Daily News 22 / 07 / 2024

Daily News 22 / 07 / 2024

La Commission publie de nouvelles lignes directrices pour plus de clarté sur les droits des passagers aériens

Aujourd'hui, la Commission européenne a publié des lignes directrices interprétatives actualisées concernant les droits des passagers aériens. Ces lignes directrices visent à améliorer le respect des réglementations et à promouvoir une application cohérente par les autorités nationales. Depuis 2016, la Commission fournit des lignes directrices pour répondre aux préoccupations communes soulevées par les organismes nationaux de contrôle, les passagers et leurs associations, ainsi que les représentants de l'industrie. L'actualisation publiée aujourd'hui tient notamment compte des arrêts rendus par la Cour de justice depuis 2016, clarifiant certaines dispositions. En outre, des lignes directrices révisées relatives aux droits des passagers handicapés et à mobilité réduite pendant les voyages aériens ont également été publiées.

Si les droits des passagers sont définis au niveau de l'UE, leur application incombe aux prestataires de services de transport et leur mise en œuvre relève des organismes nationaux. Les divergences entre les pratiques nationales peuvent être source de confusion pour les passagers, en particulier pour des voyages transfrontaliers. Il peut être difficile de trouver l'assistance appropriée.

Or, une nouvelle enquête Eurobaromètre révèle que de nombreux Européens se sentent encore mal informés sur les droits des passagers, malgré une sensibilisation accrue par rapport à il y a cinq ans.

Les lignes directrices adoptées aujourd'hui contribueront à améliorer la mise en œuvre des droits des passagers et complètent les efforts déployés par la Commission pour sensibiliser le public à cette thématique, notamment via des campagnes en ligne Your Europe ainsi qu'une application mobile dédiée aux droits des passagers.

Vous trouverez plus d'informations dans notre communiqué de presse.

(Pour plus d'information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: +32 2 295 31 56; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 298 25 04)

Commission coordinates action by national consumer protection authorities against Meta on ‘pay or consent' model

Today, the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network sent a letter following concerns that Meta's ‘pay or consent' model might breach EU consumer law. The Commission coordinated this action which is led by the French Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention. The action started in 2023, immediately after Meta had requested consumers overnight to either subscribe to use Facebook and Instagram against a fee or to consent to Meta's use of their personal data to be shown personalised ads, allowing Meta to make revenue out of it (‘pay or consent').

Consumer protection authorities assessed several elements that could constitute misleading or aggressive practices, in particular whether Meta provided consumers upfront with True, clear and sufficient information. They analysed whether this information allowed consumers to understand the implications of their decision to pay or to accept the processing of their personal data for commercial purposes on their rights as consumers. In addition, CPC authorities are concerned that many consumers might have been exposed to undue pressure to choose rapidly between the two models, fearing that they would instantly lose access to their accounts and their network of contacts.

This coordinated action by the CPC network against Meta comes on top of other ongoing EU and national procedures related to the same model.

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Christian Wigand — Tel.: + 32 2 296 22 53; Jördis Ferroli – Tel.: +32 2 299 27 29; Cristina Torres Castillo — Tel.: + 32 2 299 06 79)

The European Union becomes a fully-fledged participant of the Register of Damage for Ukraine

The Commission welcomes today's adoption by the Council of the decision to change the Union's status in the Register of Damage for Ukraine, from Associate Member to Participant. The Register of Damage serves as a record of evidence and information on claims for damages, losses or injuries caused by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. It aims to ensure full and effective reparation for Ukraine and its people. The Register was established by the Council of Europe on 12 May 2023, with the 43 States and the EU joining so far, including 26 EU Member States.

On 30 May 2024, the Commission proposed to the Council to change the Union's status to further strengthen the Union's commitment to the activities of the Register. By becoming a fully-fledged participant, the Union keeps up and strengthens its commitment to ensure that all violations of international law committed by Russia will be duly compensated. The change of status also contributes to the financial stability of the Register as the Union commits to providing a mandatory annual financial contribution.

Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, said: “Russia must pay for the damage caused by its aggression against Ukraine. The Register of Damage constitutes an important step in that direction, by securely recording evidence and information on claims for damages, losses or injury suffered by Ukrainians for future adjudication and compensation. I welcome today's decision that confirms and steps up the EU's strong support to this mechanism.”

As of April 2024, the first claims related to damage or destruction of residential property started to be registered, with an expected total of 300,000 to 600,000 claims in this category. By August, twelve additional categories of claims will be open for submission, including those from individuals most affected by the war, and claims related to the damage or destruction of Ukraine's critical infrastructure.

More information on the Register of Damage for Ukraine can be found online.

(For more information: Christian Wigand — Tel.: + 32 2 296 22 53; Jördis Ferroli – Tel.: +32 2 299 27 29)

Commission accepts commitments by Vifor to address possible anticompetitive disparagement of iron medicine

The European Commission has made commitments offered by Vifor legally binding under EU antitrust rules. The commitments address the Commission's competition concerns relating to Vifor's potential disparagement of Monofer, the closest - and potentially only – competitor of Vifor's flagship intravenous iron medicine in Europe, Ferinject.

The Commission's preliminary view is that Vifor's conduct may have restricted competition in the market for intravenous iron treatment and potentially amount to an abuse of dominant position, in breach of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU').

To address the Commission's preliminary concerns, Vifor offered certain commitments. Between 22 April and 22 May 2024, the Commission market tested those commitments and consulted all interested third parties to verify whether the commitments would remove its competition concerns. In light of the outcome of this market test, Vifor adjusted the initially proposed commitments. The Commission concluded that Vifor's final commitments would address its competition concerns over Vifor's potential disparagement of Monofer, an iron deficiency treatment marketed by Vifor's closest competitor in Europe, Pharmacosmos. It therefore decided to make them legally binding on Vifor.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “Iron deficiency is a condition affecting millions of people across Europe. Access to safe, effective, and affordable medicines is therefore essential. Vifor has committed to undo the effects of its potentially misleading communications on the safety of the closest competing medicine for intravenous iron treatment. Today's decision makes these commitments legally binding on Vifor and re-establishes a level playing field to the benefit of consumers.”

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Commission approves €105 million Dutch State aid scheme to reduce nitrogen deposition on nature conservation areas

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €105 million Dutch scheme to compensate livestock farmers for voluntarily relocating their activities from nature conservation areas in the Netherlands to another location in the Netherlands or in the rest of the EU.

The objective of the scheme is to reduce the nitrogen deposition caused by farming activities in overburdened Natura 2000 sites in the light of the conservation objectives and requirements of the Habitats Directive.

The scheme, which will run until July 2029, will be open to small and medium-sized livestock farmers in the Netherlands that voluntarily relocate their breeding activities, provided that their sites' nitrogen deposition load amounts to at least 2.500 moles of nitrogen per year.

Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants, and will cover up to 100% of the eligible costs, such as the costs directly linked to the carrying out of a feasibility study on relocation, costs for dismantling, removal, re-building, or takeover of other existing facilities, and of returning the abandoned site to the environmentally satisfactory state.

The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State Aid rules, in particular under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the 2022 Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to achieve the objective pursued, namely the sustainable and environmentally friendly development of livestock farming, while supporting the objectives of the European Green Deal. Furthermore, the Commission concluded that the scheme is proportionate, as it 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 Dutch scheme under EU State aid rules.

The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.111058 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; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Commission clears acquisition of Port of Limburg by MSC, Essers and Machiels

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Port of Limburg N.V. of Belgium by MSC Group (‘MSC') of Switzerland, Henri Essers En Zonen Internationaal Transport NV (‘Essers') and J.M. Recycling NV (‘Machiels'), both of Belgium.

The transaction relates primarily to the markets of inland container terminal services and inland transportation services.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that Port of Limburg has negligible activities in the European Economic Area, and 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.11513.

(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

La Commission autorise la création d'une entreprise commune par SSE et TotalEnergies

La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, la création d'une entreprise commune par SSE plc, basée au Royaume-Uni, et TotalEnergies Groupe, basé en France.

La transaction concerne principalement le secteur de recharge pour les véhicules électriques et des services de commodité connexes au Royaume-Uni et en Irlande.

La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence, compte tenu des activités limitées de l'entreprise commune dans l'Espace économique européen et de la position de marché limitée résultant de la transaction proposée. La transaction notifiée a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée du contrôle des concentrations.

De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d'affaire M.11406.

(Pour plus d'informations: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

La Commission autorise l'acquisition de Harvest par Montagu et TA Associates

La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint du groupe Harvest (« Harvest »), basé en France, par Montagu Private Equity LLP (« Montagu »), basée au Royaume-Uni, et TA Associates Management, L.P. (« TA Associates »), basée aux États-Unis.

La transaction concerne principalement la création et la conception de solutions numériques et de logiciels pour les professionnels de la gestion de patrimoine et de la finance.

La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence, compte tenu des positions limitées des entreprises concernées sur le marché résultant de la transaction proposée. La transaction notifiée a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée du contrôle des concentrations.

De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d'affaire M.11604.

(Pour plus d'informations: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioners Gentiloni and Urpilainen attend the G20 meetings in Rio de Janeiro

From today and until Friday, Commissioner for Economy, Paolo Gentiloni, and Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, will attend the meetings of the G20 and side events in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

On 22 and 23 July 2024, Commissioner Urpilainen will participate in the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting. She will notably highlight how Global Gateway contributes towards inequality and poverty reduction objectives. The Commissioner will participate today in the opening of the IV Brazil-European Union Forum, organised by the Euroamerica Foundation and the Commission´s Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), where she will announce the EU's contribution to the Amazon Fund together with Aloizio Mercadante, President of the Brazilian Development Bank. Additionally, Commissioner Urpilainen will meet representatives of the civil society and members of the ‘Youth Sounding Board' in Brazil, and visit a human development project run by the youth organisation ‘Associação Bem TV'. Furthermore, the Commissioner will participate in the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty Task Force Ministerial Meeting, which will take place on Wednesday.

For his part, Commissioner Gentiloni will attend on Wednesday the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting. From 25 to 26 July he will participate in the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting. The meeting will bring together finance ministers and central bank governors from the world's leading economies to discuss key global economic issues. On Thursday, 25 July, Commissioner Gentiloni will engage in discussions on the global economic outlook, financial sector issues, and international taxation cooperation. On Friday, 26 July, he will participate in sessions on financing climate goals and sustainable development, as well as reforming multilateral development banks.

Audiovisual coverage will be available on EbS.

(For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 96302; Ana Pisonero – Tel.: +32 2 295 43 20)

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