Daily News 12 / 07 / 2024
Entrée en vigueur de règles européennes plus strictes pour lutter contre la traite des êtres humains
Le 14 juillet, la directive révisée de l'UE relative à la lutte contre la traite des êtres humains entrera en vigueur, avec des règles plus strictes pour lutter contre la traite des êtres humains. Les États membres ont jusqu'au 15 juillet 2026 pour transposer ces nouvelles règles dans leur droit national. La précédente directive de l'UE relative à la lutte contre la traite des êtres humains était en vigueur depuis 2011. À la suite de l'accord politique conclu par les colégislateurs en janvier de cette année, une nouvelle étape est franchie dans la lutte contre ce crime odieux. Les formes d'exploitation ont évolué ces dernières années, la criminalité revêtant de plus en plus une dimension en ligne et diversifiant ses moyens et ses profits illicites. Le préjudice économique causé par la traite des êtres humains dans l'UE est estimé à 2,7 milliards d'euros par an.
Les règles révisées fourniront aux autorités répressives et judiciaires des outils plus solides pour enquêter sur les nouvelles formes d'exploitation et engager des poursuites en la matière, y compris concernant celles qui ont lieu en ligne. Par exemple, le droit national devra qualifier de traite l'exploitation de la gestation pour autrui, du mariage forcé et de l'adoption illégale. L'utilisation en connaissance de cause des services fournis par les victimes de la traite des êtres humains deviendra une infraction pénale. La traite des êtres humains commise ou facilitée au moyen des technologies de l'information et de la communication, y compris l'internet et les médias sociaux, deviendra une circonstance aggravante lorsqu'elle est liée à l'exploitation sexuelle. Il en résultera des sanctions plus élevées.
En outre, les règles révisées garantiront que tous les pays de l'UE unissent leurs forces et s'attaquent de manière harmonisée aux problèmes émergents. Les États membres devront désigner des coordinateurs nationaux de la lutte contre la traite des êtres humains et mettre régulièrement à jour leurs plans d'action nationaux, renforçant ainsi le rôle du réseau européen de coordinateurs nationaux et de rapporteurs sur la traite des êtres humains. Les États membres devront également partager chaque année des données sur la traite des êtres humains par l'intermédiaire d'Eurostat.
Pour de plus amples informations sur les actions de l'UE en matière de lutte contre la traite des êtres humains, voir également notre campagne de sensibilisation.
(Pour plus d'informations : Christian Wigand Tél. : + 32 229-62253, Fiorella Boigner — Tél. : + 32 2 299 37 34)
Commission invests €126.9 million into 26 new projects to protect and restore health of our ocean and water by 2030
The Commission is announcing today a €126.9 million investment in 26 new projects contributing to the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters'. The projects gather 346 beneficiaries from 35 countries (26 Member States and 9 associated countries), including small and medium businesses, research institutions, local authorities, higher or secondary education establishments. Actions will take place from the Baltic and North Sea, through the Danube River and Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and across to the Atlantic.
Through Horizon Europe calls, this Mission Ocean investment is supporting European communities dependent on healthy ocean and waters by helping them become resilient, climate-neutral and future-proof. The projects will deliver a wide variety of benefits to local communities: for example, better management of sediments in the Danube, protection and restoration of natural lake ecosystems as well as biodiversity in the Atlantic and the Arctic sea basins, or improvement of energy efficiency of small-scale fishing fleets.
Today's projects were selected following calls for proposals launched in 2023, including a peer evaluation by independent experts. The projects will be managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and the Research Executive Agency (REA).
You can find more information online and in the overview of the projects.
(For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: + 32 2 295 31 56; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)
La Commission approuve la nouvelle indication géographique «Lappländsk Fjällröding» de Suède
La Commission a approuvé l'addition du poisson « Lappländsk Fjällröding » de Suède dans le registre des Indications Géographiques Protégées (IGP).
L'indication protégée « Lappländsk Fjällröding » («omble chevalier de Laponie») désigne des poissons d'élevage entiers ou en filets de l'espèce omble chevalier, issus de la population naturellement présente dans le lac Hornavan, en Suède. Le « Lappländsk Fjällröding » a une chair élastique et ferme, avec des fibres musculaires fines, qui offre une agréable résistance à la mastication. Elle a une saveur riche, avec des nuances d'œufs de poisson et d'umami. Les caractéristiques particulières du « Lappländsk Fjällröding » dépendent de l'expérience et des connaissances du personnel chargé de l'élevage, depuis la sélection des donneurs d'œufs et de laitance jusqu'au produit fini rincé. L'élevage a lieu dans des eaux courantes froides et pures, dans des conditions permettant à l'omble chevalier de conserver aussi longtemps que possible son comportement naturel. Ce travail exige de l'éleveur une bonne connaissance du comportement naturel et des conditions de vie de l'omble chevalier.
Cette nouvelle appellation va rejoindre la liste des 3 616 produits déjà protégés, disponible dans la database eAmbrosia. Pour plus d'informations, voir aussi les pages sur la politique de qualité et GIView
(Pour plus d'informations : Olof Gill – Tél. : +32 2 296 59 66 ; Thérèse Lerebours – Tél. : +32 2 296 33 03)
Commission sends preliminary findings to X for breach of the Digital Services Act
Today, the Commission has informed X of its preliminary view that it is in breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA) in areas linked to dark patterns, advertising transparency and data access for researchers.
Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy, Margrethe Vestager, said: “Today we issue for the first time preliminary findings under the Digital Services Act. In our view, X does not comply with the DSA in key transparency areas, by using dark patterns and thus misleading users, by failing to provide an adequate ad repository, and by blocking access to data for researchers. The DSA has transparency at its very core, and we are determined to ensure that all platforms, including X, comply with EU legislation.”
Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, said: "Back in the day, BlueChecks used to mean trustworthy sources of information. Now with X, our preliminary view is that they deceive users and infringe the DSA. We also consider that X's ads repository and conditions for data access by researchers are not in line with the DSA transparency requirements. X has now the right of defence — but if our view is confirmed we will impose fines and require significant changes."
If the Commission's preliminary views were to be ultimately confirmed, the Commission would adopt a non-compliance decision finding that X is in breach of Articles 25, 39 and 40(12) of the DSA. Such a decision could entail fines of up to 6% of the total worldwide annual turnover of the provider, and order the provider to take measures to address the breach.
You can find more information in our press release.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier — Tel.: + 32 2 299 10 99; Patricia Poropat — Tel.: +32 2 298 04 85)
Commission approves €122 million Lithuanian State aid measure to support AB Achema decarbonise its fertiliser production
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €122 million Lithuanian measure to support AB Achema in decarbonising its fertiliser production processes. The measure will contribute to the achievement of the EU Hydrogen Strategy, the European Green Deal and the Green Deal Industrial Plan targets, while helping to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels in line with the REPowerEU Plan.
Lithuania notified to the Commission a €122 million measure to support AB Achema's project aimed at replacing fossil-based hydrogen by renewable and low-carbon hydrogen in its fertiliser production processes. The measure will be made available through the Just Transition Fund.
The aid will take form of a direct grant to support the installation a 171 MW alkaline electrolyser at AB Achema's production site in the Kaunas region of Lithuania. Currently, AB Achema uses natural gas-based hydrogen to produce ammonia, a key input in the production of fertilisers. The electrolyser will produce renewable and low-carbon hydrogen that will be used to produce ammonia. The hydrogen produced by the electrolyser will replace 30% of the hydrogen currently produced from natural gas, thereby reducing carbon dioxide (‘CO2') emissions and demand for natural gas. The electrolyser is envisaged to start operating in 2026. Once completed, the project is expected to avoid the release of at least 5.8 million tonnes of CO2 over the 19 years of expected operation of the electrolyser.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “This €122 million measure enables Lithuania to help AB Achema step up its renewable and low-carbon hydrogen capacities. This will contribute to the greening of the fertilisers value chain, in line with the EU's target of climate neutrality by 2050. At the same time, the measure ensures that any potential competition distortions are kept to the minimum.”
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission approves €194 million Polish investment aid under the Recovery and Resilience Facility to support construction of terminal in Gdańsk seaport
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a Polish support measure of approximately €194 million (PLN 900.45 million) for the construction of an offshore wind terminal in the seaport of Gdańsk. The new terminal will serve as installation terminal to build offshore wind farms.
The beneficiary of the measure is Istrana Sp. z o.o. ('Istrana') which will build the terminal. The aid will take the form of a direct grant and will be funded through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (‘RRF').
The planned investment meets Poland's strategy for the development of offshore wind farms of a total installed capacity of 11 GW by 2040 (5.9 GW should be built by 2030). The new terminal will handle the installation of the main components for offshore windfarms with a capacity of maximum 5 GW.
The total investment cost of the project is €253 million (PLN 1,178 million) out of which the state support will be €194 million (PLN 900,45 million). The remaining part will be financed by the beneficiary's own funds.
The terminal is expected to be operational in 2026 and will be operated under a lease between Istrana and the port authority ZMPG until 2055.
The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions. The Commission found that the measure is necessary and appropriate to achieve the objective pursued, namely the development of offshore wind projects, which bring economic, environmental, social and energy security benefits. The new terminal is also expected to make a significant contribution to the region in terms of job creation, in segments directly or indirectly related to the wind farm industry. Furthermore, the Commission found that the measure is proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and will have a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States.
On this basis, the Commission approved the Polish measure under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under number SA.106975 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission approves €142 million Bulgarian State aid scheme to support energy sector
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €142 million (BGN 278 million) Bulgarian scheme to support the energy sector.
The scheme aims to alleviate part of the costs for companies that stored natural gas at the Chiren underground gas facility to help Bulgaria reach its 80% filling targets before the start of the heating season in November 2022 in accordance with the Gas Security of Supply Regulation 2017/1938.
The aid will take the form of direct grants to natural gas suppliers. The aid will compensate part of their losses stemming from storing high-priced gas in summer 2022 to meet Bulgaria's filling obligations, and then selling it at lower prices from November 2022 to April 2024. The aid is capped at €76.7/MWh (150 BGN/MWh), and only half of the stored gas can be taken into account in calculating the final aid amount. The scheme will run until 31 December 2024.
The Commission assessed the scheme under Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows Member States to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy, and in particular point (43) of the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework on measures incentivising the filling of gas storage facilities. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to increase security of gas supply and remedy a serious disturbance in the economy. Moreover, the Commission found that the scheme is proportionate as the aid is limited to the minimum necessary and will have a limited impact on competition and trade in the EU. On this basis, the Commission approved the Bulgarian scheme under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under case number SA.112301 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission approves €400 million Italian State aid scheme to support decarbonisation of industrial processes to foster the transition to a net-zero economy
The European Commission has approved a €400 million Italian scheme to support investments in the decarbonisation of industrial production processes to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (‘TCTF'), adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023 and on 2 May 2024.
The purpose of the scheme is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from production processes by at least 40% and/or reduce energy consumption by at least 20%, compared to today. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants and subsidised loans. The measure will be open to (i) investments enabling the substitution of fossil fuels by using renewable hydrogen or renewable hydrogen-derived fuels or through the electrification of industrial processes; and (ii) investments leading to significant energy efficiency improvements.
The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the TCTF. In particular, the aid will not exceed €200 million per beneficiary and be granted no later than 31 December 2025. Furthermore, the aid will be subject to conditions to limit undue distortions of competition. For example, the scheme includes a claw-back mechanism to address windfall profits and beneficiaries will not be able to increase their production capacity beyond 2%.
The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the green transition and facilitate the development of certain economic activities, which are of importance to implement the REPower EU Plan and the Green Deal Industrial Plan, in line with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the conditions set out in the TCTF. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules.
More information on the TCTF can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.109439 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission approves €200 million Finnish State aid scheme to support renewable fuels and energy storage to foster the transition to a net-zero economy
The European Commission has approved a €200 million Finnish scheme to support the production of renewable fuels of non-biological origin and the deployment of energy storage to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (‘TCTF'), adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023 and on 2 May 2024.
The scheme will be partially funded through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (‘RRF') following the Commission's positive assessment of Finland's Recovery and Resilience Plan and its adoption by the Council.
The purpose of the scheme is to accelerate investments in the production of renewable fuels of non-biological origin and in the deployment of energy storage facilities, with a view to support the clean energy transition and reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels. Under the scheme, the aid will take form of direct grants. The measure will be open to all sectors except the financial sector. The aid intensity will not exceed 45% of the investment costs of the projects.
The Commission found that the Finnish measure is in line with the conditions set out in the TCTF. In particular, the aid (i) is granted on the basis of a scheme with an estimated capacity volume and budget; (ii) is administratively set by the Member State based on data on the investment costs of each supported project; and (iii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2025.
The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the green transition and facilitate the development of certain economic activities, which are of importance to implement the REPower EU Plan and the Green Deal Industrial Plan, in line with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the conditions set out in the TCTF. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules.
More information on the TCTF can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.113693 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission clears acquisition of Gartner Transport Holding by Richard Gartner and CE
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Gartner Transport Holding GmbH by Richard Garther, both of Austria, and CE - Beteiligungs-GmbH (‘CE') of Germany.
The transaction relates primarily to the provision of logistics services.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11506.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission clears acquisition of real estate assets by PLD and NBIM
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of the Sehnde Asset and the Rosstal Asset (‘real estate assests'), located in Germany, by Prologis, L.P. (‘PLD') of the US and NBIM Nerva S. à r.l. (‘NBIM') of Norway.
The transaction relates primarily to the real estate sector.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11561.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission clears acquisition of Nexeye by KKR
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole of Nexeye Holding B.V. of the Netherlands by KKR & Co. Inc. of the US.
The transaction relates primarily to the retail of optical and hearing aid products in the European Economic Area.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11576.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Calendar - Commissioners' weekly activities
Liste des points prévus à l'ordre du jour des prochaines réunions de la Commission
Veuillez noter que ces informations sont données sous réserve de modifications.
Prochains événements de la Commission européenne
Eurostat: communiqués de presse
| Zařazeno | pá 12.07.2024 12:07:00 |
|---|---|
| Zdroj | Evropská komise en |
| Originál | ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/documents?reference=MEX/24/3762&language=en |
| lang | en |
| guid | /MEX/24/3762/ |
