# Journal officiel C 9/14 j

| | ISSN 1725-2431 |
| --- | --- |
| Journal officiel
  de l'Union européenne | C 9 |
| | |
| Édition de langue française | Communications et informations | 49e année14 janvier 2006 |

ISSN 1725-2431

Journal officiel

de l'Union européenne

C 9

Édition de langue française

Communications et informations

49e année14 janvier 2006

---

| Numéro d'information | Sommaire | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Communications |
| | Commission |
| 2006/C 009/1 | Taux de change de l'euro | 1 |
| 2006/C 009/2 | Autorisation des aides d'État dans le cadre des dispositions des articles 87 et 88 du traité CE — Cas à l'égard desquels la Commission ne soulève pas d'objection | 2 |
| 2006/C 009/3 | Autorisation des aides d'État dans le cadre des dispositions des articles 87 et 88 du traité CE — Cas à l'égard desquels la Commission ne soulève pas d'objection (
  1
  ) | 3 |
| 2006/C 009/4 | Aides d'État — Royaume Uni — Aide d'Etat C 45/2005 (ex N 364/2005) — programme d'action déchets et ressources (programme WRAP): aide aux capacités de recyclage de papier d'impression et d'écriture — Invitation à présenter des observations en application de l'article 88, paragraphe 2, du traité CE (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| 2006/C 009/5 | Non-opposition à une concentration notifiée (Affaire COMP/M.4008 — Logista/Editorial Planeta/JV) (
  1
  ) | 12 |
| 2006/C 009/6 | Non-opposition à une concentration notifiée (Affaire COMP/M.4058 — Logista/Planeta de Agostini/JV) (
  1
  ) | 12 |

Numéro d'information

Sommaire

page

I   Communications

Commission

2006/C 009/1

Taux de change de l'euro

1

2006/C 009/2

Autorisation des aides d'État dans le cadre des dispositions des articles 87 et 88 du traité CE — Cas à l'égard desquels la Commission ne soulève pas d'objection

2

2006/C 009/3

Autorisation des aides d'État dans le cadre des dispositions des articles 87 et 88 du traité CE — Cas à l'égard desquels la Commission ne soulève pas d'objection (
  1
  )

1

3

2006/C 009/4

Aides d'État — Royaume Uni — Aide d'Etat C 45/2005 (ex N 364/2005) — programme d'action déchets et ressources (programme WRAP): aide aux capacités de recyclage de papier d'impression et d'écriture — Invitation à présenter des observations en application de l'article 88, paragraphe 2, du traité CE (
  1
  )

1

6

2006/C 009/5

Non-opposition à une concentration notifiée (Affaire COMP/M.4008 — Logista/Editorial Planeta/JV) (
  1
  )

1

12

2006/C 009/6

Non-opposition à une concentration notifiée (Affaire COMP/M.4058 — Logista/Planeta de Agostini/JV) (
  1
  )

1

12

| | Rectificatifs |
| --- | --- |
| 2006/C 009/7 | Rectificatif à la communication des jours fériés pour l'année 2006 (JO C 336 du 31.12.2005) | 13 |

Rectificatifs

2006/C 009/7

Rectificatif à la communication des jours fériés pour l'année 2006 (JO C 336 du 31.12.2005)

(JO C 336 du 31.12.2005)

13

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Texte présentant de l'intérêt pour l'EEE |

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(1)   Texte présentant de l'intérêt pour l'EEE

1

| FR | |
| --- | --- |

FR

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I Communications

Commission

| 14.1.2006 | FR | Journal officiel de l'Union européenne | C 9/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.1.2006

FR

Journal officiel de l'Union européenne

C 9/1

---

Taux de change de l'euro (1)

13 janvier 2006

(2006/C 9/01)

1 euro=

| | Monnaie | Taux de change |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | dollar des États-Unis | 1,2039 |
| JPY | yen japonais | 138,13 |
| DKK | couronne danoise | 7,4592 |
| GBP | livre sterling | 0,68140 |
| SEK | couronne suédoise | 9,3063 |
| CHF | franc suisse | 1,5491 |
| ISK | couronne islandaise | 74,01 |
| NOK | couronne norvégienne | 8,0475 |
| BGN | lev bulgare | 1,9558 |
| CYP | livre chypriote | 0,5737 |
| CZK | couronne tchèque | 28,840 |
| EEK | couronne estonienne | 15,6466 |
| HUF | forint hongrois | 250,51 |
| LTL | litas lituanien | 3,4528 |
| LVL | lats letton | 0,6960 |
| MTL | lire maltaise | 0,4293 |
| PLN | zloty polonais | 3,8138 |
| RON | leu roumain | 3,6308 |
| SIT | tolar slovène | 239,49 |
| SKK | couronne slovaque | 37,520 |
| TRY | lire turque | 1,6160 |
| AUD | dollar australien | 1,6040 |
| CAD | dollar canadien | 1,3972 |
| HKD | dollar de Hong Kong | 9,3316 |
| NZD | dollar néo-zélandais | 1,7344 |
| SGD | dollar de Singapour | 1,9648 |
| KRW | won sud-coréen | 1 189,03 |
| ZAR | rand sud-africain | 7,3170 |
| CNY | yuan ren-min-bi chinois | 9,7144 |
| HRK | kuna croate | 7,3750 |
| IDR | rupiah indonésien | 11 282,95 |
| MYR | ringgit malais | 4,502 |
| PHP | peso philippin | 63,072 |
| RUB | rouble russe | 34,3200 |
| THB | baht thaïlandais | 47,643 |

Monnaie

Taux de change

USD

dollar des États-Unis

1,2039

JPY

yen japonais

138,13

DKK

couronne danoise

7,4592

GBP

livre sterling

0,68140

SEK

couronne suédoise

9,3063

CHF

franc suisse

1,5491

ISK

couronne islandaise

74,01

NOK

couronne norvégienne

8,0475

BGN

lev bulgare

1,9558

CYP

livre chypriote

0,5737

CZK

couronne tchèque

28,840

EEK

couronne estonienne

15,6466

HUF

forint hongrois

250,51

LTL

litas lituanien

3,4528

LVL

lats letton

0,6960

MTL

lire maltaise

0,4293

PLN

zloty polonais

3,8138

RON

leu roumain

3,6308

SIT

tolar slovène

239,49

SKK

couronne slovaque

37,520

TRY

lire turque

1,6160

AUD

dollar australien

1,6040

CAD

dollar canadien

1,3972

HKD

dollar de Hong Kong

9,3316

NZD

dollar néo-zélandais

1,7344

SGD

dollar de Singapour

1,9648

KRW

won sud-coréen

1 189,03

ZAR

rand sud-africain

7,3170

CNY

yuan ren-min-bi chinois

9,7144

HRK

kuna croate

7,3750

IDR

rupiah indonésien

11 282,95

MYR

ringgit malais

4,502

PHP

peso philippin

63,072

RUB

rouble russe

34,3200

THB

baht thaïlandais

47,643

---

(1)

Source: taux de change de référence publié par la Banque centrale européenne.

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| 14.1.2006 | FR | Journal officiel de l'Union européenne | C 9/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.1.2006

FR

Journal officiel de l'Union européenne

C 9/2

---

Autorisation des aides d'État dans le cadre des dispositions des articles 87 et 88 du traité CE

Cas à l'égard desquels la Commission ne soulève pas d'objection

(2006/C 9/02)

Date d'adoption de la décision:

État membre: Allemagne (Schleswig-Holstein)

No de l'aide: N 9/2004

Titre: Aide à la destruction de carcasses

Objectif: Indemniser les éleveurs au titre de l'élimination des carcasses au niveau de l'exploitation de l'élevage

Base juridique:

| — | 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.)

Budget: 5,5 millions d'EUR par an

Intensité ou montant de l'aide: 100 %

Durée: Jusqu'en 2013

Le texte de la décision dans la (les) langue(s) faisant foi, expurgé des données confidentielles, est disponible sur le site:

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

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| 14.1.2006 | FR | Journal officiel de l'Union européenne | C 9/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.1.2006

FR

Journal officiel de l'Union européenne

C 9/3

---

Autorisation des aides d'État dans le cadre des dispositions des articles 87 et 88 du traité CE

Cas à l'égard desquels la Commission ne soulève pas d'objection

(2006/C 9/03)

(Texte présentant de l'intérêt pour l'EEE)

Date d'adoption de la décision:

État membre: Pays-Bas

No de l'aide: N 127/2004

Titre: Actions de promotion en faveur de la plie

Objectif: Financement d'actions de promotion au profit de la plie par le biais de taxes parafiscales

Base juridique:

| — | 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

Budget: 200 000 EUR par an

Durée: Illimitée (le régime sera notifié à nouveau à la Commission dix ans au plus tard à compter de son entrée en vigueur)

Forme et intensité de l'intervention: Dans les limites des montants définis par les lignes directrices pour l'examen des aides d'État dans le secteur de la pêche et de l'aquaculture (JO C 19 du 20.1.2001, p. 7)

Autres informations: Rapport annuel

Le texte de la décision dans la (les) langue(s) faisant foi, expurgé des données confidentielles, est disponible sur le site:

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

Date d'adoption:

État Membre: Espagne (Principado de Asturias)

Numéro de l'aide: N 173/2005

Intitulé dans la langue d'origine: 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.

Objectif: Recherche et le développement (Tous les secteurs)

Base juridique: 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

Budget:

| | 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

Intensité ou montant de l'aide: 35 % — 60 % — + 10 % — 75 % — 50 %

Durée (date de fin):

Le texte de la décision dans la (les) langue(s) faisant foi, expurgé des données confidentielles, est disponible sur le site:

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

Date d'adoption:

État Membre: Danemark

Numéro de l'aide: N 229/2005

Intitulé dans la langue d'origine: Regionale Teknologicentre

Objectif: Recherche et le développement (Tous les secteurs)

Base juridique: Lov nr. 419 af 6.6.2002

Budget:

| | 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

Intensité ou montant de l'aide: 60 %

Durée:

Le texte de la décision dans la (les) langue(s) faisant foi, expurgé des données confidentielles, est disponible sur le site:

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

Date d'adoption:

État membre: République slovaque

Numéro d'aide: N 298/2005

Titre: Aide individuelle à la production audiovisuelle en faveur de TYZAM s.r.o.

Objectif: Soutien à la production de films

Base juridique:

| 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

Budget: 7 millions SKK

Intensité ou montant de l'aide: 20 %

Durée: Aide ad hoc accordée après autorisation (31.12.2005)

Le texte de la décision dans la (les) langue(s) faisant foi, expurgé des données confidentielles, est disponible sur le site:

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

Date d'adoption:

État membre: République slovaque

Numéro d'aide: N 299/2005

Titre: Aide individuelle à la production audiovisuelle en faveur de TaO Productions s.r.o

Objectif: Soutien à la production de films

Base juridique:

| 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

Budget: 8 millions SKK

Intensité ou montant de l'aide: 10 %

Durée: Aide ad hoc accordée après autorisation (31.12.2005)

Le texte de la décision dans la (les) langue(s) faisant foi, expurgé des données confidentielles, est disponible sur le site:

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

Date d'adoption:

État membre: République slovaque

Numéro d'aide: N 300/2005

Titre: Aide individuelle à la production audiovisuelle en faveur de ALEF Film& Media Group, s.r.o

Objectif: Soutien à la production de films

Base juridique:

| 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

Budget: 11 millions SKK

Intensité ou montant de l'aide: 26,2 %

Durée: Aide ad hoc accordée après autorisation (31.12.2005)

Le texte de la décision dans la (les) langue(s) faisant foi, expurgé des données confidentielles, est disponible sur le site:

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

Date d'adoption de la décision:

État membre: France

Numéro de l'aide: N 337/2004 et N 378/2004

Titre: Financement par taxes affectées et dotations budgétaires des Centres Techniques Industriels et des Centres Professionnels de Développement économique

Objectif: Actions collectives de recherche et développement, normalisation, formation, promotion et information des entreprises dans les secteurs des produits de mécaniques, des biens de consommation et des matériaux de construction

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

Durée: À compter de la date d'autorisation de la Commission jusqu'au 31 décembre 2010

Autres informations: Bénéficiaire: CTI et CPDE dans les secteurs des biens de consommation, de la mécanique et des matériaux de construction

Le texte de la décision dans la (les) langue(s) faisant foi, expurgé des données confidentielles, est disponible sur le site:

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

Date d'adoption de la décision: 10.9.2002

État membre: Danemark

No de l'aide: N 374/2002

Titre: Aides destinées à l'équipement de ports de pêche, accordées dans le cadre des actions structurelles de la Communauté relevant de l'IFOP pour les années 2000-2006

Objectif: Cofinancement des interventions structurelles relatives aux équipements de ports de pêche au Danemark pour la période 2000-2006

Base juridique:

| — | 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

Budget: 27 millions EUR

Durée: années 2000-2006

Forme et intensité de l'intervention: Dans les limites des montants définis par le règlement (CE) no 2792/1999

Autres informations: Rapport annuel

Le texte de la décision dans la (les) langue(s) faisant foi, expurgé des données confidentielles, est disponible sur le site:

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

Date d'adoption:

Numéro d'aide: N 465/2005

État membre: Royaume des Pays-Bas

Titre: 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 juridique: 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

Objectif: Formation

Budget: 53 millions d'EUR

Intensité ou montant de l'aide:

| | 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

Durée: Du 1.1.2006 au 31.12.2008

Autres informations:

| | Type de mesure: Régime |
| --- | --- |

Type de mesure: Régime

| | Forme d'aide: Subventions directes |
| --- | --- |

Forme d'aide: Subventions directes

Le texte de la décision dans la (les) langue(s) faisant foi, expurgé des données confidentielles, est disponible sur le site:

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

Date d'adoption de la décision::

État membre: Espagne

No de l'aide: N 499/2004

Titre: Régimes d'aides à l'exploration minière, à la protection de l'environnement et à la sécurité minière concernant les minerais non énergétiques

Objectif: Secteur des minerais non énergétiques. Modification du régime approuvé par la Commission le 19 juin 2002. Les modifications concernent la forme et l'intensité des aides à la prospection minière dans le but de rendre cette activité plus attractive

Intensité ou montant de l'aide: Aides à la prospection: subvention à fonds perdu couvrant jusqu'à 20 % des coûts éligibles (30 % dans les cas des PME) et/ou avance remboursable sans intérêts couvrant jusqu'à 60 % des coûts éligibles (70 % dans le cas des PME)

Durée:

Le texte de la décision dans la (les) langue(s) faisant foi, expurgé des données confidentielles, est disponible sur le site:

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

Date d'adoption:

État membre: Allemagne

Numéro d'aide: NN 44/2004

Titre: Aide au sauvetage en faveur de SVZ Schwarze Pumpe

Objectif: Aide au sauvetage

Base juridique: §2(3) Förderbankgesetz

Budget: 21,028 millions d'EUR

Durée: Jusqu'au 31.5.2005

Le texte de la décision dans la (les) langue(s) faisant foi, expurgé des données confidentielles, est disponible sur le site:

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

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| 14.1.2006 | FR | Journal officiel de l'Union européenne | C 9/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.1.2006

FR

Journal officiel de l'Union européenne

C 9/6

---

AIDES D'ÉTAT — ROYAUME UNI

Aide d'Etat C 45/2005 (ex N 364/2005) — programme d'action «déchets et ressources» (programme WRAP): aide aux capacités de recyclage de papier d'impression et d'écriture

Invitation à présenter des observations en application de l'article 88, paragraphe 2, du traité CE

(2006/C 9/04)

(Texte présentant un intérêt pour l'EEE)

Par lettre du 7 décembre 2005 reproduite dans la langue faisant foi dans les pages qui suivent le présent résumé, la Commission a notifié au Royaume-Uni sa décision d'ouvrir la procédure prévue à l'article 88, paragraphe 2, du traité CE à l'égard de l'aide précitée.

Les parties intéressées peuvent présenter leurs observations dans un délai d'un mois à compter de la date de la présente publication, à l'adresse suivante:

| Commission européenne |
| --- |
| Direction générale de la concurrence |
| Greffe des aides d'État |
| SPA 3, 6/05 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles |
| Fax: (32-2) 296 12 42 |

Commission européenne

Direction générale de la concurrence

Greffe des aides d'État

SPA 3, 6/05

B-1049 Bruxelles

Fax: (32-2) 296 12 42

Ces observations seront communiquées au Royaume-Uni. L'identité des intéressés ayant présenté des observations peut rester confidentielle sur demande écrite et motivée.

RÉSUMÉ

En juillet 2005, le Royaume-Uni a notifié à la Commission un régime d'aide à l'investissement visant à accroître les capacités de production de papier d'impression et d'écriture à partir de fibre recyclée.

1.   Description de la mesure

Les déchets de papier des bureaux ne sont pas collectés et recyclés au Royaume-Uni. Afin de remédier à cette situation, l'autorité publique chargée de la mise en œuvre du programme d'action «déchets et ressources» (WRAP) prévoit d'organiser des appels d'offres pour l'octroi de subventions aux papeteries. Ces subventions permettraient de stimuler la demande de collecte des déchets de papier provenant des bureaux moyennant un cofinancement de l'augmentation des capacités de recyclage des papiers d'impression et d'écriture («papier I&E») des papeteries. En échange des subventions, les papeteries doivent s'engager à utiliser un volume accru de déchets de papier provenant des flux de déchets, avec un pourcentage ou un tonnage minimum de papier I&E récupéré dans les bureaux. Pour faire le meilleur usage possible des déchets de papier I&E, le surcroît de capacités de production de papier sera consacré à la fabrication de papier I&E neuf.

L'appel d'offres prendra en compte l'inclusion d'éléments de technologie nouvelle, de démonstration et d'innovation contribuant à stimuler le développement de processus durables de recyclage des déchets, c'est-à-dire d'éléments allant au-delà de «l'état des techniques». Le budget envisagé pour le régime sera situé entre 6 et 20 millions de livres. Comme les niveaux d'aides ne seront déterminés qu'à l'issue de l'appel d'offres, les intensités d'aide ne sont pas encore connues. Les bénéficiaires potentiels — les papetiers — sont en nombre inférieur à dix. Les autorités britanniques prévoient d'octroyer l'aide avant avril 2006.

2.   Appréciation de la mesure

Au regard de l'encadrement des aides en faveur de l'environnement (1), la Commission doute que le régime puisse relever du point 29 de cet encadrement car les investissements dans de nouvelles capacités de production de papier utilisant des déchets de papier ne réduiront pas la pollution des papetiers eux-mêmes. Les bénéficiaires tendront à utiliser des déchets de papier en provenance de n'importe quel papetier.

En ce qui concerne les règles autres que l'encadrement des aides en faveur de l'environnement, la Commission doute que les autres exemptions prévues à l'article 87, paragraphes 2 et 3, du traité CE soient applicables. Toutefois, les bénéficiaires n'ont pas encore été désignés et il est donc impossible de déterminer si les investissements seront réalisés dans des zones éligibles aux aides régionales, cas dans lequel les lignes directrices concernant les aides d'État à finalité régionale (2) pourraient être totalement ou partiellement applicables.

Dans l'hypothèse où l'encadrement des aides en faveur de l'environnement ne serait pas applicable, la Commission doit procéder directement à une évaluation sur la base de l'article 87, paragraphe 3, point c). Elle l'a déjà fait par le passé, notamment pour un régime de recyclage (3) et deux autres affaires dans le secteur papetier (4). Les critères appliqués par la Commission consistaient à apprécier l'effet incitatif de l'aide et à évaluer si les investissements nécessaires pour obtenir un bénéfice environnemental allaient au-delà de ce qui est considéré comme «l'état actuel de la technique» dans l'UE.

Dans d'autres cas où la Commission a eu à apprécier des aides en faveur d'investissements créant des capacités de recyclage de papier, les critères appliqués par la Commission consistaient à apprécier l'effet incitatif de l'aide et à évaluer si les investissements nécessaires pour obtenir un bénéfice environnemental allaient au-delà de ce qui est considéré comme «l'état actuel de la technique» dans l'UE. La Commission doute que la justification avancée par les autorités britanniques, à savoir le niveau actuellement très bas d'utilisation de contenu recyclé dans la production de papier I&E dans l'UE, soit suffisante pour pouvoir affirmer que l'utilisation de fibres recyclées dans la production de papier I&E va au-delà de ce qui est considéré comme «l'état actuel de la technique» dans l'UE.

La Commission doute de l'effet incitatif du régime sur la collecte de déchets de papier I&E.

La Commission n'est pas non plus convaincue que la production de papier I&E à partir de déchets de papier I&E induirait pour l'environnement des avantages supérieurs à ce qui peut être obtenu par l'approche plus commune consistant à utiliser les déchets de papier I&E pour produire d'autres types de papiers.

La Commission doute en outre que les coûts admissibles seront limités aux seuls coûts de l'investissement supplémentaire requis pour réaliser les objectifs environnementaux: en effet, le Royaume-Uni n'a pas l'intention de soustraire du coût d'investissement admissible le coût d'investissement correspondant à la création d'une capacité comparable n'ayant pas le même effet positif sur l'environnement. Dans ces conditions, lorsqu'une aide à l'investissement dans la création de capacités nouvelles de production de papier I&E à partir de déchets de papier I&E sera consentie, il n'est pas certain que le coût d'une installation conventionnelle de fabrication de papier I&E sera soustrait.

Enfin, la Commission doute que la mesure proposée par le Royaume-Uni soit la solution entraînant le moins de distorsion de concurrence dans le cas d'espèce. D'autres instruments, par exemple ceux se focalisant sur la collecte, pourraient avoir de moindres effets de distorsion sur les marchés des déchets de papier et des produits finaux.

3.   Conclusion

À la lumière des considérations qui précèdent, la Commission a décidé d'ouvrir la procédure prévue à l'article 88, paragraphe 2, du traité CE. Les parties intéressées sont invitées à communiquer leurs observations, en particulier en ce qui concerne: 1) ce qui doit être considéré comme correspondant à «l'état actuel de la technique» dans le cadre de l'utilisation de déchets de papier (I&E) pour la production de papier (I&E) neuf; 2) la nécessité de l'aide au regard de l'augmentation anticipée des taux de collecte des déchets de papier I&E; 3) le degré de distorsion de concurrence que ce régime est susceptible de produire sur les marchés du papier neuf et du papier à recycler; et 4) les avantages pour l'environnement susceptibles de résulter de la mesure notifiée, comparés aux avantages qui pourraient être obtenus au moyen d'autres instruments.

TEXTE DE LA LETTRE

«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. |
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(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)  JO C 37 du 3.2.2001, p. 3.

1

(2)  JO C 74 du 10.3.1998, p. 9.

2

(3)  JO L 102 du 7.4.2004, p. 59. Le Royaume-Uni a récemment notifié une extension et une prolongation de ce régime, actuellement en cours d'évaluation.

3

(4)  JO L 314 du 28.11.2003, p. 26 et JO L 53 du 26.2.2005, p. 66 respectivement. Les critères utilisés dans ces cas sont également commentés dans le rapport de concurrence annuel de 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 | FR | Journal officiel de l'Union européenne | C 9/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.1.2006

FR

Journal officiel de l'Union européenne

C 9/12

---

Non-opposition à une concentration notifiée

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

(2006/C 9/05)

(Texte présentant de l'intérêt pour l'EEE)

Le 16 décembre 2005, la Commission a décidé de ne pas s'opposer à la concentration notifiée susmentionnée et de la déclarer compatible avec le marché commun. Cette décision est basée sur l'article 6, paragraphe 1, point b), du règlement (CE) no 139/2004 du Conseil. Le texte intégral de la décision est disponible seulement en espagnol et sera rendu public après suppression des secrets d'affaires qu'il puisse contenir. Il sera disponible:

| — | dans la section «concurrence» du site Internet Europa (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Ce site Internet propose plusieurs outils pour aider à localiser des décisions de concentrations individuelles, tel qu'un index par société, par numéro de cas, par date et par secteur d'activité. |
| --- | --- |

—

dans la section «concurrence» du site Internet Europa (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Ce site Internet propose plusieurs outils pour aider à localiser des décisions de concentrations individuelles, tel qu'un index par société, par numéro de cas, par date et par secteur d'activité.

| — | en support électronique sur le site Internet EUR-Lex sous le numéro de document 32005M4008. EUR-Lex est l'accès en ligne au droit communautaire. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex) |
| --- | --- |

—

en support électronique sur le site Internet EUR-Lex sous le numéro de document 32005M4008. EUR-Lex est l'accès en ligne au droit communautaire. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

---

| 14.1.2006 | FR | Journal officiel de l'Union européenne | C 9/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.1.2006

FR

Journal officiel de l'Union européenne

C 9/12

---

Non-opposition à une concentration notifiée

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

(2006/C 9/06)

(Texte présentant de l'intérêt pour l'EEE)

Le 16 décembre 2005, la Commission a décidé de ne pas s'opposer à la concentration notifiée susmentionnée et de la déclarer compatible avec le marché commun. Cette décision est basée sur l'article 6, paragraphe 1, point b), du règlement (CE) no 139/2004 du Conseil. Le texte intégral de la décision est disponible seulement en espagnol et sera rendu public après suppression des secrets d'affaires qu'il puisse contenir. Il sera disponible:

| — | dans la section «,concurrence,» du site Internet Europa (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Ce site Internet propose plusieurs outils pour aider à localiser des décisions de concentrations individuelles, tel qu'un index par société, par numéro de cas, par date et par secteur d'activité. |
| --- | --- |

—

dans la section «,concurrence,» du site Internet Europa (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Ce site Internet propose plusieurs outils pour aider à localiser des décisions de concentrations individuelles, tel qu'un index par société, par numéro de cas, par date et par secteur d'activité.

| — | en support électronique sur le site Internet EUR-Lex sous le numéro de document 32005M4058. EUR-Lex est l'accès en ligne au droit communautaire. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex) |
| --- | --- |

—

en support électronique sur le site Internet EUR-Lex sous le numéro de document 32005M4058. EUR-Lex est l'accès en ligne au droit communautaire. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex)

---

Rectificatifs

| 14.1.2006 | FR | Journal officiel de l'Union européenne | C 9/13 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.1.2006

FR

Journal officiel de l'Union européenne

C 9/13

---

Rectificatif à la communication des jours fériés pour l'année 2006

(
  Journal officiel de l'Union européenne C 336 du 31 décembre 2005
  )

(2006/C 9/07)

À la page 2, en regard de «FRANCE», supprimer «15.4,».

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