Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.11058 – ALTOR / MARLIN / MELTWATER)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 194/01)

On 25 May 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:

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

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32023M11058. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law.

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

Declaration concerning the competence of the European Union with regard to matters governed by the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence

(2023/C 194/02)

Code of Conduct laying down the internal arrangements regarding the exercise of the rights, and the fulfilment of the obligations, of the European Union and Member States under the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence

(2023/C 194/03)

Recalling that on 13 June 2017 the European Union (‘the Union’), in accordance with Council Decisions (EU) 2017/865 (1) and (EU) 2017/866 (2), signed the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (‘the Convention’) for matters falling within the exclusive competence of the Union, namely matters relating to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, matters relating to asylum and non-refoulement and matters relating to the institutions and public administration of the Union,

Considering that, as both the Union and its Member States have competences in the fields covered by the Convention, there is a need for a code of conduct setting out internal arrangements between the Union and the Member States that are party to the Convention (‘Member States’) in respect of the Convention,

Recalling that the arrangements of this Code of Conduct are to be applied in a manner that fully respects the principle of mutual sincere cooperation provided for in Article 4(3) and Article 13(2) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) so as to enable the Union and the Member States to achieve coherent, comprehensive and unified external representation in relation to the Convention,

Recalling that these arrangements do not affect the distribution of competences between the Union and its Member States or the allocation of powers between the institutions in accordance with the Treaties of the Union and are without prejudice to the procedure for establishing positions to be adopted on the Union’s behalf set out in Article 218(9) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),

Recalling that the scope and exercise of Union exclusive competence as referred to in Article 3(2) TFEU are by their nature subject to continuous development,

Bearing in mind that the requirement of unity of the external representation of the Union and of the Member States in accordance with the Treaties of the Union and the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union also applies at the stage of the implementation of international obligations,

THE FOLLOWING CODE OF CONDUCT is drawn up between the Council, the Member States and the Commission:

1.   Nature and scope

1.1.

This Code of Conduct sets out the internal arrangements for cooperation between the Union and the Member States on various aspects of the implementation of the Convention. It is therefore intended as a practical internal tool to enable the Union and the Member States to achieve coherent, comprehensive and unified external representation with regard to the Convention.

1.2.

Without prejudice to the general duty of mutual sincere cooperation laid down in Article 4(3) and Article 13(2) TEU, this Code of Conduct applies to participation in the Committee of the Parties under the Convention and in the monitoring mechanism carried out by the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO).

1.3.

This Code of Conduct also lays down the principles concerning the functioning of the coordinating body in accordance with Article 10 of the Convention as well as of the fulfilment of and cooperation concerning the reporting obligations incumbent on the Union and the Member States under the Convention as concerns their respective competences.

2.   Fora for coordination

2.1.

Without prejudice to the procedure set out in Article 218(9) TFEU, all issues related to the preparation of meetings and the exercise of the Union’s rights under the Convention will be dealt with by the competent preparatory bodies of the Council, with all efforts being made to reach an agreement in a spirit of mutual sincere cooperation. The competent Council preparatory body is the Working Party on Fundamental Rights, Citizens’ Rights and Free Movement of Persons (FREMP). The Chair of FREMP will inform and liaise with the Chairs of other working parties as necessary.

2.2.

Where no agreement can be reached in FREMP, inter alia for reasons relating to disagreement on the distribution of competences, the matter will be submitted without undue delay to the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) and, where necessary, to the Council in due time before the relevant meeting or deadline set in the Convention.

2.3.

Where necessary, in situ coordination meetings will take place in Strasbourg. The purpose of such meetings is to complement Union or common positions and to adapt such positions to the context of the relevant meeting, without substantially altering existing positions.

3.   Union positions, common positions and coordinated positions

3.1.

The Union institutions and the Member States will ensure close cooperation in the implementation of the Convention, bearing in mind the principles of mutual sincere cooperation and subsidiarity, laid down in Article 4(3) and Article 13(2) TEU and in Article 5(3) TEU respectively, and the need to respect the respective competences of the Union and the Member States, in accordance with Article 5(1) TEU.

(a)   Union positions

3.2.

On matters falling within the Union’s exclusive competence, including in particular, as mentioned in Council Decisions (EU) 2023/1075 (3) and (EU) 2023/1076 (4), certain provisions of the Convention relating to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement, and the Union’s institutions and public administration, the Union will aim to elaborate Union positions.

(b)   Common positions

3.3.

Where the Union and the Member States are called upon to take a position pursuant to point 1.2 of this Code of Conduct on a matter where certain elements fall under the Union’s exclusive competence and certain elements fall under the Member States’ competence, the Union and the Member States will aim to elaborate common positions.

(c)   Coordinated positions

3.4.

On matters falling within the competence of the Member States, the Member States will aim to elaborate coordinated positions, whenever it is deemed appropriate.

4.   Speaking and voting

(a)

Speaking in cases of agreed Union, common or coordinated positions 4.1. Union positions are to be delivered by the Commission on behalf of the Union. Member States remain free to take the floor with interventions that are aligned with the Union position, in particular in order to strengthen and support it. 4.2. Common positions referred to in point 3.3 are to be delivered on behalf of the Union and the Member States by the Commission and the Presidency of the Council of the EU, or a Member State appointed by the Presidency, acting in close cooperation. The Commission, on the one hand, and the Presidency or the Member State appointed by the Presidency, on the other, may agree that one of them will deliver the common position on behalf of the Union and the Member States. The Commission and Member States may take the floor to strengthen and support the common position. 4.3. Coordinated positions will be expressed on behalf of the Member States by the Presidency or, where necessary, by a Member State, as appointed by the Presidency, or by the Commission with the agreement of all Member States present.

(b)

Voting in cases of agreed Union, common or coordinated positions 4.4. The Commission, on behalf of the Union, will exercise the Union’s voting rights on the basis of Union positions. 4.5. Where the Union and the Member States are called upon to vote on a matter referred to in point 3.3, and where the right to vote on such a matter is to be exercised by either the Union or the Member States, the Commission and the Presidency, or a Member State appointed by the Presidency, will agree in advance who will exercise the right to vote on the basis of a common position. Such agreement will be based on the main focus of the matter at hand. 4.6. Member States will exercise their voting rights on the basis of coordinated positions wherever applicable.

(c)

Speaking and voting in cases of no Union, common or coordinated position 4.7. Where no agreement on a Union, common or coordinated position can be reached, Member States may speak and vote on matters falling within their competence on condition that the position is consistent with Union policies and in conformity with Union law. The Commission may speak and vote on matters falling within the Union’s competence to the extent necessary to defend the Union policies pre-established by the Council and the Union acquis.

5.   Procedure regarding the Union’s candidates for election as GREVIO members

5.1.

The Commission will establish a transparent selection procedure for the Union’s candidates for election as GREVIO members in accordance with the procedure established by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe under Article 66(5) of the Convention. The Commission will inform FREMP about the details of the selection procedure before that procedure is initiated.

5.2.

The Commission will select candidates for election as GREVIO members on the basis of the selection procedure referred to in point 5.1. Prior to submitting the list of the Union’s candidates to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the Commission’s selection for the Union candidates will be endorsed by Coreper.

5.3.

A simplified procedure will also be established for the renewal of the mandate of an elected expert nominated by the Union.

6.   Nomination of representatives to the Committee of the Parties

The Commission will designate its representative for the Committee of the Parties and inform FREMP thereof.

7.   Coordinating body

7.1.

The Commission will function as the Union’s coordinating body in accordance with Article 10 of the Convention for matters of the Convention falling under exclusive Union competence, without prejudice to the respective competences of the Member States, and without prejudice to the allocation of powers between the institutions in accordance with the Treaties of the Union and the autonomy of the institutions of the Union in matters relating to their respective activities.

7.2.

Member States will nominate one or more coordinating bodies in accordance with Article 10 of the Convention and notify the Commission of a single contact point representing their coordinating body or bodies.

7.3.

The Commission and the contact points of the Member States will inform each other of notifications or information requests from the Council of Europe or any other State Party to the Convention. For this purpose, the Commission will provide a single entry point for notifications or information provided by Member States’ contact points and ensure the distribution of the information to all Member States’ coordinating bodies through their national contact points.

7.4.

Where necessary, on its own initiative or at the request of a Member State’s coordinating body or contact point, the Commission will organise coordination meetings. Such coordination meetings will convene Member States’ coordinating bodies, their contact points or both, as appropriate.

8.   GREVIO monitoring mechanism

(a)

Reporting 8.1. Reports of the Union and of its Member States submitted to GREVIO will cover their respective competences. Insofar as the exclusive competences of the Union and the competences of the Member States are interlinked, the Union and the Member States will fulfil the reporting obligations laid down by the Convention in a coherent and complementary manner. Union reports will, wherever possible, refer to Member States’ reports in order to avoid double reporting. The Union reports will set out the extent of the Union’s exclusive competences for the implementation of the provisions of the Convention covered by the reporting exercise. This information will be provided in sufficiently clear and explicit terms in order to allow GREVIO and the Committee of the Parties – when they evaluate the measures giving effect to the provisions of the Convention – to fully take into account the fact that the Union is only acceding to the Convention as concerns its exclusive competences and that the other provisions of the Convention will be implemented by the Member States under their own competence. The same transparency as concerns the respective competences of the Union and of the Member States will be ensured in general by the Commission in its interactions with the bodies established by the Convention, in the context of the monitoring of the implementation of the Convention. 8.2. The Member States will closely cooperate with the Commission as regards the provision of information that is necessary to fulfil the reporting requirements on Union acquis with regard to the Convention, drawing on existing information collected as part of their reporting obligations under the Convention. 8.3. In line with the duty of mutual sincere cooperation, the Commission will, in due time before the submission of the Union report, present the report to FREMP for information. Member States will submit to FREMP for information a copy of their respective reports, if possible before submission to GREVIO. 8.4. The Commission and each Member State will also share answers to questions received from GREVIO and comments the findings and recommendations from GREVIO during the reporting process. For this purpose, the Commission will provide a single entry point for Member States and ensure the distribution of the information to all Member States. 8.5. Member States and the Commission will share information through FREMP in advance about the content of oral presentations in GREVIO and in the Committee of the Parties, if possible. 8.6. The Commission and the Member States will discuss in FREMP the follow-up to any GREVIO report or conclusions, or, where appropriate, recommendations of the Committee of Parties, related to the Union report.

(b)	Meetings with GREVIO and country visits 8.7. A Member State may request the Commission to provide an expert to become a part of its delegation, and the Commission may request Member States to provide experts for the Union’s delegation.

(c)	Parliamentary involvement 8.8. The Commission will submit GREVIO reports on the implementation of the Convention by the Union to the European Parliament in line with Article 70(2) of the Convention.

9.   Generation of statistics required under the Convention

9.1.

Union-wide statistics are an element to be delivered by the Union under the reporting obligations.

9.2.

To the extent possible, the Union reporting will use data generated at Union level and rely, where data assembled by Member States’ statistical institutes and research bodies are used, on the data reported by Member States to GREVIO. For the sake of obtaining the most accurate picture of the prevalence of violence, it is important that Member States, the Commission and other Union bodies cooperate closely to the extent necessary in order to enable the Union to fulfil its reporting obligations.

10.   Revision

The Council, Member States or the Commission may request the revision of this Code of Conduct, in particular to take account of experience gained during its operation.

11.   Publication

This Code of Conduct will be published in the C series of the Official Journal of the European Union.

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(1)  Council Decision (EU) 2017/865 of 11 May 2017 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence with regard to matters related to judicial cooperation in criminal matters (OJ L 131, 20.5.2017, p. 11).

(2)  Council Decision (EU) 2017/866 of 11 May 2017 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence with regard to asylum and non-refoulement (OJ L 131, 20.5.2017, p. 13).

(3)  Council Decision (EU) 2023/1075 of 1 June 2023 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence with regard to institutions and public administration of the Union (OJ L 143 I, 2.6.2023, p. 1).

(4)  Council Decision (EU) 2023/1076 of 1 June 2023 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence with regard to matters related to judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement (OJ L 143 I, 2.6.2023, p. 4).

Euro exchange rates (1)

1 June 2023

(2023/C 194/04)

1 euro =

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,0697
JPY	Japanese yen	149,25
DKK	Danish krone	7,4477
GBP	Pound sterling	0,85823
SEK	Swedish krona	11,6455
CHF	Swiss franc	0,9732
ISK	Iceland króna	149,70
NOK	Norwegian krone	11,9670
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	23,687
HUF	Hungarian forint	370,42
PLN	Polish zloty	4,5410
RON	Romanian leu	4,9645
TRY	Turkish lira	22,2520
AUD	Australian dollar	1,6407
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,4514
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	8,3786
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,7775
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,4466
KRW	South Korean won	1 413,23
ZAR	South African rand	21,1567
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	7,6066
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	15 964,76
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,9351
PHP	Philippine peso	60,057
RUB	Russian rouble
THB	Thai baht	37,204
BRL	Brazilian real	5,4032
MXN	Mexican peso	18,8695
INR	Indian rupee	88,2070

---

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

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION

amending paragraph 188, Annexes I and IV to the Guidelines on regional State aid regarding the mid-term review of the regional aid maps for the period 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027

(2023/C 194/05)

I.   INTRODUCTION

(1)

Section 7.6.2 of the Guidelines on regional State aid (1) (‘the Guidelines’) provides for a mid-term review of the regional aid maps (2), taking into account updated statistics, to be carried out in 2023.

(2)

Paragraph 194 of the Guidelines requires the Commission to communicate, by June 2023, the details on that mid-term review. That requirement is implemented by means of this Communication, which sets out the following details of the mid-term review:

Amendment of the list of ‘a’ areas

(3)

The Commission has established a list of the NUTS 2 regions that are currently not eligible as ‘a’ areas, but that have an average gross domestic product (‘GDP’) per capita (in purchasing power standard) for the period 2019-2021 that is below or is equal to 75 % of the EU-27 average (3), and therefore can be eligible for regional aid under Article 107(3)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’) (hereinafter referred to as ‘new “a” areas’) in the period following this mid-term review, i.e. from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027. The Commission also sets out the corresponding maximum aid intensities for those new ‘a’ areas on the basis of paragraphs 179 and 180 of the Guidelines.

(4)

If those new ‘a’ areas are currently, entirely or partially designated either as pre-defined ‘c’ areas or as non-predefined ‘c’ areas in the regional aid map of the Member State concerned, the percentage of the population allocated to the corresponding ‘c’ area, as indicated in Annex I to the Guidelines, is adjusted accordingly.

Increase of maximum aid intensities of existing ‘a’ areas

(5)

The Commission has identified NUTS 2 regions that already are ‘a’ areas listed in Annex I to the Guidelines, but for which the GDP per capita has decreased to a level that renders those ‘a’ areas entitled to a higher maximum aid intensity on the basis of Section 7.4.1 of the Guidelines in the period following this mid-term review, i.e. from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027.

Amendment of the list of non-predefined ‘c’ areas

(6)

Member States may propose an amendment to the list of their non-predefined ‘c’ areas for the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027 by replacing existing non-predefined ‘c’ areas with new areas proposed on basis of Section 7.3.2.3 of the Guidelines. Those amendments may not exceed 50 % of each Member State’s adjusted non-predefined ‘c’ area coverage set out in paragraph (14) of this Communication, or, where not adjusted, 50 % of the existing non-predefined ‘c’ area coverage. In addition, the population of the proposed new ‘c’ areas may not exceed the population of the areas that those new areas replace. Member States may propose the corresponding maximum aid intensities for those new non-predefined ‘c’ areas based on the criteria set out in Section 7.4.2 of the Guidelines.

Increase of maximum aid intensities of existing ‘c’ areas

(7)

Member States may propose an increase of the maximum aid intensity of their existing non-predefined ‘c’ areas if the updated GDP per capita or unemployment statistics show, based on paragraph 182 of the Guidelines, entitlement to a higher maximum aid intensity.

Identification of regions experiencing population loss entitled to increased aid intensities

(8)

Member States may propose an increase of the maximum aid intensity for NUTS 3 regions that are experiencing population loss, as laid down in paragraph 188 of the Guidelines, also where such loss is established on the basis of updated population density data encompassing the period 2010-2019. To that effect, with this Communication the Commission amends paragraph 188 of the Guidelines and Annex IV thereto, insofar it will allow, in the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027, an increase of the maximum aid intensities, as laid down in that paragraph, for NUTS 3 regions experiencing population loss of more than 10 % either in the period 2009-2018 or in the period 2010-2019.

Notification of proposed amendments to the maps

(9)

This Communication sets out amendments to paragraph 188 of the Guidelines, Annex I and Annex IV to the Guidelines and publishes the amended versions thereof, as laid down below.

(10)

Member States that intend to amend their regional aid maps following the present mid-term review are invited to notify the Commission of those amendments pursuant to Article 108(3) TFEU before 15 September 2023. Such amendments may concern the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027 and are not mandatory.

II.   ASSESSMENT

Review concerning the ‘a’ areas

(11)

On 21 February 2023, Eurostat published the GDP per capita data at the NUTS 2 region level, until and including 2021. In the following paragraphs, the GDP per capita corresponds to the average over the last three years for which Eurostat data are available, that is to say, the average over the period 2019-2021, expressed as a percentage of the EU-27 average. Where applicable, the GDP per capita data are compared to the data applied in the current text of Annex I to the Guidelines (average over the period 2016-2018). Taking into account the updated statistics, the Commission sets out, in paragraphs (12) and (13) the new ‘a’ areas, as well as the existing eligible ‘a’ areas that can benefit from higher maximum aid intensities, and amends Annex I to the Guidelines accordingly. On the basis of those modifications, Member States may notify amendments to their ‘a’ areas for the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027.

(12)

The following NUTS 2 regions can be designated as ‘a’ areas with a maximum aid intensity of 30 % (4): Member State and region GDP/capita 2019-2021 Belgium: BE32 Prov. Hainaut 74,33 Spain: ES62 Región de Murcia 70,67

(13)

The following NUTS 2 regions can be proposed for a higher maximum aid intensity, as indicated (5): Member State and region GDP/capita 2016-2018 GDP/capita 2019-2021 Maximum aid intensity France: FRY2 Martinique from 77,00 to 73,00 50 % Greece: EL42 Νότιο Αιγαίο / Notio Aigaio from 73,67 to 64,00 40 % EL43 Κρήτη / Kriti from 58,33 to 52,67 50 % EL53 Δυτική Μακεδονία / Dytiki Makedonia from 59,67 to 53,33 50 % Portugal: PT30 Região Autónoma da Madeira from 76,00 to 71,67 50 % Slovakia: SK02 Západné Slovensko from 66,67 to 64,67 40 % Spain: ES43 Extremadura from 66,67 to 63,67 40 % ES61 Andalucía from 68,33 to 63,67 40 % ES64 Ciudad de Melilla from 67,00 to 64,00 40 % ES70 Canarias from 75,00 to 65,00 60 %

Review concerning the ‘c’ areas

(14)

Following the establishment of BE32 Prov. Hainaut as a new ‘a’ area, the non-predefined ‘c’ area coverage of Belgium is adjusted from 23,33 % to 16,82 % for the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027. For all other Member States, the non-predefined ‘c’ coverage as set out in Annex I to the Guidelines does not change.

(15)

In addition, as laid down in paragraphs (6) and (7), Member States may replace existing non-predefined ‘c’ areas with new areas proposed on basis of Section 7.3.2.3. of the Guidelines up to 50 % of each Member State’s adjusted non-predefined ‘c’ area coverage, or, where not adjusted, 50 % of the existing non-predefined ‘c’ area coverage, and may also propose an increase of the maximum aid intensity of their existing non-predefined ‘c’ areas if the updated GDP per capita or unemployment statistics show an entitlement to such higher aid intensity.

Identification of regions experiencing population loss entitled to increased aid intensities

(16)

The Commission amends paragraph 188 and Annex IV to the Guidelines by allowing Member States to rely on population loss data encompassing the period 2010-2019 for the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027.

III.   AMENDMENT TO PARAGRAPH 188 OF THE GUIDELINES

(17)

Paragraph 188 of the Guidelines shall read as follows: ‘The maximum aid intensities laid down in subsection 7.4.1 may be increased by 10 percentage points and the maximum aid intensities laid down in subsection 7.4.2 may be increased by 5 percentage points for NUTS 3 regions experiencing population loss of more than 10 % over the period 2009-2018. As from 1 January 2024, the preceding sentence also applies to NUTS 3 regions experiencing the degree of population loss referred to therein over the period 2010-2019.(88) (88) See Annex IV.’

IV.   AMENDMENT TO ANNEX I TO THE GUIDELINES

(18)

Annex I is replaced by the text set out in Annex 1 to this Communication. The amended Annex I to the Guidelines will form the basis for the mid-term review of the regional aid maps for the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027.

V.   AMENDMENT TO ANNEX IV TO THE GUIDELINES

(19)

Annex IV is replaced by the text set out in Annex 2 to this Communication. The amended Annex IV to the Guidelines will form the basis for the mid-term review of the regional aid maps for the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027.

---

(1)  OJ C 153, 29.4.2021, p. 1.

(2)  Regional aid maps 2022-2027, available at:

https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/state-aid/legislation/modernisation/regional-aid/maps-2022-2027_en.

(3)  I.e., the average GDP per capita for all the Member States (excluding Northern Ireland).

(4)  Established in accordance with paragraphs 179 and 180 of the Guidelines, without prejudice to the possibility to apply increased aid intensities in accordance with sections 7.4.3, 7.4.4 and 7.4.5 of the Guidelines.

(5)  Idem.

Special report 13/2023

‘Authorised Economic Operators – Solid customs programme with untapped potential and uneven implementation’

(2023/C 194/06)

The European Court of Auditors has published its special report 13/2023: ‘Authorised Economic Operators – Solid customs programme with untapped potential and uneven implementation’.

The report can be consulted directly or downloaded at the European Court of Auditors’ website: https://www.eca.europa.eu/en/publications/sr-2023-13

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.11131 – PIERER / LEONI)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 194/07)

---

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

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.11061 – NORDIC METAL/ALUMECO GROUP)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 194/08)

---

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

(2)  Nordic Metal is a newly established company directly or indirectly owned by three natural persons (‘the Investors’) who own various independent companies active in the distribution of aluminium, stainless steel, copper alloys and other metals in Europe. These are Amari Metals Europe Ltd. (‘AME’), Amari Benelux Inc. (‘ABI’), Amari Ireland Limited (‘AIL’) a single company, Amari France Holdings Inc. (‘AMF’), Amari Switzerland Holdings Inc. (‘AMS’), Sverdrup Holdings Inc. (‘Sverdrup’), Britannia Metals Holdings, Inc. (‘Britannia’), Aero Metals Alliance Inc. (‘AMA’), Henley Management Company (‘Henley’) and Deloro Group Holding Inc. (‘Deloro’).

(3)  The Alumeco Group is composed of (i) Alumeco and (ii) Aluwind.

Publication of an approved standard amendment to the product specification of a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication in the agricultural products and foodstuffs sector, as referred to in Article 6b(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014

(2023/C 194/09)

This communication is published in accordance with Article 6b(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (1).

Communicating the approval of a standard amendment to the product specification of a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication originating in a Member State

‘Miel de Granada’

EU No: PDO-ES-0243-AM01 – 3.3.2023

PDO (X) PGI ( )

1.   Name of product

‘Miel de Granada’

2.   Member State to which the geographical area belongs

Spain

3.   Member State authority communicating the standard amendment

Directorate-General for Industry, Innovation and the Agri-Food Chain of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of the Regional Government of Andalusia (Dirección General de Industrias, Innovación y Cadena Agroalimentaria Consejería de Agricultura, Pesca, Agua y Desarrollo Rural de la Junta de Andalucía)

4.   Description of the approved amendment(s)

1.   Modification of the physico-chemical characteristics

Section B.1 of the product specification

The general physico-chemical characteristics are modified as regards hydroxymethylfurfural at the time of packaging and labelling. This was not included in the previous version. Specifically:

—	Hydroxymethylfurfural < 10 mg/kg

is replaced by:

—	Hydroxymethylfurfural: < 18 mg/kg.

The amendment affects the single document.

2.   Elimination of limits to the proportion of Erica sp. pollen

In Section B.2 of the product specification, the 1 % limit on the proportion of pollen from Erica sp. is deleted, as the pollen level has increased owing to climate change.

The amendment affects the single document.

3.   Changes in the organoleptic characteristics

A table clarifies Section B.3 of the product specification regarding the organoleptic characteristics, so that they can be analysed and quantified in a laboratory. Limits are laid down for variables such as conductivity, percentage of pollen, and colour.

The amendment affects the single document.

4.   New wording concerning the traceability of the honey

Section D of the product specification

The wording is changed to reflect the approach to ensuring the traceability of the honey.

The amendment affects the single document.

5.   Update to ‘Method of production’

Section E of the product specification, which concerns the method of production, is amended as follows.

The description of the contents of the containers is updated and the processes involved is set out in clearer, more up-to-date wording. The headings ‘Presentation and packaging’, ‘Contents of containers’ and ‘Shipping of honey’ are added, each followed by a more explicit description of what it involves.

The amendment affects the single document.

6.   Change of the body responsible for checking compliance with the product specification

This relates to Section G of the product specification on checking compliance with the product specification before sale in an entity accredited in accordance with ISO 17065.

The amendment does not affect the single document.

7.   Amendment of the wording concerning the type of product

The reference to Annex IX to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 668/2014 has been deleted from Section 3.1 of the single document, as it is no longer necessary.

The amendment affects the single document.

8.   Amendment of the wording of specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product

In Section 3.5, all the text concerning the traceability of the product has been deleted and new wording considered to be more appropriate has been added. This new text was previously part of Section 3.6, ‘Presentation and packaging’ and ‘Contents of containers’.

The amendment affects the single document.

9.   New wording concerning specific labelling rules in the product specification

The wording of Section H of the product specification has been amended; the reference to the ‘symbol of the European Community’ has been replaced by a reference to the ‘symbol of the European Union’.

The amendment affects the single document.

10.   New wording of the specific labelling rules in the single document

In Section 3.6 of the single document, the previous text has been replaced by the new wording of Section H of the product specification, which is considered more appropriate.

The amendment affects the single document.

11.   Simplification of the wording in the justification of the link with the geographical area concerned

The wording of Section 5 of the single document, Link with the geographical area, has been amended to bring it into line with the character limit of the eAmbrosia site. The substance has been left unamended; the wording used is that of the product summary.

The amendment affects the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Miel de Granada’

EU No: PDO-ES-0243-AM01 – 3.3.2023

PDO (X) PGI ( )

1.   Name

‘Miel de Granada’

2.   Member State or third country

Spain

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.4. Other products of animal origin (eggs, honey, various dairy products except butter, etc.)

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

Honey: a food product made by honey bees using nectar from flowers or secretions from the living parts of plants or found on them, which the bees gather, transform, combine with their own specific substances, store and allow to mature in the hive’s honeycombs. It can be liquid, viscous or crystalline.

Protected honey is classified as:

—	single-flower honey from chestnut flowers (Castanea sativa)

—	single-flower honey from rosemary flowers (Rosmarinus officinalis)

—	single-flower honey from thyme flowers (Thymus sp.)

—	single-flower honey from avocado flowers (Persea americana)

—	single-flower honey from orange blossoms (Citrus sp.)

—	single-flower honey from French lavender flowers (Lavandula stoechas)

—	mountain honey

—	multi-flower honey

1.   General physico-chemical characteristics common to all the varieties of honey at the time of packaging and labelling

—	Moisture: < 17,5 %

—	Hydroxymethylfurfural: < 18 mg/kg.

2.   General melissopalynological characteristics for all honeys

a)	Pollen spectrum characteristic of vegetation in Granada, comprising chiefly the following families: Cistaceae, Lamiaceae, Fagaceae, Rosaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Borraginaceae, Salicaceae, Campanulaceae, Resedaceae, Plantaginaceae, Apiaceae, Caesalpinaceae and Lauraceae.

3.   Specific physico-chemical and melissopalynological characteristics

Honey type	Conductivity	Colour	Pollen content
	(× m S/cm)	(mm Pfund)
single-flower chestnut honey (Castanea sativa)	> 0,8	> 80	> 75 % Castanea sativa
single-flower rosemary honey (Rosmarinus officinalis)	< 0,25	< 35	> 15 % of Rosmarinus officinalis or > 10 % Rosmarinus officinalis and > 5 % other labiates
single-flower thyme honey (Thymus sp.)	> 0,3 and < 0,8	> 55	> 15 % Thymus sp.
single-flower avocado honey (Persea americana)	> 0,7	> 100	> 25 % Persea sp.
			Presence of > 0,2 % of perseitol if the pollen content < 25 %
single-flower orange (blossom) honey (Citrus sp.)	< 0,3	< 30	> 15 % Citrus sp.
			If the pollen content lies between > 5,0 % and < 15 %, the methyl anthranilate content must be equal to or greater than 1,2 mg/kg
single-flower French lavender honey (Lavandula stoechas)	< 0,5	< 50	> 15 % Lavandula stoechas
Mountain honey			> 20 % Castanea sp.

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

This is not relevant to honey.

This section does not apply.

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

All the steps in production must take place in the defined geographical area.

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

Presentation and packaging

Honey in liquid state (fluid), solid state (crystallised) or with a creamy texture.

Contents of containers

Containers with a capacity not exceeding 5 kilos, which must be compliant with the legislation in force.

Material: transparent, uncoloured glass.

The label and the secondary label must not conceal the contents.

Hermetic seal.

Traditional earthenware jars may be used, provided that they have a net weight of 500 or 1 000 g and a hermetic seal.

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

The labels are approved by the Regulatory Council as regards use of the denomination or the brand. The labels on the jars must bear the following indication, clearly displayed: ‘Denominación de Origen Protegida’ (‘Protected Designation of Origin’), the symbol of the European Union and the designation ‘Miel de Granada’.

Whatever the type of container in which different types of honey are shipped for consumption, they must bear a numbered label or secondary label, provided by the Regulatory Council, which must be attached before shipping, in accordance with the rules laid down for that purpose and always in such a way that the labels cannot be reused.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The area where the hives are located and the honey is extracted, i.e. the production area, includes all the municipal territories of the province of Granada, in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia.

The total area is 12 531 hectares.

The honey is packaged in the production area.

5.   Link with the geographical area

a.   Historical link

The quality of honey from Granada is well known and has been abundantly documented since the early 14th century. Honey has been produced in this region since time immemorial. The first documentary evidence goes back to the time of Ibn al-Khathib (1313-1375), who, in his work al-Ihata fi akhbar Gharnata (‘The complete source on the history of Granada’), refers to abundant honey production in areas of Granada which still make use of this traditional resource as a major source of income. There are also many references to honey in the works of various chroniclers of the period who recounted the conquest of the Emirate of Granada by Christian armies.

After the conquest, the municipalities began to organise various economic activities. In Baza, for instance, as described in the Libro de Propios (1564), the municipal authorities levied taxes on the beehives in the Sierra de Baza, and rosemary honey was justly famed.

The book of trades of the City of Granada (1752) made explicit mention of the criador de colmena (beekeeper). In 1777, in his Diccionario Geográfico o descripción de todos los reinos (‘Geographical dictionary or description of all the kingdoms’), Juan de la Serna described Granada as rich in wax and honey. Again, Sebastián de Miñano (1826) referred to the abundance and excellent quality of honey from Granada in his Diccionario Geográfico Estadístico de España y Portugal (‘Geographical and statistical dictionary of Spain and Portugal’). He mentioned Baza, Alhama de Granada, Güejar-Sierra and Guadix as major honey-producing areas in the Granada region. Pascual Madoz, in his Diccionario Geográfico, Estadístico e Histórico de España (‘Geographical, statistical and historical dictionary of Spain’) again highlights the variety, abundance and outstanding features of honey from Granada. He notes, for instance, the abundance of white honey in the municipality of Loja. He also observes that considerable amounts of honey are produced on the coast (in La Garnatilla and Motril). Tomás López, too, in his Diccionario Geográfico de Andalucía: Granada (‘Geographical Dictionary of Andalusia – Granada’), which came out in the last quarter of the 18th century, again singles out various localities in Granada and the sierras around it where beehives and honey play an important role, such as Quéntar or Ribera de Oveja (a small rural community belonging to the municipality of Granada).

In 1888, Luis Morell y Terry carried out a census. The number of beehives was estimated at approximately 15 000, and the traditional bee-keeping areas – the eastern mountains, the Alpujarras and the provincial capital, Granada – maintained large numbers of beehives. In the same year – 1888 – Bertha Wihelmi introduced movable comb hives and promoted them in the province, where they gradually replaced the traditional (Arab) fixed hives. In this way she made Granada one of the pioneering provinces which led the way in developing new bee-keeping methods. In May 1909 the magazine Granada Agrícola reported the interest shown by the German market in importing honeys from Granada because of their quality derived from the rich range of aromatic and medicinal plants in its mountainous areas, particularly the Sierra Nevada.

b.   Natural link

The natural factors with a direct influence on the product include the mountainous terrain, climate and vegetation, while the human factors include the characteristic internal transhumance routes established by the beekeepers of Granada.

The province of Granada has a wide variety of relief and climate with a direct impact on the sector, influencing, for example, the inland transhumance paths made by the beekeepers as they seek different kinds of flowers. From the point of view of beekeeping, this diversity means that the beekeepers of Granada can make transhumance paths up and down the mountainsides within the province, as the various species concerned flower at different times, providing a yield all year round. The type and season of flowering vary depending on altitude, with the bee-keepers moving up and down the slopes and rarely covering a distance greater than 50 km. Hence the beekeepers on the coast, in the Valle de Lecrín and the Alpujarra – Sierra Nevada normally move upwards, i.e. from the coast to the hills and vice versa in search of vegetation, which flowers depending on the altitude.

Clearly, the main factor which gives Miel de Granada the particular characteristics which distinguish it from other honeys is the province’s flora. It has over 296 000 ha of cleared hillside covered by aromatic plants that ensure flourishing levels of beekeeping, plus large areas of chestnuts, orange trees and, on the coast, avocados, of which the coasts of the provinces of Granada and Málaga are major producers.

Virtually 70 % of the owners of bee-keeping establishments in the province of Granada have links to protected areas (the Sierra Nevada national park and the nature parks of the Sierra Nevada, the Sierra de Baza, the Sierra de Huétor, the Sierra de Castril and the Sierras de Tejeda, Alhama y Almijara), which are their normal area of residence. Their hives remain in these areas for part of the year, either for production or for overwintering. The movement of bees which the keepers undertake throughout the province of Granada, in search of the richest flower supplies throughout the year, or sites for overwintering, subsequently provides Miel de Granada with a full pollen spectrum.

These areas have remained isolated for a long period and beekeeping has played an important economic role by providing an alternative source of agricultural income. The variety of flowers in these parks means that the honeys they produce offer unique and unusual combinations of flowers. The Sierra Nevada alone has over 160 endemisms, of which some 60 are exclusive.

Studies of pollen in the province have identified some 92 forms belonging to about 50 botanical families. Miel de Granada typically contains the spectrum comprising the following families: Cistaceae, Lamiaceae, Fagaceae, Rosaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Borraginaceae, Salience, Campanulaceae, Resedaceae, Plantaginaceae, Apiaceae, Caesalpinaceae and Lauraceae. This knowledge of the pollen spectrum of Miel de Granada, together with the considerable quantity of botanical endemisms, enables us to find geographical indicators which allow us to differentiate the honeys we produce clearly from those produced elsewhere in the Iberian Peninsula.

Reference to publication of the product specification

https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/sites/default/files/inline-files/2023/02/Pliego_miel_Gran_consolidado.pdf

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(1)  OJ L 179, 19.6.2014, p. 17.

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

(2023/C 194/10)

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

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Suonenjoen mansikka’

EU No: PGI-FI-02841 – 2.5.2022

PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name(s) [of PDO or PGI]

‘Suonenjoen mansikka’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Finland

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.6 – Fruit, vegetables and cereals fresh or processed

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

The name ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ is used for garden strawberries (Fragaria X ananassa) grown in North Savo, Suonenjoki and its neighbouring municipalities.

The ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ is completely red, juicy, and velvety soft in the mouth. The strawberry must be sweet and aromatic.

The ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ has a minimum size of 18 mm. The strawberry stem and calyx must be fresh and green. When picking, the strawberries must have an even colour. The strawberries may be eaten fresh, as uncooked berries. The strawberries must have a sugar content of at least 8 Brix. The strawberries’ sweetness varies depending on the variety and growing conditions.

The ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ is sold as a fresh berry, frozen, deep-frozen or used for processing. When sold fresh, the ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ must meet at least Class I requirements. Frozen, deep-frozen or used for processing ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ may be Class II.

The ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ must be delivered fresh for sale no later than the day following the day of picking.

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

—

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

The ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ is grown and picked in the defined geographical area.

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

The fresh strawberries are also packaged in the defined geographical area in order to safeguard quality and guarantee the origin. Strawberries may be frozen or deep frozen outside the defined geographical area.

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

The ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ must always be sold packaged when sold fresh, frozen or deep-frozen. It may not be sold loose.

Farmers producing strawberries in Suonenjoki are entitled to use the ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ logo. The logo is freely available for all producers complying with the product specification.

Figure 1

‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ logo

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ is produced in North Savo in the Sisä-Savo area: in the municipalities of Suonenjoki, Tervo, Rautalampi and Vesanto (regions according to the 2021 municipal borders) and in the western part of Kuopio in the territory of the former municipality of Karttula (region according to the 2010 municipal borders).

5.   Link with the geographical area

The geographical indication for the ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ is based on the reputation of the strawberries produced in the Suonenjoki region.

Suonenjoki has a long-standing tradition of strawberry cultivation. In 2016, there were celebrations in Suonenjoki to mark the 100th anniversary of the ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’. Over the centenary ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ has become an established term in Finnish culinary culture. It is sold all over Finland and Suonenjoki is specifically known for its strawberries. Commercial strawberry cultivation in Finland originated in the Suonenjoki region.

The town’s streets features the strawberry in many forms. In the centre of Suonenjoki, there is a statue of girls gathering strawberries – the 1981 Mansikkatytöt statue by sculptor Raimo Heino.

In summer, the town of Suonenjoki makes it easier to buy the strawberries by hiring strawberry sellers to sell them on the national train network (Valtion Rautatiet – VR). Strawberries are sold on trains for three weeks after the main crop has ripened. The ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ is the only berry that is sold on trains. This tradition, which began in 1995, means that passengers now look forward to the sale of these strawberries every year. Suonenjoki’s train station platform is decorated with strawberries.

The Suonenjoki Strawberry Carnival, which has been held in honour of the strawberry in Suonenjoki since 1970, takes place on the second weekend of July. It is one of Finland’s longest-running summer events. Originally a strawberry harvest celebration, it has now grown into an event with some twenty thousand visitors. The carnival is traditionally launched with a carnival procession, featuring representatives of entrepreneurs and organisations from the region.

Every year the carnival chooses a Strawberry Girl, who participates in the PR work for the town and companies during their year as the title-holder. A Strawberry Host and/or Strawberry Hostess for the year is also elected every year at the event. The Strawberry Host or Hostess is a person who is closely associated with strawberry growing and who has promoted the ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’. The carnival also has other strawberry-related programmes such as a strawberry eating competition and a strawberry cake decoration competition.

A book on the ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ – Mansikalla maineeseen (‘Strawberry Stardom’) – was published to mark the strawberry’s 100th anniversary celebrations in 2016. The frozen-berry producer Pakkasmarja Oy has also produced a video about the local strawberry cultivation entitled ‘Suonenjoen punainen timantti’, i.e. ‘Suonenjoki’s red diamond’.

The crop, which originated from a few strawberry seedlings, has evolved over decades, and nowadays strawberry fields form an integral part of the area’s landscape. Suonenjoki and its surrounding municipalities (Sisä-Savo) are home to the northernmost concentration of strawberry cultivation in the world. Suonenjoki is also home to the Marjaosaamiskeskus centre for berry expertise and projects to promote the know-how of berry growers in the Suonenjoki region in strawberry cultivation. The farmers in the region have also had their own Suonenjoki Region Berry Farmers’ Association (Suonenjoen seudun marjanviljelijäin yhdistys ry – SSMY) since 1966. Strawberries are also mentioned in the Suonenjoki municipal strategy for 2018 to 2025. The town’s vision is to be a ‘strawberry town known for its bold development’.

The long, light summer nights and the hilly, permeable, moraine ground typical of the area create good growing conditions for strawberry cultivation and give the strawberries their characteristic aroma and sweetness. The ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’ is grown in the open or in a defined growing medium in the open, in polytunnels or in greenhouses. The Sisä-Savo region produces about one fifth of the entire Finnish strawberry harvest every year. This is due to the large number of farms and the above-average yield in the area.

The years of experience have led to the cultivation of sweet, aromatic and palatable species. However, several different varieties of strawberry are grown under the name ‘Suonenjoen mansikka’. The name is area-specific rather than variety-specific. Nowadays Polka, Rumba and Sonata are the most cultivated varieties and main crops in the region. There are also many other varieties cultivated from early to late, so the harvest period in the open usually lasts from June to September. Over the years, the farmers’ strawberry growing expertise has been significant in producing a high-quality product.

Reference to publication of the specification

https://www.ruokavirasto.fi/globalassets/yritykset/elintarvikeala/valmistus/elintarvikkeista-annettavat-tiedot/eun-nimisuojajarjestelma/suonenjoen-mansikka-hakemus-final-021221.pdf?visitorgroupsByID=undefined

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(1)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.