### design and production : the design and production of products in order to maximise their foreseeable use by persons with functional limitations , including persons with disabilities and those with age related impairments , shall be achieved by making accessible the following : the information on the use of the product provided on the product itself , which : must be available by more than one sensory channel ; must be understandable ; must be perceivable ; shall have an adequate size of fonts in foreseeable conditions of use ; the packaging of the product including the information provided in it ; the product instructions for use , installation and maintenance , storage and disposal of the product which shall comply with the following : the content of instruction shall be available in text formats that can be used for generating alternative assistive formats to be presented in different ways and via more than one sensory channel , and the instructions shall provide alternatives to non - text content ; the user interface of the product in accordance with point 2 ; the functionality of the product by providing functions aimed to address the needs of persons with functional limitations , in accordance with point 2 ; the interfacing of the product with assistive devices . ### general purpose computer hardware , operating systems and household appliances operated by user interface design and production : the design and production of products in order to maximise their foreseeable use by persons with functional limitations , including persons with disabilities and those with age related impairments , shall be achieved by complying with the following accessibility requirements : the information on the use of the product provided on the product itself , which shall be provided in accessible web format and electronic non - web document and : shall be understandable ; shall be perceivable ; shall have an adequate size and type of fonts with sufficient contrast between the characters and their background in order to maximise its readability in foreseeable conditions of use ; shall be made available in accessible web format and electronic non - web documents ; the packaging of the product including the information provided in it which : shall meet the requirements laid down in point 1a ; shall in a simple and precise way inform the users that the product incorporates accessibility features ; the product instructions for use , installation and maintenance , storage and disposal of the product which shall comply with the following : shall be made available in accessible web format and electronic non - web document by making them perceivable , operable , understandable and robust ; shall list and explain how to use the accessibility features of the product and its compatibility with a variety of assistive technologies available at union and international level ; shall be provided on alternative non - electronic formats upon request . the alternative non - electronic formats may include large print , braille , or easy - to - read text .


### the assessment of whether compliance with accessibility requirements referred to in article 21 imposes a disproportionate burden shall be performed by the competent authorities concerned . ### the assessment of whether compliance with accessibility requirements referred to in article 21 imposes a disproportionate burden shall be performed by the competent authorities concerned . lack of priority , time or knowledge shall not be considered as legitimate reasons to claim a disproportionate burden .


### the demand for accessible products and services is high and the number of citizens with disabilities and / or functional limitations will increase significantly with the ageing of the european union ' s population . an environment where products and services are more accessible allows for a more inclusive society and facilitates independent living . ### the demand for accessible products and services is high and the number of citizens with disabilities and / or functional limitations will increase significantly with the ageing of the european union ' s population . an environment where products and services are more accessible allows for a more inclusive society and is a prerequisite for independent living .


### member states may decide , in the light of national conditions , that the built environment used by clients of passenger transport services including the environment that is managed by service providers and by infrastructure operators as well as the built environment used by clients of banking services , and customer services centres and shops under the scope of telephony operators shall comply with the accessibility requirements of annex i , section x , in order to maximise their use by persons with functional limitations , including persons with disabilities . ### member states shall ensure that the built environment used by clients of passenger transport services including the environment that is managed by service providers and by infrastructure operators as well as the built environment used by clients of banking services , and customer services centres and shops under the scope of telephony operators , as well as any other service or place for the purchase of any of the products included in this directive comply with the accessibility requirements of annex i , section x , in order to maximise their use by persons with functional limitations and persons with disabilities .


### design and production : the design and production of products in order to maximise their foreseeable use by persons with functional limitations , including persons with disabilities and those with age related impairments , shall be achieved by making accessible the following : the information on the use of the product provided on the product itself , which : must be available by more than one sensory channel ; must be understandable ; must be perceivable ; shall have an adequate size of fonts in foreseeable conditions of use ; the packaging of the product including the information provided in it ; the product instructions for use , installation and maintenance , storage and disposal of the product which shall comply with the following : the content of instruction shall be available in text formats that can be used for generating alternative assistive formats to be presented in different ways and via more than one sensory channel , and the instructions shall provide alternatives to non - text content ; the user interface of the product in accordance with point 2 ; the functionality of the product by providing functions aimed to address the needs of persons with functional limitations , in accordance with point 2 ; the interfacing of the product with assistive devices . ### design and production : the design and production of products in order to maximise their foreseeable use by persons with functional limitations , including persons with disabilities and those with age related impairments , shall be achieved by complying with the following accessibility requirements : the information on the use of the product provided on the product itself , which : must be available by more than one sensory channel ; shall be understandable ; shall be perceivable ; shall have an adequate size and type of fonts with sufficient contrast between the characters and their background in order to maximise its readability in foreseeable conditions of use ; shall be made available in accessible web format and electronic non - web documents by making them perceivable , operable , understandable and robust . the packaging of the product including the information provided in it which : shall meet the requirements laid down in point 1a ; shall in a simple and precise way inform the users that the product incorporates accessibility features and its compatibility with assistive technologies ; the product instructions for use , installation and maintenance , storage and disposal of the product , whether provided separately or integrated within the product , which shall comply with the following : shall be made available in accessible web format and electronic non - web document by making them perceivable , operable , understandable and robust ; shall list and explain how to use the accessibility features of the product and its compatibility with a variety of assistive technologies available at union and international level ; shall be provided on alternative non - electronic formats upon request . the alternative non - electronic formats may include large print , braille , or easy - to - read text . the user interface of the product in accordance with point 2 ; the functionality of the product by providing functions aimed to address the needs of persons with functional limitations , in accordance with point 2 ; the product shall provide compatibility with a variety of assistive devices and technologies available at union and international level , including hearing technologies , such as hearing aids , telecoils , cochlear implants , and assistive listening devices .


### it is necessary to introduce the accessibility requirements in the least burdensome manner for the economic operators and the member states , notably by only including in the scope the products and services which have been thoroughly selected . ### it is necessary to introduce the accessibility requirements which enable all people to fully use the products and services and infrastructure covered by this directive in the least burdensome manner for the economic operators and the member states .


### the entry into force of the convention in the member states’ legal orders entails the need to adopt additional national provisions on accessibility of products and services which without union action would further increase disparities between national provisions . ### the entry into force of the convention in the member states’ legal orders entails the need to adopt additional national provisions on accessibility of products and services and the built environment related to the provision of goods and services which without union action would further increase disparities between national provisions .


### air , bus , rail and waterborne passenger transport services ; ### air , bus , rail and waterborne passenger transport services and infrastructure ;


### content of instruction shall be available in text formats that can be used for generating alternative assistive formats to be presented in different ways and via more than one sensory channel , and ### shall be made available in accessible web format and electronic non - web document by making them perceivable , operable , understandable and robust ;


### user interface and functionality design : in order to make accessible the design of the products and their user interface as referred to in points and of point 1 they must be designed , where applicable , as follows : provide for communication and orientation via more than one sensory channel ; provide for alternatives to speech for communication and orientation ; provide for flexible magnification and contrast ; provide for an alternative colour to convey information ; provide for flexible ways to separate and control foreground from background including for reducing background noise and improve clarity ; provide for user control of volume ; provide for sequential control and alternatives to fine motor control ; provide for modes of operation with limited reach and strength ; provide avoidance of triggering photosensitive seizures ; ### functionality requirements for user interface and design of the product : in order to make accessible the design of the products and their user interface as referred to in points and of point 1 they shall be designed , where applicable , as follows : provide for communication and orientation via more than one sensory channel including : where the product provides visual modes of communication and operation , the product shall provide at least one mode of information and operation that does not require vision , where the product provides auditory modes of information and operation , the product shall provide at least one mode of information and operation that does not require hearing ; provide for alternatives to speech for communication and orientation , where the product requires vocal input from users , the product shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require the users to generate orally - generated sounds like speech , whistles or clicks ; where the product provides visual modes of communication and operation , provide for features that enable users to make better use of their limited vision , including by providing flexible magnification without loss of content or functionality , flexible contrast and brightness , and where possible , it should include flexible ways to separate and control foreground from background visual elements and flexible control over the field of vision required ; provide for a visual mode of operation that does not require user perception of colour ; provide for user control of volume and enhanced audio features to improve audio clarity , including flexible ways to separate and control foreground from background sound where voice and background are available as separate audio streams ; provide for sequential control and alternatives to fine motor control , including where the product requires manual actions , the product shall provide features that enable users to make use of the product through alternative modes of operation not requiring fine motor control like manipulation or hand strength , nor operation of more than one control at the same time ; provide for modes of operation with limited reach and strength , including where product is free - standing or installed , the informational and operational elements shall be located within standard accessible reach ranges or it shall be possible for a user to place it within reach ; where the product provides visual modes of information , the product shall provide at least one mode of information that minimizes the potential for triggering photosensitive seizures ; provide for features that make its communication and user operation simpler and easier to use ; where the product provides features that are provided for accessibility , the users’ privacy shall be maintained when using those features .


### the estimated costs and benefits for the economic operators in relation to the estimated benefit for persons with disabilities , taking into account the frequency and duration of use of the specific product or service . ### the estimated costs and benefits for the economic operators in relation to the estimated benefit for persons with functional limitations and persons with disabilities .


### this directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the charter of fundamental rights of the european union . in particular , this directive seeks to ensure full respect for the rights of persons with disabilities to benefit from measures designed to ensure their independence , social and occupational integration and participation in the life of the community and to promote the application of article 26 of the charter of fundamental rights of the european union . ### this directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the charter of fundamental rights of the european union . in particular , this directive seeks to ensure full respect for the rights of persons with disabilities and older persons to benefit from measures designed to ensure their independence , social and occupational integration and participation in the life of the community and to promote the application of articles 25 and 26 of the charter of fundamental rights of the european union .


### the following self - service terminals : automatic teller machines , ticketing machines and check - in machines shall comply with the requirements set out in section ii of annex i . ### the following self - service terminals : automatic teller machines , ticketing machines , parking ticket vending machines , check - in machines and payment terminals shall comply with the requirements set out in section ii of annex i .


### the estimated costs and benefits for the competent authorities concerned in relation to the estimated benefit for persons with disabilities , taking into account the frequency and duration of use of the specific product or service ; ### the estimated costs and benefits for the competent authorities concerned in relation to the estimated benefit for persons with functional limitations and persons with disabilities ;


### must be available by more than one sensory channel ; ### shall be available by more than one sensory channel ;


### this directive should follow the principle of ' think small first ' and should take account of the administrative burdens that smes are faced with . it should set light rules in terms of conformity assessment and should establish safeguard clauses for economic operators , rather than providing for general exceptions and derogations for those enterprises . consequently , when setting up the rules for the selection and implementation of the most appropriate conformity assessment procedures , the situation of smes should be taken into account and the obligations to assess conformity of accessibility requirements should be limited to the extent that they do not pose a disproportionate burden on smes . in addition , market surveillance authorities should operate in a proportionate manner in relation to the size of undertakings and to the small serial or non - serial nature of the production concerned , without creating unnecessary obstacles for smes and without compromising the protection of public interests . ### this directive should be wide - reaching , while also taking account of the administrative burdens that smes are faced with . it should set precise and effective rules in terms of conformity assessment and economic operators could invoke safeguard clauses under exceptional circumstances only , rather than providing for general exceptions and derogations for those enterprises . exceptions to the rules of conformity assessment should be interpreted restrictively . consequently , when setting up the rules for the selection and implementation of the most appropriate conformity assessment procedures , the situation of smes should be taken into account and the obligations to assess conformity of accessibility requirements should be limited to the extent that they do not pose a disproportionate burden on smes . in addition , market surveillance authorities should operate in a proportionate manner in relation to the size of undertakings and to the small serial or non - serial nature of the production concerned , without creating unnecessary obstacles for smes and without compromising the protection of public interests .


### where a competent authority has used the exception provided for in paragraphs 1 , 2 and 3 for a specific product or service it shall notify the commission thereof . the notification shall include the assessment referred to in paragraph 2 . ### where a competent authority has used the exception provided for in paragraphs 1 , 2 and 3 for a specific product or service it shall notify the commission thereof . the notification shall include the assessment referred to in paragraph 2 and it shall be made available to the public in accessible formats .


### where the economic operators have used the exception provided for in paragraphs 1 to 5 for a specific product or service they shall notify the relevant market surveillance authority of the member state in the market of which the product or service is placed or made available . notification shall include the assessment referred to in paragraph 3 . microenterprises are exempted from this notification requirement but must be able to supply the relevant documentation upon request from a relevant market surveillance authority . ### where the economic operators have used the exception provided for in paragraphs 1 to 5 for a specific product or service they shall notify the market surveillance authority of the member state in the market of which the product or service is placed or made available . notification shall include the assessment referred to in paragraph 3 . in order for an exemption to be granted pursuant to such exception , the market surveillance authority shall systematically verify the assessment , unless the economic operator has provided an independent third - party assessment .


### user interface and functionality design : in order to make accessible the design of the products and their user interface as referred to in points and of point 1 they must be designed , where applicable , as follows : provide for communication and orientation via more than one sensory channel ; provide for alternatives to speech for communication and orientation ; provide for flexible magnification and contrast ; provide for an alternative colour to convey information ; provide for flexible ways to separate and control foreground from background including for reducing background noise and improve clarity ; provide for user control of volume ; provide for sequential control and alternatives to fine motor control ; provide for modes of operation with limited reach and strength ; provide avoidance of triggering photosensitive seizures ; ### functionality requirements for user interface and design of the product : in order to make accessible the design of the products and their user interface as referred to in points and of point 1 they must be designed , where applicable , in accordance with section i , point 2 , as well as : the product shall be able to encode and decode two - way voice communication with high - fidelity audio ; the product supporting two - way voice communication shall also allow a user to communicate with another user by real time text , so rtt can be used standalone or combined with voice on the same call ; where the product interoperates for two - way voice communication within a specific network , it shall also interoperate in real - time text on the same voice call using the real - time text format specified for that network ; where the product that provides two - way voice communication includes real - time video functionality , the product shall support a video resolution that allows users to communicate using sign language and lip - reading ; where the product delivers output by an audio transducer , the product shall provide a means for effective wireless coupling to hearing technologies , such as hearing aids , telecoils , cochlear implants , and assistive listening devices , and shall reduce interferences with these hearing technologies to the lowest possible level ;


### the eib and the eif should ensure that the final beneficiaries , including smes , are informed of the existence of efsi support , so as to enhance the visibility of the eu guarantee granted under regulation 2015 / 1017 . ### the eib and the eif should ensure that all the final beneficiaries are duly informed of the existence of efsi support , so as to enhance the visibility of the eu guarantee granted under regulation 2015 / 1017 .


### in order to reinforce the take - up of the efsi in less - developed and transition regions , the scope of the general objectives eligible for efsi support should be enlarged . ### in order to reinforce the take - up of the efsi in less - developed and transition regions , the scope of the general objectives eligible for efsi support should be enlarged , and a strategy for the better promotion of efsi financing , capacity building and local technical assistance in the above mentioned regions should be developed and duly implemented .


### the extended efsi should address remaining market failures and sub - optimal investment situations and continue to mobilise private sector financing in investments crucial for europe’s future job creation – including for the youth – , growth and competitiveness with strengthened additionality . they include investments in the areas of energy , environment and climate action , social and human capital and related infrastructure , healthcare , research and innovation , cross - border and sustainable transport , as well as the digital transformation . in particular , the contribution of operations supported by the efsi to achieving the union ' s ambitious targets set at the paris climate conference should be reinforced . energy interconnection priority projects and energy efficiency projects should also be increasingly targeted . in addition , efsi support to motorways should be avoided , unless it is needed to support private investment in transport in cohesion countries or in cross - border transport projects involving at least one cohesion country . for reasons of clarity , although they are already eligible , it should be explicitly laid down that projects in the fields of agriculture , fishery and aquaculture come within the general objectives eligible for efsi support . ### the extended efsi should address remaining market failures and sub - optimal investment situations and continue to mobilise private sector financing in investments crucial for europe’s future quality job creation – including for the youth – , inclusive growth and competitiveness , enhancing the social and employment impact , with strengthened additionality . they include investments in the areas of energy , environment and climate action , social and human capital and related infrastructure , healthcare , research and innovation , cross - border and sustainable transport , as well as the digital transformation . in particular , the contribution of operations supported by the efsi to achieving the union ' s ambitious targets set at the paris climate conference should be reinforced . energy interconnection priority projects and energy efficiency projects should also be increasingly targeted . moreover , social infrastructure related projects should be highly targeted . in addition , efsi support to motorways should be avoided , unless it is needed to support private investment in transport in cohesion countries or in cross - border transport projects involving at least one cohesion country . for reasons of clarity , although they are already eligible , it should be explicitly laid down that projects in the fields of agriculture , fishery and aquaculture come within the general objectives eligible for efsi support .


### most customs control equipment may be equally or incidentally fit for controls of compliance with other legislation , such as provisions on border management , visa or police cooperation . the integrated border management fund has therefore been conceived as two complementary instruments with distinct but coherent scopes for the purchase of equipment . on the one hand , the instrument for border management and visa established by regulation [ 2018 / xxx ] 25 will exclude equipment that can be used for both border management and customs control . on the other hand , the instrument for financial support for customs control equipment established by this regulation will not only support financially equipment with customs controls as the main purpose but will also allow its use as well for additional purposes such as border controls and security . this distribution of roles will foster inter - agency cooperation as a component of the european integrated border management approach , as referred to in article 4 of regulation 2016 / 162426 , thereby enabling customs and border authorities to work together and maximising the impact of the union budget through co - sharing and inter - operability of control equipment . _________________ 25 com 473 . 26 regulation 2016 / 1624 of the european parliament and of the council of 14 september 2016 on the european border and coast guard and amending regulation 2016 / 399 of the european parliament and of the council and repealing regulation no 863 / 2007 of the european parliament and of the council , council regulation no 2007 / 2004 and council decision 2005 / 267 / ec . ### most customs control equipment may be equally or incidentally fit for controls of compliance with other legislation , such as provisions on border management , visa or police cooperation . the integrated border management fund has therefore been conceived as two complementary instruments with distinct but coherent scopes for the purchase of equipment . on the one hand , the instrument for border management and visa established by regulation [ 2018 / xxx ] 25 will exclude equipment that can be used for both border management and customs control . on the other hand , the instrument for financial support for customs control equipment established by this regulation will not only support financially equipment with customs controls as the main purpose but will also allow its use as well for other tasks carried out at borders . this distribution of roles will foster inter - agency cooperation as a component of the european integrated border management approach , as referred to in article 4 of regulation 2016 / 162426 , thereby enabling customs and border authorities to work together and maximising the impact of the union budget through co - sharing and inter - operability of control equipment . _________________ 25 com 473 . 26 regulation 2016 / 1624 of the european parliament and of the council of 14 september 2016 on the european border and coast guard and amending regulation 2016 / 399 of the european parliament and of the council and repealing regulation no 863 / 2007 of the european parliament and of the council , council regulation no 2007 / 2004 and council decision 2005 / 267 / ec .


### the alcohol used in the production of alcoholic beverages and to dilute or dissolve colours , flavourings or any other authorised additives used in the preparation of alcoholic beverages shall be ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin . ### the alcohol used in the production of spirit drinks and to dilute or dissolve colours , flavourings or any other authorised additives used in the preparation of spirit drinks shall be ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin .


### details establishing the link between a given quality , reputation or other characteristic of the spirit drink and the geographical area referred to in point ; ### details establishing the link and characteristics of the spirit drink and the geographical area referred to in point ;


### distillates used in the production of alcoholic beverages and to dilute or dissolve colours , flavourings or any other authorised additives used in the preparation of alcoholic beverages shall exclusively be of agricultural origin . ### distillates used in the production of spirit drinks and to dilute or dissolve colours , flavourings or any other authorised additives used in the preparation of alcoholic beverages shall exclusively be of agricultural origin .


### member states shall take the steps necessary to stop the unlawful use of protected geographical indications as referred to in paragraph 2 . ### member states shall take the steps necessary to stop the unlawful use of registered geographical indications as referred to in paragraph 2 .


### protected geographical indications shall not become generic in the union within the meaning of article 32 . ### registered geographical indications shall not become generic in the union within the meaning of article 32 .


### any other natural carbohydrate substances having a similar effect to the products referred to in points to . ### any other natural carbohydrate substances or agricultural raw materials having a similar effect to the products referred to in points to .


### where the origin of a spirit drink is indicated , it shall correspond to the country or territory of origin in accordance with article 60 of regulation no 952 / 2013 of the european parliament and of the council16 . _________________ 16 regulation no 952 / 2013 of the european parliament and of the council of 9 october 2013 laying down the union customs code . ### where the origin of a spirit drink is indicated , it shall correspond to the place or region where the relevant stage in the production process of the finished product took place which conferred on the spirit drink its character and essential definitive qualities .


### the power to adopt delegated acts referred to in articles 5 , 16 , 38 , 41 and 46 shall be conferred on the commission for an indeterminate period of time from the entry into force of this regulation . ### the power to adopt delegated acts referred to in articles 5 , 16 , 38 , 41 and 46 shall be conferred on the commission for a five - year period of time from the entry into force of this regulation . this delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for a period of identical duration unless the european parliament or the council opposes such an extension not later than three months before the end of each period .


### the commission shall adopt implementing acts , without applying the procedure referred to in article 44 , establishing and maintaining a publicly accessible updated electronic register of geographical indications of spirit drinks recognised under this scheme . ### the commission shall adopt implementing acts , without applying the procedure referred to in article 44 , establishing and maintaining a publicly accessible updated electronic register of geographical indications of spirit drinks recognised under this scheme , replacing and having the same legal value as annex iii of regulation no 110 / 2008


### for a period of up to two years following the entry into force of this regulation , the commission , by means of implementing acts , may , on its own initiative , cancel the protection of geographical indications referred to in article 20 of regulation no 110 / 2008 if they do not comply with point of article 2 . those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in article 44 . ### up to the entry into force of this regulation , the commission , by means of implementing acts , may , on its own initiative , cancel the registration of geographical indications referred to in article 20 of regulation no 110 / 2008 if they do not comply with point of article 2 . those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in article 44 .


### protected geographical indications may be used by any operator marketing a spirit drink produced in conformity with the corresponding product specification . ### registered geographical indications may be used by any operator marketing a spirit drink produced in conformity with the corresponding product specification .


### in order to take into account evolving consumer demands , technological progress , developments in the relevant international standards and the need to improve the economic conditions of production and marketing , the traditional ageing processes and , in exceptional cases , the law of the importing third countries , and in order to ensure the protection of geographical indications , the power to adopt acts in accordance with article 290 of the treaty should be delegated to the commission in respect of the amendment of or derogations from the technical definitions and requirements of the categories of spirit drinks and the specific rules concerning some of them referred to under chapter i of this regulation , the labelling and presentation referred to under chapter ii of this regulation , the geographical indications referred to under chapter iii of this regulation and the checks and exchange of information referred under chapter iv of this regulation . ### in order to take into account evolving consumer demands , technological progress , developments in the relevant international standards and the need to improve the economic conditions of production and marketing , the traditional ageing processes and , in exceptional cases , the law of the importing third countries , and in order to ensure the protection of geographical indications , while taking into account the importance of respecting traditional practices , the power to adopt acts in accordance with article 290 of the treaty should be delegated to the commission in respect of the amendment of or derogations from the technical definitions and requirements of the categories of spirit drinks and the specific rules concerning some of them referred to under chapter i of this regulation , the labelling and presentation referred to under chapter ii of this regulation , the geographical indications referred to under chapter iii of this regulation and the checks and exchange of information referred under chapter iv of this regulation .


### use of a union symbol for protected geographical indications ### use of a union symbol for registered geographical indications


### the commission may , on its own initiative or at the request of any natural or legal person having a legitimate interest , adopt implementing acts to cancel the registration of a geographical indication in the following cases : ### the commission may , after consulting the respective authority of the member states affected , at the request of any natural or legal person having a legitimate interest , adopt implementing acts to cancel the registration of a geographical indication in the following cases :


### implementing powers with respect to existing protected geographical indications ### implementing powers with respect to existing registered geographical indications


### the name to be protected as a geographical indication , as it is used , whether in trade or in common language , and only in the languages which are or were historically used to describe the specific product in the defined geographical area ; ### the name to be registered as a geographical indication , as it is used , whether in trade or in common language , and only in the languages which are or were historically used to describe the specific product in the defined geographical area ;


### either directly by using any of the following methods : ### either directly by using any of the following methods , individually or in combination :


### distillates used in the production of alcoholic beverages and to dilute or dissolve colours , flavourings or any other authorised additives used in the preparation of alcoholic beverages shall exclusively be of agricultural origin . ### distillates used in the production of spirit drinks and to dilute or dissolve colours , flavourings or any other authorised additives used in the preparation of spirit drinks shall exclusively be of agricultural origin .


### - the maceration or similar processing of plant materials in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin , distillates of agricultural origin or spirit drinks or a mixture thereof within the meaning of this regulation , ### - the maceration or similar processing of plant materials in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin , distillates of agricultural origin or spirit drinks or a combination thereof within the meaning of this regulation ,


### the competent authorities or bodies referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 verifying compliance of the protected geographical indication with the product specification shall be objective and impartial . they shall have at their disposal the qualified staff and resources necessary to carry out their tasks . ### the competent authorities or bodies referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 verifying compliance of the registered geographical indication with the product specification shall be objective and impartial . they shall have at their disposal the qualified staff and resources necessary to carry out their tasks .


### for the purposes of identifying and tracing each assembled firearm , member states shall , at the time of manufacture of each firearm or at the time of import to the union , require a unique marking including the name of the manufacturer , the country or place of manufacture , the serial number and the year of manufacture , if not already part of the serial number . this shall be without prejudice to the affixing of the manufacturer ' s trademark . ### for the purposes of identifying and tracing each assembled firearm and its essential components , member states shall , at the time of manufacture of each firearm or each essential component for that firearm or at the time of import to the union , require a unique marking including the name of the manufacturer , the country or place of manufacture , the serial number and the year of manufacture , if not already part of the serial number . this shall be without prejudice to the affixing of the manufacturer ' s trademark .


### ' this filing system shall record each firearm ' s type , make , model , calibre and serial number , as well as the names and addresses of the supplier and the person acquiring or possessing the firearm . the record of firearms , including deactivated firearms , shall be maintained until destruction of the firearm has been certified by the competent authorities . ### ' this filing system shall record each firearm ' s type , make , model , calibre and serial number , as well as the names and addresses of the supplier and the person acquiring or possessing the firearm . the record of firearms shall be maintained for an indefinite period until destruction of the firearm has been certified by the competent authorities . '


### for the purposes of this directive , ' essential component ' shall mean the barrel , frame , receiver , slide or cylinder , bolt or breach block and any device designed or adapted to diminish the sound caused by firing a firearm which , being separate objects , are included in the category of the firearms on which they are or are intended to be mounted . ' ### for the purposes of this directive , ' essential component ' shall mean any part essential to its operation , including the barrel , frame , receiver , slide or cylinder , bolt or breach block which , being separate objects , are included in the category of the firearms on which they are or are intended to be mounted .


### bodies concerned with the cultural and historical aspects of weapons and recognised as such by the member state in whose territory they are established and holding in their possession firearms classified in category a acquired before the date of entry into force of this directive should be able to keep those firearms in their possession subject to authorisation by the member state concerned and provided that those firearms have been deactivated . ### bodies and persons concerned with the cultural and historical aspects of weapons and recognised as such by the member state in whose territory they are established and holding in their possession firearms classified in category a should be able to keep those firearms in their possession subject to authorisation by the member state concerned .


### for the purposes of identifying and tracing each assembled firearm , member states shall , at the time of manufacture of each firearm or at the time of import to the union , require a unique marking including the name of the manufacturer , the country or place of manufacture , the serial number and the year of manufacture , if not already part of the serial number . this shall be without prejudice to the affixing of the manufacturer ' s trademark . ### for the purposes of identifying and tracing each assembled firearm and its essential components , member states shall , at the time of manufacture thereof or at the time of import to the union , require a unique marking including the name of the manufacturer , the country or place of manufacture , the serial number and the year of manufacture , if not already part of the serial number . this shall be without prejudice to the affixing of the manufacturer ' s trademark .


### member states shall ensure that any firearm or part placed on the market has been marked and registered in compliance with this directive . ### member states shall ensure that all the essential components of any firearm placed on the market have been marked and registered in compliance with this directive .


### the acquisition of firearms and their parts and ammunition concerning categories a , b and c by means of distance communication , as defined in article 2 of directive 97 / 7 / ec of the european parliament and of the council , shall be authorised only with respect to dealers and brokers and shall be subject to the strict control of the member states . ### the acquisition of firearms and their parts concerning categories a , b and c by means of distance communication , as defined in article 2 of directive 97 / 7 / ec of the european parliament and of the council , shall be authorised only with respect to dealers and brokers and shall be subject to the strict control of the member states . member states may derogate from this rule if , following an on line sale , the firearm in question or its essential components can be collected by the person acquiring the firearm only at the premises of police or other competent authorities of member states as determined under national law .


### the commission shall adopt technical specifications for alarm and signal weapons as well as for salute and acoustic weapons to ensure they cannot be converted into firearms . ### member states shall take measures to ensure that alarm and signal weapons as well as salute and acoustic weapons cannot be converted into firearms . the commission shall , acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in article 13a of the directive , issue common conversion standards by 31 . 12 . 2016 ensuring that any conversion of a firearm that changes its category is done in a manner which renders such conversion irreversible .


### selling arrangements of firearms and their components by means of distance communication may pose a serious threat to security as they are more difficult to control than the conventional selling methods , especially as regards the on line verification of the legality of authorisations . it is therefore appropriate to limit the selling of arms and components by means of distance communication , notably internet , to dealers and brokers . ### selling arrangements of firearms and their components by means of distance communication may pose a serious threat to security as they are more difficult to control than the conventional selling methods , especially as regards the on line verification of the legality of authorisations . it is therefore appropriate to limit the selling of arms and components by means of distance communication , notably internet , to dealers and brokers . however , an exception to this rule may be permissible if , following an on line sale , the firearm in question or its essential components can be collected by the person acquiring the firearm only at the premises of police or other competent authorities of member states as determined under national law .


### member states shall ensure that any firearm or part placed on the market has been marked and registered in compliance with this directive . ### member states shall ensure that any firearm or essential component thereof placed on the market has been marked in a durable way and registered in compliance with this directive .


### the commission shall regularly review the situation in third countries that are on the eu common list of safe countries of origin , based on a range of sources of information , including in particular regular reporting from the eeas and information from member states , easo , unhcr , the council of europe and other relevant international organisations . ### the commission shall regularly review the situation in third countries that are on the eu common list of safe countries of origin or suspended from that list in accordance with article 3 , based on a range of sources of information , including in particular regular reporting from the eeas and information from member states , easo , unhcr , the council of europe and other relevant international organisations , and national or international non - governmental organisations .


### an eu common list of safe countries of origin should be established on the basis of the common criteria set in directive 2013 / 32 / eu as it will facilitate the use by all member states of the procedures linked to the application of the safe country of origin concept and , thereby , increase the overall efficiency of their asylum systems as concerns applications for international protection which are likely to be unfounded . the establishment of an eu common list will also address some of the existing divergences between member states’ national lists of safe countries of origin , whereby applicants for international protection originating from the same third countries are not always subject to the same procedures in the member states . while member states should retain the right to apply or introduce legislation that allows for the national designation of third countries other than those appearing on the eu common list as safe countries of origin , the establishment of such a common list will ensure that the concept is applied by all member states in a uniform manner in relation to applicants whose countries of origin are on this list . this will accordingly facilitate convergence in the application of procedures and thereby also deter secondary movements of applicants for international protection . in that context , the possibility to take in the future further steps of harmonisation that could lead to the elimination of the need for national lists of safe countries of origin should be considered after a period of three years following the entry into force of this regulation , on the basis of a report to be presented by the commission . ### an eu common list of safe countries of origin should be established on the basis of the common criteria set in directive 2013 / 32 / eu as it would facilitate the use by all member states of the procedures linked to the application of the safe country of origin concept and , thereby , increase the overall efficiency of their asylum systems as concerns applications for international protection which are likely to be unfounded . the establishment of an eu common list is intended to also address some of the existing divergences between member states’ national lists of safe countries of origin , whereby applicants for international protection originating from the same third countries are not always subject to the same procedures in the member states . while member states should temporarily retain the right to apply or introduce legislation that allows for the national designation of third countries other than those appearing on the eu common list as safe countries of origin , the establishment of such a common list would ensure that the concept is applied by all member states in a uniform manner in relation to applicants whose countries of origin are on this list . this would accordingly facilitate convergence in the application of procedures and thereby also deter secondary movements of applicants for international protection . in that context , as regards further steps towards harmonisation , national lists of safe countries of origin should cease to exist after a period of three years following the entry into force of this regulation . the commission should report to the european parliament and to the council on the application of this regulation in the member states .


### the commission shall regularly review the situation in third countries that are on the eu common list of safe countries of origin , based on a range of sources of information , including in particular regular reporting from the eeas and information from member states , easo , unhcr , the council of europe and other relevant international organisations . ### the commission shall review the situation in third countries that are on the eu common list of safe countries of origin twice a year , based on a range of sources of information , including in particular regular reporting from the eeas and the union delegations in these countries , as well as information from member states , easo , unhcr , fra , the council of europe and other relevant international organisations . it shall keep the european parliament properly informed , in a timely manner .


### in case of sudden changes in the situation of a third country that is on the eu common list of safe countries of origin , the commission shall conduct a substantiated assessment of the fulfilment by that country of the conditions set in annex i of directive 2013 / 32 / eu and , if those conditions are no longer met , shall adopt , in accordance with article 290 tfue , a decision suspending the presence of that third country from the eu common list for a period of one year . ### in case of sudden changes in the situation of a third country that is on the eu common list of safe countries of origin , the commission shall immediately conduct a substantiated assessment of the fulfilment by that country of the conditions set in annex i of directive 2013 / 32 / eu , based on the sources of information listed in article 2 and in accordance with the consultation obligation established in article 3b and , if those conditions are no longer met , shall adopt as soon as possible , in accordance with article 290 tfeu , a decision suspending the presence of that third country from the eu common list for a period of one year . as soon as possible after it becomes aware of the change in situation and in any event before adopting the decision suspending inclusion of that third country from the eu common list , the commission shall inform the member states and recommend to them not to apply the safe country of origin concept to that third country at the national level .


### member states may retain or introduce legislation that allows , in accordance with annex i , for the national designation of safe countries of origin other than those on the eu common list of safe countries of origin established by regulation no xxxx / 2015 [ this regulation ] for the purposes of examining applications for international protection ### until . . . [ three years from the entry into force of this regulation ] , member states may retain or introduce legislation that allows , in accordance with annex i , for the national designation of safe countries of origin other than those on the eu common list of safe countries of origin established by regulation no xxx / 2015 for the purposes of examining applications for international protection . 1a . where a third country has been suspended from the eu common list of safe countries of origin pursuant to article 3 of that regulation , member states shall not designate that country as a safe country of origin at the national level . 1b . where a third country has been removed from the eu common list of safe countries of origin pursuant to article 2 , a member state may notify the commission where it considers that , following changes in the situation of that third country , it once again fulfils the criteria set out in annex i to this directive for being included in the eu common list of safe countries of origin . the commission shall examine any such notification by a member state and if appropriate , submit a proposal to the european parliament and to the council to amend the eu common list of safe countries of origin accordingly . if the commission decides not to submit such a proposal , member states shall not designate that country as a safe country of origin at national level .


### in case of sudden changes in the situation of a third country that is on the eu common list of safe countries of origin , the commission shall conduct a substantiated assessment of the fulfilment by that country of the conditions set in annex i of directive 2013 / 32 / eu and , if those conditions are no longer met , shall adopt , in accordance with article 290 tfue , a decision suspending the presence of that third country from the eu common list for a period of one year . ### in case of sudden changes in the situation of a third country that is on the eu common list of safe countries of origin , the commission shall conduct a substantiated assessment of the fulfilment by that country of the conditions set in annex i of directive 2013 / 32 / eu . if those conditions are no longer met , it shall adopt within a reasonable period of time consistent with the urgency of the situation on the ground , in accordance with article 290 tfeu , a decision suspending the presence of that third country from the eu common list for a period of one year .


### the commission should regularly review the situation in third countries that are on the eu common list of safe countries of origin . in case of sudden change for the worse in the situation of a third country on the eu common list , the power to adopt acts in accordance with article 290 of the treaty on the functioning of the european union should be delegated to the commission in respect of suspending the presence of this third country from the eu common list for a period of one year where it considers , on the basis of a substantiated assessment , that the conditions set by directive 2013 / 32 / eu for regarding a third country as safe country of origin are no longer met . for the purpose of this substantiated assessment , the commission should take into consideration a range of sources of information at its disposal including in particular , its annual progress reports for third countries designated as candidate countries by the european council , regular reports from the european external action service and the information from member states , the european asylum support office , the united nations high commissioner for refugees , the council of europe and other relevant international organisations . the commission should be able to extend the suspension of the presence of a third country from the eu common list for a period of maximum one year , where it has proposed an amendment to this regulation in order to remove this third country from the eu common list of safe countries of origin . it is of particular importance that the commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work , including at expert level . the commission , when preparing and drawing up delegated acts , should ensure a simultaneous , timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the european parliament and to the council . ### the commission should regularly review the situation in third countries that are on the eu common list of safe countries of origin . in case of sudden change for the worse in the situation of a third country on the eu common list , the power to adopt acts in accordance with article 290 of the treaty on the functioning of the european union should be delegated to the commission in respect of suspending the presence of this third country from the eu common list for a period of one year where it considers , on the basis of a substantiated assessment , that the conditions set by directive 2013 / 32 / eu for regarding a third country as safe country of origin are no longer met . for the purpose of this substantiated assessment , the commission should take into consideration a range of sources of information at its disposal including in particular , its annual progress reports for third countries designated as candidate countries by the european council , regular reports from the european external action service and the information from member states , the european asylum support office , the united nations high commissioner for refugees , the council of europe and other relevant international organisations , and national or international non - governmental organisations . the commission should be able to extend the suspension of the presence of a third country from the eu common list for a period of maximum one year , where it has proposed an amendment to this regulation in order to remove this third country from the eu common list of safe countries of origin . it is of particular importance that the commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work , including at expert level . the commission , when preparing and drawing up delegated acts , should ensure a simultaneous , timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the european parliament and to the council .


### the commission should regularly review the situation in third countries that are on the eu common list of safe countries of origin . in case of sudden change for the worse in the situation of a third country on the eu common list , the power to adopt acts in accordance with article 290 of the treaty on the functioning of the european union should be delegated to the commission in respect of suspending the presence of this third country from the eu common list for a period of one year where it considers , on the basis of a substantiated assessment , that the conditions set by directive 2013 / 32 / eu for regarding a third country as safe country of origin are no longer met . for the purpose of this substantiated assessment , the commission should take into consideration a range of sources of information at its disposal including in particular , its annual progress reports for third countries designated as candidate countries by the european council , regular reports from the european external action service and the information from member states , the european asylum support office , the united nations high commissioner for refugees , the council of europe and other relevant international organisations . the commission should be able to extend the suspension of the presence of a third country from the eu common list for a period of maximum one year , where it has proposed an amendment to this regulation in order to remove this third country from the eu common list of safe countries of origin . it is of particular importance that the commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work , including at expert level . the commission , when preparing and drawing up delegated acts , should ensure a simultaneous , timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the european parliament and to the council . ### the commission should regularly review the situation in third countries that are on the eu common list of safe countries of origin . in case of sudden change for the worse in the situation of a third country on the eu common list , the power to adopt acts in accordance with article 290 of the treaty on the functioning of the european union should be delegated to the commission in respect of suspending the presence of this third country from the eu common list for a period of one year where it considers , on the basis of a substantiated assessment , that the conditions set by directive 2013 / 32 / eu for regarding a third country as safe country of origin are no longer met . for the purpose of this substantiated assessment , the commission should take into consideration a range of sources of information at its disposal including in particular , its annual progress reports for third countries designated as candidate countries by the european council , regular reports from the european external action service and the information from member states , the european asylum support office , the united nations high commissioner for refugees , the council of europe , civil society groups and other relevant international organisations . the commission should be able to extend the suspension of the presence of a third country from the eu common list for a period of maximum one year , where it has proposed an amendment to this regulation in order to remove this third country from the eu common list of safe countries of origin . it is of particular importance that the commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work , including at expert level . the commission , when preparing and drawing up delegated acts , should ensure a simultaneous , timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the european parliament and to the council . the commission must be able to respond swiftly and effectively to humanitarian crises , in keeping with the union ' s commitments to third countries and refugees .


### the commission should regularly review the situation in third countries that are on the eu common list of safe countries of origin . in case of sudden change for the worse in the situation of a third country on the eu common list , the power to adopt acts in accordance with article 290 of the treaty on the functioning of the european union should be delegated to the commission in respect of suspending the presence of this third country from the eu common list for a period of one year where it considers , on the basis of a substantiated assessment , that the conditions set by directive 2013 / 32 / eu for regarding a third country as safe country of origin are no longer met . for the purpose of this substantiated assessment , the commission should take into consideration a range of sources of information at its disposal including in particular , its annual progress reports for third countries designated as candidate countries by the european council , regular reports from the european external action service and the information from member states , the european asylum support office , the united nations high commissioner for refugees , the council of europe and other relevant international organisations . the commission should be able to extend the suspension of the presence of a third country from the eu common list for a period of maximum one year , where it has proposed an amendment to this regulation in order to remove this third country from the eu common list of safe countries of origin . it is of particular importance that the commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work , including at expert level . the commission , when preparing and drawing up delegated acts , should ensure a simultaneous , timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the european parliament and to the council . ### the commission should continually review the situation in third countries that are on the eu common list of safe countries of origin . in case of sudden change for the worse or instability in the democratic system and non - compliance with international human rights treaties in a third country on the eu common list , the power to adopt acts in accordance with article 290 of the treaty on the functioning of the european union should be delegated to the commission in respect of suspending the presence of this third country from the eu common list for a period of one year where it considers , on the basis of a substantiated assessment , that the conditions set by directive 2013 / 32 / eu for regarding a third country as safe country of origin are no longer met . for the purpose of this substantiated assessment , the commission should take into consideration a range of sources of information at its disposal including in particular , its annual progress reports for third countries designated as candidate countries by the european council , regular reports from the european external action service and the information from member states , the european asylum support office , the united nations high commissioner for refugees , the council of europe , other relevant international organisations and national or international non - governmental organisations . the commission should be able to extend the suspension of the presence of a third country from the eu common list for a period of maximum one year , where it has proposed an amendment to this regulation in order to remove this third country from the eu common list of safe countries of origin . should a country be suspended from the eu common list of safe countries of origin for a continuous period of two years , it shall automatically be removed from the list . it is of particular importance that the commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work , including at expert level . the commission , when preparing and drawing up delegated acts , should ensure a simultaneous , timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the european parliament and to the council .


### any amendment of the eu common list of safe countries of origin shall be adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure . ### any amendment of the eu common list of safe countries of origin shall be adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure . before making any proposal of adding a new third country to the eu common list of safe countries of origin , the commission shall conduct a substantiated assessment of the fulfilment by that country of the criteria set in annex i of directive 2013 / 32 / eu and consult the advisory body on safe country of origin information in accordance with the procedure laid down in article 3b . assessments of whether a country is a safe country of origin conducted in accordance with this article shall be based on a range of sources of information , including in particular regular reporting from the eeas and information from member states , easo , unhcr , the council of europe , and other relevant international organisations , and national or international non - governmental organisations .


### the provisions of directive 2013 / 32 / eu related to the application of the safe country of origin concept should be applicable in relation to third countries that are on the eu common list established by this regulation . this means , in particular , that the circumstance that a third country is on the eu common list of safe countries of origin cannot establish an absolute guarantee of safety for nationals of that country and does not dispense therefore with the need to conduct an appropriate individual examination of the application for international protection . in addition , it should be recalled that , where an applicant shows that there are serious reasons to consider the country not to be safe in his or her particular circumstances , the designation of the country as safe can no longer be considered relevant for him or her . ### the provisions of directive 2013 / 32 / eu related to the application of the safe country of origin concept should be applicable in relation to third countries that are on the eu common list established by this regulation . this means , in particular , that the circumstance that a third country is on the eu common list of safe countries of origin cannot establish an absolute guarantee of safety for nationals of that country and does not dispense therefore with the need to conduct an appropriate individual examination of the application for international protection . all applications should be considered on the applicants circumstances in the third country and where an applicant shows that there are serious reasons on grounds of race , ethnicity , religion or belief , sexual orientation , nationality , membership of a particular social group or political and social opinion or activities , to consider the country not to be safe in his or her particular circumstances , the designation of the country as safe can no longer be considered relevant for him or her . due care must also be given to applicants from minority groups where burden of proof can violate their dignity or put them increased risk of danger and that all applicants have the right to an effective remedy in the case of a negative decision as well as lawfully remain on the territory pending such an appeal . in addition , procedures for returning asylum - seekers who do not meet the criteria must not violate the principle of non - refoulement .


### the commission should regularly review the situation in third countries that are on the eu common list of safe countries of origin . in case of sudden change for the worse in the situation of a third country on the eu common list , the power to adopt acts in accordance with article 290 of the treaty on the functioning of the european union should be delegated to the commission in respect of suspending the presence of this third country from the eu common list for a period of one year where it considers , on the basis of a substantiated assessment , that the conditions set by directive 2013 / 32 / eu for regarding a third country as safe country of origin are no longer met . for the purpose of this substantiated assessment , the commission should take into consideration a range of sources of information at its disposal including in particular , its annual progress reports for third countries designated as candidate countries by the european council , regular reports from the european external action service and the information from member states , the european asylum support office , the united nations high commissioner for refugees , the council of europe and other relevant international organisations . the commission should be able to extend the suspension of the presence of a third country from the eu common list for a period of maximum one year , where it has proposed an amendment to this regulation in order to remove this third country from the eu common list of safe countries of origin . it is of particular importance that the commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work , including at expert level . the commission , when preparing and drawing up delegated acts , should ensure a simultaneous , timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the european parliament and to the council . ### the commission should continually review the situation in third countries that are on the eu common list of safe countries of origin . in case of sudden change for the worse or systematic breach to the rule of law or human rights violations including discrimination in a third country on the eu common list , the power to adopt acts in accordance with article 290 of the treaty on the functioning of the european union should be delegated to the commission in respect of suspending the presence of this third country from the eu common list for a period of one year where it considers , on the basis of a substantiated assessment , that the conditions set by directive 2013 / 32 / eu for regarding a third country as safe country of origin are no longer met . for the purpose of this substantiated assessment , the commission should take into consideration a range of sources of information at its disposal including in particular , its annual progress reports for third countries designated as candidate countries by the european council , regular reports from the european external action service and the information from member states , the european asylum support office , the united nations high commissioner for refugees , the council of europe and other relevant international organisations , and national or international non - governmental organisations . the commission should be able to extend the suspension of the presence of a third country from the eu common list for a period of maximum one year , where it has proposed an amendment to this regulation in order to remove this third country from the eu common list of safe countries of origin . it is of particular importance that the commission carry out appropriate consultations with the european external action service and the information from member states , the european asylum support office , the united nations high commissioner for refugees , the council of europe and other relevant international organisations , and national or international non - governmental organisations during its preparatory work , including at expert level . the commission , when preparing and drawing up delegated acts , should ensure a simultaneous , timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the european parliament and to the council .


### the provisions of directive 2013 / 32 / eu related to the application of the safe country of origin concept should be applicable in relation to third countries that are on the eu common list established by this regulation . this means , in particular , that the circumstance that a third country is on the eu common list of safe countries of origin cannot establish an absolute guarantee of safety for nationals of that country and does not dispense therefore with the need to conduct an appropriate individual examination of the application for international protection . in addition , it should be recalled that , where an applicant shows that there are serious reasons to consider the country not to be safe in his or her particular circumstances , the designation of the country as safe can no longer be considered relevant for him or her . ### the provisions of directive 2013 / 32 / eu related to the application of the safe country of origin concept should be applicable in relation to third countries that are on the eu common list established by this regulation . this means , in particular , that the circumstance that a third country is on the eu common list of safe countries of origin cannot constitute an exclusive criterion nor establish a systematic and absolute guarantee of safety for nationals of that country , and should not mean therefore that the national authorities may dispense with their obligation to conduct an appropriate and thorough individual examination of the application for international protection . in addition , it should be recalled that , where , in the light of the applicant ' s individual situation , there are serious reasons to consider the country not to be safe in his or her particular circumstances , the designation of the country as safe can no longer be considered relevant for him or her . member states should be aware that for some minority groups such as lesbian , gay , bisexual , transgender and intersex persons , claiming to belong to this minority as part of the asylum process can in itself be enough to put these individuals at risk in their country of origin . therefore , there should be no burden of proof on applicants to demonstrate or give evidence that they belong to a vulnerable or minority group , especially where such burden of proof violates a person ' s dignity . the right of applicants to an effective remedy in the case of a negative decision should be guaranteed .


### in light of the very sharp increase that has been experienced since 2014 in the number of applications for international protection made in the union and the resulting unprecedented pressure on member states’ asylum systems the union acknowledged the need to strengthen the application of the safe country of origin provisions of directive 2013 / 32 / eu , as an essential tool to support the swift processing of applications that are likely to be unfounded . in particular , in its conclusions of 25 and 26 june 2015 , the european council referred , in relation to the need to accelerate the treatment of asylum applications , to the intention of the commission as set out in its communication on a european agenda on migration8 to strengthen these provisions , including the possible establishment of an eu common list of safe countries of origin . moreover , the justice and home affairs council in its conclusions on safe countries of origin of 20 july 2015 welcomed the intention of the commission to strengthen the safe countries of origin provisions in directive 2013 / 32 / eu , including the possible establishment of an eu common list of safe countries of origin . __________________ 8 com 240 final , 13 . 5 . 2015 . ### in light of the very sharp increase that has been experienced since 2014 in the number of applications for international protection made in the union and the resulting unprecedented pressure on member states’ asylum systems the union acknowledged the need to strengthen the application of the safe country of origin provisions of directive 2013 / 32 / eu , as an essential tool to support the swift processing of applications that are likely to be unfounded . in particular , in its conclusions of 25 and 26 june 2015 , the european council referred , in relation to the need to accelerate the treatment of asylum applications , to the intention of the commission as set out in its communication on a european agenda on migration8 to strengthen these provisions , including the possible establishment of an eu common list of safe countries of origin . __________________ 8 com 240 final , 13 . 5 . 2015 .


### the eib shall target that at least 40 % of efsi financing under the infrastructure and innovation window supports projects with components that contribute to climate action , in line with the cop21 commitments . the steering board shall provide detailed guidance to that end ; ### the efsi steering board and the investment committee shall make sure that each supported project is in line with the criteria set out in this regulation and that each helps to reach the union’s climate goals and boost its transition to sustainability . at least 40% of efsi financing under the infrastructure and innovation window shall be earmarked for projects directly accomplishing the cop21 commitments , as well as the eu2050 commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 80 - 95% . moreover , at least 20% of efsi financing shall support energy efficiency projects , prioritising small - scale innovative projects in the building sector , with special attention given to projects eliminating social inequalities and fighting energy poverty . efsi financing for smes and mid - cap companies shall not be included in that computation .


### the efsi , implemented and co - sponsored by the eib group , is firmly on track to deliver the objective of mobilising at least eur 315 billion in additional investments in the real economy by mid - 2018 . the market absorption has been particularly quick under the sme window where the efsi is delivering well beyond expectations . in july 2016 the sme window was thus scaled - up by eur 500 million within the existing parameters of regulation no 2015 / 1017 . a larger share of financing to be geared towards smes given the exceptional market demand for sme financing under the efsi : 40% of the increased risk bearing capacity of the efsi should be geared towards increasing access to financing for smes . ### in the first period of its implementation , the efsi delivered significant and encouraging results . it is still too early to evaluate the full impact of the efsi on closing the investment gaps , reducing the high levels of unemployment and improving the anaemic growth rates in the union following the recent financial crisis . nevertheless , current data indicate that there is room for improvement in different areas , including complementarity with the other pillars of the investment plan , better distribution across member states , additionality , governance and in attracting sustainable investments that promote climate action . there are also indications that the efsi might be lagging behind in terms of signed operations as well as disbursements according to the eib’s operation evaluation of its function up to 30 june 2016 . moreover , the sme window has had a quicker market absorption as compared to the iiw but that might be due to the different nature of the projects .


### additionality , a key feature of the efsi , should be strengthened in the selection of projects . in particular , operations should only be eligible for efsi support if they address clearly identified market failures or sub - optimal investment situations . operations in infrastructure under the infrastructure and innovation window linking two or more member states , including e - infrastructure , should be considered additional given their inherent difficulty and their high added value for the union . ### additionality , a key feature of the efsi , should be systematically assessed , documented and reported in each project . the eib should publish analytical data for each funded project , giving ex ante and ex post assessments of each project together with a detailed explanation of the selection and assessment indicators and criteria used . in particular , operations should only be eligible for efsi support if they address clearly identified market failures or sub - optimal investment situations . additionality should also be augmented by geographical factors such as the origin of the beneficiary or the geographical destination of the project . operations in infrastructure under the infrastructure and innovation window linking two or more member states , especially if at least one member - state is a cohesion country , including e - infrastructure , should be considered additional given their inherent difficulty and their high added value for the union . moreover , projects supported by the efsi should also be considered as providing additionality when generating long - term social and environmental benefits . an activity report on how and to what extent social and environmental factors were taken into consideration should be drawn up .


### ' education and training ; ### point is replaced by the following : ' human capital development , education and training ; '


### the extended efsi should address remaining market failures and sub - optimal investment situations and continue to mobilise private sector financing in investments crucial for europe’s future job creation – including for the youth – , growth and competitiveness with strengthened additionality . they include investments in the areas of energy , environment and climate action , social and human capital and related infrastructure , healthcare , research and innovation , cross - border and sustainable transport , as well as the digital transformation . in particular , the contribution of operations supported by the efsi to achieving the union ' s ambitious targets set at the paris climate conference should be reinforced . energy interconnection priority projects and energy efficiency projects should also be increasingly targeted . in addition , efsi support to motorways should be avoided , unless it is needed to support private investment in transport in cohesion countries or in cross - border transport projects involving at least one cohesion country . for reasons of clarity , although they are already eligible , it should be explicitly laid down that projects in the fields of agriculture , fishery and aquaculture come within the general objectives eligible for efsi support . ### the efsi should address remaining market failures and sub - optimal investment situations and continue to mobilise private sector financing in investments crucial for europe ' s future job creation – including for the youth – , growth and competitiveness with strengthened additionality . they include investments in the areas of energy , environment and climate action , social and human capital and related infrastructure , healthcare , research and innovation , cross - border and sustainable transport , as well as the digital transformation . in particular , the contribution of operations supported by the efsi to achieving the union ' s ambitious targets set at the paris climate conference should be reinforced . electricity interconnection priority projects and energy efficiency projects should also be increasingly targeted . in addition , efsi support to motorways should be avoided , except for cross - border sections as defined in transport in article 2 of regulation 1316 / 2013 between cohesion countries . it should be explicitly laid down that projects in the fields of agriculture , fishery and aquaculture are not eligible for efsi support . efsi support for fossil fuel projects , especially infrastructure and nuclear installations should be avoided . given the very high rates of poverty and social exclusion in europe , the operations supported by the efsi to tackling this issue should be reinforced . further given the significant need for investment into social infrastructure , projects in the fields of social services , healthcare services , education and social housing come within the general objectives eligible for efsi support .


### in order to partly finance the contribution from the general budget of the union to the eu guarantee fund for the additional investments to be made , a transfer should be made from the available envelope of the connecting europe facility , provided for in regulation no 1316 / 2013 of the european parliament and of the council4 . moreover , eur 1 145 797 000 of appropriations should be transferred from the cef financial instruments to the grant part of the cef with a view to facilitating blending with the efsi or to other relevant instruments , in particular those dedicated to energy efficiency . __________________ 4 regulation no 1316 / 2013 of the european parliament and of the council of 11 december 2013 establishing the connecting europe facility , amending regulation no 913 / 2010 and repealing regulations no 680 / 2007 and no 67 / 2010 , oj l 348 , 12 . 2013 , p . 129 . ### in order to partly finance the contribution from the general budget of the union to the eu guarantee fund for additional investments to be made , an appropriate adjustment to the target rate of the eu guarantee fund should allow the necessary increase in funding without any further reduction in the scarce resources of the available envelope of the connecting europe facility and horizon 2020 , provided for in regulations no 1316 / 20134 and no 1291 / 20135 of the european parliament and of the council as presented in the evaluation carried out by the commission . moreover , eur 1 145 797 000 of appropriations should be transferred from the cef financial instruments to the grant part of the cef with a view to facilitating blending with the efsi or to other relevant instruments , in particular those dedicated to energy efficiency . __________________ 4 regulation no 1316 / 2013 of the european parliament and of the council of 11 december 2013 establishing the connecting europe facility , amending regulation no 913 / 2010 and repealing regulations no 680 / 2007 and no 67 / 2010 , oj l 348 , 12 . 2013 , p . 129 . 4a regulation no 1291 / 2013 of the european parliament and of the council of 11 december 2013 establishing horizon 2020 - the framework programme for research and innovation and repealing decision no 1982 / 2006 / ec text with eea relevance .


### the efsi was established for an initial period of three years and with the aim of mobilising at least eur 315 billion in investments . given its success , the commission is committed to the doubling of the efsi , both in terms of duration and financial capacity . the legal extension covers the period of the current multiannual financial framework and should provide a total of at least half a trillion euro investments by 2020 . in order to enhance the firepower of the efsi even further and reach the aim of doubling the investment target , member states should also contribute as a matter of priority . ### given the positive indicators , the commission is committed to the doubling of the efsi , both in terms of duration and financial capacity . the legal extension covers the period of the current multiannual financial framework and should provide a total of at least half a trillion euro investments by 2020 . in order to enhance the firepower of the efsi even further and reach the aim of doubling the investment target , member states should also contribute as a matter of priority .


### “7 . the union shall contribute up to a maximum of eur 20 000 000 per annum towards covering the costs of eiah operations until 31 december 2020 for the services provided by the eiah under paragraph 2 which are in addition to those already available under other union programmes , insofar as those costs are not covered by the remaining amount from fees referred to in paragraph 4 . ” ### paragraph 7 is replaced by the following : ‘ 7 . the union shall contribute the amount necessary , with a minimum of eur 20 000 000 per annum towards covering the costs of eiah operations until 31 december 2020 for it to fulfil its enhanced responsibilities and intensify the services provided by the eiah under paragraph 2 which are in addition to those already available under other union programmes , insofar as those costs are not covered by the remaining amount from fees referred to in paragraph 4 . ’ .


### in order to partly finance the contribution from the general budget of the union to the eu guarantee fund for the additional investments to be made , a transfer should be made from the available envelope of the connecting europe facility , provided for in regulation no 1316 / 2013 of the european parliament and of the council4 . moreover , eur 1 145 797 000 of appropriations should be transferred from the cef financial instruments to the grant part of the cef with a view to facilitating blending with the efsi or to other relevant instruments , in particular those dedicated to energy efficiency . __________________ 4 regulation no 1316 / 2013 of the european parliament and of the council of 11 december 2013 establishing the connecting europe facility , amending regulation no 913 / 2010 and repealing regulations no 680 / 2007 and no 67 / 2010 , oj l 348 , 12 . 2013 , p . 129 . ### in order to partly finance the contribution from the general budget of the union to the eu guarantee fund for the additional investments to be made , an appropriate adjustment to the target rate of the eu guarantee fund should allow the necessary increase in funding without the need to further reduce the scarce resources of the available envelope of the connecting europe facility and horizon 2020 , provided for in regulations no 1316 / 2013 and no 1291 / 2013 of the european parliament and of the council4 as presented in the evaluation carried out by the commission . moreover , eur 1 145 797 000 of appropriations should be transferred from the cef financial instruments to the grant part of the cef with a view to facilitating blending with the efsi or to other relevant instruments , in particular those dedicated to energy efficiency . __________________ 4 regulation no 1316 / 2013 of the european parliament and of the council of 11 december 2013 establishing the connecting europe facility , amending regulation no 913 / 2010 and repealing regulations no 680 / 2007 and no 67 / 2010 , oj l 348 , 12 . 2013 , p . 129 .


### the extended efsi should address remaining market failures and sub - optimal investment situations and continue to mobilise private sector financing in investments crucial for europe’s future job creation – including for the youth – , growth and competitiveness with strengthened additionality . they include investments in the areas of energy , environment and climate action , social and human capital and related infrastructure , healthcare , research and innovation , cross - border and sustainable transport , as well as the digital transformation . in particular , the contribution of operations supported by the efsi to achieving the union ' s ambitious targets set at the paris climate conference should be reinforced . energy interconnection priority projects and energy efficiency projects should also be increasingly targeted . in addition , efsi support to motorways should be avoided , unless it is needed to support private investment in transport in cohesion countries or in cross - border transport projects involving at least one cohesion country . for reasons of clarity , although they are already eligible , it should be explicitly laid down that projects in the fields of agriculture , fishery and aquaculture come within the general objectives eligible for efsi support . ### the extended efsi should address remaining market failures and sub - optimal investment situations and continue to mobilise private sector financing in investments crucial for europe’s future job creation – including for the youth – , growth and competitiveness with strengthened additionality . they include investments in the areas of energy , environment and climate action , social and human capital and related infrastructure , healthcare , research and innovation , cross - border and sustainable transport , as well as the digital transformation . in particular , the contribution of operations supported by the efsi to achieving the union ' s ambitious targets set at the paris climate conference should be reinforced . energy interconnection priority projects and energy efficiency projects should also be increasingly targeted . in addition , efsi support to motorways should be avoided , unless it is needed to support private investment in transport in cohesion countries or in cross - border transport projects involving at least one cohesion country . for reasons of clarity , although they are already eligible , it should be explicitly laid down that projects in the fields of agriculture , fishery , aquaculture and other bioeconomy and bioindustry sectors come within the general objectives eligible for efsi support .


### on the basis of the experience acquired with the investments supported by the efsi , the target amount of the guarantee fund should be brought to 35 % of the total eu guarantee obligations ensuring an adequate level of protection . ### on the basis of the experience acquired with the investments supported by the efsi , the target amount of the guarantee fund should be brought to 32 % of the total eu guarantee obligations ensuring an adequate level of protection .


### it shall also support the preparation of climate action and circular economy projects or components thereof , in particular in the context of cop21 , the preparation of projects in the digital sector , as well as the preparation of projects referred to in the fifth subparagraph of article 5 . ; ### it shall also support the preparation of climate action and circular economy projects or components thereof , in particular in the context of cop21 , the preparation of ambitious cross - border projects , projects in research and innovation such as the digital and telecommunications sector , as well as the preparation of projects referred to in the fifth subparagraph of article 5 ;