ISSN 1977-091X |
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Official Journal of the European Union |
C 170 |
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English edition |
Information and Notices |
Volume 64 |
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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2021/C 170/01 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10225 — AES/Coatue/Schneider Electric/Uplight) ( 1 ) |
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2021/C 170/02 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10118 — Investindustrial/Guala Closures) ( 1 ) |
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IV Notices |
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NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
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European Commission |
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2021/C 170/03 |
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Administrative Commission for the Coordination of Social Security Systems |
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2021/C 170/04 |
Decision No H11 of 9 December 2020 regarding the postponement of deadlines mentioned in Articles 67 and 70 of Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 as well as in Decision No S9 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic ( 1 ) |
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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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2021/C 170/05 |
Notice of the impending expiry of certain anti-dumping measures |
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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
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European Commission |
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2021/C 170/06 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10246 - Hellman & Friedman/Cordis) – Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 ) |
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2021/C 170/07 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10177 — Repsol/Suez/Ecoplanta) – Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 ) |
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2021/C 170/08 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10253 — Colony Capital/Goldman Sachs/Japan JV) ( 1 ) |
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2021/C 170/09 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10254 — Apax Partners/Rodenstock) – Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 ) |
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2021/C 170/10 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10228 — Advent/Mondial Relay) – Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 ) |
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OTHER ACTS |
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European Commission |
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2021/C 170/11 |
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(1) Text with EEA relevance. |
EN |
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II Information
INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
European Commission
6.5.2021 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 170/1 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration
(Case M.10225 — AES/Coatue/Schneider Electric/Uplight)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2021/C 170/01)
On 28 April 2021, 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 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 32021M10225. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law. |
6.5.2021 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 170/2 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration
(Case M.10118 — Investindustrial/Guala Closures)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2021/C 170/02)
On 19 March 2021, 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 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 32021M10118. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law. |
IV Notices
NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
European Commission
6.5.2021 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 170/3 |
Euro exchange rates (1)
5 May 2021
(2021/C 170/03)
1 euro =
|
Currency |
Exchange rate |
USD |
US dollar |
1,2005 |
JPY |
Japanese yen |
131,20 |
DKK |
Danish krone |
7,4360 |
GBP |
Pound sterling |
0,86274 |
SEK |
Swedish krona |
10,1945 |
CHF |
Swiss franc |
1,0965 |
ISK |
Iceland króna |
150,80 |
NOK |
Norwegian krone |
9,9848 |
BGN |
Bulgarian lev |
1,9558 |
CZK |
Czech koruna |
25,825 |
HUF |
Hungarian forint |
359,65 |
PLN |
Polish zloty |
4,5778 |
RON |
Romanian leu |
4,9271 |
TRY |
Turkish lira |
10,0174 |
AUD |
Australian dollar |
1,5510 |
CAD |
Canadian dollar |
1,4731 |
HKD |
Hong Kong dollar |
9,3267 |
NZD |
New Zealand dollar |
1,6683 |
SGD |
Singapore dollar |
1,6035 |
KRW |
South Korean won |
1 350,98 |
ZAR |
South African rand |
17,3013 |
CNY |
Chinese yuan renminbi |
7,7636 |
HRK |
Croatian kuna |
7,5315 |
IDR |
Indonesian rupiah |
17 313,31 |
MYR |
Malaysian ringgit |
4,9431 |
PHP |
Philippine peso |
57,658 |
RUB |
Russian rouble |
89,7964 |
THB |
Thai baht |
37,366 |
BRL |
Brazilian real |
6,5174 |
MXN |
Mexican peso |
24,2675 |
INR |
Indian rupee |
88,6925 |
(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.
Administrative Commission for the Coordination of Social Security Systems
6.5.2021 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 170/4 |
DECISION No H11
of 9 December 2020
regarding the postponement of deadlines mentioned in Articles 67 and 70 of Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 as well as in Decision No S9 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
(Text of relevance to the EEA and to the EC/Switzerland Agreement)
(2021/C 170/04)
THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION FOR THE COORDINATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES,
Having regard to Article 72(a) of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the coordination of social security systems (1), under which the Administrative Commission is responsible for dealing with all administrative questions or questions of interpretation arising from the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2),
Having regard to Articles 35 and 65(8) of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, and to Articles 67 and 70 of Regulation (EC) No 987/2009,
Having regard to the case-law of the European Court of Justice according to which force majeure can be invoked if a non-compliance with legal obligations was attributable to circumstances beyond one’s control, which were abnormal and unforeseeable and the consequences of which could not have been avoided despite the exercise of all due diligence (cf. the judgment of the Court of Justice of 13 July 1995, C-391/93, Perrotta, EU:C:1995:240)
Whereas:
(1) |
The Member States have been affected by the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak crisis in a unique matter. The crisis hampers usual work procedures in the relevant institutions in the Member States significantly and creates an exceptional situation where the normal operation of reimbursement procedures is not possible. |
(2) |
When applying the rules on reimbursement in Articles 67 and 70 of Regulation (EC) No 987/2009, the uniqueness of the situation has to be considered. |
(3) |
In view of the fact that Member States and their competent institutions have been affected differently by the COVID-19 outbreak so far, and the further development of the outbreak is not yet predictable, it will be necessary to monitor the situation continuously. When and where necessary, this decision should be modified accordingly and additional agreements between Member States may be concluded. |
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
1. |
All deadlines for the introduction and settlement of claims mentioned in Articles 67 and 70 of Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 as well as in Decision No S9 ending between 1 February 2020 and 30 June 2021 inclusive shall be prolonged for a period of six months. |
2. |
This Decision replaces Decision No H9 of 17 June 2020 (3). |
3. |
This decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. It shall apply as from 10 December 2020. |
The Chair of the Administrative Commission
Moira KETTNER
(1) JO L 166, 30 April 2004, p. 1.
V Announcements
PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY
European Commission
6.5.2021 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 170/6 |
Notice of the impending expiry of certain anti-dumping measures
(2021/C 170/05)
1. As provided for in 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 (1), the Commission gives notice that, unless a review is initiated in accordance with the following procedure, the anti-dumping measures mentioned below will expire on the date mentioned in the table below.
2. Procedure
Union producers may lodge a written request for a review. This request must contain sufficient evidence that the expiry of the measures would be likely to result in a continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury. Should the Commission decide to review the measures concerned, importers, exporters, representatives of the exporting country and Union producers will then be provided with the opportunity to amplify, rebut or comment on the matters set out in the review request.
3. Time limit
Union producers may submit a written request for a review on the above basis, to reach the European Commission, Directorate-General for Trade (Unit G-1), CHAR 4/39, 1049 Brussels, Belgium (2) at any time from the date of the publication of the present notice but no later than three months before the date mentioned in the table below.
4. This notice is published in accordance with Article 11(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036.
Product |
Country(ies) of origin or exportation |
Measures |
Reference |
Date of expiry (3) |
Sodium gluconate |
The People’s Republic of China |
Anti-dumping duty |
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/94 of 19 January 2017 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of sodium gluconate originating in the People’s Republic of China following an expiry review pursuant to Article 11(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 16, 20. 1.2017, p. 3) |
21. 1.2022 |
(1) OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21.
(2) TRADE-Defence-Complaints@ec.europa.eu
(3) The measure expires at midnight of the day mentioned in this column.
PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY
European Commission
6.5.2021 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 170/7 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case M.10246 - Hellman & Friedman/Cordis)
Candidate case for simplified procedure
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2021/C 170/06)
1.
On 29 April 2021, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).This notification concerns the following undertakings:
— |
Hellman & Friedman LLC (USA, ‘H&F’), and |
— |
The Cordis business of Cardinal Health, Inc. (USA, ‘Cordis’), controlled by Cardinal Health, Inc. (USA, ‘Cardinal Health’). |
H&F acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of Cordis.
The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of stocks and assets.
2.
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
— |
H&F is a private equity firm with investments in a variety of sectors worldwide. |
— |
Cordis develops and supplies interventional vascular technology worldwide. |
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.Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.
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.10246 - Hellman & Friedman/Cordis
Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:
Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu
Fax +32 22964301
Postal address:
European Commission |
Directorate-General for Competition |
Merger Registry |
1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).
6.5.2021 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 170/9 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case M.10177 — Repsol/Suez/Ecoplanta)
Candidate case for simplified procedure
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2021/C 170/07)
1.
On 27 April 2021, 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:
— |
Suez Recycling and Recovery Spain, S.L., part of the Suez Group (‘Suez’, France), |
— |
Repsol Industrial Transformation, S.L., part of the Repsol Group (‘Repsol’, Spain), |
— |
Ecoplanta Molecular Recycling Solution, S.L. (‘Ecoplanta’, Spain), currently controlled by Suez. |
Suez and Repsol acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of Ecoplanta.
The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.
2.
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
— |
for Suez: water and waste management activities, |
— |
for Repsol: the manufacture and marketing of all kinds of chemical products, including petrochemicals, |
— |
for Ecoplanta: the development, construction and operation of a waste-to-biofuels/chemicals facility to transform municipal solid waste-derived feedstock into biomethanol in the province of Tarragona, Spain. |
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.Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.
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.10177 — Repsol/Suez/Ecoplanta
Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:
Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu
Fax +32 22964301
Postal address:
European Commission |
Directorate-General for Competition |
Merger Registry |
1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).
6.5.2021 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 170/10 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case M.10253 — Colony Capital/Goldman Sachs/Japan JV)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2021/C 170/08)
1.
On 29 April 2021, 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:
— |
Colony Capital, Inc. (‘Colony Capital’, USA), |
— |
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (‘Goldman Sachs’, USA), |
— |
Japan JV (Singapore). |
Colony Capital and Goldman Sachs acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the newly created joint venture Japan JV.
The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.
2.
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
— |
for Colony Capital: management of a global portfolio composed of, amongst other, investments in digital infrastructure, including macro cell towers, data centres, small cell networks and fibre networks, |
— |
for Goldman Sachs: global investment banking, securities and investment management. It provides a range of banking, securities and investment services worldwide to a substantial and diversified client base. |
— |
for Japan JV: construction, ownership and operation of green field data centres, or the acquisition of data centre assets, in Japan. |
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.Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.
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.10253 — Colony Capital/Goldman Sachs/Japan JV
Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:
Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu
Fax +32 22964301
Postal address:
European Commission |
Directorate-General for Competition |
Merger Registry |
1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).
6.5.2021 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 170/11 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case M.10254 — Apax Partners/Rodenstock)
Candidate case for simplified procedure
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2021/C 170/09)
1.
On 26 April 2021, 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:
— |
Apax Partners LLP (‘Apax’, United Kingdom); and |
— |
The Rodenstock Group (‘Rodenstock’, Germany). |
Apax acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of Rodenstock.
The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.
2.
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
— |
for Apax: provision of investment advisory services to private equity funds investing in a range of industry sectors; |
— |
for Rodenstock: manufacture and distribution of ophthalmic lenses as well as – to a limited extent – of optical frames, sunglasses, ophthalmic substrate and ophthalmic equipment. |
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.Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.
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.10254 — Apax Partners/Rodenstock
Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:
Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu
Fax +32 22964301
Postal address:
European Commission |
Directorate-General for Competition |
Merger Registry |
1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).
6.5.2021 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 170/12 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case M.10228 — Advent/Mondial Relay)
Candidate case for simplified procedure
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2021/C 170/10)
1.
On 30 April 2021, 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:
— |
Advent International Corporation (‘Advent’, USA), |
— |
Mondial Relay SAS (‘Mondial Relay’, France). |
Advent, indirectly through InPost SA, acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of Mondial Relay.
The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.
2.
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
— |
for Advent: a private equity investment fund focused on the acquisition of equity stakes and the management of interests in various sectors, including business and financial services; industrial goods and services; retail operations, branded consumer goods, and leisure services; media, telecommunications, and information technology; and healthcare services and pharmaceuticals. Through its controlled portfolio companies, Hermes UK, Hermes Germany and InPost SA, Advent is active in ‘Pick-Up & Drop-Off’ (‘PUDO’) network services and small package delivery services in the UK, Germany, Poland and Italy, respectively, and to a minor extent in cross-border deliveries, |
— |
for Mondial Relay: a company active in the provision of PUDO network services and small package delivery services in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. To a minor extent, Mondial Relay is also active in cross-border deliveries. |
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. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.
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.10228 — Advent/Mondial Relay
Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:
Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu
Fax +32 22964301
Postal address:
European Commission |
Directorate-General for Competition |
Merger Registry |
1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).
OTHER ACTS
European Commission
6.5.2021 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 170/13 |
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
(2021/C 170/11)
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 3 months of the date of this publication.
SINGLE DOCUMENT
‘Vanille de l’île de La Réunion’
EU No: PGI-FR-02447 – 3 January 2019
PDO ( ) PGI (X)
1. Name(s)
‘Vanille de l’île de La Réunion’
2. Member State or Third Country
France
3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff
3.1. Product type
Class 1.8. Other products listed in Annex I to the Treaty (spices etc.)
3.2. Description of the product to which the name in (1) applies
‘Vanille de l’île de la Réunion’ refers to the whole, processed pods, complete with their seeds, of the species Vanilla fragrans (Salisbury) Ames, syn. Vanilla planifolia Andrews, of a minimum length of 14 cm. At least 80 % of the length of the pods must be free of any surface marks or blemishes.
‘Vanille de l’île de la Réunion’ is sold exclusively in three different forms:
— |
‘Dried’ vanilla pods Whole pods only, possibly split up to a maximum length of 3 cm. The pods have a glossy sheen and are uniform in colour, which ranges from brown to dark chocolate brown. They are flexible in texture. Dried vanilla pods are malleable and can bend without breaking. Their moisture content varies between 25 % and 42 % when put on the market and their vanillin content, based on dry matter, is at least 1,8 %. |
— |
‘Fresh’ vanilla pods Whole pods only, possibly split up to a maximum length of 6 cm. Fresh vanilla pods are fleshy, glossy and uniform reddish brown in colour. The pods are stiff to the touch and cannot be bent. Their moisture content varies between 60 % and 80 % when put on the market and their vanillin content, based on dry matter, is at least 2 %. |
— |
‘Crystallised’ vanilla Whole dried or fresh vanilla pods naturally form crystals during the ageing process, designed to bring out the aromas, through the development of vanillin crystals on their surface, which can have a variety of forms: multi-faceted crystals, shaped like stars, needles or grains of granulated sugar. They are split at most over half their length. Their moisture content varies between 25 % and 42 % for dried crystallised vanilla pods and between 60 % and 80 % for fresh crystallised vanilla pods when put on the market. Their vanillin content, based on dry matter, is at least 1,8 % for dried crystallised vanilla pods and 2 % for fresh crystallised vanilla pods. |
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 following operations must take place in the geographical area:
— |
growing the green vanilla (cultivation, harvesting), |
— |
processing (‘killing’, or mortification, steaming, drying, ageing, sorting). |
3.5. Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product to which the registered name refers
Before they are put on the market, the dried, fresh and crystallised vanilla pods are packed in different types of tamper-proof, airtight sealed packaging to limit the loss of aromas and excessive drying-out.
3.6. Specific rules concerning labelling of the product to which the registered name refers
The labelling shall include the name ‘Vanille de l’île de La Réunion’ and the European Union PGI symbol in the same visual field.
The labelling must include the words ‘fresh vanilla’ where applicable, supplemented by the word ‘crystallised’ where appropriate.
4. Concise definition of the geographical area
The geographical area of ‘Vanille de l’île de La Réunion’ is demarcated according to climatic and historical criteria.
This geographical area is located in the municipalities to the East of the island of La Réunion: Bras-Panon, Saint-André, Saint-Benoît, Saint-Joseph, Saint-Philippe, Sainte-Marie, Sainte-Rose and Sainte-Suzanne.
The maximum altitude within this area is set at 700 metres in the above-mentioned municipalities.
5. Link with the geographical area
The link between ‘Vanille de l’île de la Réunion’ and the geographical area is based on the vanilla’s quality, which it owes to natural factors and the producers’ expertise, as well as on its reputation.
In general, the climate of the island of La Réunion is characterised by its mild temperatures. The island’s geographical position, close to the Tropic of Capricorn, and especially the mitigating role of the ocean and trade winds are the main reasons for this mildness.
In the eastern part of the island, known as the ‘windy coast’, rainfall is higher, with more than 3 000 mm of rainfall on average per year in the area suitable for farming. The weather conditions are therefore both mild and humid up to 700 m altitude, and form an ideal habitat for the cultivation and development of the vanilla orchid. ‘Vanille de l’île de La Réunion’ owes its characteristics to these particular climatic conditions, both at the cultivation stage, as they promote the pod’s concentration of the aromatic compound precursors (including glucovanillin, the precursor of vanillin), and during the processing phase, by encouraging the continuation of the enzymatic activity required for the formation of the aromatic bouquet, and also by enabling the slow drying of the vanilla pod, such that it develops the full aromatic potential of ‘Vanille de l’île de La Réunion’, and finally by making it possible to produce, with regard to the dry vanilla pods, a product that is supple and malleable.
The producers’ expertise also plays an important role in the characteristics of ‘Vanille de l’île de La Réunion’.
The island of La Réunion is where expertise in vanilla production originated. It was on La Réunion that the fertilisation process was discovered and the processing of the vanilla by mortification, or ‘killing’, and steaming was perfected. Although these processes are now widely known and practised, the expertise developed by the island’s producers is the guarantee of the quality of the final product. Tying the vines, more commonly known as ‘banding the vines’, allows the plant to rebuild roots and have flowers within reach so they can then be fertilised by hand. Limiting the number of flowers or pods per stem (manual thinning) encourages the formation of good-sized pods. The processing stage is designed to bring out the full taste of ‘Vanille de l’île de La Réunion’. For example, drying in the sun and then in the shade for at least 20 days and ageing in closed wooden boxes for at least 7 months is a guarantee of quality. These two steps avoid any tastes of creosote or tar that may be detected in other vanilla that has been dried too quickly and matured in vacuum bags (anaerobic fermentation). It is during the ageing stage that crystallisation may appear on the dried or fresh vanilla pods. Finally, sorting throughout the process makes it possible to obtain high-quality pods, with regard to both their health (pods with defects are removed) and the homogeneity of the batch (homogeneous drying).
The importance of vanilla to the island’s economy was such that a vanilla vine featured prominently on the La Réunion coat of arms, designed by Governor Merwart in 1925. This crest includes the motto of the East India Company: ‘florebo quocumque ferar’ (I will flower wherever I am planted).
Thanks to its quality, ‘Vanille de l’île de La Réunion’ enjoys a reputation, based primarily on its unique aromatic signature, which is the result of the plant’s perfect acclimatisation to the volcanic slopes on the East of the island and the expertise developed by the island’s producers.
‘Vanille de l’île de la Réunion’ is a vanilla pod that is chocolate brown in colour and greatly prized by major chefs and renowned pastry chefs. For about 20 years it has also come in the form of fresh vanilla with a higher moisture content. This delicate product, which has an extremely sweet taste, has thus gained popularity thanks to major Michelin-starred French chefs such as Alain Passard, Guy Martin, Pierre Hermé and Jacques Genin, who appreciate it for its high quality, whether the pods are dry or fresh. Olivier Roellinger, a major chef of great repute who is passionate about spices, recommends this vanilla. In his view, this vanilla is: ‘Indisputably the best, its scent is fine and sweet (...). Vanilla from the Île de La Réunion is characterised by its fineness and sweetness. Both its cultivation and its processing have been perfected in the French department of La Réunion. Visually, it is often the most beautiful and has been tended to with the most care. ’
Crystallised vanilla is an outstanding product. The pod’s high vanillin content causes it to crystallise on the surface, resulting in delicate, frost-like efflorescences. This is the vanilla with the most intense and subtle scent, making it a product that is highly appreciated by gourmets and top chefs alike.
Numerous articles and broadcasts pay tribute to its exceptional qualities. The TV 5 Monde programme ‘Epicerie Fine’ [Delicatessen] hosted by Guy Martin, the head chef of a Michelin-starred restaurant, recently featured ‘Vanille de l’île de la Réunion’. In that programme, Guy Martin sings the praises of this product together with famous cooks and patisserie and delicatessen chefs.
A visit to a vanilla processing plant is an unmissable tourist attraction on the island of La Réunion. Many processors organise tourist visits to their plants and shops to sell their products.
Reference to publication of the specification
(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of the Regulation)
https://extranet.inao.gouv.fr/fichier/CDC-VanilleidlReunion.pdf