10.7.2023

Official Journal of the European Union

C 243/1

Euro exchange rates (1)

7 July 2023

(2023/C 243/01)

1 euro =

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,0888
JPY	Japanese yen	156,01
DKK	Danish krone	7,4515
GBP	Pound sterling	0,85298
SEK	Swedish krona	11,9075
CHF	Swiss franc	0,9754
ISK	Iceland króna	146,90
NOK	Norwegian krone	11,7085
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	23,945
HUF	Hungarian forint	388,33
PLN	Polish zloty	4,4838
RON	Romanian leu	4,9557
TRY	Turkish lira	28,3830
AUD	Australian dollar	1,6416
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,4557
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	8,5232
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,7644
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,4717
KRW	South Korean won	1 421,91
ZAR	South African rand	20,7915
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	7,8773
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	16 521,26
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	5,0842
PHP	Philippine peso	60,495
RUB	Russian rouble
THB	Thai baht	38,358
BRL	Brazilian real	5,3527
MXN	Mexican peso	18,7883
INR	Indian rupee	90,0465

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

10.7.2023

Official Journal of the European Union

C 243/2

Summary of European Commission Decisions on authorisations for the placing on the market for the use and/or for use of substances listed in Annex XIV to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

(Published pursuant to Article 64(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (1) )

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 243/02)

Decision granting an authorisation

Reference of the decision (2)	Date of decision	Substance name	Holder of the authorisation	Authorisation number	Authorised use	Date of expiry of review period	Reasons for the decision
C(2023) 4320	3 July 2023	4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol, ethoxylated (‘4-tert-OPnEO’) EC No.-; CAS No.- 4-Nonylphenol, branched and linear, ethoxylated (4-NPnEO) EC No.-; CAS No.-	Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Sandhoferstrasse 116, 68305 Mannheim, Germany	REACH/23/16/0	4-tert-OPnEO in the formulation and filling of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays as specified in Table 1 of the Annex	4 January 2028	In accordance with Article 60(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, the socio-economic benefits outweigh the risk to human health and the environment from the use of the substance and there are no suitable alternative substances or technologies.
				REACH/23/16/1	4-NPnEO in the formulation and filling of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays as specified in Table 1 of the Annex
				REACH/23/16/2	4-tert-OPnEO in in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays as specified in Table 2 of the Annex
				REACH/23/26/3	4-NPnEO in in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays as specified in Table 2 of the Annex
				REACH/23/16/4	4-tert-OPnEO in the production of proteins and the conjugation of latex beads, both being used as components or for the production of components of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays, research or quality control products and other analytical applications, as specified in Table 3 of the Annex
				REACH/23/16/5	4-NPnEO in the production of proteins and the conjugation of latex beads, both being used as components or for the production of components of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays, research or quality control products and other analytical applications, as specified in Table 3 of the Annex

(1) OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

(2) The decision is available on the European Commission website at: Authorisation (europa.eu).

10.7.2023

Official Journal of the European Union

C 243/4

(Published pursuant to Article 64(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (1) )

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 243/03)

Decision granting an authorisation

Reference of the decision (2)	Date of decision	Substance name	Holder of the authorisation	Authorisation number	Authorised use	Date of expiry of review period	Reasons for the decision
C(2023) 4355	3 July 2023	4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol, ethoxylated (‘4-tert-OPnEO’) EC No.-; CAS No.-	ABBOTT Ireland, Ballytivnan, ROI Sligo, Connaught, Ireland; ABBOTT GmbH, Max Planck Ring 2, D-65205 Wiesbaden, Germany; ABBOTT Diagnostics GmbH, Max Planck Ring 2, D-65205 Delkenheim, Germany	REACH/23/13/0 REACH/23/13/1	Industrial use as a surfactant in the formulation of in-vitro diagnostic devices for clinical testing using ARCHITECT, Alinity and ABBOTT PRISM automated analyser systems	4 January 2033	In accordance with Article 60(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, the socio-economic benefits outweigh the risk to human health and the environment from the use of the substance and there are no suitable alternative substances or technologies.
				REACH/23/13/2 REACH/23/13/3 REACH/23/13/4	Professional use as a surfactant in the final use of in-vitro diagnostic devices for clinical testing using ARCHITECT, Alinity and ABBOTT PRISM automated analyser systems
				REACH/23/13/5	Industrial use as a surfactant in the formulation of system solutions (Pre-Trigger and Trigger), for use with in-vitro diagnostic devices on ARCHITECT and Alinity automated analyser system	4 January 2025
				REACH/23/13/6	Industrial use as a surfactant in the extraction and purification of antigens for incorporation into in-vitro diagnostic devices for clinical testing using ARCHITECT, Alinity and ABBOTT PRISM automated analyser systems	4 January 2033

(1) OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

(2) The decision is available on the European Commission website at: Authorisation (europa.eu).

10.7.2023

Official Journal of the European Union

C 243/7

OPEN CALL FOR PROPOSALS – GP/DVQ/ReferNet_FPA/001/23

ReferNet – Cedefop’s European Network of Expertise in Vocational Education and Training (VET)

(2023/C 243/05)

1. Objectives and description

With the objective of supporting the operation of the European network of expertise in VET – ReferNet –, this call aims at selecting one applicant from each eligible country (27 EU Member States plus Iceland and Norway) with which Cedefop will conclude a four-year framework partnership agreement, and at concluding with each successful applicant a specific grant agreement for a work plan to be carried out in 2024.

Founded in 1975 and based in Greece since 1995, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) is an agency of the European Union (EU). Acknowledged as an authoritative source of information and expertise on VET, skills and qualifications, its mission is to support European vocational education and training (VET) policy development and contribute to its implementation.

ReferNet is Cedefop’s European network for information on VET. Since 2008, Cedefop’s cooperation with ReferNet has been taking place through four-year FPAs (Framework Partnership Agreement). Under the new FPA (2024-2027) ReferNet will be the main source of information on national VET systems and developments contributing annually to Cedefop monitoring of policy developments in line with the EU priorities in VET, skills, and qualifications. Its role has been strengthened in the integrated approach to policy monitoring and reporting of the Council Recommendation on VET and the Osnabrück Declaration as agreed by the ACVT Committee in its meeting of 8-9 June 2021, calling for a close cooperation of ReferNet with the Directors General for Vocational Training in the EU Member States.

Framework partnership agreements are implemented through annual specific grant agreements. Therefore, applicants shall not only submit a proposal for the 4-year framework partnership (which, if successful, will lead to the signature of a Framework Partnership Agreement for the years 2024 to 2027) but also the grant application for the 2024 action (which may lead to the signature of a Specific Grant Agreement for the calendar year 2024). The applicant must demonstrate its capacity to carry out all the activities foreseen over the four-year period and ensure adequate co-financing for the implementation of the requested tasks.

2. Budget and project duration

The estimated budget available for the four-year duration of the framework partnership agreements amounts to EUR 3 760 000, depending on the annual decisions of the Budgetary Authority.

The total available budget for the 2024 annual work plan (project duration: 12 months) will be EUR 940 000 for the 29 partners (from the 27 EU Member States, Iceland and Norway).

The grant varies according to the country population and is awarded for carrying out an annual work plan. The total available budget for the 2024 work plan will be distributed on the basis of three country groups based on country population:

—	Country group 1: Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia and Iceland. Maximum grant amount: EUR 23 615.

—	Country group 2: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Sweden and Norway. Maximum grant amount: EUR 33 625.

—	Country group 3: France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain. Maximum grant amount: EUR 43 620.

The Union grant is a financial contribution to the beneficiary’s (and/or co-beneficiaries’) costs which must be supplemented by own financial contribution and/or local, regional, national and/or private contributions. The total Union contribution shall not exceed 70 % of the eligible costs.

Cedefop reserves the right not to award the total budget available.

3. Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, applicants should meet the following requirements:

(a)	be a public or a private organisation, with a legal status and legal personality (natural persons, i.e. individuals, are not eligible);

(b)

have their seat registered in a country where the grant is applied, i.e. in one of the following:

—	EU-27 (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden);

—	associated countries (Iceland and Norway).

4. Deadline

Applications for the framework partnership agreement and Specific Agreement for ReferNet action 2024 must be submitted at the latest by 22 September 2023.

5. Further information

The detailed specifications of the call for proposals, the application form and its annexes will be available as of 10.7.2023 on Cedefop’s website at the following address:

http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/about-cedefop/public-procurement

Applications must comply with the requirements set out in the full text of the call and be submitted using the official forms provided.

The evaluation of proposals will be based on the principles of transparency and equal treatment.

All submitted applications will be evaluated by a committee of experts against the eligibility, exclusion, selection and award criteria defined in the full text version of the call.

10.7.2023

Official Journal of the European Union

C 243/9

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.11033 – ADOBE / FIGMA)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 243/06)

On 30 June 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:

—	Adobe Inc. (‘Adobe’, United States of America),

—	Figma, Inc. (‘Figma’, United States of America).

Adobe will acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of Figma.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

The concentration has been referred to the Commission by Austria pursuant to Article 22(3) of the Merger Regulation. The referral was subsequently joined by Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are the following:

—	Adobe: global software company offering, among others, creative design software and an interactive product design tool, i.e., Adobe XD,

—	Figma: provider of a web-based collaborative tool for interactive product design, Figma Design, as well as a whiteboarding tool, FigJam.

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

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

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

M.11033 – ADOBE / FIGMA

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

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

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

10.7.2023

Official Journal of the European Union

C 243/11

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.11156 – CINVEN / AMARA)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 243/07)

On 3 July 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:

—	Cinven Capital Management (VII) General Partner Limited (‘Cinven’, Guernsey),

—	Amara S.A. (‘Amara’, Spain).

Cinven will acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of Amara.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are the following:

—	For Cinven: private equity business engaged in the provision of investment management and investment advisory services to a number of investment funds. Cinven controls a number of portfolio companies which are active in a variety of sectors across a range of jurisdictions.

—	For Amara: Spanish headquartered company, operating in seven countries through its three divisions: Renewable Energies, Electrification and Energy Transition Services, focusing its activities on decarbonization, electrification and energy efficiency and digitalization.

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

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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

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

M.11156 – CINVEN / AMARA

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

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

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

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

10.7.2023

Official Journal of the European Union

C 243/12

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.11181 – MACQUARIE / BCI / ENDEAVOUR ENERGY)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 243/08)

On 3 July 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:

—	Macquarie Group Limited (‘Macquarie’, Australia),

—	British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (‘BCI’, Canada),

—	Endeavour Energy (‘EE’, Australia).

Macquarie and BCI will acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of EE.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are the following:

—	Macquarie provides asset management and finance, banking, advisory and risk and capital solutions across debt, equity and commodities,

—	BCI is an agent of the Government of British Columbia in Canada and is active across a range of asset classes, including fixed income, public equities, private equity, infrastructure, renewable resources, real estate and commercial mortgages.

—	EE owns and operates an electricity distribution network located in New South Wales, Australia.

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

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

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

M.11181 – MACQUARIE / BCI / ENDEAVOUR ENERGY

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

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

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

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

10.7.2023

Official Journal of the European Union

C 243/14

Publication of an approved standard amendment to a 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 243/09)

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

(Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012)

‘Pomme du Limousin’

EU No: PDO-FR-0442-AM01 - 14.4.2023

PDO (X) PGI ( )

1. Name of product

‘Pomme du Limousin’

2. Member State to which the geographical area belongs

France

3. Member State authority communicating the standard amendment

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty

4. Description of the approved amendment(s)

Geographical area

The municipality of Vars-sur-Roseix has been added to the geographical area.

The date of demarcation of the geographical area and the date of the Official Geographical Code based on which the municipalities in the geographical area are listed have been updated.

The amendment affects the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Pomme du Limousin’

EU No: PDO-FR-0442-AM01 - 14.4.2023

PDO (X) PGI ( )

1. Name(s) [of PDO or PGI]

‘Pomme du Limousin’

2. Member State or Third Country

France

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1. Type of product [listed in Annex XI]

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

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

‘Pomme du Limousin’ is a fresh apple with the following characteristics:

—	it has a slightly elongated shape, with a clearly marked eye and eye cavity;

—	it has a minimum size of 65 millimetres or a minimum weight of 115 grams;

—	the flesh is white, firm, crispy, juicy and non-floury;

—	the flavour is balanced as regards sweetness and acidity.

The apples are of the Golden Delicious variety or of one of the mutants authorised for the ‘Pomme du Limousin’ designation of origin (standard characteristics similar to those of Golden Delicious), with the exception of Gala Golden.

‘Pomme du Limousin’ has a refractive index of at least 12,5 % Brix, firmness of at least 5 kilograms per square centimetre and acidity of at least 3,7 grams per litre of malic acid.

The apple falls within marketing classes ‘Extra’ and ‘1’, within the meaning of EU legislation, or marketing class 2 purely because of the degree of russeting.

‘Pomme du Limousin’ is greenish white to yellow in colour and may have a pink blush.

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

—

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

The entire production process takes place within the geographical area.

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

The apples must be stored cold in order to preserve their firmness, texture and juiciness.

The geographical area has a local expertise in storage. Storage sites:

—	manage their storage plans, drawn up on the basis of analysis of the fruit carried out at harvest, and coordinate the deliveries of fruit by producers;

—	optimise the method and the time for filling the storage rooms;

—	control oxygen levels after the fruit is cooled, the stability of the temperature, and oxygen and carbon dioxide levels as long as the fruit is being marketed.

The apples are packaged in clean containers to preserve the characteristics and quality of the fruit.

Therefore, packages may contain no more than 20 kilograms of apples, and the use of plastic or paper bags is prohibited.

The apples may no longer be released for sale under the designation of origin ‘Pomme du Limousin’ after a specified date. This is determined on the basis of the colour of the apples and varies from 1 June to 1 August of the year following the harvesting date.

Packaging must take place in the ‘Pomme du Limousin’ geographical area of origin, in view of:

—	the packaging sites’ expertise in managing stored fruit (monitoring the rooms, checking the fruit during storage);

—	the fragility of the fruit and its sensitivity to shock and rough handling;

—	special packaging facilities which limit impacts and preserve the quality of the fruit;

—	the requirement for the fruit to be traceable: the fruit is not shipped in bulk and each piece is individually labelled to enable consumers to clearly identify the product and avoid any mixing with fruit of a different origin.

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

Each apple is identified by a sticker bearing:

—	the European Union PDO logo;

—	the designation of origin ‘Pomme du Limousin’ written in characters of a size at least half that of the largest characters appearing on the label, except those used in the European Union PDO logo.

However, this requirement for the apples to be individually labelled does not apply to pre-packaged fruit.

In addition to the information to be provided by law, the labelling on individual packages must contain, on the side with the information on standards, the designation of origin ‘Pomme du Limousin’ written in characters of a size at least half that of the largest characters appearing on the label.

Besides the label, all the accompanying documents and invoices must bear the designation of origin ‘Pomme du Limousin’ and the words ‘appellation d’origine protégée’ (protected designation of origin) or ‘AOP’ (PDO).

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

Municipalities belonging to the Corrèze department:

Allassac, Arnac-Pompadour, Beyssac, Beyssenac, Chabrignac, Chameyrat, Concèze, Condat-sur-Ganaveix, Donzenac, Espartignac, Estivaux, Juillac, Lagraulière, Lascaux, Lubersac, Montgibaud, Objat, Orgnac-sur-Vézère, Perpezac-le-Noir, Sadroc, Saint-Aulaire, Saint-Bonnet-l’Enfantier, Sainte-Féréole, Saint-Germain-les-Vergnes, Saint-Julien-le-Vendômois, Saint-Martin-Sepert, Saint-Pardoux-Corbier, Saint-Pardoux-l’Ortigier, Saint-Solve, Saint-Sornin-Lavolps, Saint-Ybard, Salon-la-Tour, Ségur-le-Château, Seilhac, Troche, Uzerche, Vars-sur-Roseix, Vigeois, Vignols and Voutezac.

Municipalities belonging to the Creuse department:

Bénévent-l’Abbaye, Chauchet (Le), Grand-Bourg (Le), Marsac, Montboucher, Nouzerolles, Sardent, Saint-Agnant-de-Versillat, Sainte-Feyre, Saint-Germain-Beaupré, Saint-Julien-le-Châtel and Saint-Pierre-Chérignat.

Municipalities belonging to the Dordogne department:

Angoisse, Anlhiac, Clermont-d’Excideuil, Dussac, Excideuil, Firbeix, Génis, Jumilhac-le-Grand, Lanouaille, Payzac, Saint-Cyr-les-Champagnes, Saint-Médard-d’Excideuil, Saint-Mesmin, Saint-Paul-la-Roche, Saint-Pierre-de-Frugie, Saint-Priest-les-Fougères, Salagnac, Sarlande, Sarrazac and Savignac-Lédrier.

Municipalities belonging to the Haute-Vienne department:

Boisseuil, Bussière-Galant, Chalard (Le), Champnétery, Château-Chervix, Cognac-la-Forêt, Coussac-Bonneval, Geneytouse (La), Glandon, Glanges, Janailhac, Ladignac-le-Long, Linards, Meyze (La), Nieul, Oradour-sur-Vayres, Pensol, Roche-l’Abeille (La), Roziers-Saint-Georges, Sainte-Anne-Saint-Priest, Saint-Hilaire-la-Treille, Saint-Jean-Ligoure, Saint-Laurent-les-Églises, Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, Saint-Mathieu, Saint-Méard, Saint-Paul, Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche and Vicq-sur-Breuilh.

5. Link with the geographical area

The geographical area consists of a crystalline basement formed by the pedogenic development of metamorphic and granitic rocks, including local formations of alterites and formations on colluvial or old residual alluvial soils.

The light, deep soil has good water retention properties.

The geographical area has a humid ocean climate, with fairly abundant, albeit not excessive, rainfall (average annual rainfall of less than 1 300 mm) and temperatures that do not reach extremes (average temperature above 9 °C).

Another factor is altitude: orchards are located on well-ventilated hilltop plateaux, at an altitude generally between 350 and 450 metres.

Limousin is a region with a strong fruit-growing tradition. The Golden Delicious variety, which has been grown in Limousin since 1950, has continued to develop there. In this area, apple growing complements livestock farming and is based on traditional cultivation practices such as moderate irrigation and hand-picking.

The area also has local expertise in storage. Once harvested, the apples are stored in dedicated rooms with a controlled atmosphere, the technical and maintenance parameters of which are set every year (waterproofing, volume, number of hours of operation, etc.). Regular monitoring is carried out to check that the batches are preserved properly at all times.

‘Pomme du Limousin’ is characterised by its excellent eating qualities and its presentation: it has a slightly elongated shape, a particular colour, firm flesh, a high amount of juice, a good balance between sweetness and acidity and a long shelf life, which allows it to be marketed until 1 August.

The natural environment combined with the tree-growing tradition make the area well suited to the growing of the Golden Delicious variety and have enabled the original characteristics of the ‘Pomme du Limousin’ to be preserved.

At higher altitude, there is more sunshine than in the plains, while the highest temperatures are moderate. The combination of cold nights and hot, sunny days on the plateaux of the geographical area favours the development of a good sweetness/acidity balance and the pink skin pigmentation resulting from the anthocyanins that are characteristic of the ‘Pomme du Limousin’.

Because they are grown at higher altitude at contrasting temperatures between night and day, the apples have a more elongated shape and are firmer and juicier.

Apple growing in the Limousin draws on specific cultivation practices. Moderate irrigation, for instance, allows the fruit to develop and keep its qualities better, and makes for better flower induction the following year. In addition, harvesting is done by hand to ensure that the fruit keeps all its qualities.

The area also has local expertise in storage which is geared towards the ‘Pomme du Limousin’ variety’s long shelf life. After harvesting the fruit is cooled to the core as quickly as possible. The rooms are filled in the shortest time possible and immediately put in a controlled atmosphere to preserve the quality of the fruit.

The ‘Pomme du Limousin’ represents a dynamic sector, employing some 1 500 permanent and 2 500 seasonal workers (2016 figures).

Reference to publication of the specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-0d72390b-f4c0-4dc8-a8f6-83661bd57edc

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

		ISSN 1977-091X
Official Journal of the European Union		C 243

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 66 10 July 2023

Contents		page
	IV Notices
	NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
	European Commission
2023/C 243/01	Euro exchange rates – 7 July 2023	1
2023/C 243/02	Summary of European Commission Decisions on authorisations for the placing on the market for the use and/or for use of substances listed in Annex XIV to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) (Published pursuant to Article 64(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 ) ( 1 )	2
2023/C 243/03	Summary of European Commission Decisions on authorisations for the placing on the market for the use and/or for use of substances listed in Annex XIV to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) (Published pursuant to Article 64(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 ) ( 1 )	4

	V Announcements
	ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
	European Commission
2023/C 243/04	Calls for proposals and related activities under the European Research Council (ERC) work programme 2024 under Horizon Europe - the framework programme for research and innovation (2021-2027)	6
	European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training
2023/C 243/05	OPEN CALL FOR PROPOSALS – GP/DVQ/ReferNet_FPA/001/23 – ReferNet – Cedefop’s European Network of Expertise in Vocational Education and Training (VET)	7
	PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY
	European Commission
2023/C 243/06	Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.11033 – ADOBE / FIGMA) ( 1 )	9
2023/C 243/07	Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.11156 – CINVEN / AMARA) – Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	11
2023/C 243/08	Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.11181 – MACQUARIE / BCI / ENDEAVOUR ENERGY) – Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 )	12
	OTHER ACTS
	European Commission
2023/C 243/09	Publication of an approved standard amendment to a 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	14