### open innovation is an important lever for the creation of new knowledge and underpins the emergence of new and innovative business models based on the use of co - created knowledge . trade secrets have an important role in protecting the exchange of knowledge between businesses within and across the borders of the internal market in the context of research and development and innovation . collaborative research , including cross - border cooperation , is particularly important to increase the levels of business research and development within the internal market . open innovation is a catalyst for new ideas to find their way to the market meeting the needs of consumers and tackling societal challenges . in an internal market where barriers to such cross - border collaboration are minimised and where cooperation is not distorted , intellectual creation and innovation should encourage investment in innovative processes , services and products . such an environment conducive to intellectual creation and innovation is also important for employment growth and improving competitiveness of the union economy . trade secrets are amongst the most used form of protection of intellectual creation and innovative know - how by businesses , yet they are at the same time the least protected by the existing union legal framework against their unlawful acquisition , use or disclosure by third parties . ### open innovation is an important lever for the creation of new knowledge and underpins the emergence of new and innovative business models based on the use of co - created knowledge . trade secrets have an important role in protecting the exchange of knowledge between businesses within and across the borders of the internal market . collaborative research , including cross - border cooperation , is particularly important to increase the levels of business research and development within the internal market . open innovation is a catalyst for new ideas to find their way to the market . in an internal market where barriers to such cross - border collaboration are minimised , intellectual creation and innovation should encourage investment in innovative processes , services and products . such an environment conducive to intellectual creation and innovation is also important for employment growth and improving competitiveness of the union economy . trade secrets are amongst the most used form of protection of intellectual creation and innovative know - how by businesses , yet they are at the same time the least protected by the existing union legal framework against their unlawful acquisition , use or disclosure by third parties .


### unlawful acquisition of a trade secret by a third party could have devastating effects on its legitimate holder since once publicly disclosed it would be impossible for that holder to revert to the situation prior to the loss of the trade secret . as a result , it is essential to provide for fast and accessible interim measures for the immediate termination of the unlawful acquisition , use or disclosure of a trade secret . such relief must be available without having to await a decision on the substance of the case , with due respect for the rights of defence and the principle of proportionality having regard to the characteristics of the case in question . guarantees of a level sufficient to cover the costs and the injury caused to the respondent by an unjustified request may also be required , particularly where any delay would cause irreparable harm to the legitimate holder of a trade secret . ### unlawful acquisition of a trade secret by a third party could have devastating effects on its legitimate holder since once publicly disclosed it would be impossible for that holder to revert to the situation prior to the loss of the trade secret . as a result , it is essential to provide for fast and accessible interim measures for the immediate termination of the unlawful acquisition , use or disclosure of a trade secret . such relief must be available without having to await a decision on the substance of the case , with due respect for the rights of defence and the principle of proportionality having regard to the characteristics of the case in question . guarantees of a level sufficient to cover the costs and the injury caused to the respondent by an unjustified request may also be required , particularly where any delay would cause irreparable harm to the legitimate holder of a trade secret . in this connection , account should also be taken , in particular , of whether and , if so , to what extent enforceability in the courts ought to be subject to time limits .


### holders of copyright and related rights other than broadcasting organisations may exercise their rights to grant or refuse the authorisation for a retransmission only through a collective management organisation . ### holders of copyright and related rights other than broadcasting organisations may exercise their rights to grant or refuse the authorisation for a retransmission through a collective management organisation or through any other means they deem appropriate , in&#160 ; keeping with the principle of contractual freedom .


### where more than one collective management organisation manages rights of that category for the territory of that member state , the right holder shall be free to choose which of those collective management organisations is deemed to be mandated to manage his or her right . if in such a situation the right holder does not choose the collective management organisation , it shall be for the member state for whose territory the operator of the retransmission service seeks to clear rights for a retransmission to indicate which of the collective management organisations is deemed to be mandated to manage the right of that right holder . ### where more than one collective management organisation manages rights of that category for the territory of that member state , the right holder shall be free to choose which of those collective management organisations is deemed to be mandated to manage his or her right .


### a number of barriers hinder the provision of online services which are ancillary to broadcasts and the provision of retransmission services and thereby the free circulation of television and radio programmes within the union . broadcasting organisations transmit daily many hours of news , cultural , political , documentary or entertainment programmes . these programmes incorporate a variety of content such as audiovisual , musical , literary or graphic works , which is protected by copyright and / or related rights under union law . that results in a complex process to clear rights from a multitude of right holders and for different categories of works and other protected subject matter . often the rights need to be cleared in a short time - frame , in particular when preparing programmes such as news or current affairs . in order to make their online services available across borders , broadcasting organisations need to have the required rights to works and other protected subject matter for all the relevant territories which further increases the complexity of the rights ' clearance . ### broadcasting organisations transmit daily many hours of news and current affairs programmes . these programmes incorporate a variety of content such as audiovisual , musical , literary or graphic works , which is protected by copyright and / or related rights under union law . that results in a complex process to clear rights from a multitude of right holders and for different categories of works and other protected subject matter . often the rights need to be cleared in a short time - frame , in particular when preparing programmes such as news or current affairs . in order to make their online services available across borders , broadcasting organisations need to have the required rights to works and other protected subject matter for all the relevant territories which further increases the complexity of the rights ' clearance .


### operators of retransmission services offered on satellite , digital terrestrial , closed circuit ip - based , mobile and similar networks , provide services which are equivalent to those provided by operators of cable retransmission services when they retransmit simultaneously , in an unaltered and unabridged manner , for reception by the public , an initial transmission from another member state of television or radio programmes , where this initial transmission is by wire or over the air , including by satellite but excluding online transmissions , and intended for reception by the public . they should therefore be within the scope of this regulation and benefit from the mechanism introducing mandatory collective management of rights . retransmission services which are offered on the open internet should be excluded from the scope of this regulation as those services have different characteristics . they are not linked to any particular infrastructure and their ability to ensure a controlled environment is limited when compared for example to cable or closed circuit ip - based networks . ### in view of the principle of contractual freedom , and although the collective management model might be encouraged , it would be recommendable not to implement new legislation pertaining to rights clearance procedures for secondary retransmissions of programmes by operators of packages of television and radio channels by means of iptv or other closed electronic communication networks . moreover , no changes of a legal nature should be made at this stage in respect of retransmission services offered on the open internet .


### where more than one collective management organisation manages rights of that category for the territory of that member state , the right holder shall be free to choose which of those collective management organisations is deemed to be mandated to manage his or her right . if in such a situation the right holder does not choose the collective management organisation , it shall be for the member state for whose territory the operator of the retransmission service seeks to clear rights for a retransmission to indicate which of the collective management organisations is deemed to be mandated to manage the right of that right holder . ### where more than one collective management organisation manages rights of that category for the territory of that member state , the right holder shall be free to choose , if he or she so wishes , the collective management organisation that is deemed to be mandated to manage his or her right .


### therefore , cross - border provision of online services ancillary to broadcast and retransmissions of television and radio programmes originating in other member states should be facilitated by adapting the legal framework on the exercise of copyright and related rights relevant for those activities . ### bearing in mind the importance of the principle of territoriality for the financing of cultural and creative content , and in particular of audiovisual works , the provisions of directive 93 / 83 / eec on cross - border satellite broadcasting and retransmission by cable should not be extended to on - line services ancillary to broadcasting and retransmission .


### this regulation respects fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in the charter of fundamental rights of the european union . whilst there may be an interference with the exercise of the rights of right holders insofar as mandatory collective management is required for the exercise of the right of communication to the public with regard to retransmission services , it is necessary to prescribe such a condition in a targeted manner for specific services and in order to allow more widespread cross - border dissemination of television and radio programmes by facilitating the clearance of these rights . ### this regulation respects fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in the charter of fundamental rights of the european union . hence , in light of the principle of contractual freedom , collective management for the exercise of the right of communication to the public with regard to retransmission services is voluntary .


### in order to contribute to the functioning of the internal market , it is necessary to provide for wider dissemination of television and radio programmes originating in other member states for the benefit of users across the union by facilitating licensing of copyright and related rights in works and other protected subject - matter contained in broadcasts of such programmes . indeed , television and radio programmes are important means of promoting cultural and linguistic diversity , social cohesion and access to information . ### in order to contribute to the functioning of the internal market , to move towards a fully - fledged digital single market , to promote cultural and linguistic diversity , social cohesion and to increase access to information and content , it is necessary to provide for wider dissemination of television and radio programmes originating in other member states , for the benefit of users and businesses across the union by facilitating licensing of copyright and related rights in works and other protected subject - matter contained in broadcasts of such programmes .


### in order to contribute to the functioning of the internal market , it is necessary to provide for wider dissemination of television and radio programmes originating in other member states for the benefit of users across the union by facilitating licensing of copyright and related rights in works and other protected subject - matter contained in broadcasts of such programmes . indeed , television and radio programmes are important means of promoting cultural and linguistic diversity , social cohesion and access to information . ### in order to continue to support the european cultural and creative industries , it is necessary to embed the principle of territoriality , including for television and radio programmes originating in other member states , for the benefit of enterprises but also of users , by enshrining the principle of copyright and related rights in works and other protected subject - matter contained in broadcasts of such programmes . indeed , television and radio programmes are important means of promoting cultural and linguistic diversity , social cohesion and access to information , and it is therefore vital to ensure that schemes for the financing of audiovisual works are not jeopardised .


### a review of the regulation should be undertaken after the regulation has been in force for a period of time , in order to assess , among others , to what extent the cross - border provision of ancillary online services has increased to the benefit of european consumers and hence also to the benefit of improved cultural diversity in the union . ### a review of the regulation should be undertaken after the regulation has been in force for a period of time , in order to assess , among other things , to what extent it helps protect copyright holders and the principle of territoriality , which underpins the financing of cultural creation and is therefore highly symbolic in terms of preserving cultural diversity in europe .


### this regulation respects fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in the charter of fundamental rights of the european union . whilst there may be an interference with the exercise of the rights of right holders insofar as mandatory collective management is required for the exercise of the right of communication to the public with regard to retransmission services , it is necessary to prescribe such a condition in a targeted manner for specific services and in order to allow more widespread cross - border dissemination of television and radio programmes by facilitating the clearance of these rights . ### this regulation respects fundamental rights , particularly the principle of contractual freedom . accordingly , mandatory collective management for the exercise of the right of communication to the public with regard to retransmission services should be ruled out , as it might additionally impact on the exercising of the rights of right holders .


### operators of retransmission services , that normally offer multiple programmes which use a multitude of works and other protected subject matter included in the retransmitted television and radio programmes , have a very short time - frame for obtaining the necessary licences and hence also face a significant rights clearing burden . there is also a risk for right holders of having their works and other protected subject matter exploited without authorisation or payment of remuneration . ### operators of retransmission services that normally offer multiple programmes which use a multitude of works and other protected subject matter included in the retransmitted television and radio programmes , have the possibility of obtaining the necessary licences , which is a facet of contractual freedom and guarantees right holders the remuneration they need for their livelihoods and to continue to offer a wide variety of content , which is necessary in order to preserve cultural diversity in europe .


### a number of barriers hinder the provision of online services which are ancillary to broadcasts and the provision of retransmission services and thereby the free circulation of television and radio programmes within the union . broadcasting organisations transmit daily many hours of news , cultural , political , documentary or entertainment programmes . these programmes incorporate a variety of content such as audiovisual , musical , literary or graphic works , which is protected by copyright and / or related rights under union law . that results in a complex process to clear rights from a multitude of right holders and for different categories of works and other protected subject matter . often the rights need to be cleared in a short time - frame , in particular when preparing programmes such as news or current affairs . in order to make their online services available across borders , broadcasting organisations need to have the required rights to works and other protected subject matter for all the relevant territories which further increases the complexity of the rights ' clearance . ### broadcasting organisations transmit daily many hours of news , cultural , political , documentary or entertainment programmes . these programmes incorporate a variety of content such as audiovisual , musical , literary or graphic works , which is protected by copyright and / or related rights under national bodies of law and union law . territorially based sales of rights and exclusivity clauses play a major role in the financing and distribution of this content . this investment is particularly relevant in the case of the cross - border distribution of content across the union , as was pointed out by the european audiovisual observatory in its study on territoriality in 2015 , because the union market is heterogeneous and very fragmented – owing to differences in the language , culture and tastes of the public – and , therefore , obliges broadcasting organisations to adapt to national circumstances .


### support the design and delivery of short - term trainings and courses for entrepreneurs , small business leaders and the workforce ; ### support the design and delivery of short - term trainings and courses for those entrepreneurs , small business leaders and the workforce who have all been assessed trustworthy for handling data of such sensitive nature ;


### where applicable , a balanced geographical distribution across the union , including the outermost regions ; ### where applicable , a balanced geographical distribution across the european union ;


### at the end of the implementation of the programme , but no later than four years after the end of the period specified in article [ 1 ] , a final evaluation of the programme shall be carried out by the commission . ### at the end of the implementation of the programme , but no later than two years after the end of the period specified in article [ 1 ] , a final evaluation of the programme shall be carried out by the commission .


### at the request of a member state or on the commission’s initiative , the commission shall take a formal decision to initiate an investigation within a reasonable period of time . where the commission decides to initiate an investigation , it shall publish a notice in the official journal of the european union announcing the investigation . the notice shall provide a summary of the information received and state that any relevant information should be sent to the commission . it shall specify the period , which shall not exceed four months from the date of publication of the notice , within which interested parties may make their views known in writing . ### at the request of a member state or on the commission’s initiative , the commission shall take a formal decision to initiate an investigation within a reasonable period of time . where the commission decides to initiate an investigation , it shall publish a notice in the official journal of the european union announcing the investigation . the notice shall provide a summary of the information received and state that any relevant information should be sent to the commission . it shall specify the period , which shall not exceed two months from the date of publication of the notice , within which interested parties may make their views known in writing .


### ' genuine farmers ' shall be defined in a way to ensure that no support is granted to those whose agricultural activity forms only an insignificant part of their overall economic activities or whose principal business activity is not agricultural , while not precluding from support pluri - active farmers . the definition shall allow to determine which farmers are not considered genuine farmers , based on conditions such as income tests , labour inputs on the farm , company object and / or inclusion in registers . ### ' genuine farmers ' - member states may define ' genuine farmers ' in a way to ensure that no assistance is granted to those whose agricultural activity forms only an insignificant part of their economic activities or whose principal business activity is not agricultural , that is to say pluri - active farmers . the definition shall allow to determine which farmers are not considered genuine farmers .


### member states shall reduce the amount of direct payments to be granted to a farmer pursuant to this chapter for a given calendar year exceeding eur 60 000 as follows : ### member states may reduce the amount of basic income support for sustainability to be granted to a farmer pursuant to this chapter for a given calendar year exceeding the financial ceiling specified by the member state .


### support viable farm income and resilience across the union to enhance food security ; ### support viable farm income and resilience across the union to enhance long - term food security ;


### to calculate the amounts referred to in points a ) and b ) , member states shall use the average standard salaries linked to an agricultural activity at national or regional level multiplied by the number of annual work units declared by the farmer concerned . ### to calculate the amounts referred to in points a ) and b ) , member states shall use the real labour cost and salaries linked to an agricultural or related activity at national or regional level multiplied by the number of annual work units declared by the farmer concerned .


### as part of their obligations to contribute to the specific objective ' attract young farmers and facilitate business development in rural areas ' set out in point of article 6 and to dedicate at least 2% of their allocations for direct payments to this objective in accordance with article 86 , member states may provide a complementary income support for young farmers who have newly set up for the first time and who are entitled to a payment under the basic income support as referred to in article 17 . ### as part of their obligations to contribute to the specific objective ' attract and retain young and new farmers and facilitate business development in rural areas ' set out in point of article 6 and to dedicate at least 2% of their allocations for direct payments to this objective in accordance with article 86 , member states may provide a complementary income support for young farmers who have newly set up for the first time and who are entitled to a payment under the basic income support as referred to in article 17 .


### investments in basic services in rural areas ; ### investments in basic public and private services in rural areas ;


### 70% of the eligible public expenditure in the outermost regions and in the smaller aegean islands within the meaning of regulation no 229 / 2013 ; ### 85% of the eligible public expenditure in the outermost regions and in the smaller aegean islands within the meaning of regulation no 229 / 2013 ;


### attract young farmers and facilitate business development in rural areas ; ### attract young and new farmers and facilitate business development in rural areas ;


### member states shall reduce the amount of direct payments to be granted to a farmer pursuant to this chapter for a given calendar year exceeding eur 60 000 as follows : ### member states may reduce the amount of basic income support for sustainability to be granted to a farmer pursuant to this chapter for a given calendar year where it exceeds a funding ceiling set by the member state .


### in view of the concerns related to administrative burden under shared management , simplification should also be subject to a specific attention in the cap strategic plan . ### in view of the concerns related to administrative burden under shared management , simplification , both at union and member state level , should also be subject to a specific attention in the cap strategic plan . the european union must assist the member states in order to spare them a disproportionate administrative burden .


### since the cap needs to sharpen its responses to the challenges and opportunities as they manifest themselves at union , international , national , regional , local and farm levels , it is necessary to streamline the governance of the cap and improve its delivery on the union objectives and to significantly decrease the administrative burden . in the cap based on delivery of performance , the union should set the basic policy parameters , such as objectives of the cap and basic requirements , while member states should bear greater responsibility as to how they meet the objectives and achieve targets . enhanced subsidiarity makes it possible to better take into account local conditions and needs , tailoring the support to maximise the contribution to union objectives . ### since the cap needs to sharpen its responses to growing challenges and opportunities as they manifest themselves at union , international , national , regional , rural , local and farm levels , it is necessary to improve the governance of the cap and improve its delivery on the union objectives and to significantly decrease the administrative burden . in the cap based on delivery of performance , the union should set common policy parameters to respond to the identified challenges , such as objectives of the cap including rural development , while member states should bear greater responsibility as to how they meet the objectives and achieve common eu and national targets . enhanced subsidiarity makes it possible to better take into account local conditions and needs , tailoring the support to maximise the contribution to union objectives .


### where a trader blocks or limits access of customers to an online interface or redirects customers to a different version of the online interface in compliance with paragraph 4 , the trader shall provide a clear justification . that justification shall be given in the language of the online interface that the customer originally sought to access . ### where a trader blocks or limits access of customers to an online interface or redirects customers to a different version of the online interface in compliance with paragraph 3 , the trader shall provide a clear justification . the justification to be provided to the consumer shall be given in the language of the online interface that the customer originally sought to access .


### in order to realise the objective of ensuring good functioning of the internal market , as an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of inter alia goods and services is ensured , it is not sufficient to abolish , as between member states , only state barriers . such abolition can be undermined by private parties putting in place obstacles inconsistent with internal market freedoms . that occurs where traders operating in one member state block or limit the access to their online interfaces , such as websites and apps , of customers from other member states wishing to engage in cross - border commercial transactions . they also occur through other actions by certain traders involving the application of different general conditions of access to their goods and services with respect to such customers from other member states , both online and offline . whereas there may sometimes be objective justifications for such differential treatment , in other cases traders deny consumers wishing to engage in cross - border commercial transactions access to goods or services , or apply different conditions in this regard , for purely commercial reasons . ### in order to realise the objective of ensuring good functioning of the internal market , as an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of , inter alia , goods and services is ensured , it is not just barriers between member states that should be abolished . however , article 18 tfeu makes prohibiting discrimination on grounds of nationality a requirement solely for the member states and their bodies ; such a requirement should not apply to private parties , in the light of the freedom to choose an occupation and the freedom to conduct a business , which are enshrined in the charter of fundamental rights of the european union . furthermore , sometimes the differential treatment on grounds of nationality applied by traders in cross - border commercial transactions can be justified by objective factors .


### in this manner certain traders artificially segment the internal market along internal frontiers and hamper the free movement of goods and services , thus restricting the rights of customers and preventing them from benefitting from a wider choice and optimal conditions . such discriminatory practices are an important factor contributing to the relatively low level of cross - border commercial transactions within the union , including in the sector of electronic commerce , which prevents the full growth potential of the internal market from being realised . clarifying in which situations there can be no justification for differential treatment of this kind should bring clarity and legal certainty for all participants in cross - border transactions and should ensure that rules on non - discrimination can be effectively applied and enforced across the internal market . ### clarifying the circumstances in which differential treatment of this kind cannot be applied should bring clarity and legal certainty for all participants in cross - border transactions and should ensure that rules on non - discrimination can be effectively applied and enforced across the internal market . it is necessary to avert a situation in which enterprises have to adjust their logistical systems and to deal with all guarantee cases and cases of withdrawal from cross‐border contracts , since this would reduce the number of traders from among smes and have a counter - productive effect on commercial transactions within the union , and particularly in the e - commerce sector , thus preventing the full growth potential of the internal market from being realised .


### traders shall not apply different general conditions of access to their goods or services , for reasons related to the nationality , place of residence or place of establishment of the customer , in the following situations : ### traders may apply equal general conditions of access to their goods or services in the following situations :


### in a number of specific situations , any differences in the treatment of customers through the application of general conditions of access , including outright refusals to sell goods or to provide services , for reasons related to the customers’ nationality , place of residence or place of establishment cannot be objectively justified . in those situations , all such discrimination should be prohibited and customers should consequently be entitled , under the specific conditions laid down in this regulation , to engage in commercial transactions under the same conditions as a local customer and have full and equal access to any of the different goods or services offered irrespective of their nationality , place of residence or place of establishment . where necessary , traders should therefore take measures to ensure compliance with that prohibition of discrimination if otherwise the customers concerned would be precluded from having such full and equal access . however , the prohibition applicable in those situations should not be understood as precluding traders from directing their activities at different member states or certain groups of customers with targeted offers and differing terms and conditions , including through the setting - up of country - specific online interfaces . ### in a number of specific situations , any differences in the treatment of customers through the application of general conditions of access , including outright refusals to sell goods or to provide services , for reasons related to the customers’ nationality , place of residence or place of establishment might not be objectively justified . in those situations , all such discrimination should be prohibited and customers could consequently be entitled , under the specific conditions laid down in this regulation , to engage in commercial transactions under the same conditions as a local customer and have full and equal access to any of the different goods or services offered irrespective of their nationality , place of residence or place of establishment . where necessary , traders should therefore take measures to ensure compliance with that prohibition of discrimination if otherwise the customers concerned would be precluded from having such full and equal access . however , the prohibition applicable in those situations should not be understood as precluding traders from directing their activities at different member states or certain groups of customers with targeted offers and differing terms and conditions , including through the setting - up of country - specific online interfaces .


### a member state wishing to receive support under the programme shall submit a request for support to the commission , identifying the policy areas and the priorities for support within the scope of the programme as set out in article 5 . this request shall be submitted at the latest by 31 october of each calendar year . ### a member state wishing to receive support under the programme shall submit a request for support to the commission , identifying the policy areas and the priorities for support within the scope of the programme as set out in article 5 . this request shall be submitted at the latest by 31 october of each calendar year . &#160 ; it may be revoked at any time by the member state concerned .


### against this background , it is necessary to establish a structural reform support programme with the objective of strengthening the capacity of member states to prepare and implement growth - enhancing administrative and structural reforms , including through assistance for the efficient and effective use of the union funds . the programme is intended to contribute to the achievement of common goals towards obtaining economic recovery , job creation , boosting europe ' s competitiveness and stimulating investment in the real economy . ### against this background , it is necessary to establish a structural reform support programme with the objective of strengthening the capacity of member states to prepare and implement growth - enhancing administrative and structural reforms , including through assistance for the efficient and effective use of the union funds . the programme is intended to contribute to the achievement of common goals towards obtaining economic recovery , job creation , boosting europe ' s competitiveness and stimulating investment in the real economy . this programme should not on any account be used by the commission as a pretext to encroach upon the sovereignty of the member states . the commission’s actions must be overseen by the member states , and it must intervene only at their specific request and in accordance with arrangements they have laid down .


### the general objective of the programme shall be to contribute to institutional , administrative and structural reforms in the member states by providing support to national authorities for measures aimed at reforming institutions , governance , administration , economic and social sectors in response to economic and social challenges with a view to enhancing competitiveness , growth , jobs , and investment , in particular in the context of economic governance processes , including through assistance for the efficient and effective use of the union funds . ### the general objective of the programme shall be to contribute to institutional , administrative and structural reforms in the member states , albeit only if the member states have explicitly requested contributions of that kind , by providing support to national authorities for measures aimed at reforming institutions , governance , administration , economic and social sectors in response to economic and social challenges with a view to enhancing competitiveness , growth , jobs , and investment , in particular in the context of economic governance processes , including through assistance for the efficient and effective use of the union funds . the member states may put an end to support provided under the programme at any time and shall not be issued with binding instructions by the commission .


### support the design and delivery of long - term trainings and courses for students , it professionals and the workforce ; ### support the design and delivery of long - term trainings and courses for students , teachers , it professionals and the workforce ;


### the tallinn digital summit55of september 2017 and the conclusions of the european council56of 19 october 2017 indicated the need for europe to invest in digitising our economies and addressing the skills gap to maintain and enhance european competitiveness , our quality of life and social fabric . the european council concluded that the digital transformation offers immense opportunities for innovation , growth and jobs , will contribute to our global competitiveness , and enhance creative and cultural diversity . seizing these opportunities requires collectively tackling some of the challenges posed by the digital transformation and reviewing policies affected by the digital transformation . _________________ 55 https : / / www . eu2017 . ee / news / insights / conclusions - after - tallinn - digital - summit 56 https : / / www . consilium . europa . eu / media / 21620 / 19 - euco - final - conclusions - en . pdf ### the tallinn digital summit55 of september 2017 and the conclusions of the european council56 of 19 october 2017 indicated the need for europe to invest in digitising our economies and addressing the skills gap to maintain and enhance european competitiveness , our quality of life and social fabric . the european council concluded that the digital transformation offers immense opportunities for innovation , growth and jobs , will contribute to our global competitiveness , and enhance creative and cultural diversity , media freedom and democratic dialogue . seizing these opportunities requires collectively tackling some of the challenges posed by the digital transformation and reviewing policies affected by the digital transformation . _________________ 55 https : / / www . eu2017 . ee / news / insights / conclusions - after - tallinn - digital - summit 56 https : / / www . consilium . europa . eu / media / 21620 / 19 - euco - final - conclusions - en . pdf


### additional digital innovation hubs shall be selected on the basis of an open and competitive process , in such a way to ensure the widest geographical coverage across europe . the number of entities of the network shall be proportional to the population of a given member states and there shall be at least one digital innovation hub per member state . to address the specific constraints faced by the eu outermost regions , specific entities may be nominated to cover their needs . ### additional digital innovation hubs shall be selected on the basis of an open and competitive process , in such a way to ensure the widest geographical coverage across europe , including outlying areas far from the urban hubs . the number of entities of the network shall be proportional to the population of a given member states and there shall be at least one digital innovation hub per member state . to address the specific constraints faced by the eu outermost regions and certain rural areas , specific entities may be nominated to cover their needs .


### the tallinn digital summit55of september 2017 and the conclusions of the european council56of 19 october 2017 indicated the need for europe to invest in digitising our economies and addressing the skills gap to maintain and enhance european competitiveness , our quality of life and social fabric . the european council concluded that the digital transformation offers immense opportunities for innovation , growth and jobs , will contribute to our global competitiveness , and enhance creative and cultural diversity . seizing these opportunities requires collectively tackling some of the challenges posed by the digital transformation and reviewing policies affected by the digital transformation . _________________ 55 https : / / www . eu2017 . ee / news / insights / conclusions - after - tallinn - digital - summit 56 https : / / www . consilium . europa . eu / media / 21620 / 19 - euco - final - conclusions - en . pdf ### the tallinn digital summit55 of september 2017 and the conclusions of the european council56 of 19 october 2017 indicated the need for europe to invest in digitising our economies and addressing the skills gap to maintain and enhance european competitiveness , our quality of life and social fabric . in addition , on 10 april 2018 , the european countries pledged to make progress with artificial intelligence and blockchain technology . the european council concluded that the digital transformation offers immense opportunities for innovation , growth and jobs , will contribute to our global competitiveness , and enhance creative and cultural diversity . seizing these opportunities requires collectively tackling some of the challenges posed by the digital transformation and reviewing policies affected by the digital transformation . _________________ 55 https : / / www . eu2017 . ee / news / insights / conclusions - after - tallinn - digital - summit 56 https : / / www . consilium . europa . eu / media / 21620 / 19 - euco - final - conclusions - en . pdf


### the general objective of the programme should be to support the digital transformation of industry and to foster better exploitation of the industrial potential of policies of innovation , research and technological development , for the benefit of businesses and citizens all over the union . the programme should be structured into five specific objectives reflecting key policy areas , namely : high - performance computing , cybersecurity , artificial intelligence , advanced digital skills , and deployment , best use of digital capacities and interoperability . for all these areas , the programme should also aim at better aligning union , member states and regional policies , and pooling of private and industrial resources in order to increase investment and develop stronger synergies . ### the general objective of the programme should be to support the digital transformation of industry and to foster better exploitation of the industrial potential of policies of innovation , research and technological development , for the benefit of businesses and citizens all over the union . the programme should be structured into five specific objectives reflecting key policy areas , namely : high - performance computing , cybersecurity , artificial intelligence , advanced digital skills , and deployment , best use of digital capacities and interoperability . for all these areas , the programme should also aim at better aligning union , member states and regional policies , and pooling of private and industrial resources in order to increase public and private investment and develop stronger synergies .


### modernising labour market institutions and services to assess and anticipate skills needs and ensure timely and tailor - made assistance and support to labour market matching , transitions and mobility ; ### modernising labour market institutions and services to assess and anticipate skills needs and ensure timely and tailor - made assistance and support to labour market matching , transitions and mobility , improving job quality and combating precarious employment ;


### in accordance with article 349 tfeu and article 2 of protocol no 6 to the 1994 act of accession , the outermost regions and the northern sparsely populated regions are entitled to specific measures under common policies and eu programmes . due to the permanent constraints these regions require specific support . ### in accordance with articles 349 and 174 tfeu and article 2 of protocol no 6 to the 1994 act of accession , the outermost regions , the northern sparsely populated regions and islands are entitled to specific measures under common policies and eu programmes . due to the permanent constraints these regions require specific support .


### the union is confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation , the management of migration flows and the increased security threat , clean energy transition , technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions , experienced especially by smes . taking into account the changing realities of the world of work , the union should be prepared for the current and future challenges by investing in relevant skills , making growth more inclusive and by improving employment and social policies , including in view of labour mobility . ### the union and the member states are confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation and dematerialisation , which are responsible for the substantial increase in immigration , the increased security threat , clean energy transition , technological change , the declining birth rate , an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions , experienced especially by smes . taking into account the changing realities of the world of work and the new challenges that they present in terms of employment protection , it is necessary to invest in relevant skills , growth and social and employment policies .


### promoting women’s labour market participation , a better work / life balance including access to childcare , a healthy and well–adapted working environment addressing health risks , adaptation of workers , enterprises and entrepreneurs to change , and active and healthy ageing ; ### promoting women’s labour market participation , combating the declining birth rate , promoting a better work / life balance including access to childcare , promoting measures to support family carers , improving the quality of employment and of the condition of the environment , employment , health and job security , adaptation of enterprises and entrepreneurs to change , and active and healthy ageing ;


### the esf + should support member states’ efforts to tackle poverty with a view to breaking the cycle of disadvantage across generations and promote social inclusion by ensuring equal opportunities for all , tackling discrimination and addressing health inequalities . this implies mobilising a range of policies targeting the most disadvantaged people regardless of their age , including children , marginalised communities such as the roma , and the working poor . the esf + should promote the active inclusion of people far from the labour market with a view to ensuring their socio - economic integration . the esf + should be also used to enhance timely and equal access to affordable , sustainable and high quality services such as healthcare and long - term care , in particular family and community - based care services . the esf + should contribute to the modernisation of social protection systems with a view in particular to promoting their accessibility . ### the esf + should support member states’ efforts to tackle poverty with a view to breaking the cycle of disadvantage across generations and promote social inclusion by ensuring equal opportunities for all , tackling discrimination and addressing health inequalities . this implies mobilising a range of policies targeting the most disadvantaged people regardless of their age , including children and the working poor . the esf + should promote the active inclusion of people far from the labour market with a view to ensuring their socio - economic integration . the esf + should be also used to enhance timely and equal access to affordable , sustainable and high quality services such as healthcare and long - term care , in particular family and community - based care services . the esf + should contribute to the dissemination of social protection systems with a view in particular to promoting their accessibility .


### support through the esf + should be used to promote equal access for all , in particular for disadvantaged groups , to quality , non - segregated and inclusive education and training , from early childhood education and care through general and vocational education and training and to tertiary level , as well as adult education and learning , thereby fostering permeability between education and training sectors , preventing early school leaving , improving health literacy , reinforcing links with non - formal and informal learning and facilitating learning mobility for all . synergies with the erasmus programme , notably to facilitate the participation of disadvantaged learners in learning mobility , should be supported within this context . ### support through the esf + should be used to promote equal access for all to quality , non - segregated and inclusive education and training , from early childhood education and care through general and vocational education and training and to tertiary level , as well as adult education and learning , thereby fostering permeability between education and training sectors , preventing early school leaving , improving health literacy , reinforcing links with non - formal and informal learning and facilitating learning mobility for all . synergies with the erasmus programme , notably to facilitate the participation of disadvantaged learners in learning mobility , should be supported within this context .


### provide for the legal and safe arrival of third - country nationals and stateless persons in need of international protection to the territory of the member states ; ### provide , where third - country nationals and stateless persons are seeking international protection , for examination of their applications for international protection and , where persons are recognised to be entitled to refugee status , ensure their legal and safe arrival on the territory of the member states ;


### –survivors of violence and / or torture , including on the basis of gender ; ### –survivors of violence , persecution and / or torture , on the basis of gender or on religious grounds ;


### the world health organisation regional office for europe conducted a detailed review of the list of parameters and parametric values laid down in directive 98 / 83 / ec in order to establish whether there is a need to adapt it in light of technical and scientific progress . in view of the results of that review74 , enteric pathogens and legionella should be controlled , six chemical parameters or parameter groups should be added , and three representative endocrine disrupting compounds should be considered with precautionary benchmark values . for three of the new parameters , parametric values that are more stringent than the ones proposed by the who , yet still feasible , should be laid down in light of the precautionary principle . for lead , the who noted that concentrations should be as low as reasonably practical , and for chromium , the value remains under who review ; therefore , for both parameters , a transitional period of ten years should apply before the values become more stringent . _________________ 74 drinking water parameter cooperation project of the who regional office for europe ' support to the revision of annex i council directive 98 / 83 / ec on the quality of water intended for human consumption recommendation ' , 11 september 2017 . . ### the world health organisation regional office for europe conducted a detailed review of the list of parameters and parametric values laid down in directive 98 / 83 / ec in order to establish whether there is a need to adapt it in light of technical and scientific progress . in view of the results of that review74 , enteric pathogens and legionella should be controlled , six chemical parameters or parameter groups should be added , and three representative endocrine disrupting compounds should be considered with precautionary benchmark values . for lead , the who noted that concentrations should be as low as reasonably practical , and for chromium , the value remains under who review . the scientifically based who recommendations should be followed . _________________ 74 drinking water parameter cooperation project of the who regional office for europe ' support to the revision of annex i council directive 98 / 83 / ec on the quality of water intended for human consumption recommendation ' , 11 september 2017 .


### the 7th environment action programme to 2020 ‘ living well , within the limits of our planet’90 , requires that the public have access to clear environmental information at national level . directive 98 / 83 / ec only provided for passive access to information , meaning that member states merely had to ensure that information was available . those provisions should therefore be replaced to ensure that up - to - date information is easily accessible , for instance on a website whose link should be actively distributed . the up - to - date information should not only include results from the monitoring programmes , but also additional information that the public may find useful , such as information on indicators , which often influence consumers ' perception of tap water . to that end , the indicator parameters of directive 98 / 83 / ec that did not provide health - related information should be replaced by on - line information on those parameters . for very large water suppliers , additional information on , inter alia , energy efficiency , management , governance , cost structure , and treatment applied , should also be available on - line . it is assumed that better consumer knowledge and improved transparency will contribute to increasing citizens ' confidence in the water supplied to them . this in turn is expected to lead to increased use of tap water , thereby contributing to reduced plastic litter and greenhouse gas emissions , and a positive impact on climate change mitigation and the environment as a whole . _________________ 90 decision no 1386 / 2013 / eu of the european parliament and of the council of 20 november 2013 on a general union environment action programme to 2020 ‘ living well , within the limits of our planet’ . ### the 7th environment action programme to 2020 ‘ living well , within the limits of our planet’90 requires that the public have access to clear environmental information , which should also be available online , at national level . directive 98 / 83 / ec only provided for passive access to information , meaning that member states merely had to ensure that information was available . those provisions should therefore be replaced to ensure that up - to - date information is easily accessible , for instance on a website whose link should be actively distributed . the up - to - date information should not only include results from the monitoring programmes , but also additional information that the public may find useful , such as information on indicators , which often influence consumers ' perception of tap water . to that end , the indicator parameters of directive 98 / 83 / ec that did not provide health - related information should be replaced by on - line information on those parameters . for very large water suppliers , additional information on , inter alia , energy efficiency , management , governance , cost structure , and treatment applied , should also be available on - line . it is assumed that better consumer knowledge and improved transparency will contribute to increasing citizens ' confidence in the water supplied to them . this in turn is expected to lead to increased use of tap water , thereby contributing to reduced plastic litter and greenhouse gas emissions , and a positive impact on climate change mitigation and the environment as a whole . _________________ 90 decision no 1386 / 2013 / eu of the european parliament and of the council of 20 november 2013 on a general union environment action programme to 2020 ‘ living well , within the limits of our planet’ .


### the commission , in its reply to the european citizens’ initiative ‘ right2water’ in 201483 , invited member states to ensure access to a minimum water supply for all citizens , in accordance with the who recommendations . it also committed to continue to ' improve access to safe drinking water [ … ] for the whole population through environmental policies ' 84 . this is in line with un sustainable development goal 6 and the associated target to ' achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all ' . the concept of equitable access covers a wide array of aspects such as availability , quality , acceptability , or financial affordability . concerning affordability of water , it is important to recall that , when setting water tariffs in accordance with the principle of recovery of costs set out in directive 2000 / 60 / ec , member states may have regard to the variation in the economic and social conditions of the population and may therefore adopt social tariffs or take measures safeguarding populations at a socio - economic disadvantage . this directive deals , in particular , with the aspects of access to water which are related to quality and availability . to address those aspects , as part of the reply to the european citizens ' initiative and to contribute to the implementation of principle 20 of the european pillar of social rights85that states that ' everyone has the right to access essential services of good quality , including water ' , member states should be required to tackle the issue of access to water at national level whilst enjoying some discretion as to the exact type of measures to be implemented . this can be done through actions aimed , inter alia , at improving access to water intended for human consumption for all , for instance with freely accessible fountains in cities , and promoting its use by encouraging the free provision of water intended for human consumption in public buildings and restaurants . _________________ 83 com177 final 84 com177 final , p . 12 . 85 interinstitutional proclamation on the european pillar of social rights of 17 november 2017 . ### the commission , in its reply to the european citizens’ initiative ‘ right2water’ in 201483 , invited member states to ensure access to a minimum water supply for all citizens , in accordance with the who recommendations . it also committed to continue to ' improve access to safe drinking water [ … ] for the whole population through environmental policies ' 84 . this is in line with un sustainable development goal 6 and the associated target to ' achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all ' . the concept of equitable access covers a wide array of aspects such as availability , quality , acceptability , or financial affordability . concerning affordability of water , it is important to recall that , when setting water tariffs in accordance with the principle of recovery of costs set out in directive 2000 / 60 / ec , member states may have regard to the variation in the economic and social conditions of the population and may therefore adopt social tariffs or take measures safeguarding populations at a socio - economic disadvantage . this directive deals , in particular , with the aspects of access to water which are related to quality and availability . to address those aspects , as part of the reply to the european citizens ' initiative and to contribute to the implementation of principle 20 of the european pillar of social rights85 that states that ' everyone has the right to access essential services of good quality , including water ' , member states should be required to tackle the issue of access to water at national level whilst enjoying some discretion as to the exact type of measures to be implemented . this can be done through actions aimed , inter alia , at improving access to water intended for human consumption for all , for instance with freely accessible fountains in cities , and promoting its use by encouraging the free provision of water intended for human consumption in public buildings and restaurants . this objective will be all the easier to achieve when a serious and active policy has been put in place to tackle the growing presence of some pollutants , foremost among which are pesticides dangerous to health , the use of which is increasing despite health warnings . _________________ 83 com 117 final 84 com 117 final , p . 12 . 85 interinstitutional proclamation on the european pillar of social rights of 17 november 2017 .


### setting up and maintaining outdoors and indoors equipment for free access to water intended for human consumption in public spaces ; ### setting up and maintaining outdoors and indoors equipment for access to water intended for human consumption in public spaces , when such a need has been ascertained by a member state ;


### directive 98 / 83 / ec set the legal framework to protect human health from the adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean . this directive should pursue the same objective . to that end , it is necessary to lay down at union level the minimum requirements with which water intended for that purpose must comply . member states should take the necessary measures to ensure that water intended for human consumption is free from any micro - organisms and parasites and from substances which , in certain cases , constitute a potential danger to human health , and that it meets those minimum requirements . ### directive 98 / 83 / ec set the legal framework to protect human health from the adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean . this directive should pursue the same objective . to that end , it is necessary to lay down at union level the minimum requirements with which water intended for that purpose must comply . member states should take the necessary measures to ensure that water intended for human consumption is free from any micro - organisms and parasites and from substances which , in certain cases , constitute a potential danger to human health , such as pesticides , endocrine disruptors or microplastics , and that it meets those minimum requirements .


### the 7th environment action programme to 2020 ‘ living well , within the limits of our planet’90 , requires that the public have access to clear environmental information at national level . directive 98 / 83 / ec only provided for passive access to information , meaning that member states merely had to ensure that information was available . those provisions should therefore be replaced to ensure that up - to - date information is easily accessible , for instance on a website whose link should be actively distributed . the up - to - date information should not only include results from the monitoring programmes , but also additional information that the public may find useful , such as information on indicators , which often influence consumers ' perception of tap water . to that end , the indicator parameters of directive 98 / 83 / ec that did not provide health - related information should be replaced by on - line information on those parameters . for very large water suppliers , additional information on , inter alia , energy efficiency , management , governance , cost structure , and treatment applied , should also be available on - line . it is assumed that better consumer knowledge and improved transparency will contribute to increasing citizens ' confidence in the water supplied to them . this in turn is expected to lead to increased use of tap water , thereby contributing to reduced plastic litter and greenhouse gas emissions , and a positive impact on climate change mitigation and the environment as a whole . _________________ 90 decision no 1386 / 2013 / eu of the european parliament and of the council of 20 november 2013 on a general union environment action programme to 2020 ‘ living well , within the limits of our planet’ . ### the 7th environment action programme to 2020 ‘ living well , within the limits of our planet’90 requires that the public have access to clear environmental information at national level . directive 98 / 83 / ec only provided for passive access to information , meaning that member states merely had to ensure that information was available . those provisions should therefore be replaced to ensure that up - to - date information is easily accessible , for instance on a website whose link should be actively distributed . it should be easy in this era of open data to meet this transparency requirement . the up - to - date information should not only include results from the monitoring programmes , but also additional information that the public may find useful , such as information on indicators , which often influence consumers ' perception of tap water . to that end , the indicator parameters of directive 98 / 83 / ec that did not provide health - related information should be replaced by on - line information on those parameters . for very large water suppliers , additional information on , inter alia , energy efficiency , management , governance , cost structure , and treatment applied , should also be available on - line . it is assumed that better consumer knowledge and improved transparency will contribute to increasing citizens ' confidence in the water supplied to them . this in turn is expected to lead to increased use of tap water , thereby contributing to reduced plastic litter and greenhouse gas emissions , and a positive impact on climate change mitigation and the environment as a whole . _________________ 90 decision no 1386 / 2013 / eu of the european parliament and of the council of 20 november 2013 on a general union environment action programme to 2020 ‘ living well , within the limits of our planet’ .


### following the conclusion of the european citizens ' initiative on the right to water 71 , a union - wide public consultation was launched and a regulatory fitness and performance evaluation of directive 98 / 83 / ec was performed72 . it became apparent from that exercise that certain provisions of directive 98 / 83 / ec needed to be updated . four areas were identified as offering scope for improvement , namely the list of quality - based parametric values , the limited reliance on a risk - based approach , the imprecise provisions on consumer information , and the disparities between approval systems for materials in contact with water intended for human consumption . in addition , the european citizens ' initiative on the right to water identified as a distinct problem the fact that part of the population , especially marginalised groups , has no access to water intended for human consumption , which is also a commitment under sustainable development goal 6 of un agenda 2030 . a final issue identified is the general lack of awareness of water leakages , which are driven by underinvestment in maintenance and renewal of the water infrastructure , as also pointed out in the european court of auditors ' special report on water infrastructure73 . _________________ 71 com 177 final 72 swd 428 final 73 special report of the european court of auditors sr 12 / 2017 : ' implementing the drinking water directive : water quality and access to it improved in bulgaria , hungary and romania , but investment needs remains substantial ' . ### following the conclusion of the european citizens ' initiative on the right to water 71 , a union - wide public consultation was launched and a regulatory fitness and performance evaluation of directive 98 / 83 / ec was performed72 . it became apparent from that exercise that certain provisions of directive 98 / 83 / ec needed to be updated . four areas were identified as offering scope for improvement , namely the list of quality - based parametric values , the limited reliance on a risk - based approach , the imprecise provisions on consumer information even though citizens in the european union are increasingly and legitimately demanding transparency , and the disparities between approval systems for materials in contact with water intended for human consumption . in addition , the european citizens ' initiative on the right to water identified as a distinct problem the fact that part of the population , especially marginalised groups , has no access to water intended for human consumption , which is also a commitment under sustainable development goal 6 of un agenda 2030 . a final issue identified is the general lack of awareness of water leakages , which are driven by underinvestment in maintenance and renewal of the water infrastructure , as also pointed out in the european court of auditors ' special report on water infrastructure73 . _________________ 71 com 117 final 72 swd 428 final 73 special report of the european court of auditors no 12 / 2017 ' implementing the drinking water directive : water quality and access to it improved in bulgaria , hungary and romania , but investment needs remain substantial ' .


### as the three so - called tripartite agencies - cedefop , the european foundation for the improvement of living and working conditions and the european agency for safety and health at work - address issues related to the labour market , working environment and vocational education and training and skills , close coordination among the three agencies is required and the ways to enhance efficiency and synergies should be exploited . in addition , where relevant , the agency should seek to engage in efficient cooperation with the european commission ' s in - house research capacities . ### as the three so - called tripartite agencies - cedefop , the european foundation for the improvement of living and working conditions and the european agency for safety and health at work - address issues related to the labour market , working environment and vocational education and training and skills , the usefulness of each agency should be assessed . if necessary , provision should be made for the two other agencies to be abolished .


### member states should partially compensate , in accordance with state aid rules , certain installations in sectors or sub - sectors which have been determined to be exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage because of costs related to greenhouse gas emissions passed on in electricity prices . the protocol and accompanying decisions adopted by the conference of the parties in paris need to provide for the dynamic mobilisation of climate finance , technology transfer and capacity building for eligible parties , particularly those with least capabilities . public sector climate finance will continue to play an important role in mobilising resources after 2020 . therefore , auction revenues should also be used for climate financing actions in vulnerable third countries , including adaptation to the impacts of climate . the amount of climate finance to be mobilised will also depend on the ambition and quality of the proposed intended nationally determined contributions , subsequent investment plans and national adaptation planning processes . member states should also use auction revenues to promote skill formation and reallocation of labour affected by the transition of jobs in a decarbonising economy . ### member states should fully compensate certain installations in sectors or sub - sectors which have been determined to be exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage because of costs related to greenhouse gas emissions passed on in electricity prices . member states should use auction revenues to promote skill formation , reallocation and social protection schemes of labour affected by the transition of jobs in a decarbonising economy . public sector climate finance will continue to play an important role in mobilising resources after 2020 . therefore , auction revenues could also be used for adaptation to the impacts of climate . the amount of climate finance to be mobilised will also depend on the ambition and quality of the proposed intended nationally determined contributions , subsequent investment plans and national adaptation planning processes .


### other sectors and sub - sectors are considered to be able to pass on more of the cost of allowances in product prices , and shall be allocated allowances free of charge for the period up to 2030 at 30% of the quantity determined in accordance with the measures adopted pursuant to article 10a . ### sectors and sub - sectors which do not fall under paragraphs 1 and 2 are considered to be able to pass on more of the cost of allowances in product prices , and shall be allocated allowances free of charge for the period up to 2030 at 30% of the quantity determined in accordance with the measures adopted pursuant to article 10a .


### 2% of the total quantity of allowances between 2021 and 2030 shall be auctioned to establish a fund to improve energy efficiency and modernise the energy systems of certain member states as set out in article 10d of this directive . ### up to 400 million allowances shall be auctioned to establish a fund to support innovation in low - carbon technologies as set out in article 10a of this directive .


### 400 million allowances shall be available to support innovation in low - carbon technologies and processes in industrial sectors listed in annex i , and to help stimulate the construction and operation of commercial demonstration projects that aim at the environmentally safe capture and geological storage of co2 as well as demonstration projects of innovative renewable energy technologies , in the territory of the union . ### 400 million allowances shall be available to support innovation in low - carbon technologies and processes in industrial sectors listed in annex i , and to help stimulate the construction and operation of commercial demonstration projects that aim at the environmentally safe ccs and ccu as well as demonstration projects of innovative renewable energy technologies , in the territory of the union .


### ' 1 . following consultation with the operator , member states may exclude from the community scheme installations which have reported to the competent authority emissions of less than 25 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and , where they carry out combustion activities , have a rated thermal input below 35 mw , excluding emissions from biomass , in each of the three years preceding the notification under point , and which are subject to measures that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions , if the member state concerned complies with the following conditions : it notifies the commission of each such installation , specifying the equivalent measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions that are in place , before the list of installations pursuant to article 11 has to be submitted and at the latest when this list is submitted to the commission ; it confirms that monitoring arrangements are in place to assess whether any installation emits 25 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year . member states may allow simplified monitoring , reporting and verification measures for installations with average annual verified emissions between 2008 and 2010 which are below 5 000 tonnes a year , in accordance with article 14 ; it confirms that if any installation emits 25 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year or the measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions are no longer in place , the installation will be reintroduced into the community scheme ; it publishes the information referred to in points , and for public comment . hospitals may also be excluded if they undertake equivalent measures . ' ### in article 27 , paragraph 1 is replaced by the following : ' 1 . following consultation with the operator , member states may exclude from the community scheme installations which have reported to the competent authority emissions of less than 50 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and , where they carry out combustion activities , have a rated thermal input below 75 mw , excluding emissions from biomass , in each of the three years preceding the notification under point , and which are subject to measures that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions , if the member state concerned complies with the following conditions : it notifies the commission of each such installation , specifying the equivalent measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions that are in place , before the list of installations pursuant to article 11 has to be submitted and at the latest when this list is submitted to the commission ; it confirms that monitoring arrangements are in place to assess whether any installation emits 50 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year . member states may allow simplified monitoring , reporting and verification measures for installations with average annual verified emissions between 2008 and 2010 which are below 5 000 tonnes a year , in accordance with article 14 ; it confirms that if any installation emits 50 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year or the measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions are no longer in place , the installation will be reintroduced into the community scheme ; it publishes the information referred to in points , and for public comment . hospitals may also be excluded if they undertake equivalent measures . '


### the second paragraph of paragraph 1 is replaced by the following : ' the commission shall be empowered to adopt a delegated act in accordance with article 23 . this act shall also provide for additional allocation from the new entrants reserve for significant production increases by applying the same thresholds and allocation adjustments as apply in respect of partial cessations of operation . ' ; ### in paragraph 1 , the first and second subparagraphs are replaced by the following : ' 1 . the commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with article 30b to supplement this directive and concerning union - wide and fully - harmonised measures for the allocation of the allowances referred to in paragraphs 4 , 5 , 7 and 12 , including any necessary provisions for a harmonised application of paragraph 19 . these delegated acts shall also provide for additional allocation from the new entrants reserve for significant production increases by applying the thresholds defined in paragraph 7 . the threshold and allocation adjustments that apply to significant production increases shall also apply to partial cessations of operation . ' ;


### the commission shall be empowered to adopt a delegated act in accordance with article 23 . this act shall also provide for additional allocation from the new entrants reserve for significant production increases by applying the same thresholds and allocation adjustments as apply in respect of partial cessations of operation . ### the commission is empowered to adopt a delegated act in accordance with article 23 to supplement this directive . this act shall also provide for additional allocation from the new entrants reserve for production variations by applying the same thresholds and allocation adjustments in respect of partial cessations of operation .


### the fund shall be governed by an investment board and a management committee , which shall be composed of representatives from the beneficiary member states , the commission , the eib and three representatives elected by the other member states for a period of 5 years . the investment board shall be responsible to determine an union - level investment policy , appropriate financing instruments and investment selection criteria . the management committee shall be responsible for the day - to - day management of the fund . ### the fund shall be governed by an investment board and a management committee . the investment board shall be composed of representatives from all the beneficiary member states , the commission and the eib for a period of 5 years . the investment board shall be responsible to determine an union - level investment policy , appropriate financing instruments and investment selection criteria . public consultation shall be undertaken regarding the investment selection criteria and the results of the public consultation shall be taken into account by the investment board before the adoption of the selection criteria . the management committee shall be composed of representatives appointed by the investment board and shall be responsible for the day - to - day management of the fund . decisions of the management committee shall be taken by simple majority .


### by 31 december 2019 , the commission shall adopt a delegated act for the preceding paragraphs for activities at a 4 - digit level as concerns paragraph 1 , in accordance with article 23 , based on data for the three most recent calendar years available . ### by 31 december 2019 , the commission shall adopt a delegated act for the preceding paragraphs for activities at a 4 - digit level or at the relevant level of disaggregation based on public and sector - specific data as concerns paragraph 1 , in accordance with article 23 , based on data for the three most recent calendar years available .


### the auctioning of allowances remains the general rule , with free allocation as the exception . consequently , and as confirmed by the european council , the share of allowances to be auctioned , which was 57% over the period 2013 - 2020 , should not be reduced . the commission ' s impact assessment18 provides details on the auction share and specifies that this 57% share is made up of allowances auctioned on behalf of member states , including allowances set aside for new entrants but not allocated , allowances for modernising electricity generation in some member states and allowances which are to be auctioned at a later point in time because of their placement in the market stability reserve established by decision 2015 / … of the european parliament and of the council19 . __________________ 18 secxx 19 decision 2015 / … of the european parliament and of the council of … concerning the establishment and operation of a market stability reserve for the union greenhouse gas emission trading scheme and amending directive 2003 / 87 / ec . ### the auctioning of allowances should remain the general rule , with free allocation as the exception .


### ' 1 . following consultation with the operator , member states may exclude from the community scheme installations which have reported to the competent authority emissions of less than 25 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and , where they carry out combustion activities , have a rated thermal input below 35 mw , excluding emissions from biomass , in each of the three years preceding the notification under point , and which are subject to measures that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions , if the member state concerned complies with the following conditions : it notifies the commission of each such installation , specifying the equivalent measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions that are in place , before the list of installations pursuant to article 11 has to be submitted and at the latest when this list is submitted to the commission ; it confirms that monitoring arrangements are in place to assess whether any installation emits 25 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year . member states may allow simplified monitoring , reporting and verification measures for installations with average annual verified emissions between 2008 and 2010 which are below 5 000 tonnes a year , in accordance with article 14 ; it confirms that if any installation emits 25 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year or the measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions are no longer in place , the installation will be reintroduced into the community scheme ; it publishes the information referred to in points , and for public comment . hospitals may also be excluded if they undertake equivalent measures . ' ### in article 27 , paragraph 1 is replaced by the following : ' 1 . following consultation with the operator , member states may exclude from the community scheme installations which have reported to the competent authority emissions of less than 50 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and , where they carry out combustion activities , have a rated thermal input below 35 mw , excluding emissions from biomass , in each of the three years preceding the notification under point , and which are subject to measures that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions , if the member state concerned complies with the following conditions : it notifies the commission of each such installation , specifying the equivalent measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions that are in place , before the list of installations pursuant to article 11 has to be submitted and at the latest when this list is submitted to the commission ; it confirms that monitoring arrangements are in place to assess whether any installation emits 50 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year . member states shall allow simplified monitoring , reporting and verification measures for installations with average annual verified emissions between 2008 and 2010 which are below 5 000 tonnes a year , in accordance with article 14 ; it confirms that if any installation emits 50 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year or the measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions are no longer in place , the installation will be reintroduced into the community scheme ; it publishes the information referred to in points , and for public comment . ' hospitals may also be excluded if they undertake equivalent measures . '


### ' 1 . following consultation with the operator , member states may exclude from the community scheme installations which have reported to the competent authority emissions of less than 25 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and , where they carry out combustion activities , have a rated thermal input below 35 mw , excluding emissions from biomass , in each of the three years preceding the notification under point , and which are subject to measures that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions , if the member state concerned complies with the following conditions : it notifies the commission of each such installation , specifying the equivalent measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions that are in place , before the list of installations pursuant to article 11 has to be submitted and at the latest when this list is submitted to the commission ; it confirms that monitoring arrangements are in place to assess whether any installation emits 25 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year . member states may allow simplified monitoring , reporting and verification measures for installations with average annual verified emissions between 2008 and 2010 which are below 5 000 tonnes a year , in accordance with article 14 ; it confirms that if any installation emits 25 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year or the measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions are no longer in place , the installation will be reintroduced into the community scheme ; it publishes the information referred to in points , and for public comment . hospitals may also be excluded if they undertake equivalent measures . ' ### in article 27 , paragraph 1 is replaced by the following : ' 1 . following consultation with the operator and upon the operators agreement , member states may exclude from the eu ets installations which have reported to the competent authority emissions of less than 50 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in each of the three years preceding the notification under point , and which are subject to measures that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions , if the member state concerned complies with the following conditions : it notifies the commission of each such installation , specifying the equivalent measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions that are in place and specifying how those measures would not result in higher compliance costs for such installations , before the list of installations pursuant to article 11 has to be submitted and at the latest when this list is submitted to the commission ; it confirms that monitoring arrangements are in place to assess whether any installation emits 50 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year . member states may allow simplified monitoring , reporting and verification measures for installations with average annual verified emissions between 2008 and 2010 which are below 5 000 tonnes a year , in accordance with article 14 ; it confirms that if any installation emits 50 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year or the measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions are no longer in place , the installation will be reintroduced into the eu ets ; it makes the information referred to in points , and available to the public . ' hospitals may also be excluded if they undertake equivalent measures . '


### ' 1 . following consultation with the operator , member states may exclude from the community scheme installations which have reported to the competent authority emissions of less than 25 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and , where they carry out combustion activities , have a rated thermal input below 35 mw , excluding emissions from biomass , in each of the three years preceding the notification under point , and which are subject to measures that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions , if the member state concerned complies with the following conditions : it notifies the commission of each such installation , specifying the equivalent measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions that are in place , before the list of installations pursuant to article 11 has to be submitted and at the latest when this list is submitted to the commission ; it confirms that monitoring arrangements are in place to assess whether any installation emits 25 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year . member states may allow simplified monitoring , reporting and verification measures for installations with average annual verified emissions between 2008 and 2010 which are below 5 000 tonnes a year , in accordance with article 14 ; it confirms that if any installation emits 25 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year or the measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions are no longer in place , the installation will be reintroduced into the community scheme ; it publishes the information referred to in points , and for public comment . hospitals may also be excluded if they undertake equivalent measures . ' ### in article 27 , paragraph 1 is replaced by the following : ' 1 . following consultation with the operator and subject to its agreement , member states may exclude from the eu ets installations which have reported to the competent authority emissions of less than 50 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and , where they carry out combustion activities , have a rated thermal input below 35 mw , excluding emissions from biomass , in each of the three years preceding the notification under point , and which are subject to measures that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions , if the member state concerned complies with the following conditions : it notifies the commission of each such installation , specifying the equivalent measures applying to that installation that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions that are in place and specifying how those measures would not result in higher compliance costs for such installations , before the list of installations pursuant to article 11 has to be submitted and at the latest when this list is submitted to the commission it confirms that monitoring arrangements are in place to assess whether any installation emits 50 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year . member states may allow simplified monitoring , reporting and verification measures for installations with average annual verified emissions between 2008 and 2010 below 5 000 tonnes a year , in accordance with article 14 ; it confirms that if any installation emits 50 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent , excluding emissions from biomass , in any one calendar year or the measures applying to that installation that are aimed at making an equivalent contribution to emission reductions are no longer in place , the installation will be reintroduced into the eu ets ; it publishes the information referred to in points , and for public comment . hospitals may also be excluded if they undertake equivalent measures . '


### the allowances shall be made available for innovation in low - carbon industrial technologies and processes and support for demonstration projects for the development of a wide range of ccs and innovative renewable energy technologies that are not yet commercially viable in geographically balanced locations . in order to promote innovative projects , up to 60% of the relevant costs of projects may be supported , out of which up to 40% may not be dependent on verified avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions provided that pre - determined milestones are attained taking into account the technology deployed . ### the allowances shall be made available for innovation in low - carbon industrial technologies and processes , carbon clean operation modes in existing installations and support for demonstration projects for the development of a wide range of ccs and ccu and innovative renewable energy technologies that are not yet commercially viable in geographically balanced locations . in order to promote innovative projects , up to 80% of the relevant costs of projects , operating costs due to modifications in existing installations or investments in existing installations may be supported , out of which up to 40% may not be dependent on verified avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions provided that pre - determined milestones are attained taking into account the technology or process adaption deployed .


### from 2021 , allowances not allocated to installations because of the application of paragraphs 19 and 20 shall be added to the reserve . ### from 2021 , allowances not allocated to installations because of the application of paragraphs 19 and 20 shall be added to the reserve for new entrants and production increases .