yields a fruit whose quality is unsurpassed.

Of the cultivation techniques used to grow olives in the Guadalhorce Valley, pruning has the biggest impact on the final characteristics. In this district, it is noted for its severity and the final structure it gives to the tree. This pruning method involves cutting back the youngest branches, but leaving the main tree branches, which gives the tree a wine-glass structure, on which light vegetation is left, with most of the secondary branches having been removed. This gives a very singular goblet shape to the tree.

The preparation process includes the different treatments that the olives undergo to remove their bitterness as well as their seasoning. This process is based on ancestral customs handed down from generation to generation. It is practically the same as that used in bygone years, which makes it very distinct and unique to the zone from which this product hails.

5.2. Specificity of the product

Oleuropein content. Oleuropein is the polyphenol that gives olives their bitterness, and ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’ contains approximately 103 mg per kilogram, meaning that the olives can be debittered through pickling alone. After just 48 hours in brine the bitterness is removed.

It has a free stone and so the stone comes easily away from the flesh. According to local tradition, harvest time is determined by cutting the olive in the middle to see if the flesh is easily separated from the stone. If so, this indicates that this is the ideal time to pick the olives. This is a highly sought-after quality in table olives, which few are able to claim.

The flesh-to-stone ratio of a minimum 3:1 is one of the highest for table olives.

The ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’ has a size of 140 to 260, a range that classes it in the ‘Extra’ category under point 3.2.1 ‘Qualitative Classification’ of standard COI/OT/NC No 1. Traditionally this parameter is highly prized by producers and consumers alike, and specific cultural practices are put in place to achieve this.

Organoleptic description of the different types of ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’:

5.1.

Fresh green

5.2.

Traditional

Traditionally seasoned olives are green to pale yellow rather than an intense green. Their smell evokes fresh fruit and the typical seasonings used in their preparation rather than the fresh grassy notes particular to the fresh green olives. Less firm in texture, they retain their crispness, the flesh separates easily from the stone and the skin is present. These olives have a faint bitterness, with astringency and sharpness being less noticeable than in the fresh green olives.

5.3.

Cured

5.3. Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product

As previously explained the olive tree is very sensitive to the environmental conditions in which it is grown and to handling. It is highly versatile and able to adapt to the ambient conditions. In this connection, it should be pointed out that the production zone of the Aloreña olive is clearly delimited by a chain of mountains that determine its special characteristics with regard to the climate, soil and the lie of the land of the production zone. Together with the knowledge of the local people, this has produced a table olive that stands out from others available on the market.

The oleuropein content of ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’ is one of the traits that has had the greatest influence on the preparation of this type of olive. The low content of this polyphenol means that the olives can be debittered in just a few days using a simple pickling method. It has also led to the olives being split to let the brine penetrate the flesh of the fruit more easily to remove the compound responsible for its bitterness.

Pickling ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’ in brine has resulted in this product’s fleshy and firm texture, since the fibrousness of the fresh fruit is not lost due to the use of caustic soda. The fibrous texture is also influenced by the type of soils in which the olives grow, usually in marginal land in mountainous areas.

The ease with which the stone is separated from the fruit, known locally as hueso flotante, has had a decisive influence on the preparation of ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’. This characteristic means that the olives can be split during preparation, leaving the stone loose inside the flesh. To decide if the olives were ripe for harvesting, locals would traditionally cut the olive in the middle and if it could be separated into two halves this indicated that harvest could begin.

The unique flavour and aroma of the ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’ are also closely tied to its preparation method, which is a human factor unique to its area of origin, since the ancestral customs have been handed down over the years, using the traditional seasonings, which are a combination of local aromatic plants typically used in olive dressings in this geographical area (thyme, fennel, pepper and garlic), which historically were grown or picked in this district, although they could come from other areas too.

The size of the ‘Aceituna Aloreña de Málaga’ is another much appreciated and valued feature of this product. To obtain this size farmers must adhere to local pruning techniques that are noteworthy because of their severity, the circular form and the light vegetation. This cultural practice also has an influence on the flesh-to-stone ratio, classed as excellent by tasting panels.

Reference to publication of the specification

(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)

The full text of the product specification can be found at:

https://juntadeandalucia.es/export/drupaljda/Pliego_Aceituna_Alore%C3%B1a_modificado.pdf

or via the homepage of the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development

(http://juntadeandalucia.es/organismos/agriculturapescaydesarrollorural.html), by following the navigation pathway ‘Áreas de actividad’/‘Industrias y Cadena Agroalimentaria’/‘Calidad’/‘Denominaciones de Calidad’/‘Otros Productos’; the specifications are located under the name of the quality designation.

(1) OJ L 179, 19.6.2014, p. 17.

		ISSN 1977-091X
Official Journal of the European Union		C 358

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 62 22 October 2019

	IV Notices
	NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
	European Commission
2019/C 358/02	Euro exchange rates — 21 October 2019	4

	Corrigenda
	Corrigendum to Annual Report 2018 ( OJ C 350, 16.10.2019 )	20
	Corrigendum to Council Recommendation of 10 October 2019 on the appointment of a member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank ( OJ C 351, 17.10.2019 )	21

Contents		page
	II Information
	INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
	European Commission
2019/C 358/01	Communication in accordance with Article 34 (7)(a)(iii) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, on decisions relating to binding information issued by the customs authorities of the Member States concerning the classification of goods in the customs nomenclature	1

	V Announcements
	ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
	European Commission
2019/C 358/03	Call For Proposals — EACEA/34/2019 Under The Erasmus+ Programme Key Action 3 — Support for policy reform Social inclusion and common values: the contribution in the field of education and training	5
	PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY
	European Commission
2019/C 358/04	Notice to economic operators New round of requests for the suspension of the autonomous Common Customs Tariff duties on certain industrial and agricultural products	10
2019/C 358/05	Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9539 — BNP Paribas/Deutsche Bank (global prime finance and electronic equities business assets)) Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	11
2019/C 358/06	Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9509 — Warburg Pincus/CDPQ/Allied Universal) Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	12
2019/C 358/07	Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9520 — CVC/Robert Bosch Packaging Technology) Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	13
2019/C 358/08	Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9600 — Saudi Aramco Development Company/Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering Company/JV) Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	14
	OTHER ACTS
	European Commission
2019/C 358/09	Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012	15