# Gazzetta ufficiale C 9/14 g

| | ISSN 1725-2466 |
| --- | --- |
| Gazzetta ufficiale
  dell'Unione europea | C 9 |
| | |
| Edizione in lingua italiana | Comunicazioni e informazioni | 49o anno14 gennaio 2006 |

ISSN 1725-2466

Gazzetta ufficiale

dell'Unione europea

C 9

Edizione in lingua italiana

Comunicazioni e informazioni

49o anno14 gennaio 2006

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| Numero d'informazione | Sommario | pagina |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Comunicazioni |
| | Commissione |
| 2006/C 009/1 | Tassi di cambio dell'euro | 1 |
| 2006/C 009/2 | Autorizzazione degli aiuti di Stato sulla base degli articoli 87 e 88 del trattato CE — Casi contro i quali la Commissione non solleva obiezioni | 2 |
| 2006/C 009/3 | Autorizzazione degli aiuti di Stato sulla base degli articoli 87 e 88 del trattato CE — Casi contro i quali la Commissione non solleva obiezioni (
  1
  ) | 3 |
| 2006/C 009/4 | Aiuti di Stato — Regno Unito — Aiuto di Stato C 45/2005 (ex N 364/2005) — Programma d'azione rifiuti e risorse: aiuti destinati ad aumentare la capacità di riciclaggio di carta da stampa e da scrittura — Invito a presentare osservazioni ai sensi dell'articolo 88, paragrafo 2, del trattato CE (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| 2006/C 009/5 | Non opposizione ad un'operazione di concentrazione notificata (Caso n. COMP/M.4008 — Logista/Editorial Planeta/JV) (
  1
  ) | 12 |
| 2006/C 009/6 | Non opposizione ad un'operazione di concentrazione notificata (Caso n. COMP/M.4058 — Logista/Planeta de Agostini/JV) (
  1
  ) | 12 |

Numero d'informazione

Sommario

pagina

I   Comunicazioni

Commissione

2006/C 009/1

Tassi di cambio dell'euro

1

2006/C 009/2

Autorizzazione degli aiuti di Stato sulla base degli articoli 87 e 88 del trattato CE — Casi contro i quali la Commissione non solleva obiezioni

2

2006/C 009/3

Autorizzazione degli aiuti di Stato sulla base degli articoli 87 e 88 del trattato CE — Casi contro i quali la Commissione non solleva obiezioni (
  1
  )

1

3

2006/C 009/4

Aiuti di Stato — Regno Unito — Aiuto di Stato C 45/2005 (ex N 364/2005) — Programma d'azione rifiuti e risorse: aiuti destinati ad aumentare la capacità di riciclaggio di carta da stampa e da scrittura — Invito a presentare osservazioni ai sensi dell'articolo 88, paragrafo 2, del trattato CE (
  1
  )

1

6

2006/C 009/5

Non opposizione ad un'operazione di concentrazione notificata (Caso n. COMP/M.4008 — Logista/Editorial Planeta/JV) (
  1
  )

1

12

2006/C 009/6

Non opposizione ad un'operazione di concentrazione notificata (Caso n. COMP/M.4058 — Logista/Planeta de Agostini/JV) (
  1
  )

1

12

| | Rettifiche |
| --- | --- |
| 2006/C 009/7 | Rettifica dell'elenco dei giorni festivi nel 2006 (GU L 336 del 31.12.2005) | 13 |

Rettifiche

2006/C 009/7

Rettifica dell'elenco dei giorni festivi nel 2006 (GU L 336 del 31.12.2005)

(GU L 336 del 31.12.2005)

13

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Testo rilevante ai fini del SEE |

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(1)   Testo rilevante ai fini del SEE

1

| IT | |
| --- | --- |

IT

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I Comunicazioni

Commissione

| 14.1.2006 | IT | Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea | C 9/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.1.2006

IT

Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea

C 9/1

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Tassi di cambio dell'euro (1)

13 gennaio 2006

(2006/C 9/01)

1 euro=

| | Moneta | Tasso di cambio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | dollari USA | 1,2039 |
| JPY | yen giapponesi | 138,13 |
| DKK | corone danesi | 7,4592 |
| GBP | sterline inglesi | 0,68140 |
| SEK | corone svedesi | 9,3063 |
| CHF | franchi svizzeri | 1,5491 |
| ISK | corone islandesi | 74,01 |
| NOK | corone norvegesi | 8,0475 |
| BGN | lev bulgari | 1,9558 |
| CYP | sterline cipriote | 0,5737 |
| CZK | corone ceche | 28,840 |
| EEK | corone estoni | 15,6466 |
| HUF | fiorini ungheresi | 250,51 |
| LTL | litas lituani | 3,4528 |
| LVL | lats lettoni | 0,6960 |
| MTL | lire maltesi | 0,4293 |
| PLN | zloty polacchi | 3,8138 |
| RON | leu rumeni | 3,6308 |
| SIT | tolar sloveni | 239,49 |
| SKK | corone slovacche | 37,520 |
| TRY | lire turche | 1,6160 |
| AUD | dollari australiani | 1,6040 |
| CAD | dollari canadesi | 1,3972 |
| HKD | dollari di Hong Kong | 9,3316 |
| NZD | dollari neozelandesi | 1,7344 |
| SGD | dollari di Singapore | 1,9648 |
| KRW | won sudcoreani | 1 189,03 |
| ZAR | rand sudafricani | 7,3170 |
| CNY | renminbi Yuan cinese | 9,7144 |
| HRK | kuna croata | 7,3750 |
| IDR | rupia indonesiana | 11 282,95 |
| MYR | ringgit malese | 4,502 |
| PHP | peso filippino | 63,072 |
| RUB | rublo russo | 34,3200 |
| THB | baht thailandese | 47,643 |

Moneta

Tasso di cambio

USD

dollari USA

1,2039

JPY

yen giapponesi

138,13

DKK

corone danesi

7,4592

GBP

sterline inglesi

0,68140

SEK

corone svedesi

9,3063

CHF

franchi svizzeri

1,5491

ISK

corone islandesi

74,01

NOK

corone norvegesi

8,0475

BGN

lev bulgari

1,9558

CYP

sterline cipriote

0,5737

CZK

corone ceche

28,840

EEK

corone estoni

15,6466

HUF

fiorini ungheresi

250,51

LTL

litas lituani

3,4528

LVL

lats lettoni

0,6960

MTL

lire maltesi

0,4293

PLN

zloty polacchi

3,8138

RON

leu rumeni

3,6308

SIT

tolar sloveni

239,49

SKK

corone slovacche

37,520

TRY

lire turche

1,6160

AUD

dollari australiani

1,6040

CAD

dollari canadesi

1,3972

HKD

dollari di Hong Kong

9,3316

NZD

dollari neozelandesi

1,7344

SGD

dollari di Singapore

1,9648

KRW

won sudcoreani

1 189,03

ZAR

rand sudafricani

7,3170

CNY

renminbi Yuan cinese

9,7144

HRK

kuna croata

7,3750

IDR

rupia indonesiana

11 282,95

MYR

ringgit malese

4,502

PHP

peso filippino

63,072

RUB

rublo russo

34,3200

THB

baht thailandese

47,643

---

(1)

Fonte: tassi di cambio di riferimento pubblicati dalla Banca centrale europea.

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| 14.1.2006 | IT | Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea | C 9/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.1.2006

IT

Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea

C 9/2

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Autorizzazione degli aiuti di Stato sulla base degli articoli 87 e 88 del trattato CE

Casi contro i quali la Commissione non solleva obiezioni

(2006/C 9/02)

Data di adozione della decisione:

Stato membro: Germania (Schleswig-Holstein)

N. dell'aiuto: N 9/2004

Titolo: Aiuto alla distruzione di carcasse

Obiettivo: Indennizzare gli allevatori per lo smaltimento di bestiame deceduto in azienda

Fondamento giuridico:

| — | Richtlinien für die Gewährung von Beihilfen für die Tierkörperbeseitigung (VIII 35 — 7280.321) |
| --- | --- |

—

Richtlinien für die Gewährung von Beihilfen für die Tierkörperbeseitigung (VIII 35 — 7280.321)

| — | § 9, Abs 1 n. 7 «Ausführungsgesetz zum Tierkörperbeseitigungsgesetz» (GVObl. Schl. H.S.) |
| --- | --- |

—

§ 9, Abs 1 n. 7 «Ausführungsgesetz zum Tierkörperbeseitigungsgesetz» (GVObl. Schl. H.S.)

Stanziamento: 5,5 milioni di EUR all'anno

Intensità od importo dell'aiuto: 100 %

Durata: Fino al 2013

Il testo della decisione nella lingua o nelle lingue facenti fede, senza i dati riservati, è disponibile sul sito:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

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| 14.1.2006 | IT | Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea | C 9/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.1.2006

IT

Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea

C 9/3

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Autorizzazione degli aiuti di Stato sulla base degli articoli 87 e 88 del trattato CE

Casi contro i quali la Commissione non solleva obiezioni

(2006/C 9/03)

(Testo rilevante ai fini del SEE)

Data di adozione della decisione:

Stato membro: Paesi Bassi

Numero dell'aiuto: N 127/2004

Titolo: Azioni di promozione a favore della passera

Obiettivo: Finanziamento di azioni di promozione a favore della passera mediante tasse parafiscali

Fondamento giuridico:

| — | Instellingsverordening Productschap Vis |
| --- | --- |

—

Instellingsverordening Productschap Vis

| — | Wet op de bedrijfsorganisatie |
| --- | --- |

—

Wet op de bedrijfsorganisatie

| — | Verordening instelling van een fonds voor scholpromotie en verordening financiering scholpromotie 2004 |
| --- | --- |

—

Verordening instelling van een fonds voor scholpromotie en verordening financiering scholpromotie 2004

Stanziamento: 200 000 EUR all'anno

Durata: Illimitata (il regime sarà nuovamente notificato alla Commissione entro dieci anni a decorrere dalla sua entrata in vigore)

Forma e intensità dell'aiuto: Entro i limiti degli importi stabiliti dalle linee direttrici per l'esame degli aiuti nazionali nel settore della pesca e dell'acquacoltura (GU C 19 del 20.1.2001, pag. 7)

Altre informazioni: Relazione annuale

Il testo della decisione nella lingua o nelle lingue facenti fede, senza i dati riservati, è disponibile sul sito:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Data di adozione:

Stato Membro: Spagna (Principado de Asturias)

Numero dell'aiuto: N 173/2005

Titolo nella lingua originale: Proyecto de ayudas para la ejecución de proyectos de investigación del Plan I+D+I de Asturias. Prolongación y modificación de la ayuda N 716/2001.

Obiettivo: Ricerca e sviluppo (Tutti i settori)

Base giuridica: Propuesta de Resolución de la Consejería de Educación y Ciencia del Gobierno del Principado de Asturias, de marzo de 2005, por la que se convocan ayudas a las empresas para la ejecución de proyectos de investigación en el marco del Plan de I+D+I de Asturias

Stanziamento:

| | 2005: 300 000 EUR |
| --- | --- |

2005: 300 000 EUR

| | 2006: 3 000 000 EUR |
| --- | --- |

2006: 3 000 000 EUR

| | 2007: 3 000 000 EUR |
| --- | --- |

2007: 3 000 000 EUR

Intensità o importo dell'aiuto: 35 % — 60 % — + 10 % — 75 % — 50 %

Durata:

Il testo della decisione nella lingua o nelle lingue facenti fede, senza i dati riservati, è disponibile sul sito:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Data di adozione:

Stato Membro: Danimarca

Numero dell'aiuto: N 229/2005

Titolo nella lingua originale: Regionale Teknologicentre

Obiettivo: Ricerca e sviluppo (Tutti i settori)

Base giuridica: Lov nr. 419 af 6.6.2002

Stanziamento:

| | 2005: 4 000 000 EUR |
| --- | --- |

2005: 4 000 000 EUR

| | 2006-2008: 23 000 000 EUR |
| --- | --- |

2006-2008: 23 000 000 EUR

| | 2009: 25 000 000 EUR |
| --- | --- |

2009: 25 000 000 EUR

Intensità o importo dell'aiuto: 60 %

Durata:

Il testo della decisione nella lingua o nelle lingue facenti fede, senza i dati riservati, è disponibile sul sito:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Data della decisione:

Stato membro: Slovacchia

Aiuto n.: N 298/2005

Denominazione: Aiuto individuale per la produzione audiovisiva a favore di TYZAM s.r.o.

Obiettivo: Sostegno della produzione cinematografica

Base giuridica:

| a) | Zákon č. 523/2004 Z.z. o rozpočtových pravidlách verejnej správy a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov |
| --- | --- |

a)

Zákon č. 523/2004 Z.z. o rozpočtových pravidlách verejnej správy a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov

| b) | Zákon č. 231/1999 Z.z. o štátnej pomoci v znení zákona č. 203/2004 – § 4 ods. 1, písm. d) |
| --- | --- |

b)

Zákon č. 231/1999 Z.z. o štátnej pomoci v znení zákona č. 203/2004 – § 4 ods. 1, písm. d)

| c) | Výnos MK SR – 480/2004 – 1 o poskytovaní dotácií v pôsobnosti MK SR |
| --- | --- |

c)

Výnos MK SR – 480/2004 – 1 o poskytovaní dotácií v pôsobnosti MK SR

Stanziamento: 7 milioni di SKK

Intensità o importo dell'aiuto: 20 %

Durata: Una misura una tantum, previa approvazione (31.12.2005)

Il testo della decisione nella lingua o nelle lingue facenti fede, senza i dati riservati, è disponibile sul sito:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Data della decisione:

Stato membro: Slovacchia

Aiuto n.: N 299/2005

Denominazione: Aiuto individuale per la produzione audiovisiva a favore di TaO Productions s.r.o.

Obiettivo: Sostegno della produzione cinematografica

Base giuridica:

| a) | Zákon č. 523/2004 Z.z. o rozpočtových pravidlách verejnej správy a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov |
| --- | --- |

a)

Zákon č. 523/2004 Z.z. o rozpočtových pravidlách verejnej správy a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov

| b) | Zákon č. 231/1999 Z.z. o štátnej pomoci v znení zákona č. 203/2004 – § 4 ods. 1, písm. d) |
| --- | --- |

b)

Zákon č. 231/1999 Z.z. o štátnej pomoci v znení zákona č. 203/2004 – § 4 ods. 1, písm. d)

| c) | Výnos MK SR – 480/2004 – 1 o poskytovaní dotácií v pôsobnosti MK SR |
| --- | --- |

c)

Výnos MK SR – 480/2004 – 1 o poskytovaní dotácií v pôsobnosti MK SR

Stanziamento: 8 milioni di SKK

Intensità o importo dell'aiuto: 10 %

Durata: Misura una tantum, previa approvazione (31.12.2005)

Il testo della decisione nella lingua o nelle lingue facenti fede, senza i dati riservati, è disponibile sul sito:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Data della decisione:

Stato membro: Slovacchia

Aiuto n.: N 300/2005

Denominazione: Aiuto individuale per la produzione audiovisiva a favore di ALEF Film&Media Group s.r.o

Obiettivo: Sostegno della produzione cinematografica

Base giuridica:

| a) | Zákon č. 523/2004 Z.z. o rozpočtových pravidlách verejnej správy a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov |
| --- | --- |

a)

Zákon č. 523/2004 Z.z. o rozpočtových pravidlách verejnej správy a o zmene a doplnení niektorých zákonov

| b) | Zákon č. 231/1999 Z.z. o štátnej pomoci v znení zákona č. 203/2004 – § 4 ods. 1, písm. d) |
| --- | --- |

b)

Zákon č. 231/1999 Z.z. o štátnej pomoci v znení zákona č. 203/2004 – § 4 ods. 1, písm. d)

| c) | Výnos MK SR – 480/2004 – 1 o poskytovaní dotácií v pôsobnosti MK SR |
| --- | --- |

c)

Výnos MK SR – 480/2004 – 1 o poskytovaní dotácií v pôsobnosti MK SR

Stanziamento: 11 milioni di SKK

Intensità o importo dell'aiuto: 26,2 %

Durata: Misura una tantum, previa approvazione (31.12.2005)

Il testo della decisione nella lingua o nelle lingue facenti fede, senza i dati riservati, è disponibile sul sito:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Data della decisione:

Stato membro: Francia

Aiuto N: N 337/2004 e N 378/2004

Denominazione: Finanziamento tramite tasse e stanziamenti di bilancio per i Centres Techniques Industriels e i Centres Professionnels de Développement économique

Obiettivo: Azioni collettive di ricerca e sviluppo, normalizzazione, formazione, promozione e informazione delle imprese nei settori dei prodotti della meccanica, dei beni di consumo e dei materiali da costruzione

Base giuridica: Loi 2001-692 du 1er août 2001 et loi de finance annuelle

Durata: Dalla data di autorizzazione della Commissione fino al 31 dicembre 2010

Altre informazioni: Beneficiari: I CTI e i CPDE nei settori dei beni di consumo, della meccanica e dei materiali da costruzione

Il testo della decisione nella lingua o nelle lingue facenti fede, senza i dati riservati, è disponibile sul sito:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Data di adozione della decisione:

Stato membro: Danimarca

Numero dell'aiuto: N 374/2002

Titolo: Aiuti destinati all'attrezzatura dei porti di pesca, concessi nell'ambito delle azioni strutturali comunitarie previste dallo SFOP per il periodo 2000-2006

Obiettivo: Cofinanziamento degli interventi strutturali relativi all'attrezzatura dei porti di pesca in Danimarca per il periodo 2000-2006

Fondamento giuridico:

| — | Lov nr. 316 om strukturforanstaltninger, offentliggjort den 3. maj 2001 |
| --- | --- |

—

Lov nr. 316 om strukturforanstaltninger, offentliggjort den 3. maj 2001

| — | Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 2792/1999 af 17. december 1999 om de nærmere regler og betingelser for Fællesskabets strukturforanstaltninger for fiskeriet |
| --- | --- |

—

Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 2792/1999 af 17. december 1999 om de nærmere regler og betingelser for Fællesskabets strukturforanstaltninger for fiskeriet

Stanziamento: 27 milioni di EUR

Durata: Anni dal 2000 al 2006

Forma e intensità dell'aiuto: Nei limiti degli importi previsti dal regolamento (CE) n. 2792/1999

Altre informazioni: Relazione annuale

Il testo della decisione nella lingua o nelle lingue facenti fede, senza i dati riservati, è disponibile sul sito:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Data della decisione:

Aiuto n.: N 465/2005

Stato membro: Regno dei Paesi Bassi

Denominazione: Ondersteunende maatregelen om de omschakeling te vergemakkelijken van een aanbod- naar een vraagfinanciering voor schoolbegeleidingsdiensten en rechtstreekse betaling van het geoormerkt gedeelte van de begroting voor schoolbegeleidingsdiensten aan deze diensten.

Base giuridica: Hoofdstukken VI en VIA, onderdeel a) van de wet tot wijziging van onder meer de wet op het primair onderwijs, de wet op de expertisecentra, en de wet op het voortgezet onderwijs in verband met de vraagfinanciering voor schoolbegeleiding en de bekostiging van het onderwijs aan zieke leerlingen

Obiettivo: Formazione

Importo totale dell'aiuto accordato: 53 milioni di EUR

Spesa annua prevista:

| | 2006: 15 000 000 EUR |
| --- | --- |

2006: 15 000 000 EUR

| | 2007: 35 000 000 EUR |
| --- | --- |

2007: 35 000 000 EUR

| | 2008: 3 000 000 EUR |
| --- | --- |

2008: 3 000 000 EUR

Durata: Dall'1.1.2006 al 31.12.2008

Altre informazioni:

| | Tipo di aiuto: Regime di aiuti |
| --- | --- |

Tipo di aiuto: Regime di aiuti

| | Forma di aiuto: Sovvenzione diretta |
| --- | --- |

Forma di aiuto: Sovvenzione diretta

Il testo della decisione nella lingua o nelle lingue facenti fede, senza i dati riservati, è disponibile sul sito:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Data della decisione:

Stato membro: Spagna

Aiuto N: N 499/2004

Titolo del regime d'aiuto: Regimi di aiuto a favore della prospezione mineraria, della tutela dell'ambiente e della sicurezza nelle miniere per i minerali non energetici

Obiettivo: Settore dei minerali non energetici. Modifica del regime autorizzato dalla Commissione il 19 giugno 2002. Le modifiche introdotte riguardano la forma e l'intensità degli aiuti a favore della prospezione mineraria al fine di rendere più interessante tale attività

Intensità o importo dell'aiuto: Aiuti a favore della prospezione. sovvenzioni a fondo perduto fino al 20 % dei costi ammissibili (30 % per le PMI) e/o anticipo rimborsabile senza interessi fino al 60 % dei costi ammissibili (70 % per le PMI)

Durata: fino al 31 dicembre 2006

Il testo della decisione nella lingua o nelle lingue facenti fede, senza i dati riservati, è disponibile sul sito:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Data della decisione:

Stato membro: Germania

Aiuto N: NN 44/2004

Denominazione: Aiuti al salvataggio in favore di SVZ Schwarze Pumpe

Obiettivo: Aiuti al salvataggio

Base giuridica: §2(3) Förderbankgesetz

Intensità o importo dell'aiuto: 21,028 milioni di EUR

Durata: Fino al 31.5.2005

Il testo della decisione nella lingua o nelle lingue facenti fede, senza i dati riservati, è disponibile sul sito:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

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| 14.1.2006 | IT | Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea | C 9/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.1.2006

IT

Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea

C 9/6

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AIUTI DI STATO — REGNO UNITO

Aiuto di Stato C 45/2005 (ex N 364/2005) — Programma d'azione rifiuti e risorse: aiuti destinati ad aumentare la capacità di riciclaggio di carta da stampa e da scrittura

Invito a presentare osservazioni ai sensi dell'articolo 88, paragrafo 2, del trattato CE

(2006/C 9/04)

(Testo rilevante ai fini del SEE)

Con lettera del 7.12.2005, riprodotta nella lingua facente fede dopo la presente sintesi, la Commissione ha comunicato al Regno Unito la propria decisione di avviare il procedimento di cui all'articolo 88, paragrafo 2, del trattato CE in relazione all'aiuto in oggetto.

La Commissione invita gli interessati a presentare osservazioni in merito all'aiuto entro un mese dalla data della presente pubblicazione, inviandole al seguente indirizzo:

| Commissione delle Comunità europee |
| --- |
| Direzione generale della Concorrenza |
| Protocollo Aiuti di Stato |
| SPA 3, 6/05 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles |
| Fax (32-2) 296 12 42 |

Commissione delle Comunità europee

Direzione generale della Concorrenza

Protocollo Aiuti di Stato

SPA 3, 6/05

B-1049 Bruxelles

Fax (32-2) 296 12 42

Dette osservazioni saranno comunicate al Regno Unito. Su richiesta scritta e motivata degli autori delle osservazioni, la loro identità non sarà rivelata.

SINTESI

Nel luglio 2005 il Regno Unito ha notificato alla Commissione un regime di aiuti agli investimenti destinati ad aumentare la capacità di produzione di carta da stampa e da scrittura a partire da fibre riciclate.

1.   Descrizione della misura

Nel Regno Unito la carta di recupero degli uffici non viene raccolta né riciclata. Per colmare questa lacuna, l'ente governativo responsabile del Programma d'azione rifiuti e risorse («Waste & Resources Action Plan», «WRAP») intende concedere sovvenzioni alle cartiere. Le sovvenzioni stimoleranno la domanda di raccolta di carta di recupero dagli uffici co-finanziando un aumento della capacità di riciclaggio della carta da stampa e da scrittura da parte delle cartiere. In cambio dell'aiuto, le imprese devono accettare di utilizzare una maggiore quantità di carta riciclata nuova proveniente dai rifiuti, con una percentuale o un tonnellaggio minimi di carta da stampa e da scrittura di recupero dagli uffici. Per utilizzare al meglio la carta da stampa e da scrittura di recupero raccolta, la maggiore capacità di produzione di carta verrà utilizzata per produrre nuova carta da stampa e da scrittura.

La procedura di gara terrà conto dell'inserimento di elementi di nuova tecnologia, di dimostrazione e di innovazione che favoriranno lo sviluppo di processi sostenibili nel riciclaggio dei rifiuti, ossia che vanno al di là dello stato dell'arte. Lo stanziamento previsto per il regime è compreso tra 6 milioni di GBP e 20 milioni di GBP. Le intensità d'aiuto non sono ancora note perché la procedura di gara determinerà i livelli d'aiuto. I beneficiari previsti sono meno di dieci imprese produttrici di carta. Le autorità britanniche prevedono di concedere l'aiuto prima dell'aprile 2006.

2.   Valutazione della misura

Per quanto riguarda la disciplina degli aiuti per la tutela dell'ambiente (1), la Commissione dubita che il regime rientri nel campo di applicazione del punto 29 di detta disciplina, in quanto gli investimenti per aumentare la capacità di produzione di carta con utilizzo di carta di recupero non ridurranno l'inquinamento delle imprese. I beneficiari utilizzeranno piuttosto la carta di recupero proveniente da qualsiasi produttore di carta.

Per quanto riguarda altre norme a parte la disciplina degli aiuti ambientali, la Commissione dubita che al presente caso siano applicabili altre esenzioni di cui all'articolo 87, paragrafi 2 e 3 del trattato CE. Tuttavia, i beneficiari non sono stati ancora selezionati ed è dunque impossibile valutare se gli investimenti avranno luogo in zone ammissibili agli aiuti regionali e se gli orientamenti in materia di aiuti di Stato a finalità regionale (2) si applicherebbero interamente o in parte.

Qualora non fosse applicabile la disciplina degli aiuti ambientali, la Commissione deve valutare il caso direttamente sulla base dell'articolo 87, paragrafo 3, lettera c). La Commissione ha già agito in tal modo in passato, in particolare per un regime di aiuti al riciclaggio di carta (3) e per due altri casi relativi all'industria cartaria (4). I criteri applicati dalla Commissione si basavano sull'effetto d'incentivazione dell'aiuto e sul fatto che gli investimenti necessari per ottenere i vantaggi ambientali andassero al di là dello «stato dell'arte» a livello dell'UE.

In altri casi in cui la Commissione ha valutato gli aiuti all'investimento destinati a creare capacità di riciclaggio della carta, i criteri applicati dalla Commissione si basavano sull'effetto d'incentivazione dell'aiuto e sul fatto che gli investimenti necessari per ottenere i vantaggi ambientali andassero al di là dello «stato dell'arte» a livello dell'UE. La Commissione dubita che la giustificazione addotta dalle autorità britanniche, ossia l'utilizzo attualmente molto basso di materiale riciclato nella produzione di carta da stampa e da scrittura nell'UE, sia sufficiente per affermare che la produzione di carta da stampa e da scrittura che utilizzi fibre riciclate va al di là dell'attuale «stato dell'arte» a livello dell'UE.

La Commissione ha dubbi in merito all'effetto di incentivazione per la raccolta di carta da stampa e da scrittura del regime di aiuti.

La Commissione nutre inoltre dubbi in merito all'aumento dei vantaggi ambientali ottenuto producendo carta da stampa e da scrittura a partire da carta da stampa e da scrittura riciclata rispetto al metodo più comune dell'utilizzo della carta da stampa e da scrittura per produrre altri tipi di carta.

La Commissione dubita altresì che i costi ammissibili siano limitati ai costi d'investimento aggiuntivi necessari per raggiungere gli obiettivi ambientali, perché il Regno Unito non intende sottrarre dal costo d'investimento ammissibile il costo d'investimento di una capacità paragonabile che non apporterebbe i medesimi vantaggi ambientali. Non è pertanto chiaro se, qualora l'aiuto venga concesso per un investimento in nuova capacità di produzione di carta da stampa e da scrittura utilizzando carta da stampa e da scrittura di recupero, verrà detratto il costo di un impianto convenzionale di produzione di carta da stampa e da scrittura.

La Commissione nutre infine dubbi sul fatto che il regime proposto dal Regno Unito rappresenti lo strumento adeguato per affrontare il problema in questione provocando le minori distorsioni possibili della concorrenza. Altri strumenti, ad esempio quelli che si concentrano sulla raccolta dei rifiuti, possono provocare minori distorsioni sui mercati della carta di recupero e dei prodotti finali.

3.   Conclusioni

Alla luce delle considerazioni sopra esposte, la Commissione ha deciso di avviare il procedimento di cui all'articolo 88, paragrafo 2 del trattato CE. La Commissione invita le parti interessate a presentare le loro osservazioni, in particolare sui seguenti aspetti: 1) cosa dovrebbe essere considerato lo «stato dell'arte» nell'utilizzo della carta da stampa e da scrittura di recupero per la produzione di carta da stampa e da scrittura nuova; 2) la necessità dell'aiuto alla luce del previsto aumento della raccolta di carta da stampa e da scrittura di recupero; 3) il grado di distorsione della concorrenza che può essere previsto, sia sui mercati della carta nuova che su quelli della carta di recupero; e 4) i vantaggi ambientali che possono prevedibilmente derivare dalla misura notificata rispetto ai vantaggi che possono essere ottenuti mediante altri strumenti.

TESTO DELLA LETTERA

«The Commission wishes to inform the United Kingdom that, having examined the information supplied by your authorities on the aid referred to above, it has decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty.

1.   PROCEDURE

| (1) | Following informal discussions, by letter of 22 July 2005, registered in the Commission on 26 July 2005 under number A/6948, the United Kingdom notified to the Commission a scheme for increasing the manufacturing capacity of printing and writings paper from recycled fibre under the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). The notification was registered under number N 364/05. The Commission asked further information by letter dated 9 September 2005, registered under number D/56952. The United Kingdom replied by letter dated 28 October 2005, and registered on 7 November 2002 under number A/38954. |
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(1)

Following informal discussions, by letter of 22 July 2005, registered in the Commission on 26 July 2005 under number A/6948, the United Kingdom notified to the Commission a scheme for increasing the manufacturing capacity of printing and writings paper from recycled fibre under the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). The notification was registered under number N 364/05. The Commission asked further information by letter dated 9 September 2005, registered under number D/56952. The United Kingdom replied by letter dated 28 October 2005, and registered on 7 November 2002 under number A/38954.

2.   DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURE

| (2) | WRAP is an entity established to promote sustainable waste management, and more specifically to promote efficient markets for recycled materials and products. Its central objective is to enable recycled markets to function more effectively by stimulating demand for recycled materials and products, thereby improving the economics of collection. Although WRAP functions as an adjunct to the Government and implements government policies, it has the form of a private company. WRAP's shareholders comprise several representatives of the industries with some interests in waste management, among them the Confederation of Paper Industries and the Chartered Institute of Waste Management, charities like Wastewatch, and representatives of the devolved and British governments. |
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(2)

WRAP is an entity established to promote sustainable waste management, and more specifically to promote efficient markets for recycled materials and products. Its central objective is to enable recycled markets to function more effectively by stimulating demand for recycled materials and products, thereby improving the economics of collection. Although WRAP functions as an adjunct to the Government and implements government policies, it has the form of a private company. WRAP's shareholders comprise several representatives of the industries with some interests in waste management, among them the Confederation of Paper Industries and the Chartered Institute of Waste Management, charities like Wastewatch, and representatives of the devolved and British governments.

| (3) | In the present case, WRAP has chosen to give support for the creation of printing and writing reprocessing capacity. The definition of printing and writing paper used by the UK authorities includes the following types of papers: paper for printed publications, copier/printer paper and magazine papers. |
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(3)

In the present case, WRAP has chosen to give support for the creation of printing and writing reprocessing capacity. The definition of printing and writing paper used by the UK authorities includes the following types of papers: paper for printed publications, copier/printer paper and magazine papers.

| (4) | By increasing reprocessing capacity of printing and writing paper (hereinafter “P&W paper”), WRAP wants to address the problems of paper collection and recycling in offices and business. According to the United Kingdom most of the paper produced by businesses and offices is not collected and sorted for recycling. The reasons for this lie in a dual system of waste collection, where city councils are responsible for collecting domestic waste but have no responsibility for collecting waste from businesses and offices, and the low costs of landfill. Businesses and offices pay private waste managers for the collection of their waste. The low costs of landfill, the difficulties experienced in sourcing waste paper in the last decade, and attendant price fluctuations has led to a market failure consisting of a shortage of reprocessing capacity and a preference by waste managers to dump waste paper from offices and businesses in the landfill and to a shortage of reprocessing capacity. In order to correct this market failure, WRAP intends to offer grants to paper manufacturers to increase paper reprocessing capacity which utilises waste paper from offices and businesses as its raw material input. |
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(4)

By increasing reprocessing capacity of printing and writing paper (hereinafter “P&W paper”), WRAP wants to address the problems of paper collection and recycling in offices and business. According to the United Kingdom most of the paper produced by businesses and offices is not collected and sorted for recycling. The reasons for this lie in a dual system of waste collection, where city councils are responsible for collecting domestic waste but have no responsibility for collecting waste from businesses and offices, and the low costs of landfill. Businesses and offices pay private waste managers for the collection of their waste. The low costs of landfill, the difficulties experienced in sourcing waste paper in the last decade, and attendant price fluctuations has led to a market failure consisting of a shortage of reprocessing capacity and a preference by waste managers to dump waste paper from offices and businesses in the landfill and to a shortage of reprocessing capacity. In order to correct this market failure, WRAP intends to offer grants to paper manufacturers to increase paper reprocessing capacity which utilises waste paper from offices and businesses as its raw material input.

| (5) | WRAP is planning to issue a competitive tender process, inspired by EC public procurement procedures, and grant the aid to paper mills before April 2006. The specific aim expressed in the tender procedure will be to provide a subsidy towards the creation of new P&W paper reprocessing capacity and promote the development of recycled paper technology within this paper grade. Successful bidders will be those whose collections are predominantly from offices and business and are of P&W waste paper. According to the UK authorities, it is highly probable that a bid that included a high proportion of (low quality) household waste, rather than P&W waste paper from offices and/or businesses, will not succeed. According to the order of priority given by WRAP in the tender invitation document to raw material sources, the most important source is offices or business. In return to the grant, the successful paper manufacturers will commit to an increased agreed tonnage of P&W waste paper newly recovered from the waste stream as the raw material for the new facilities, with a minimum percentage or tonnage being recovered printing and writing paper from offices. Tenderers will need to specify the level of support required to bring forward their proposals, and to demonstrate technological developments and environmental benefits. |
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(5)

WRAP is planning to issue a competitive tender process, inspired by EC public procurement procedures, and grant the aid to paper mills before April 2006. The specific aim expressed in the tender procedure will be to provide a subsidy towards the creation of new P&W paper reprocessing capacity and promote the development of recycled paper technology within this paper grade. Successful bidders will be those whose collections are predominantly from offices and business and are of P&W waste paper. According to the UK authorities, it is highly probable that a bid that included a high proportion of (low quality) household waste, rather than P&W waste paper from offices and/or businesses, will not succeed. According to the order of priority given by WRAP in the tender invitation document to raw material sources, the most important source is offices or business. In return to the grant, the successful paper manufacturers will commit to an increased agreed tonnage of P&W waste paper newly recovered from the waste stream as the raw material for the new facilities, with a minimum percentage or tonnage being recovered printing and writing paper from offices. Tenderers will need to specify the level of support required to bring forward their proposals, and to demonstrate technological developments and environmental benefits.

| (6) | Among the criteria for the selection of the successful tenderers is the inclusion in the facility of elements of new technology or processes, whose trialling or demonstration will assist the development of sustainable processes in waste recycling. In addition, the demonstration by the tenderer that the process used goes beyond current “state of the art”. |
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(6)

Among the criteria for the selection of the successful tenderers is the inclusion in the facility of elements of new technology or processes, whose trialling or demonstration will assist the development of sustainable processes in waste recycling. In addition, the demonstration by the tenderer that the process used goes beyond current “state of the art”.

| (7) | According to the United Kingdom, the competitive tender will ensure that the minimum necessary is paid to secure the environmental benefits. |
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(7)

According to the United Kingdom, the competitive tender will ensure that the minimum necessary is paid to secure the environmental benefits.

| (8) | The United Kingdom argues that the investment project would bring about a major environmental benefit consisting in the creation of an increasing demand for a major proportion of office and businesses waste stream. This will bring benefits for the environment, while this will also allow less waste to be disposed in the landfills. |
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(8)

The United Kingdom argues that the investment project would bring about a major environmental benefit consisting in the creation of an increasing demand for a major proportion of office and businesses waste stream. This will bring benefits for the environment, while this will also allow less waste to be disposed in the landfills.

| (9) | The budget for this measure is between GBP 6 million and GBP 20 millions. The budget will cover a period from the date of clearance to 31 December 2008. The number of beneficiaries is expected to be between two and ten paper mill companies, depending on the quality of the proposals. The aid is financed through the general budget of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). |
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(9)

The budget for this measure is between GBP 6 million and GBP 20 millions. The budget will cover a period from the date of clearance to 31 December 2008. The number of beneficiaries is expected to be between two and ten paper mill companies, depending on the quality of the proposals. The aid is financed through the general budget of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

3.   PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE MEASURE

| (10) | According to Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty (5), the decision to initiate the formal investigation procedure shall summarise the relevant issues of fact and law, shall include a preliminary assessment of the Commission as to the aid character of the proposed measure, and shall set out the doubts as to its compatibility with the common market. |
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(10)

According to Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty (5), the decision to initiate the formal investigation procedure shall summarise the relevant issues of fact and law, shall include a preliminary assessment of the Commission as to the aid character of the proposed measure, and shall set out the doubts as to its compatibility with the common market.

3.1.   Existence of aid under Article 87(1) EC Treaty

| (11) | Under Article 87(1) EC Treaty, “any aid granted by a Member State or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, insofar as it affects trade between Member States, be incompatible with the common market.” |
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(11)

Under Article 87(1) EC Treaty, “any aid granted by a Member State or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, insofar as it affects trade between Member States, be incompatible with the common market.”

| (12) | In this case, the measure will be funded by resources granted by the State under the WRAP programme. The aid will be granted to individual beneficiaries. The competitive selection procedures may ensure that the amount of the subsidy is limited to the minimum, but does not take away the aid character of the measure. The measure distorts or threatens to distort competition, as it may cover a significant part of investment costs, which would allow the beneficiary to charge a lower price for the P&W paper it produces. The measure will affect the market for new paper, but also the market for waste paper, which is valuable commodity in demand by the paper industry. The measure is likely to affect trade between Member States, since both new paper and waste paper are traded internationally. In fact, a big amount of the UK paper consumption is imported mainly from other Member States and the United Kingdom was the biggest European exporter of waste paper in 2004 (6). |
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(12)

In this case, the measure will be funded by resources granted by the State under the WRAP programme. The aid will be granted to individual beneficiaries. The competitive selection procedures may ensure that the amount of the subsidy is limited to the minimum, but does not take away the aid character of the measure. The measure distorts or threatens to distort competition, as it may cover a significant part of investment costs, which would allow the beneficiary to charge a lower price for the P&W paper it produces. The measure will affect the market for new paper, but also the market for waste paper, which is valuable commodity in demand by the paper industry. The measure is likely to affect trade between Member States, since both new paper and waste paper are traded internationally. In fact, a big amount of the UK paper consumption is imported mainly from other Member States and the United Kingdom was the biggest European exporter of waste paper in 2004 (6).

| (13) | Therefore, the scheme qualifies as State aid under Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty. |
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(13)

Therefore, the scheme qualifies as State aid under Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty.

| (14) | By notifying to the Commission the current scheme, the United Kingdom has fulfilled with the obligation of Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty. |
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(14)

By notifying to the Commission the current scheme, the United Kingdom has fulfilled with the obligation of Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty.

3.2.   Compatibility of the aid under the environmental aid guidelines

| (15) | The UK authorities claim that the scheme brings environmental benefits. Therefore, the Commission assessed whether the scheme would be justified under the Community guidelines on State aid for environmental protection (hereinafter the environmental aid guidelines) (7). |
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(15)

The UK authorities claim that the scheme brings environmental benefits. Therefore, the Commission assessed whether the scheme would be justified under the Community guidelines on State aid for environmental protection (hereinafter the environmental aid guidelines) (7).

| (16) | The Commission does not deny that the reuse of waste paper is more environmentally friendly than putting it into landfill. However, it has doubts that point 29 of the environmental aid guidelines justify the scheme in as far as it increases the recycling rate of P&W paper. Pursuant to this point, the Commission may authorise (1) investment aid enabling firms to improve on the community standards applicable and (2) investment aid where firms undertake investment in the absence of mandatory Community standards or where they have to undertake investments in order to comply with national standards that are more stringent than the applicable Community standards. |
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(16)

The Commission does not deny that the reuse of waste paper is more environmentally friendly than putting it into landfill. However, it has doubts that point 29 of the environmental aid guidelines justify the scheme in as far as it increases the recycling rate of P&W paper. Pursuant to this point, the Commission may authorise (1) investment aid enabling firms to improve on the community standards applicable and (2) investment aid where firms undertake investment in the absence of mandatory Community standards or where they have to undertake investments in order to comply with national standards that are more stringent than the applicable Community standards.

| (17) | First of all, the Commission recalls that according to the general principles of law, an exception should be interpreted in a restrictive manner. The guidelines define the conditions under which the Commission may consider that aid is compatible with the common market in accordance with Article 87(3)(c)of the Treaty, and therefore form an exception to the general prohibition laid down in Article 87(1) of the Treaty. It should also be recalled that the environmental aid guidelines are based on the general principle of “the polluter pays”, and that every interpretation of the guidelines should strictly comply with this underlying principle. |
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(17)

First of all, the Commission recalls that according to the general principles of law, an exception should be interpreted in a restrictive manner. The guidelines define the conditions under which the Commission may consider that aid is compatible with the common market in accordance with Article 87(3)(c)of the Treaty, and therefore form an exception to the general prohibition laid down in Article 87(1) of the Treaty. It should also be recalled that the environmental aid guidelines are based on the general principle of “the polluter pays”, and that every interpretation of the guidelines should strictly comply with this underlying principle.

| (18) | The scheme may increase the capacity to produce P&W paper, which would lead to increase quantities of waste paper, which would only be partially recycled. In any case, only part of the waste paper used to manufacture P&W paper will be paper sold by each beneficiary itself. Consequently, the Commission has doubts that the investment will reduce the beneficiaries' own pollution. It is more likely that the environmental benefits may derive from indirect effects on supply and demand for waste paper that affect all users and provide of waste paper concerned, not only the beneficiary. |
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(18)

The scheme may increase the capacity to produce P&W paper, which would lead to increase quantities of waste paper, which would only be partially recycled. In any case, only part of the waste paper used to manufacture P&W paper will be paper sold by each beneficiary itself. Consequently, the Commission has doubts that the investment will reduce the beneficiaries' own pollution. It is more likely that the environmental benefits may derive from indirect effects on supply and demand for waste paper that affect all users and provide of waste paper concerned, not only the beneficiary.

| (19) | The United Kingdom agrees that there are no Community standards applicable to the beneficiaries. Therefore, first situation referred to in point 29 of the environmental aid guidelines, which allows aid to be granted in order to enable firms to improve on Community standards does not apply in this case. |
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(19)

The United Kingdom agrees that there are no Community standards applicable to the beneficiaries. Therefore, first situation referred to in point 29 of the environmental aid guidelines, which allows aid to be granted in order to enable firms to improve on Community standards does not apply in this case.

| (20) | In relation to the second situation described in the environmental guidelines, concerning aid to firms to undertake investments in absence of Community standards, the Commission also has doubts that it would apply in this case. The Commission considers that point 29 of the environmental aid guidelines concerns cases where an undertaking invests to improve its own environmental record, and to reduce its own pollution. In such cases, aid can be allowed as an incentive to improve the environmental performance of the company. |
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(20)

In relation to the second situation described in the environmental guidelines, concerning aid to firms to undertake investments in absence of Community standards, the Commission also has doubts that it would apply in this case. The Commission considers that point 29 of the environmental aid guidelines concerns cases where an undertaking invests to improve its own environmental record, and to reduce its own pollution. In such cases, aid can be allowed as an incentive to improve the environmental performance of the company.

| (21) | This interpretation is confirmed by point 18(b) of the environmental aid guidelines, which states that aid “may act as an incentive to firms to improve on standards or to undertake further investment designed to reduce pollution from their plants”. |
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(21)

This interpretation is confirmed by point 18(b) of the environmental aid guidelines, which states that aid “may act as an incentive to firms to improve on standards or to undertake further investment designed to reduce pollution from their plants”.

| (22) | Other interpretation of the guidelines might result in Member States subsidising large investments, with high intensities, in all those sectors where used products can be used as materials for production or where such use is the general practice in that sector. Such aid could be granted in non-assisted areas or, in any event, without having to comply with regional aid rules and might have serious consequences on the relevant markets. Moreover, following such interpretation, the rules could be circumvented by granting aid not to the polluters, that under Community law would not be obliged to take care of the other company's pollution, but to the companies taking care of the pollution. |
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(22)

Other interpretation of the guidelines might result in Member States subsidising large investments, with high intensities, in all those sectors where used products can be used as materials for production or where such use is the general practice in that sector. Such aid could be granted in non-assisted areas or, in any event, without having to comply with regional aid rules and might have serious consequences on the relevant markets. Moreover, following such interpretation, the rules could be circumvented by granting aid not to the polluters, that under Community law would not be obliged to take care of the other company's pollution, but to the companies taking care of the pollution.

| (23) | It is not excluded that part(s) of the selected investment projects will be eligible for environmental aid for other reasons, but as the projects have not been selected yet and as the United Kingdom has not guaranteed that aid would be given only in situations foreseen by the environmental guidelines, the Commission doubts whether the aid can be justified under the environmental aid guidelines. |
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(23)

It is not excluded that part(s) of the selected investment projects will be eligible for environmental aid for other reasons, but as the projects have not been selected yet and as the United Kingdom has not guaranteed that aid would be given only in situations foreseen by the environmental guidelines, the Commission doubts whether the aid can be justified under the environmental aid guidelines.

3.3.   Compatibility of aid under the regional guidelines and other provisions of the Treaty

| (24) | The beneficiaries have not been chosen yet, and therefore it is impossible to assess if the investments will take place in areas eligible for regional aid and that the Guidelines on national regional aid (8) would apply wholly or in part. In fact, it should be noted that similar projects have already been approved by the Commission based on the rules for regional aid, but not as environmental aid (9). |
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(24)

The beneficiaries have not been chosen yet, and therefore it is impossible to assess if the investments will take place in areas eligible for regional aid and that the Guidelines on national regional aid (8) would apply wholly or in part. In fact, it should be noted that similar projects have already been approved by the Commission based on the rules for regional aid, but not as environmental aid (9).

| (25) | The Commission furthermore doubts that other rules based on Article 87(3)(c) are applicable or that other exemptions set out in Article 87(2) and (3) of the EC-Treaty are applicable. |
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(25)

The Commission furthermore doubts that other rules based on Article 87(3)(c) are applicable or that other exemptions set out in Article 87(2) and (3) of the EC-Treaty are applicable.

3.4.   Compatibility of aid directly on the basis of Article 87(3)(c)

| (26) | Should the Environmental aid guidelines not be applicable, the case has to be assessed directly on the basis of Article 87(3)(c). In fact, the Commission has done so in the past, notably for a recycling scheme administered by WRAP (10) and two other cases in the paper industry (11). |
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(26)

Should the Environmental aid guidelines not be applicable, the case has to be assessed directly on the basis of Article 87(3)(c). In fact, the Commission has done so in the past, notably for a recycling scheme administered by WRAP (10) and two other cases in the paper industry (11).

| (27) | In past cases dealing with investment to increase recycling capacity in the paper industry (12), the criteria applied by the Commission was based on the incentive effect of the aid and whether the necessary investments to obtain the environmental benefits were going beyond the “state of the art” at EU level. Since the use of recycled fibre to manufacture paper is common practice in the EU, the Commission has not accepted that the mere fact that the aid aims to increase the amount of recycled paper fibre in the manufacturing of paper is enough to qualify it as environmental aid. |
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(27)

In past cases dealing with investment to increase recycling capacity in the paper industry (12), the criteria applied by the Commission was based on the incentive effect of the aid and whether the necessary investments to obtain the environmental benefits were going beyond the “state of the art” at EU level. Since the use of recycled fibre to manufacture paper is common practice in the EU, the Commission has not accepted that the mere fact that the aid aims to increase the amount of recycled paper fibre in the manufacturing of paper is enough to qualify it as environmental aid.

Investments going beyond the state of the art?

| (28) | The UK authorities argue that the fact that very small amounts of P&W paper are made from recycled fibre in the EU, qualifies the investments as going beyond the current “state of the art”. The Commission is aware of technological barriers to increased rates of recycled fibres used in particular in P&W paper, like the de-inking of digital print, the removal of ashes with washers and the increased amount of bleaching, flotation, dispersion and sludge disposal. It would, however, normally expect a certain level of innovation from a market operator that wants to compete and be in the vanguard of the product market, in particular in the paper market, where many operators are large multinational producers. In past cases, the Commission concluded that “any paper producer that wishes to remain technologically and environmentally competitive in the long run has to make such investments in innovation from time to time” (13). The relatively small amounts of P&W paper manufactured from waste paper would seem to indicate that it is possible to implement such processes and that the technology exists. According to information available to the Commission the production of P&W papers using recycled fibre has increased by 6,8 % in 2004 (14). The production of P&W paper using recycled fibre is currently the fastest growing type of recycled paper in Europe. |
| --- | --- |

(28)

The UK authorities argue that the fact that very small amounts of P&W paper are made from recycled fibre in the EU, qualifies the investments as going beyond the current “state of the art”. The Commission is aware of technological barriers to increased rates of recycled fibres used in particular in P&W paper, like the de-inking of digital print, the removal of ashes with washers and the increased amount of bleaching, flotation, dispersion and sludge disposal. It would, however, normally expect a certain level of innovation from a market operator that wants to compete and be in the vanguard of the product market, in particular in the paper market, where many operators are large multinational producers. In past cases, the Commission concluded that “any paper producer that wishes to remain technologically and environmentally competitive in the long run has to make such investments in innovation from time to time” (13). The relatively small amounts of P&W paper manufactured from waste paper would seem to indicate that it is possible to implement such processes and that the technology exists. According to information available to the Commission the production of P&W papers using recycled fibre has increased by 6,8 % in 2004 (14). The production of P&W paper using recycled fibre is currently the fastest growing type of recycled paper in Europe.

| (29) | Therefore, the Commission has doubts that the justification used by the UK authorities that the current very low utilisation of recycled content in the production of P&W papers in the EU is enough to state that manufacturing P&W paper using recycle fibre goes beyond the current “state of the art” in the EU. |
| --- | --- |

(29)

Therefore, the Commission has doubts that the justification used by the UK authorities that the current very low utilisation of recycled content in the production of P&W papers in the EU is enough to state that manufacturing P&W paper using recycle fibre goes beyond the current “state of the art” in the EU.

Increasing collection rates?

| (30) | According to information available to the Commission, it seems that the current situation of the market of P&W waste paper is changing fast and that paper companies are becoming very interested on P&W waste paper due to its high quality (15). In fact, in Sweden it is expected that the recycling rate of office papers office will pass from 57 % in 2003 to 75 % in 2006. Given the situation on the waste paper market, it is reasonable to expect increased interest in waste P&W paper from paper producers. |
| --- | --- |

(30)

According to information available to the Commission, it seems that the current situation of the market of P&W waste paper is changing fast and that paper companies are becoming very interested on P&W waste paper due to its high quality (15). In fact, in Sweden it is expected that the recycling rate of office papers office will pass from 57 % in 2003 to 75 % in 2006. Given the situation on the waste paper market, it is reasonable to expect increased interest in waste P&W paper from paper producers.

| (31) | Therefore, the Commission has doubts that an increase in paper manufacturing capacity in the United Kingdom is needed to increase the collection demand. In the last years, there has been a big demand for waste paper in countries of East Asia. It would seem that such an increase has converted the United Kingdom to a net exporter of P&W waste paper. |
| --- | --- |

(31)

Therefore, the Commission has doubts that an increase in paper manufacturing capacity in the United Kingdom is needed to increase the collection demand. In the last years, there has been a big demand for waste paper in countries of East Asia. It would seem that such an increase has converted the United Kingdom to a net exporter of P&W waste paper.

| (32) | Therefore, the Commission has doubts about the necessity of aid for increasing the collection of P&W waste paper. |
| --- | --- |

(32)

Therefore, the Commission has doubts about the necessity of aid for increasing the collection of P&W waste paper.

Proper targeting to maximise environmental benefits?

| (33) | The Commission doubts whether the measure is properly targeted, ensuring the highest environmental benefits. The United Kingdom argues that the biggest environmental gains are obtained if high quality waste paper is used for high quality new paper, i.e. P&W paper. The Commission, however, wonders whether a more common approach like using P&W waste paper to manufacture other types of paper might have the same impact in the collection of paper from offices and, taking the broadest possible perspective, bring the same environmental benefits. |
| --- | --- |

(33)

The Commission doubts whether the measure is properly targeted, ensuring the highest environmental benefits. The United Kingdom argues that the biggest environmental gains are obtained if high quality waste paper is used for high quality new paper, i.e. P&W paper. The Commission, however, wonders whether a more common approach like using P&W waste paper to manufacture other types of paper might have the same impact in the collection of paper from offices and, taking the broadest possible perspective, bring the same environmental benefits.

Proper calculation of eligible investment cost?

| (34) | If it were appropriate to base the assessment directly on Article 87(3)(c), the Commission would draw a parallel to points 36 and 37 of the environmental aid guidelines to calculate the eligible cost. In accordance with these points, eligible cost must be confined to the extra investment costs necessary to meet the environmental objectives. |
| --- | --- |

(34)

If it were appropriate to base the assessment directly on Article 87(3)(c), the Commission would draw a parallel to points 36 and 37 of the environmental aid guidelines to calculate the eligible cost. In accordance with these points, eligible cost must be confined to the extra investment costs necessary to meet the environmental objectives.

| (35) | The method used by the UK authorities to calculate the eligible costs will be based on the premise that where the market would not give rise to the investment in question, then the relevant eligible costs are all the costs of the investment. Only those costs necessary to make the required investment, and to achieve the environmental objective, will be considered to be eligible and any net benefits during the first five years of production will be deducted. The cost of a reference investment which creates the same capacity but which does not provide the same environmental benefits, would not be subtracted. |
| --- | --- |

(35)

The method used by the UK authorities to calculate the eligible costs will be based on the premise that where the market would not give rise to the investment in question, then the relevant eligible costs are all the costs of the investment. Only those costs necessary to make the required investment, and to achieve the environmental objective, will be considered to be eligible and any net benefits during the first five years of production will be deducted. The cost of a reference investment which creates the same capacity but which does not provide the same environmental benefits, would not be subtracted.

| (36) | The Commission has doubts whether this interpretation is acceptable. Substantial parts of the selected investment projects might be essential as well for investment projects in similar production capacity that is not based on using waste P&W paper. In case of investment in new capacity, the whole investment cost would be necessary to obtain the environmental benefit, but it is not clear why the investment of a conventional plant should not be subtracted. Without taking account of such a reference investment, the cost calculation would be disproportioned. |
| --- | --- |

(36)

The Commission has doubts whether this interpretation is acceptable. Substantial parts of the selected investment projects might be essential as well for investment projects in similar production capacity that is not based on using waste P&W paper. In case of investment in new capacity, the whole investment cost would be necessary to obtain the environmental benefit, but it is not clear why the investment of a conventional plant should not be subtracted. Without taking account of such a reference investment, the cost calculation would be disproportioned.

Choice for the least distortive instrument?

| (37) | The United Kingdom has chosen to grant aid directly to the paper producers instead of to collection schemes, because it reduces it administrative costs and the amount of support. The Commission, however, doubts whether the measure proposed by the United Kingdom is the least distortive instrument to address the problem at stake. Other instruments, e.g. instruments that focus on the collection, are likely to less distort the markets of waste paper and of end products. |
| --- | --- |

(37)

The United Kingdom has chosen to grant aid directly to the paper producers instead of to collection schemes, because it reduces it administrative costs and the amount of support. The Commission, however, doubts whether the measure proposed by the United Kingdom is the least distortive instrument to address the problem at stake. Other instruments, e.g. instruments that focus on the collection, are likely to less distort the markets of waste paper and of end products.

4.   CONCLUSION

| (38) | In the light of the foregoing considerations, the Commission, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty, requests the United Kingdom to submit its comments and to provide all such information as may help to assess the aid, within one month of the date of receipt of this letter. It requests your authorities to forward a copy of this letter to the potential recipient of the aid immediately. |
| --- | --- |

(38)

In the light of the foregoing considerations, the Commission, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty, requests the United Kingdom to submit its comments and to provide all such information as may help to assess the aid, within one month of the date of receipt of this letter. It requests your authorities to forward a copy of this letter to the potential recipient of the aid immediately.

| (39) | The Commission wishes to remind the United Kingdom that Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty has suspensory effect, and would draw your attention to Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999, which provides that all unlawful aid may be recovered from the recipient. |
| --- | --- |

(39)

The Commission wishes to remind the United Kingdom that Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty has suspensory effect, and would draw your attention to Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999, which provides that all unlawful aid may be recovered from the recipient.

| (40) | The Commission warns the United Kingdom that it will inform interested parties by publishing this letter and a meaningful summary of it in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will also inform interested parties in the EFTA countries which are signatories to the EEA Agreement, by publication of a notice in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union and will inform the EFTA Surveillance Authority by sending a copy of this letter. All such interested parties will be invited to submit their comments within one month of the date of such publication.» |
| --- | --- |

(40)

The Commission warns the United Kingdom that it will inform interested parties by publishing this letter and a meaningful summary of it in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will also inform interested parties in the EFTA countries which are signatories to the EEA Agreement, by publication of a notice in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union and will inform the EFTA Surveillance Authority by sending a copy of this letter. All such interested parties will be invited to submit their comments within one month of the date of such publication.»

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(1)  GU C 37 del 3.2.2001, pag. 3.

1

(2)  GU C 74 del 10.3.1998, pag. 9.

2

(3)  GU L 102 del 7.4.2004, pag. 59. Il Regno Unito ha recentemente notificato un'estensione ed una proroga di tale regime, attualmente in fase di valutazione.

3

(4)  GU L 314 del 28.11.2003, pag. 26 e GU L 53 del 26.2.2005, pag. 66, rispettivamente. I criteri utilizzati in questi casi sono commentati anche nella relazione annuale sulla concorrenza del 2004.

4

(5)  OJ L 83, 27.3.1999, p. 1.

5

(6)  CEPI, Special Recycling 2004 Statistics. Page 5, available at http://www.cepi.org/files/Sp %20Rec %202005-135002A.pdf

6

(7)  OJ C 37, 3.2.2001, p. 3.

7

(8)  OJ C 74, 10.3.1998, p. 9.

8

(9)  E.g. Hamburger AG (C 72/01), Commission decision 9 April 2002, OJ L 296, 20.10.2002, p. 50.

9

Kartogroup (N184/2000), Commission decision 18 July 2001 available at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/industrie/n184-00.pdf

(10)  OJ L 102, 7.4.2004, p. 59. The waste products that are concerned under this scheme are wood, glass, plastics, aggregates and compost. The Commission noted that the objective of this measure is to encourage the development of waste recycling, which is a clear objective of the Community environmental policy. The Commission also noted that the aid does not subsidise “state of the art” techniques in the industries concerned, which are economically profitable and do not need State aid. Therefore, the Commission considered that this scheme was compatible with Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty.

10

(11)  OJ L 314, 28.11.2003, p. 26 and OJ L 53, 26.2.2005, p. 66 respectively. The criteria used in these cases are also commented upon in the Annual Competition report of 2004.

11

(12)  OJ L 314, 28.11.2003, p. 26 and OJ L 53, 26.2.2005, p.66 respectively. The criteria used in these cases are also commented upon in the Annual Competition report of 2004.

12

(13)  OJ L 53, 26.2.2005, p. 76.

13

(14)  CEPI, Special Recycling 2004 Statistics, p. 1.

14

(15)  This is, e.g., signalled in a study on recycling waste “Support in the drafting of an ExIA on the Thematic Strategy on the Prevention and Recycling of Waste” by EPEC, Page 82, available at http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/pdf/epec_report_05.pdf, published by DG ENV.

15

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| 14.1.2006 | IT | Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea | C 9/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.1.2006

IT

Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea

C 9/12

---

Non opposizione ad un'operazione di concentrazione notificata

(Caso n. COMP/M.4008 — Logista/Editorial Planeta/JV)

(2006/C 9/05)

(Testo rilevante ai fini del SEE)

Il 16.12.2005 la Commissione ha deciso di non opporsi alla suddetta operazione di concentrazione notificata e di dichiararla compatibile con il mercato comune. La decisione si basa sull'articolo 6, paragrafo 1, lettera b), del regolamento (CE) n. 139/2004 del Consiglio. Il testo integrale della decisione è disponibile unicamente in lingua spagnolo e verrà reso pubblico dopo che gli eventuali segreti commerciali in esso contenuti saranno stati espunti. Il testo della decisione sarà disponibile:

| — | sul sito Internet di Europa nella sezione dedicata alla concorrenza (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Il sito offre varie modalità per la ricerca delle singole decisioni, tra cui indici per società, per numero del caso, per data e per settore, |
| --- | --- |

—

sul sito Internet di Europa nella sezione dedicata alla concorrenza (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Il sito offre varie modalità per la ricerca delle singole decisioni, tra cui indici per società, per numero del caso, per data e per settore,

| — | in formato elettronico sul sito EUR-Lex, al documento n.32005M4008. EUR-Lex è il sistema di accesso in rete al diritto comunitario. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex) |
| --- | --- |

—

in formato elettronico sul sito EUR-Lex, al documento n.32005M4008. EUR-Lex è il sistema di accesso in rete al diritto comunitario. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

---

| 14.1.2006 | IT | Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea | C 9/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.1.2006

IT

Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea

C 9/12

---

Non opposizione ad un'operazione di concentrazione notificata

(Caso n. COMP/M.4058 — Logista/Planeta de Agostini/JV)

(2006/C 9/06)

(Testo rilevante ai fini del SEE)

Il 16.12.2005 la Commissione ha deciso di non opporsi alla suddetta operazione di concentrazione notificata e di dichiararla compatibile con il mercato comune. La decisione si basa sull'articolo 6, paragrafo 1, lettera b), del regolamento (CE) n. 139/2004 del Consiglio. Il testo integrale della decisione è disponibile unicamente in lingua spagnolo e verrà reso pubblico dopo che gli eventuali segreti commerciali in esso contenuti saranno stati espunti. Il testo della decisione sarà disponibile:

| — | sul sito Internet di Europa nella sezione dedicata alla concorrenza (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Il sito offre varie modalità per la ricerca delle singole decisioni, tra cui indici per società, per numero del caso, per data e per settore, |
| --- | --- |

—

sul sito Internet di Europa nella sezione dedicata alla concorrenza (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Il sito offre varie modalità per la ricerca delle singole decisioni, tra cui indici per società, per numero del caso, per data e per settore,

| — | in formato elettronico sul sito EUR-Lex, al documento n.32005M4058. EUR-Lex è il sistema di accesso in rete al diritto comunitario. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex) |
| --- | --- |

—

in formato elettronico sul sito EUR-Lex, al documento n.32005M4058. EUR-Lex è il sistema di accesso in rete al diritto comunitario. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

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Rettifiche

| 14.1.2006 | IT | Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea | C 9/13 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.1.2006

IT

Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea

C 9/13

---

Rettifica dell'elenco dei giorni festivi nel 2006

(
  Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea L 336 del 31 dicembre 2005
  )

(2006/C 9/07)

A pagina 2, alla voce «FRANCE», la data 15.4 è soppressa.

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