ISSN 1977-091X
Official Journal
of the European Union
C 48
English edition
Information and Notices
Volume 66
8 February 2023
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ISSN 1977-091X |
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Official Journal of the European Union |
C 48 |
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English edition |
Information and Notices |
Volume 66 |
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Contents |
page |
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II Information |
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INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
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European Commission |
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2023/C 48/01 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10964 – WILMAR / CLARIANT / CLARIANT QUATS BUSINESS JV) ( 1 ) |
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2023/C 48/02 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.11001 – SKIPJACK / MITSUI O.S.K. LINES / INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTATION) ( 1 ) |
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IV Notices |
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NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
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Council |
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2023/C 48/03 |
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European Commission |
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2023/C 48/04 |
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2023/C 48/05 |
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NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
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2023/C 48/06 |
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V Announcements |
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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY |
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European Commission |
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2023/C 48/07 |
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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
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European Commission |
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2023/C 48/08 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10997 – NB / ARDIAN / MEDIOLANUM / NEOPHARMED) ( 1 ) |
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OTHER ACTS |
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European Commission |
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2023/C 48/09 |
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(1) Text with EEA relevance. |
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EN |
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II Information
INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
European Commission
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8.2.2023 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 48/1 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration
(Case M.10964 – WILMAR / CLARIANT / CLARIANT QUATS BUSINESS JV)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2023/C 48/01)
On 27 January 2023, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:
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in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
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in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32023M10964. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law. |
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8.2.2023 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 48/2 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration
(Case M.11001 – SKIPJACK / MITSUI O.S.K. LINES / INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTATION)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2023/C 48/02)
On 2 February 2023, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:
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in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
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in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32023M11001. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law. |
IV Notices
NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
Council
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8.2.2023 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 48/3 |
COUNCIL DECISION
of 6 February 2023
amending Decision 1999/70/EC concerning the external auditors of the national central banks, as regards the external auditors of Oesterreichische Nationalbank
(2023/C 48/03)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to Protocol No 4 on the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 27.1 thereof,
Having regard to the Recommendation of the European Central Bank of 13 December 2022 to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (ECB/2022/44) (1),
Whereas:
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(1) |
The accounts of the European Central Bank (ECB) and of the national central banks of the Member States whose currency is the euro are to be audited by independent external auditors recommended by the Governing Council of the ECB and approved by the Council of the European Union. |
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(2) |
Article 37(1) of the Austrian Federal Act on the Oesterreichische Nationalbank provides that the General Meeting of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank elects one external auditor and one alternate external auditor for a period of up to five years. The alternate external auditor will be mandated only in the event that the external auditor is unable to perform the audit. |
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(3) |
The mandate of Ernst & Young Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft m.b.H., the current external auditor of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank, and the mandate of Deloitte Audit Wirtschaftsprüfungs GmbH, the current alternate external auditor, will both end following the audit for the financial year 2022. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2023. |
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(4) |
The Oesterreichische Nationalbank has selected BDO Austria GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungs- und Steuerberatungsgesellschaft as its external auditor for the financial years 2023 to 2027. The Oesterreichische Nationalbank will select its alternate external auditor at a later point in time. |
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(5) |
Following the recommendation of the Governing Council of the ECB, Council Decision 1999/70/EC (2) should be amended accordingly, |
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
In Article 1 of Decision 1999/70/EC, paragraph 9 is replaced by the following:
‘9. BDO Austria GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungs- und Steuerberatungsgesellschaft is hereby approved as the external auditor of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank for the financial years 2023 to 2027’.
Article 2
This Decision shall take effect on the date of its notification.
Article 3
This Decision is addressed to the European Central Bank.
Done at Brussels, 6 February 2023.
For the Council
The President
J. ROSWALL
(1) OJ C 484, 20.12.2022, p. 13.
(2) Council Decision 1999/70/EC of 25 January 1999 concerning the external auditors of the national central banks (OJ L 22, 29.1.1999, p. 69).
European Commission
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8.2.2023 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 48/5 |
Euro exchange rates (1)
7 February 2023
(2023/C 48/04)
1 euro =
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Currency |
Exchange rate |
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USD |
US dollar |
1,0700 |
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JPY |
Japanese yen |
141,30 |
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DKK |
Danish krone |
7,4415 |
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GBP |
Pound sterling |
0,89338 |
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SEK |
Swedish krona |
11,3805 |
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CHF |
Swiss franc |
0,9906 |
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ISK |
Iceland króna |
152,10 |
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NOK |
Norwegian krone |
11,1253 |
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BGN |
Bulgarian lev |
1,9558 |
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CZK |
Czech koruna |
23,832 |
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HUF |
Hungarian forint |
394,40 |
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PLN |
Polish zloty |
4,7565 |
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RON |
Romanian leu |
4,9020 |
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TRY |
Turkish lira |
20,1478 |
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AUD |
Australian dollar |
1,5470 |
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CAD |
Canadian dollar |
1,4371 |
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HKD |
Hong Kong dollar |
8,3974 |
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NZD |
New Zealand dollar |
1,6994 |
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SGD |
Singapore dollar |
1,4199 |
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KRW |
South Korean won |
1 348,81 |
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ZAR |
South African rand |
18,8746 |
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CNY |
Chinese yuan renminbi |
7,2608 |
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IDR |
Indonesian rupiah |
16 239,13 |
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MYR |
Malaysian ringgit |
4,6035 |
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PHP |
Philippine peso |
59,032 |
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RUB |
Russian rouble |
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THB |
Thai baht |
35,989 |
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BRL |
Brazilian real |
5,5216 |
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MXN |
Mexican peso |
20,4316 |
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INR |
Indian rupee |
88,5096 |
(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.
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8.2.2023 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 48/6 |
COMMISSION DECISION
of 13 January 2023
establishing the ad hoc Steering Board to facilitate the coordination of demand aggregation and joint purchasing of gas
(2023/C 48/05)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to the Council Regulation (EU) 2022/2576 of 19 December 2022 enhancing solidarity through better coordination of gas purchases, reliable price benchmarks and exchanges of gas across borders (1), and in particular Article 4(2) thereof,
Whereas:
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(1) |
The ongoing energy crisis exposed the Union’s dependency on Russian fossil fuels and the impact of uncoordinated actions by Member States faced with the weaponisation of gas supply by Russia, which led to excessive prices. |
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(2) |
Cooperation on energy is at the core of the European Union. A close cooperation between relevant actors, in particular the Member States and the Energy Community Contracting Parties is critical to tackle the energy crisis in unity. |
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(3) |
The EU Energy Platform was initiated on 7 April 2022 following the mandate of the European Council, with a range of actions in the field of natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen purchase: international outreach, demand aggregation, efficient use of Union gas infrastructures and in particular better usage of LNG terminals to support the Union’s security of supply and access to affordable energy. |
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(4) |
On 20 October 2022, the European Council endorsed the principle of joint purchasing of gas, coordinating and prioritising negotiations with reliable partners to seek mutually beneficial partnerships by exploiting the Union’s collective market weight and making full use of the EU Energy Platform. |
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(5) |
Regulation (EU) 2022/2576 provides a legal framework for the EU Energy Platform to support Member States in the preparation for the winter 2023/2024 and notably the filling of their storage facilities. |
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(6) |
Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2576 lays down transparency provisions in order to ensure better coordination and energy solidarity among Member States. Where the Commission considers that planned gas purchases may have a negative impact on the functioning of joint purchasing, the internal market, the security of supply or energy solidarity, it may issue recommendations. Such recommendations would be addressed to the relevant natural gas undertakings or undertakings consuming gas established in the Union or authorities of Member States requesting them to consider appropriate measures with the aim of furthering coordination. |
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(7) |
Before issuing any such recommendation, the Commission should inform the ad hoc Steering Board, which should assist the Commission in assessing whether the planned gas purchases enhance security of supply in the Union and are compatible with the principle of energy solidarity, and whether further coordination could improve the functioning of the joint purchasing. The ad hoc Steering Board should therefore be established. |
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(8) |
Rules of disclosure of information by members of the group should be laid down. |
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(9) |
Personal data should be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2). |
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
The ad hoc Steering Board
The ad hoc Steering Board is established.
Article 2
Mission and tasks of the ad hoc Steering Board
1. The ad hoc Steering Board shall be consulted by the Commission on draft recommendation(s) pursuant to Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2576:
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(1) |
on whether further coordination with regards to the launch of a tender for the purchase of gas or planned gas purchases could improve the functioning of joint purchasing; |
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(2) |
on whether the launch of a tender for the purchase of gas or planned gas purchases may have a negative impact on the internal market, on security of supply or on energy solidarity; |
2. The ad hoc Steering Board shall act as an entity for enhanced coordination at Union level, with the aim of facilitating demand aggregation and joint gas purchasing, including from third countries;
3. Where appropriate, the Commission shall inform the ad hoc Steering Board about the activities of the Energy Platform;
4. The Commission shall inform the ad hoc Steering Board about the impact of the participation of undertakings in the joint purchasing platform on security of supply in the Union and energy solidarity.
Article 3
Membership
1. Members of the ad hoc Steering Board shall be Member States’ authorities.
2. Each Member State’s authority shall nominate its representative and shall be responsible for ensuring that its representative provides a high level of expertise related to energy matters, particularly gas.
3. Each representative may be supported by a technical expert.
Article 4
Chair
The ad hoc Steering Board shall be chaired by the Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight.
Article 5
Operation
1. The ad hoc Steering Board shall act at the request of its Chair.
2. Meetings of the ad hoc Steering Board shall, usually, be held on Commission premises but may be held virtually, depending on the circumstances.
3. The Commission Directorate-General for Energy shall provide secretarial services for the ad hoc Steering Board. Commission officials from other departments with an interest in the proceedings may attend meetings of the group and its sub-groups.
4. The ad hoc Steering Board may, by simple majority of its members, decide that deliberations shall be public.
5. Minutes on the discussion on each point on the agenda and on the assessments delivered by the ad hoc Steering Board shall be meaningful and complete. Minutes shall be drafted by the secretariat under the responsibility of the Chair.
6. As far as possible, the ad hoc Steering Board shall adopt its assessments by consensus.
Article 6
Sub-groups
The Chair may set up sub-groups for the purpose of examining specific questions on the basis of terms of reference defined by the Commission. Sub-groups shall operate in compliance with the Commission’s horizontal rules on expert groups (‘the horizontal rules’) (3) and shall report to the ad hoc Steering Board. They shall be dissolved as soon as their mandate is fulfilled.
Article 7
Invited experts
The Chair may invite experts with specific expertise with respect to a subject matter on the agenda to take part in the work of the ad hoc Steering Board or its sub-groups on an ad hoc basis.
Article 8
Participation in meetings and Observers
1. The Secretariat of the Energy Community (‘Secretariat’) may participate in the meetings of the ad hoc Steering Board, as an Observer, upon invitation of the Commission on matters of mutual concern. In that case, it shall nominate its representative(s).
2. Representatives of the Energy Community Contracting Parties may participate in the meetings of the ad hoc Steering Board upon invitation of the Commission on matters of mutual concern.
3. Observers and their representatives, as well as representatives of the Energy Community Contracting Parties, may be permitted by the Chair to take part in the discussions of the ad hoc Steering Board and any sub-groups and provide expertise. However, they shall not participate in the formulation of assessments to the ad hoc Steering Board.
Article 9
Rules of procedure
The ad hoc Steering Board shall adopt its Rules of Procedure by qualified majority at its first meeting.
Article 10
Protection of commercially sensitive information
1. Members of the ad hoc Steering Board shall handle sensitive information with due confidentiality, including any commercially sensitive information, which shall not be shared with any undertakings or used for any other purpose than for fulfilling the tasks of the ad hoc Steering Board specified in this Decision.
2. Any personal data that might be processed as part of demand aggregation and joint purchasing shall be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) and Regulation (EU) 2018/1725.
Article 11
Professional secrecy and handling of classified information
The members of the ad hoc Steering Board as well as invited experts and observers, are subject to the obligation of professional secrecy, which by virtue of the Treaties and the rules implementing them applies to all members of the institutions and their staff, as well as to the Commission’s rules on security regarding the protection of Union classified information, laid down in Commission Decisions (EU, Euratom) 2015/443 (5) and 2015/444 (6). Should they fail to respect these obligations, the Commission may take all appropriate measures.
Article 12
Transparency
1. The ad hoc Steering Board and any sub-groups shall be registered in the Register of Commission expert groups and other similar entities (‘the Register of expert groups’).
2. As concerns the ad hoc Steering Board and sub-groups’ composition, the following data shall be published in the Register of expert groups:
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(1) |
the name of Member State’s authorities represented in the ad hoc Steering Board; |
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(2) |
the name of observers. |
3. All relevant documents, including the agendas, the minutes and the participants’ submissions, shall be made available on the Register of expert groups. In particular, the agenda and other relevant background documents shall be published in due time ahead of the meeting, followed by timely publication of minutes. Exceptions to publication (7) shall only be possible where it is deemed that disclosure of a document would undermine the protection of a public or private interest referred to in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8).
Article 13
Meeting expenses
1. Participants in the activities of the ad hoc Steering Board and its sub-groups shall not be remunerated for the services they offer.
2. Travel expenses incurred by participants in the activities of the ad hoc Steering Board and sub-groups shall be reimbursed by the Commission. Reimbursement shall be made in accordance with the provisions in force within the Commission and within the limits of the available appropriations allocated to the Commission departments under the annual procedure for the allocation of resources.
Done at Brussels, 13 January 2023.
For the Commission
The President
Ursula VON DER LEYEN
(1) OJ L 335, 29.12.2022, p. 1.
(2) Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39).
(3) Commission Decision C(2016) 3301 establishing horizontal rules on the creation and operation of Commission expert groups
(4) Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation)(OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1).
(5) Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/443 of 13 March 2015 on Security in the Commission (OJ L 72, 17.3.2015, p. 41).
(6) Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/444 of 13 March 2015 on the security rules for protecting EU classified information (OJ L 72, 17.3.2015, p. 53).
(7) These exceptions are intended to protect public security, military affairs, international relations, financial, monetary or economic policy, privacy and integrity of the individual, commercial interests, court proceedings and legal advice, inspections/investigations/audits and the institution’s decision-making process.
(8) Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43).
NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES
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8.2.2023 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 48/11 |
List of authorities empowered to issue export licences for cultural goods, published in accordance with Article 3(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 116/2009 (1)
(2023/C 48/06)
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Member State |
Issuing authorities |
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BELGIUM |
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BULGARIA |
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CZECH REPUBLIC |
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DENMARK |
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GERMANY |
Issuing authority in the Land |
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Baden-Württemberg |
Normale Genehmigungen:
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Allgemein offene und Spezifisch offene Genehmigungen:
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Bayern |
Normale Genehmigungen:
Allgemein offene und Spezifisch offene Genehmigungen:
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Berlin |
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Brandenburg |
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Freie und Hansestadt Bremen |
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Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg |
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Hessen |
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Mecklenburg-Vorpommern |
GenehmigungenNormale, Allgemein offene und Spezifisch offene Genehmigungen:
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Niedersachsen |
Für Kulturgut: Normale Genehmigungen:
Allgemein offene und Spezifisch offene Genehmigungen:
Für Archivgut:
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Nordrhein-Westfalen |
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Rheinland-Pfalz |
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Saarland |
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Sachsen |
Für Kulturgut: Normale Genehmigungen:
Vorübergehende Ausfuhren von nationalem Kulturgut, Allgemein offene und Spezifisch offene Genehmigungen:
Für Archivgut:
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Sachsen-Anhalt |
Für Kulturgut:
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Schleswig-Holstein |
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Thüringen |
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ESTONIA |
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IRELAND |
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GREECE |
Hellenic Ministry of Culture,
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SPAIN |
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FRANCE |
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CROATIA |
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ITALY |
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CYPRUS |
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LATVIA |
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LITHUANIA |
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LUXEMBOURG |
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HUNGARY |
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MALTA |
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THE NETHERLANDS |
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AUSTRIA |
For archives:
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POLAND |
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PORTUGAL |
(For old books and bibliographic species)
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(For manuscripts, archives and photographic heritage)
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(For audiovisual heritage)
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V Announcements
PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY
European Commission
|
8.2.2023 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 48/32 |
Notice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain corrosion resistant steels originating in People’s Republic of China
(2023/C 48/07)
Following the publication of a Notice of impending expiry (1) of the anti-dumping measures in force on the imports of certain corrosion resistant steels originating in People’s Republic of China (‘the country concerned’ or ‘PRC’), the European Commission (‘the Commission’) has received a request for review pursuant to Article 11(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Union (2) (‘the basic Regulation’).
1. Request for review
The request was submitted on 8 November 2022 by the European Steel Association EUROFER (‘the applicant’) on behalf of the Union industry of certain corrosion resistant steels in the sense of Article 5(4) of the basic Regulation.
An open version of the request and the analysis of the degree of support by Union producers for the request are available in the file for inspection by interested parties. Sections 5.6 and 5.9 of this Notice provide information about access to the file for interested parties.
2. Product under review
The product subject to this review is flat-rolled products of iron or alloy steel or non-alloy steel; aluminium killed; plated or coated by hot dip galvanisation with zinc and/or with aluminium, and no other metal; chemically passivated; containing by weight: 0,015 % or more but not more than 0,170 % of carbon, 0,015 % or more but not more than 0,100 % of aluminium, not more than 0,045 % of niobium, not more than 0,010 % of titanium and not more than 0,010 % of vanadium; presented in coils, cut-to-length sheets and narrow strips.
The following products are excluded:
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— |
of stainless steel, of silicon-electrical steel, and of high-speed steel, |
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— |
not further worked than hot-rolled or cold-rolled (cold-reduced). |
The product under review is currently falling under CN codes ex 7210 41 00, ex 7210 49 00, ex 7210 61 00, ex 7210 69 00, ex 7212 30 00, ex 7212 50 61, ex 7212 50 69, ex 7225 92 00, ex 7225 99 00, ex 7226 99 30 and ex 7226 99 70 (TARIC codes 7210410020, 7210490020, 7210610020, 7210690020, 7212300020, 7212506120, 7212506920, 7225920020, 7225990022, 7225990092, 7226993010, 7226997094). The CN and TARIC codes are given for information only without prejudice to a subsequent change in the tariff classification.
3. Existing measures
The measures currently in force are a definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/186 (3) and extended to imports of slightly modified certain corrosion resistant steels consigned from PRC, by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1156 (4), as last amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1994 (5).
4. Grounds for the review
The request is based on the grounds that the expiry of the measures would be likely to result in recurrence of dumping and recurrence of injury to the Union industry.
4.1. Allegation of likelihood of recurrence of dumping
The applicant claimed that it is not appropriate to use domestic prices and costs in the PRC, due to the existence of significant distortions within the meaning of point (b) of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation.
To substantiate the allegations of significant distortions, the applicant relied on the information contained in the country report produced by the Commission services on 20 December 2017 describing the specific market circumstances in the PRC (6). In particular, the applicant referred to distortions regarding state presence in general and more specific in the steel industry, bankruptcy and property laws, and distortions with regard to land, energy, capital, raw materials and labour. The applicant also outlined the subsidy programmes benefiting the Chinese hot-rolled flat steel industry including preferential loans, de facto guarantees, the provision of land at less than adequate remuneration and various tax schemes. In addition, the applicant referred to the OECD database and OECD Working Paper no. 1536 dated February 2019: ‘State-owned Firms behind China’s Corporate Debt, Economics Department’; the Catalogue for Guiding Industry Restructuring; the General Principles of the Chinese Constitution; the statements made by the National Development and Reform Commission of People’s Republic of China; the outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and Vision 2035 of the People’s Republic of China with regard to the State control over the steel sector; the findings in the original anti-subsidy investigation on certain hot rolled flat products originating in the PRC and the findings in the anti-dumping investigation on imports of certain organic coated steel products originating in the People’s Republic of China.
As a result, in view of Article 2(6a)(a) of the basic Regulation, the allegation of recurrence of dumping from the PRC is based on a comparison of a constructed normal value (manufacturing costs, selling, general and administrative costs (SG&A) and profit) on the basis of costs of production and sale reflecting undistorted prices or benchmarks in an appropriate representative country with the export price (at ex-works level) of the product under review when exported to other third countries.
In view of the negligible import volumes from PRC to the Union, the applicant alleges that there is a likelihood of recurrence of dumping from the PRC.
4.2. Allegation of likelihood of recurrence of injury
The applicant alleges the likelihood of recurrence of injury from PRC. In this respect the applicant has provided evidence that, should measures be allowed to lapse, the current import level of the product under review from PRC to the Union is likely to increase due to the existence of unused capacity in PRC. In addition, the surplus of supply due to low steel demand in the PRC due to post COVID-19 developments, the measures imposed from other third countries against imports of certain corrosion resistant steels from the PRC, as well as the significant and continuous decrease of the freight costs from the PRC to the Union is likely to lead to the redirection of the imports of the product concerned to the Union market, if measures expire. The applicant also provided sufficient evidence that PRC exporters are currently dumping their products in other markets, at much lower prices than those prevailing in the EU market, showing that the EU market is an attractive market for PRC exporters pricewise.
The applicant finally alleges that the removal of injury has been mainly due to the existence of measures and that any recurrence of substantial imports at dumped prices from PRC would likely lead to a recurrence of injury to the Union industry should measures be allowed to lapse.
5. Procedure
Having determined, after consulting the Committee established by Article 15(1) of the basic Regulation, that sufficient evidence of a likelihood of dumping (7) and injury exists to justify the initiation of an expiry review, the Commission hereby initiates a review in accordance with Article 11(2) of the basic Regulation.
The expiry review will determine whether the expiry of the measures would be likely to lead to a continuation or recurrence of dumping of the product under review originating in the PRC and a continuation or recurrence of injury to the Union industry.
The Commission also draws the attention of the parties to the published Notice (8) on the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak on anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations that may be applicable to this proceeding.
5.1. Review investigation period and period considered
The investigation of a continuation or recurrence of dumping will cover the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 (‘the review investigation period’). The examination of trends relevant for the assessment of the likelihood of a continuation or recurrence of injury will cover the period from 1 January 2019 to the end of the review investigation period (‘the period considered’).
5.2. Comments on the request and the initiation of the investigation
All interested parties wishing to comment on the request (including matters pertaining to injury and causality) or any aspects regarding the initiation of the investigation (including the degree of support for the request) must do so within 37 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union (9).
Any request for a hearing with regard to the initiation of the investigation must be submitted within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice.
5.3. Procedure for the determination of a likelihood of a continuation or recurrence of dumping
In an expiry review, the Commission examines exports that were made to the Union in the review investigation period and, irrespective of exports to the Union, considers whether the situation of the companies producing and selling the product under review in the country concerned is such that exports at dumped prices to the Union would be likely to continue or recur if measures expire.
Therefore, all producers (10) of the product under review from the country concerned, including those that did not cooperate in the investigation(s) leading to the measures in force, are invited to participate in the Commission investigation.
5.3.1. Investigating producers in the country concerned
In view of the potentially large number of producers in the PRC involved in this expiry review and in order to complete the investigation within the statutory time limits, the Commission may limit the producers to be investigated to a reasonable number by selecting a sample (this process is also referred to as ‘sampling’). The sampling will be carried out in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation.
In order to enable the Commission to decide whether sampling is necessary, and if so, to select a sample, all producers, or representatives acting on their behalf, including the ones who did not cooperate in the investigation leading to the measures subject to the present review, are hereby requested to provide the Commission with information on their companies within 7 days of the date of publication of this Notice. This information must be provided via TRON.tdi at the following address: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/tron/tdi/form/R790_SAMPLING_FORM_FOR_EXPORTING_PRODUCER. Tron access information can be found in sections 5.6 and 5.9 below.
In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for the selection of the sample of producers, the Commission will also contact the authorities of the PRC and may contact any known associations of producers in this country.
If a sample is necessary, the producers will be selected based on the largest representative volume of production, sales or exports which can reasonably be investigated within the time available. All known producers in the PRC, the authorities of the country concerned and associations of producers will be notified by the Commission, via the authorities of the country concerned if appropriate, of the companies selected to be in the sample.
Once the Commission has received the necessary information to select a sample of producers, it will inform the parties concerned of its decision whether they are included in the sample. The sampled producers will have to submit a completed questionnaire within 30 days from the date of notification of the decision of their inclusion in the sample, unless otherwise specified.
The Commission will add a note to the file for inspection by interested parties reflecting the sample selection. Any comment on the sample selection must be received within 3 days of the date of notification of the sample decision.
A copy of the questionnaire for producers in the country concerned is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/investigations/case-view?caseId=2653.
Without prejudice to the possible application of Article 18 of the basic Regulation, companies that have agreed to their possible inclusion in the sample but are not selected to be in the sample will be considered to be cooperating.
5.3.2. Additional procedure with regard to the PRC that is subject to significant distortions
Subject to the provisions of this Notice, all interested parties are hereby invited to make their views known, submit information and provide supporting evidence regarding the application of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation. Unless otherwise specified, this information and supporting evidence must reach the Commission within 37 days of the date of publication of this Notice.
In particular, the Commission invites all interested parties to make their views known on the inputs and the Harmonised System (HS) codes provided in the request, propose (an) appropriate representative country(ies) and provide the identity of producers of the product under review in those countries. This information and supporting evidence must reach the Commission within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice.
Pursuant to point (e) of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation, the Commission will, shortly after initiation, by means of a note to the file for inspection by interested parties, inform parties to the investigation about the relevant sources that it intends to use for the purpose of determining normal value in the PRC pursuant to Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation. This will cover all sources, including the selection of an appropriate representative third country where appropriate. Parties to the investigation shall be given 10 days from the date at which that note is added to that file to submit comments.
According to the information available to the Commission, a possible representative third country for the PRC in this case is Mexico. With the aim of finally selecting the appropriate representative third country, the Commission will examine whether there are countries with a similar level of economic development as the PRC, in which there is production and sales of the product under review and in which relevant data are readily available. Where there is more than one such country, preference will be given, where appropriate, to countries with an adequate level of social and environmental protection.
With regard to the relevant sources, the Commission invites all producers in the PRC to provide information on the materials (raw and processed) and energy used in the production of the product under review within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice. This information must be provided via TRON.tdi at the following address: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/tron/tdi/form/R790_INFO_ON_INPUTS_FOR_EXPORTING_PRODUCER_FORM. Tron access information can be found in sections 5.6 and 5.9 below.
Furthermore, any submissions of factual information to value costs and prices pursuant to point (a) of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation must be filed within 65 days of the date of publication of this Notice. Such factual information should be taken exclusively from publicly available sources.
In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation with regard to the alleged significant distortions within the meaning of point (b) of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation, the Commission will also make available a questionnaire to the Government of the PRC.
5.3.3. Investigating unrelated importers (11) (12)
Unrelated importers of the product under review from the country concerned to the Union, including those that did not cooperate in the investigation leading to the measures in force, are invited to participate in this investigation.
In view of the potentially large number of unrelated importers involved in this expiry review and in order to complete the investigation within the statutory time limits, the Commission may limit to a reasonable number the unrelated importers that will be investigated by selecting a sample (this process is also referred to as ‘sampling’). The sampling will be carried out in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation.
In order to enable the Commission to decide whether sampling is necessary and, if so, to select a sample, all unrelated importers, or representatives acting on their behalf, including the ones who did not cooperate in the investigation leading to the measures subject to the present review, are hereby requested to make themselves known to the Commission. These parties must do so within 7 days of the date of publication of this Notice by providing the Commission with the information on their company(ies) requested in the Annex to this Notice and send it to the email address related to the injury aspects provided in section 5.9 below.
In order to obtain information it deems necessary for the selection of the sample of unrelated importers, the Commission may also contact any known associations of importers.
If a sample is necessary, the importers may be selected based on the largest representative volume of sales of the product under review from the country concerned in the Union that can reasonably be investigated within the time available. All known unrelated importers and associations of importers will be notified by the Commission of the companies selected to be in the sample.
The Commission will also add a note to the file for inspection by interested parties reflecting the sample selection. Any comment on the sample selection must be received within 3 days of the date of notification of the sample decision.
In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation, the Commission will make available questionnaires to the sampled unrelated importers. Those parties must submit a completed questionnaire within 30 days from the date of the notification of the sample selection, unless otherwise specified.
A copy of the questionnaire for unrelated importers is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/investigations/case-view?caseId=2653.
5.4. Procedure for the determination of a likelihood of a continuation or recurrence of injury and investigating Union producers
In order to establish whether there is a likelihood of a continuation or recurrence of injury to the Union industry, the Commission invites Union producers of the product under review to participate in the investigation.
In view of the large number of Union producers involved in this expiry review and in order to complete the investigation within the statutory time limits, the Commission has decided to limit to a reasonable number the Union producers that will be investigated by selecting a sample (this process is also referred to as ‘sampling’). The sampling is carried out in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation.
The Commission has provisionally selected a sample of Union producers. Details can be found in the file for inspection by interested parties.
Interested parties are hereby invited to comment on the provisional sample. In addition, other Union producers, or representatives acting on their behalf, including Union producers who did not cooperate in the investigation(s) leading to the measures in force, that consider that there are reasons why they should be included in the sample must contact the Commission within 7 days of the date of publication of this Notice. All comments regarding the provisional sample must be received within 7 days of the date of publication of this Notice, unless otherwise specified.
The Commission will notify all known Union producers and/or associations of Union producers of the companies finally selected to be in the sample.
The sampled Union producers will have to submit a completed questionnaire within 30 days from the date of notification of the decision of their inclusion in the sample, unless otherwise specified.
A copy of the questionnaire for Union producers is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/investigations/case-view?caseId=2653.
5.5. Procedure for the assessment of Union interest
Should the likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury be confirmed, a decision will be reached, pursuant to Article 21 of the basic Regulation, as to whether maintaining the anti-dumping measures would not be against the Union interest.
Union producers, importers and their representative associations, users and their representative associations, trade unions and representative consumer organisations are invited to provide the Commission with information on the Union interest.
Information concerning the assessment of the Union interest must be provided within 37 days of the date of publication of this Notice, unless otherwise specified. This information may be provided either in a free format or by completing a questionnaire prepared by the Commission.
A copy of the questionnaires, including the questionnaire for users of the product under review, is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/investigations/case-view?caseId=2653.
In any case, information submitted pursuant to Article 21 of the basic Regulation will only be taken into account if supported by factual evidence at the time of submission, which substantiates its validity.
5.6. Interested parties
In order to participate in the investigation, interested parties, such as producers in the country concerned, Union producers, importers and their representative associations, users and their representative associations, trade unions and representative consumer organisations first have to demonstrate that there is an objective link between their activities and the product under review.
Producers in the country concerned, Union producers, importers and representative associations who made information available in accordance with the procedures described in sections 5.3.1, 5.3.3 and 5.4 will be considered as interested parties if there is an objective link between their activities and the product under review.
Other parties will only be able to participate in the investigation as interested party from the moment they make themselves known, and provided that there is an objective link between their activities and the product under review. Being considered as an interested party is without prejudice to the application of Article 18 of the basic Regulation.
Access to the file available for inspection for interested parties is made via Tron.tdi at the following address: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/tron/TDI. Please follow the instructions on that page to get access (13).
5.7. Other written submissions
Subject to the provisions of this Notice, all interested parties are hereby invited to make their views known, submit information and provide supporting evidence. Unless otherwise specified, this information and supporting evidence must reach the Commission within 37 days of the date of publication of this Notice.
5.8. Possibility to be heard by the Commission investigation services
All interested parties may request to be heard by the Commission investigation services. Any request to be heard must be made in writing and must specify the reasons for the request as well as a summary of what the interested party wishes to discuss during the hearing. The hearing will be limited to the issues set out by the interested parties in writing beforehand.
In principle, hearings will not be used to present factual information which is not yet on file. Nevertheless, in the interest of good administration and to enable Commission services to progress with the investigation, interested parties may be directed to provide new factual information after a hearing.
5.9. Instructions for making written submissions and sending completed questionnaires and correspondence
Information submitted to the Commission for the purpose of trade defence investigations shall be free from copyrights. Interested parties, before submitting to the Commission information and/or data which is subject to third party copyrights, must request specific permission to the copyright holder explicitly allowing the Commission a) to use the information and data for the purpose of this trade defence proceeding and b) to provide the information and/or data to interested parties to this investigation in a form that allows them to exercise their rights of defence.
All written submissions, including the information requested in this Notice, completed questionnaires and correspondence provided by interested parties for which confidential treatment is requested shall be labelled ‘Sensitive’ (14). Parties submitting information in the course of this investigation are invited to reason their request for confidential treatment.
Parties providing ‘Sensitive’ information are required to furnish non-confidential summaries of it pursuant to Article 19(2) of the basic Regulation, which will be labelled ‘For inspection by interested parties’. These summaries must be sufficiently detailed to permit a reasonable understanding of the substance of the information submitted in confidence. If a party providing confidential information fails to show good cause for a confidential treatment request or does not furnish a non-confidential summary of it in the requested format and quality, the Commission may disregard such information unless it can be satisfactorily demonstrated from appropriate sources that the information is correct.
Interested parties are invited to make all submissions and requests via TRON.tdi (https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/tron/TDI) including requests to be registered as interested parties, scanned powers of attorney and certification sheets. By using TRON.tdi or email, interested parties express their agreement with the rules applicable to electronic submissions contained in the document ‘CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN TRADE DEFENCE CASES’ published on the website of the Directorate-General for Trade: https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/2e3865ad-3886-4131-92bb-a71754fffec6/library/c8672a13-8b83-4129-b94c-bfd1bf27eaac/details. The interested parties must indicate their name, address, telephone and a valid email address and they should ensure that the provided email address is a functioning official business email which is checked on a daily basis. Once contact details are provided, the Commission will communicate with interested parties by TRON.tdi or email only, unless they explicitly request to receive all documents from the Commission by another means of communication or unless the nature of the document to be sent requires the use of a registered mail. For further rules and information concerning correspondence with the Commission including principles that apply to submissions via TRON.tdi and by email, interested parties should consult the communication instructions with interested parties referred to above.
Commission address for correspondence:
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European Commission |
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Directorate-General for Trade |
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Directorate G |
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Office: CHAR 04/039 |
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1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
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BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
TRON.tdi: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/tron/tdi
Emails:
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— |
For dumping issues: TRADE-R790-CRS-DUMPING@ec.europa.eu |
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— |
For injury and Union interest issues, and sending the Annex to this Notice filled in: TRADE-R790-CRS-INJURY@ec.europa.eu |
6. Schedule of the investigation
The investigation shall normally be concluded within 12 months and in any event no later than 15 months from the date of the publication of this Notice, pursuant to Article 11(5) of the basic Regulation.
7. Submission of information
As a rule, interested parties may only submit information in the timeframes specified in section 5 of this Notice.
In order to complete the investigation within the mandatory deadlines, the Commission will not accept submissions from interested parties after the deadline to provide comments on the final disclosure or, if applicable, after the deadline to provide comments on the additional final disclosure.
8. Possibility to comment on other parties’ submissions
In order to guarantee the rights of defence, interested parties should have the possibility to comment on information submitted by other interested parties. When doing so, interested parties may only address issues raised in the other interested parties’ submissions and may not raise new issues.
Comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to the disclosure of the definitive findings should be submitted within 5 days from the deadline to comment on the definitive findings, unless otherwise specified. If there is an additional final disclosure, comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to this further disclosure should be made within 1 day from the deadline to comment on this further disclosure, unless otherwise specified.
The outlined timeframe is without prejudice to the Commission’s right to request additional information from interested parties in duly justified cases.
9. Extension to time limits specified in this Notice
Any extension to the time limits provided for in this Notice should only be requested in exceptional circumstances and will only be granted if duly justified. In any event, any extensions to the deadline to reply to questionnaires will be limited normally to 3 days, and as a rule will not exceed 7 days. Regarding time limits for the submission of other information specified in the Notice of initiation, extensions will be limited to 3 days unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated.
10. Non-cooperation
In cases where any interested party refuses access to or does not provide the necessary information within the time limits, or significantly impedes the investigation, findings, affirmative or negative, may be made on the basis of facts available, in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation.
Where it is found that any interested party has supplied false or misleading information, the information may be disregarded and use may be made of facts available.
If an interested party does not cooperate or cooperates only partially and findings are therefore based on facts available in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation, the result may be less favourable to that party than if it had cooperated.
Failure to give a computerised response shall not be deemed to constitute non-cooperation, provided that the interested party shows that presenting the response as requested would result in an unreasonable extra burden or unreasonable additional cost. The interested party should immediately contact the Commission.
11. Hearing Officer
Interested parties may request the intervention of the Hearing Officer in trade proceedings. The Hearing Officer reviews requests for access to the file, disputes regarding the confidentiality of documents, requests for extension of time limits and any other request concerning the rights of defence of interested parties and third parties as may arise during the proceeding.
The Hearing Officer may organise hearings and mediate between the interested party/-ies and Commissions services to ensure that the interested parties’ rights of defence are being fully exercised. A request for a hearing with the Hearing Officer should be made in writing and should specify the reasons for the request. The Hearing Officer will examine the reasons for the requests. These hearings should only take place if the issues have not been settled with the Commission services in due course.
Any request must be submitted in good time and expeditiously so as not to jeopardise the orderly conduct of proceedings. To that effect, interested parties should request the intervention of the Hearing Officer at the earliest possible time following the occurrence of the event justifying such intervention. Where hearing requests are submitted outside the relevant timeframes, the Hearing Officer will also examine the reasons for such late requests, the nature of the issues raised and the impact of those issues on the rights of defence, having due regard to the interests of good administration and the timely completion of the investigation.
For further information and contact details interested parties may consult the Hearing Officer’s web pages on DG Trade’s website: https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/contacts/hearing-officer_en.
12. Possibility to request a review under Article 11(3) of the basic Regulation
As this expiry review is initiated in accordance with the provisions of Article 11(2) of the basic Regulation, the findings thereof will not lead to the existing measures being amended but will lead to those measures being repealed or maintained in accordance with Article 11(6) of the basic Regulation.
If any interested party considers that a review of the measures is warranted so as to allow for the possibility to amend the measures, that party may request a review pursuant to Article 11(3) of the basic Regulation.
Parties wishing to request such a review, which would be carried out independently of the expiry review mentioned in this Notice, may contact the Commission at the address given above.
13. Processing of personal data
Any personal data collected in this investigation will be treated in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (15).
A data protection notice that informs all individuals of the processing of personal data in the framework of Commission’s trade defence activities is available on DG Trade’s website: https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/enforcement-and-protection/trade-defence_en
(1) OJ C 197, 16.5.2022, p. 4.
(2) OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21.
(3) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/186 of 7 February 2018 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed on imports of certain corrosion resistant steels originating in the People‘s Republic of China (OJ L 34, 8.2.2018, p. 16).
(4) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1156 of 4 August 2020 extending the definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/186 on imports of certain corrosion resistant steels originating in the People’s Republic of China to imports of slightly modified certain corrosion resistant steels (OJ L 255, 5.8.2020, p. 36).
(5) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1994 of 4 December 2020 correcting Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1156 extending the definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/186 on imports of certain corrosion resistant steels originating in the People’s Republic of China to imports of slightly modified certain corrosion resistant steels (OJ L 410, 7.12.2020, p. 67).
(6) Commission Staff Working Document, on Significant Distortions in the Economy of the People’s Republic of China for the Purposes of Trade Defence Investigations, 20 December 2017, SWD(2017) 483 final/2. The country report is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website (https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2017/december/tradoc_156474.pdf). Documents cited in the country report may also be obtained upon a duly reasoned request.
(7) In light of the information available, the Commission considers that there is sufficient evidence pursuant to Article 5(9) of the basic Regulation tending to show that, due to significant distortions affecting prices and costs, the use of domestic prices and costs in the country concerned is inappropriate, thus warranting the initiation of an investigation on the basis of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation.
(8) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52020XC0316%2802%29
(9) All references to the publication of this Notice will be references to publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified.
(10) A producer is any company in the country concerned which produces the product under review, including any of its related companies involved in the production, domestic sales or exports of the product under review.
(11) Only importers not related to producers in the country concerned can be sampled. Importers that are related to producers have to fill in Annex I to the questionnaire for these producers. In accordance with Article 127 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 of 24 November 2015 laying down detailed rules for implementing certain provisions of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code, two persons shall be deemed to be related if: (a) they are officers or directors of the other person’s business; (b) they are legally recognised partners in business; (c) they are employer and employee; (d) a third party directly or indirectly owns, controls or holds 5 % or more of the outstanding voting stock or shares of both of them; (e) one of them directly or indirectly controls the other; (f) both of them are directly or indirectly controlled by a third person; (g) together they control a third person directly or indirectly; or (h) they are members of the same family (OJ L 343, 29.12.2015, p. 558). Persons shall be deemed to be members of the same family only if they stand in any of the following relationships to one another: (i) husband and wife, (ii) parent and child, (iii) brother and sister (whether by whole or half blood), (iv) grandparent and grandchild, (v) uncle or aunt and nephew or niece, (vi) parent-in-law and son-in-law or daughter-in-law, (vii) brother-in-law and sister-in-law. In accordance with Article 5(4) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code, ‘person’ means a natural person, a legal person, and any association of persons which is not a legal person but which is recognised under Union or national law as having the capacity to perform legal acts (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1).
(12) The data provided by unrelated importers may also be used in relation to aspects of this investigation other than the determination of dumping.
(13) In case of technical problems please contact the Trade Service Desk by email trade-service-desk@ec.europa.eu or by telephone +32 22979797.
(14) A ‘Sensitive’ document is a document which is considered confidential pursuant to Article 19 of the basic Regulation and Article 6 of the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-Dumping Agreement). It is also a document protected pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43).
(15) Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39).
ANNEX
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‘Sensitive’ version (1) |
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Version ‘For inspection by interested parties’ |
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(tick the appropriate box) |
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EXPIRY REVIEW OF THE ANTI-DUMPING MEASURES APPLICABLE TO IMPORTS OF CERTAIN CORROSION RESISTANT STEELS ORIGINATING IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
INFORMATION FOR THE SELECTION OF THE SAMPLE OF UNRELATED IMPORTERS
This form is designed to assist unrelated importers in responding to the request for sampling information made in point 5.3.3 of the Notice of Initiation.
Both the ‘Sensitive’ version and the version ‘For inspection by interested parties’ should be returned to the Commission as set out in the Notice of Initiation.
1. IDENTITY AND CONTACT DETAILS
Supply the following details about your company:
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Company name |
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Address |
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Contact person |
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Email address |
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Telephone number |
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2. TURNOVER AND SALES VOLUME
Indicate the total turnover in euros (EUR) of the company, and the value in euros (EUR) and volume in tonnes for imports (2) and resales on the Union market after importation from the People’s Republic of China, during the review investigation period, of the product under review as defined in the Notice of Initiation.
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Tonnes |
Value in euros (EUR) |
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Total turnover of your company in euros (EUR) |
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Imports of the product under review originating in the People’s Republic of China |
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Imports of the product under review (all origins) |
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Resales on the Union market after importation from the People’s Republic of China of the product under review |
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3. ACTIVITIES OF YOUR COMPANY AND RELATED COMPANIES (3)
Give details of the precise activities of the company and all related companies (please list them and state the relationship to your company) involved in the production and/or selling (export and/or domestic) of the product under review. Such activities could include but are not limited to purchasing the product under review or producing it under sub-contracting arrangements, or processing or trading the product under review.
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Company name and location |
Activities |
Relationship |
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4. OTHER INFORMATION
Please provide any other relevant information which the company considers useful to assist the Commission in the selection of the sample.
5. CERTIFICATION
By providing the above information, the company agrees to its possible inclusion in the sample. If the company is selected to be part of the sample, this will involve completing a questionnaire and accepting a visit at its premises in order to verify its response. If the company indicates that it does not agree to its possible inclusion in the sample, it will be deemed not to have cooperated in the investigation. The Commission’s findings for non-cooperating importers are based on the facts available and the result may be less favourable to that company than if it had cooperated.
Signature of authorised official:
Name and title of authorised official:
Date:
(1) This document is for internal use only. It is protected pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43). It is a confidential document pursuant to Article 19 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Union (OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21) and Article 6 of the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-Dumping Agreement).
(2) The 27 Member States of the European Union are: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden.
(3) In accordance with Article 127 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 of 24 November 2015 laying down detailed rules for implementing certain provisions of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code, two persons shall be deemed to be related if: (a) they are officers or directors of the other person’s business; (b) they are legally recognised partners in business; (c) they are employer and employee; (d) a third party directly or indirectly owns, controls or holds 5 % or more of the outstanding voting stock or shares of both of them; (e) one of them directly or indirectly controls the other; (f) both of them are directly or indirectly controlled by a third person; (g) together they control a third person directly or indirectly; or (h) they are members of the same family (OJ L 343, 29.12.2015, p. 558). Persons shall be deemed to be members of the same family only if they stand in any of the following relationships to one another: (i) husband and wife, (ii) parent and child, (iii) brother and sister (whether by whole or half blood), (iv) grandparent and grandchild, (v) uncle or aunt and nephew or niece, (vi) parent-in-law and son-in-law or daughter-in-law, (vii) brother-in-law and sister-in-law. In accordance with Article 5(4) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code, ‘person’ means a natural person, a legal person, and any association of persons which is not a legal person but which is recognised under Union or national law as having the capacity to perform legal acts (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1).
PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY
European Commission
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8.2.2023 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 48/44 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case M.10997 – NB / ARDIAN / MEDIOLANUM / NEOPHARMED)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2023/C 48/08)
1.
On 31 January 2023, 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:
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Ardian France S.A. (France), |
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NB Renaissance Partners Holdings S.à r.l. (Luxembourg), controlled by Neuberger Berman Group, LLC (United States of America), |
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Mediolanum Farmaceutici S.p.A. (Italy), |
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Neopharmed Gentili S.p.A. (Italy). |
Ardian France S.A., NB Renaissance Partners Holdings S.à r.l. and Mediolanum Farmaceutici S.p.A. will acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of Neopharmed Gentili S.p.A.
The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.
2.
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are the following:|
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Ardian France S.A. is a French private equity company, which manages and advises, through its subsidiaries, a number of investment funds, |
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NB Renaissance Partners Holdings S.à r.l. is part of the Neuberger Berman group, which provides a broad range of investment solutions, |
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Mediolanum Farmaceutici S.p.A. is an Italian-based holding company mainly active, through its subsidiaries, in the pharmaceutical and contract manufacturing organization sectors, |
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Neopharmed Gentili S.p.A is active in the commercialization of finished dose pharmaceutical products and supplements in various therapeutic areas, sale of medical devices and cosmetics. |
3.
On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.
4.
The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:
M.10997 – NB / ARDIAN / MEDIOLANUM / NEOPHARMED
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:
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European Commission |
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Directorate-General for Competition |
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Merger Registry |
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1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
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BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).
OTHER ACTS
European Commission
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8.2.2023 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 48/46 |
Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to a product specification for a name in the wine sector referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33
(2023/C 48/09)
This communication is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (1).
COMMUNICATING THE APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT
‘Anjou Villages’
PDO-FR-A0493-AM02
Date of communication: 11.11.2022
DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT
1. Official Geographical Code
The municipalities making up the geographical area and the area in immediate proximity have been updated in line with the Code officiel géographique [Official Geographical Code].
This has no impact on the perimeter of the demarcated geographical area.
Points 6 and 9 of the single document have been amended.
2. Spacing between vines
The minimum spacing between vines has been reduced from 1 m to 0,90 m.
The purpose of this amendment is to allow an increase in the planting density of the vines without changing the spacing between rows.
A special provision has also been added for vines on slopes where the gradient is greater than 10 %, for which the minimum authorised spacing between vines is 0,80 m.
The purpose of this addition is to take account of the particular case of vines planted on steep slopes, which require specific arrangements in the planting stage (planting parallel to the slope rather than perpendicular to it).
Point 5 of the single document has been amended.
3. Pruning
The rules on pruning have been harmonised at the level of the designations in the Anjou Saumur area of the Loire valley.
This was done to ensure that winegrowers would be better informed and to simplify the checks required. This amendment makes it easier for winegrowers to adapt when faced with periods of frost, which happen increasingly late in the year.
Point 5 of the single document has been amended.
4. Link with the geographical area
The link has been amended to include a reference to 2021 instead of 2018.
Point 8 of the single document has been amended.
5. Labelling
The regulatory framework for optional terms has been clarified.
Point 9 of the single document has been amended.
6. Editorial amendments
A number of drafting updates to the specification have been made.
These amendments do not require any amendments to the single document.
7. Reference to the inspection body
The reference to the inspection body has been reworded to align it with the wording used in other product specifications. This is a purely editorial amendment.
This amendment does not lead to any changes to the single document.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
1. Name(s)
Anjou Villages
2. Geographical indication type
PDO – Protected Designation of Origin
3. Categories of grapevine products
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Wine |
4. Description of the wine(s)
BRIEF WRITTEN DESCRIPTION
These are still red wines with the following main analytical characteristics:
The wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 11 %.
After fermentation, the wines have a fermentable sugar content (glucose and fructose) not exceeding 3 grams per litre.
Malolactic fermentation must be completed. Wines ready to be marketed in bulk or at the packaging stage have a malic acid content that does not exceed 0,4 grams per litre.
After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 12,5 %.
The total volatile acidity, total acidity and total sulphur dioxide contents are those laid down by EU legislation.
Wines are aged at least until 15 June of the year following that of the harvest.
The wine is generally a deep, steady ruby red in colour. Delicate notes of red fruits and flowers (iris, violet) are often detected in the nose, evolving towards more complex aromas, such as combinations of black fruits, spices, game or undergrowth. Ample and full-bodied in the mouth, the full range of aromas is preserved. Strong underlying tannins and a long finish. A generous wine that benefits from being left for a few years before tasting.
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General analytical characteristics |
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Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) |
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Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) |
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Minimum total acidity |
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Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) |
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Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) |
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5. Wine-making practices
5.1. Specific oenological practices
1. Planting density – Spacing
Cultivation method
The minimum vine planting density is 4 000 plants per hectare. The spacing between the rows of these vines must not exceed 2,5 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 0,90 metres. Vineyard parcels where the spacing between vines in the same row is less than 0,90 m but greater than or equal to 0,80 m, and where the gradient is greater than 10 %, shall be entitled to use the controlled designation of origin for their harvest. The controlled designation of origin may be used for the harvests of vineyard parcels with a density of fewer than 4 000 – but at least 3 300 – vines per hectare, subject to compliance with certain vine-training and foliage height rules laid down in the product specification. The spacing between the rows of the vines must not exceed 3 metres, and the spacing between plants in the same row must be at least 1 metre.
2. Rules on vine pruning and training
Cultivation method
The vines are pruned using the cane or spur method, or a combination of the two, with a maximum of 12 buds per vine.
The vines can be pruned to two additional buds per plant on condition that, at the phenological stage corresponding to 11 or 12 leaves (separate flower buds), there are no more than 12 fruit-bearing branches for the year per plant.
The foliage on the trellis must reach a height of at least 0,6 times the distance between the rows. This height is measured as the distance between the lower limit of the foliage (which must be at least 0,40 metres above ground level) and the upper trimming limit (which must be at least 0,20 m above the upper trellis wire).
In the case of vineyard parcels where the planting density is at least 3 300 but less than 4 000 plants per hectare, the following additional trellising rules apply: the minimum height of the trellising posts above the ground is 1,9 metres; there are 4 levels of trellising wires; the minimum height of the highest wire is 1,85 metres above the ground.
3. Irrigation
Cultivation method
Irrigation is prohibited.
4.
Specific oenological practice
Subtractive enrichment techniques are permitted, with the maximum partial concentration rate set at 10 % in relation to the volumes used. The use of wood chips is forbidden. After enrichment, the wines’ total alcoholic strength by volume must not exceed 12,5 %.
In addition to the above provisions, the oenological practices concerning these wines must meet the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.
5.2. Maximum yields
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60 hectolitres per hectare
6. Demarcated geographical area
All stages of production take place in the geographical area encompassing the following municipalities, on the basis of the Official Geographical Code of 2021:
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department of Deux-Sèvres: Loretz-d’Argenton (only the delegated municipality of Bouillé-Loretz), Val en Vignes (only the delegated municipalities of Bouillé-Saint-Paul, Cersay and Saint-Pierre-à-Champ); |
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department of Maine-et-Loire: Aubigné-sur-Layon, Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Bellevigne-en-Layon, Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (only the delegated municipality of Blaison-Gohier), Bouchemaine, Brissac Loire Aubance (only the delegated municipalities of Charcé-Saint-Ellier-sur-Aubance and Coutures), Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Champtocé-sur-Loire, Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Chemillé-en-Anjou (only the delegated municipalities of Chanzeaux, La Jumellière and Valanjou), Cléré-sur-Layon, Doué-en-Anjou (only the delegated municipalities of Brigné, Concourson-sur-Layon, Saint-Georges-sur-Layon and Les Verchers-sur-Layon), Ingrandes-Le Fresne sur Loire (only the former municipality of Ingrandes), Lys-Haut-Layon (only the delegated municipalities of La Fosse-de-Tigné, Nueil-sur-Layon, Tancoigné, Tigné and Trémont), Mauges-sur-Loire (only the delegated municipalities of Mesnil-en-Vallée, Montjean-sur-Loire and La Pommeraye), Passavant-sur-Layon, La Possonnière, Rochefort-sur-Loire, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Savennières, Terranjou, Tuffalun (only the delegated municipality of Ambillou-Château), Val-du-Layon. |
Maps showing the geographical area can be viewed on the website of the National Institute of Origin and Quality.
7. Wine grape variety(-ies)
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Cabernet Franc N |
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Cabernet Sauvignon N |
8. Description of the link(s)
8.1.
a) Description of the natural factors relevant to the link
The geographical area is located in the western part of the geographical area for the ‘Anjou’ controlled designation of origin, essentially on the Precambrian and Paleozoic outcrops attached to the Armorican Massif, in places covered in gravelly formations or Cenomanian features such as the marl with oyster shell deposits to be found on its eastern boundary. In 2021 it includes the geographical areas for the controlled designations of origin ‘Anjou-Coteaux de la Loire’, ‘Coteaux du Layon’, ‘Savennières’ and some adjoining municipalities. It covers a territory that has been demarcated and selected because its natural environment is so well suited to the production of red wines. It spans 24 municipalities in the department of Maine-et-Loire and two in the department of Deux-Sèvres, to the south-east and south of the city of Angers. The landscape features a number of rolling hills with variable aspects and altitudes ranging between 50 and 90 metres.
The parcel area specifically demarcated for the grape harvest mostly consists of parcels with good exposure and brown soils that have developed on shale, clayey-gravelly brown soils or on a very localised level, brown soils that have developed on marl with oyster shell deposits. These soils are often shallow with good irrigation and drainage, no signs of hydromorphy and typically low water reserves. They have good thermal performance and ensure optimal earliness in growth. The western part of the geographical area is studded with subvolcanic rocks formed of igneous rocks of an acidic (rhyolite) or basaltic (spilite) nature producing very stony soils.
The geographical area benefits from a temperate oceanic climate with temperature ranges that do not vary significantly, on the one hand because of the relative proximity of the Atlantic Ocean and on the other, because of the role that the Loire and its tributaries play in temperature regulation. The fact that the vines are planted on hills is also a factor. The north-west/south-east facing slopes protect the vines from the westerly winds that often have a high moisture content. Therefore the geographical area has limited irrigation and benefits from a foehn effect, sheltered from maritime mists by the higher slopes of Choletais and Mauges. Annual rainfall is around 585 millimetres, compared with 800 millimetres in Choletais.
b) Description of the human factors relevant to the geographical link
Vines are known to have been cultivated on a continuous basis in Anjou since the first century A.D. It is excellent vine-growing country, as evidenced by these lines of a poem by Apollonius (sixth century): ‘Not far from Brittany is a town located on a rock with extensive plantations devoted to Ceres and Bacchus and a name, Andecavi (Angers), which is derived from the Greek place name.’ Vine-growing developed in the Anjou area during the Middle Ages, under the auspices of the monasteries located on the banks of the Loire and around Angers. They became particularly renowned from the 7th and 8th century onwards. Thanks to the influence of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, wine from Anjou made its way to the most splendid tables.
Production developed significantly from the 16th century onwards with the arrival of Dutch merchants seeking wine for their country and colonies. The Dutch stocked up on the wines and trade was so brisk in the 18th century that the river Layon, which crosses the geographical area, was made navigable to make transportation easier.
The ‘Anjou’ region essentially owes it fame to the production of white wines made from the Chenin B variety. However, plantings of the Cabernet Franc N variety or the ‘Breton plant’ (thus named because it had been introduced by boat through the Loire estuary, which belonged to the Breton region at the time) and of Cabernet Sauvignon N a little later on spread significantly after the Phylloxera crisis from 1865 onwards.
8.2.
In the early 20th century, wine-making efforts were mostly focused on making ‘rouget’, the local name for a light wine served in the cafés. This marked the first stage in the changes to the Anjou vineyards, with the production of emblematic rosé wines becoming significant. The second stage in these changes was based on the experience gained by producers in managing these crops. The production of red wines developed from the 1960s onwards, based on monitoring and analysis of the best combinations of varieties and planting locations, together with assessment of the harvest potential and the expertise acquired in wine-making techniques.
However, the region’s wine-makers realised that they had access to a territory and a level of expertise that could further enhance the originality of their red wine production. The ‘Anjou Villages’ controlled designation of origin was therefore recognised on 14 November 1991. In 2010 it consisted of 130 privately owned wineries and 2 cooperative wineries.
2. Information on the quality and characteristics of the product
The wine is generally a deep, steady ruby red in colour. Delicate notes of red fruits and flowers (iris, violet) are often detected in the nose, evolving towards more complex aromas, such as combinations of black fruits, spices, game or undergrowth.
Ample and full-bodied in the mouth, the full range of aromas is preserved. There are strong underlying tannins and the finish is long. It is a generous wine that benefits from being left for a few years before tasting.
3. Causal interactions
The combination of the shallow soils on clearly demarcated land parcels demonstrating the methods in use and the terrain which provides excellent exposure and encourages a regular water supply has enabled the Cabernet franc N and Cabernet Sauvignon N varieties to achieve their full expression and originality. The location of the vineyards requires optimal management of the vines and their potential yield, in the form of vine training systems and strict pruning rules.
Winegrowers observe and analyse the behaviour of their vines in order to determine the right location for the vineyards, taking account of how well-suited the two varieties are to the resources provided by the brown soils which developed on shale and the clay-limestone soils which developed over the Cenomanian deposits. By relying on the specific parcel demarcation, adapting the vine training and pruning methods, harvesting the grapes at optimal ripeness, and making technical enhancements to temperature control and maceration times, producers have put strict production rules into place to ensure the production of well-structured red wine. The expertise of the operators ensures that grapes are harvested with a minimum sugar content of 189 grams per litre and having reached an optimal stage of phenolic ripeness.
Over the generations, the operators have successfully adapted their wine-making techniques to bring the best out of the grapes. It was very quickly decided to impose an ageing period in the tank after fermentation to enable the production of wine with complex aromas but in particular so that the tannins could become round and smooth. To achieve these goals, a minimum ageing period lasting until 15 June after the harvest year was defined in the Product Specification.
The ‘Anjou Villages’ controlled designation of origin is one of the most highly esteemed wines in the Anjou region.
9. Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)
API
Legal framework:
EU legislation
Type of further condition:
Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area
Description of the condition:
The area in the immediate vicinity, defined by derogation for the making, processing and ageing of the wines, comprises the territory of the following municipalities, based on the Official Geographical Code for 2021:
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department of Deux-Sèvres: Brion-près-Thouet, Loretz-d’Argenton (only the delegated territory of Argenton-l’Église), Louzy, Plaine-et-Vallées (only the delegated municipality of Oiron), Saint-Cyr-la-Lande, Sainte-Verge, Saint-Martin-de-Mâcon, Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay, Thouars (only the delegated municipalities of Mauzé-Thouarsais, Sainte-Radegonde and the former municipality of Thouars), Tourtenay; |
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department of Indre-et-Loire: Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil; |
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department of Loire-Atlantique: Ancenis-Saint-Géréon (only the former municipality of Ancenis), Le Loroux-Bottereau, Le Pallet, La Remaudière, Vair-sur-Loire (only the delegated municipality of Anetz), Vallet; |
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department of Maine-et-Loire: Allonnes, Angers, Antoigné, Artannes-sur-Thouet, Bellevigne-les-Châteaux, Blaison-Saint-Sulpice (only the delegated municipality of Saint-Sulpice), Brain-sur-Allonnes, Brissac Loire Aubance (only the delegated municipalities of Alleuds, Brissac-Quincé, Chemellier, Luigné, Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne, Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire, Saulgé-l’Hôpital and Vauchrétien), Brossay, Cernusson, Cizay-la-Madeleine, Le Coudray-Macouard, Courchamps, Denée, Dénezé-sous-Doué, Distré, Doué-en-Anjou (only the delegated municipalities of Doué-la-Fontaine, Forges, Meigné and Montfort), Épieds, Fontevraud-l’Abbaye, Les Garennes sur Loire, Gennes-Val-de-Loire (only the delegated municipalities of Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault, Gennes, Grézillé, Saint-Georges-des-Sept-Voies and Le Thoureil), Huillé-Lézigné (only the delegated municipality of Huillé), Jarzé Villages (only the delegated municipality of Lué-en-Baugeois), Louresse-Rochemenier, Lys-Haut-Layon (only the delegated municipalities of Cerqueux-sous-Passavant and Vihiers), Mauges-sur-Loire (only the delegated municipalities of La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Le Marillais, Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine and Saint-Laurent-du-Mottay), Mazé-Milon (only the delegated municipality of Fontaine-Milon), Montilliers, Montreuil-Bellay, Montsoreau, Mozé-sur-Louet, Mûrs-Erigné, Orée d’Anjou (only the delegated municipalities of Bouzillé, Champtoceaux, Drain, Landemont, Liré, Saint-Laurent-des-Autels and La Varenne), Parnay, Le Puy-Notre-Dame, Rives-de-Loir-en-Anjou, Rou-Marson, Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire, Saint-Just-sur-Dive, Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, Saint-Martin-du-Fouilloux, Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance, Saint-Sigismond, Saumur, Soulaines-sur-Aubance, Souzay-Champigny, Tuffalun (only the delegated municipalities of Louerre and Noyant-la-Plaine), Turquant, Les Ulmes, Varennes-sur-Loire, Varrains, Vaudelnay, Verrie, Verrières-en-Anjou; |
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department of Vienne: Berrie, Curçay-sur-Dive, Glénouze, Pouançay, Ranton, Saint-Léger-de-Montbrillais, Saix, Ternay, Les Trois-Moutiers. |
Labelling
Legal framework:
National legislation
Type of further condition:
Additional provisions relating to labelling
Description of the condition:
All optional terms, the use of which, under EU rules, may be regulated by the Member States, must be printed on the labels in letters that are no larger, in height or in width, than twice the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.
The name of the controlled designation of origin may be followed by the geographical name ‘Val de Loire’, in accordance with the rules laid down in the specification.
The size of the letters of the geographical name ‘Val de Loire’ may not be larger, either in height or width, than two-thirds of the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.
Wines eligible for the controlled designation of origin may specify the name of a smaller geographical entity on their labels, provided that it is a place name listed in the land registry and that it appears on the harvest declaration. The place name must be printed in letters no larger, either in height or in width, than half the size of the letters forming the name of the controlled designation of origin.
Link to the product specification
https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-1e962c34-1858-44fd-b90b-d3b72b04d5b4