# Official Journal C 246/2015

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 246 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5828 July 2015 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 246

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5828 July 2015

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2015/C 246/01 | Initiation of proceedings (Case M.7567 — Ball/Rexam) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2015/C 246/01

Initiation of proceedings (Case M.7567 — Ball/Rexam) (
  1
  )

1

1

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| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2015/C 246/02 | Euro exchange rates | 2 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2015/C 246/03 | Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries | 3 |
| 2015/C 246/04 | Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries | 3 |
| 2015/C 246/05 | Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries | 4 |
| 2015/C 246/06 | Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries | 4 |
| 2015/C 246/07 | Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries | 5 |
| 2015/C 246/08 | Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries | 5 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2015/C 246/02

Euro exchange rates

2

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2015/C 246/03

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

3

2015/C 246/04

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

3

2015/C 246/05

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

4

2015/C 246/06

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

4

2015/C 246/07

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

5

2015/C 246/08

Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

5

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2015/C 246/09 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.7700 — Apax Partners/RFS Holland Holding) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| 2015/C 246/10 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.7602 — Deutsche Telekom Group/MET Holding/JV) (
  1
  ) | 7 |
| 2015/C 246/11 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.7613 — CBRE/Johnson Controls facilities management business) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 8 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2015/C 246/12 | Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 9 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2015/C 246/09

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.7700 — Apax Partners/RFS Holland Holding) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

6

2015/C 246/10

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.7602 — Deutsche Telekom Group/MET Holding/JV) (
  1
  )

1

7

2015/C 246/11

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.7613 — CBRE/Johnson Controls facilities management business) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

8

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2015/C 246/12

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

9

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| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance |

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

| EN | |
| --- | --- |

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 28.7.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 246/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.7.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 246/1

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Initiation of proceedings

(Case M.7567 — Ball/Rexam)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2015/C 246/01)

On 20 July 2015, the Commission decided to initiate proceedings in the abovementioned case after finding that the notified concentration raises serious doubts as to its compatibility with the internal market. The initiation of proceedings opens a second phase investigation with regard to the notified concentration, and is without prejudice to the final decision on the case. The decision is based on Article 6(1)(c) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their observations on the proposed concentration to the Commission.

In order to be fully taken into account in the procedure, observations should reach the Commission not later than 15 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301) or by post, under reference No M.7567 — Ball/Rexam, to the following address:

| European Commission |
| --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 28.7.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 246/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.7.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 246/2

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Euro exchange rates (1)

27 July 2015

(2015/C 246/02)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,1058 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 136,23 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4615 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,71270 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,4530 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,0595 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,0420 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 27,029 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 310,02 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,1285 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,4180 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 3,0679 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,5184 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4409 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,5708 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6741 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5152 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 293,39 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 14,0287 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 6,8668 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,5965 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 14 924,55 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,2242 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 50,356 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 65,8165 |
| THB | Thai baht | 38,585 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 3,7354 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 18,0555 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 70,9592 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,1058

JPY

Japanese yen

136,23

DKK

Danish krone

7,4615

GBP

Pound sterling

0,71270

SEK

Swedish krona

9,4530

CHF

Swiss franc

1,0595

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,0420

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

27,029

HUF

Hungarian forint

310,02

PLN

Polish zloty

4,1285

RON

Romanian leu

4,4180

TRY

Turkish lira

3,0679

AUD

Australian dollar

1,5184

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4409

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,5708

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6741

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5152

KRW

South Korean won

1 293,39

ZAR

South African rand

14,0287

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

6,8668

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,5965

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

14 924,55

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,2242

PHP

Philippine peso

50,356

RUB

Russian rouble

65,8165

THB

Thai baht

38,585

BRL

Brazilian real

3,7354

MXN

Mexican peso

18,0555

INR

Indian rupee

70,9592

---

(1)  Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 28.7.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 246/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.7.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 246/3

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Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

(2015/C 246/03)

In accordance with Article 35(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (1), a decision has been taken to close the fishery as set down in the following table:

| Date and time of closure | 6.2.2015 |
| --- | --- |
| Duration | 6.2-31.12.2015 |
| Member State | Spain |
| Stock or Group of stocks | BUM/ATLANT |
| Species | Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) |
| Zone | Atlantic Ocean |
| Type(s) of fishing vessels | — |
| Reference number | 09/TQ104 |

Date and time of closure

6.2.2015

Duration

6.2-31.12.2015

Member State

Spain

Stock or Group of stocks

BUM/ATLANT

Species

Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans)

Zone

Atlantic Ocean

Type(s) of fishing vessels

—

Reference number

09/TQ104

---

(1)  OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

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| 28.7.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 246/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.7.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 246/3

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Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

(2015/C 246/04)

In accordance with Article 35(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (1), a decision has been taken to close the fishery as set down in the following table:

| Date and time of closure | 1.1.2015 |
| --- | --- |
| Duration | 1.1-31.12.2015 |
| Member State | Spain |
| Stock or Group of stocks | BSF/8910 |
| Species | Black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo) |
| Zone | EU and international waters of VIII, IX and X |
| Type(s) of fishing vessels | — |
| Reference number | 08/DSS |

Date and time of closure

1.1.2015

Duration

1.1-31.12.2015

Member State

Spain

Stock or Group of stocks

BSF/8910

Species

Black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo)

Zone

EU and international waters of VIII, IX and X

Type(s) of fishing vessels

—

Reference number

08/DSS

---

(1)  OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

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| 28.7.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 246/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.7.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 246/4

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Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

(2015/C 246/05)

In accordance with Article 35(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (1), a decision has been taken to close the fishery as set down in the following table:

| Date and time of closure | 6.2.2015 |
| --- | --- |
| Duration | 6.2-31.12.2015 |
| Member State | Spain |
| Stock or Group of stocks | WHM/ATLANT |
| Species | White Marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) |
| Zone | Atlantic Ocean |
| Type(s) of fishing vessels | — |
| Reference number | 10/TQ104 |

Date and time of closure

6.2.2015

Duration

6.2-31.12.2015

Member State

Spain

Stock or Group of stocks

WHM/ATLANT

Species

White Marlin (Tetrapturus albidus)

Zone

Atlantic Ocean

Type(s) of fishing vessels

—

Reference number

10/TQ104

---

(1)  OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

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| 28.7.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 246/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.7.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 246/4

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Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

(2015/C 246/06)

In accordance with Article 35(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (1), a decision has been taken to close the fishery as set down in the following table:

| Date and time of closure | 11.4.2015 |
| --- | --- |
| Duration | 11.4 – 31.12.2015 |
| Member State | Spain |
| Stock or Group of stocks | USK/567EI. |
| Species | Tusk (Brosme brosme) |
| Zone | Union and international waters of V, VI and VII |
| Type(s) of fishing vessels | — |
| Reference number | 12/TQ104 |

Date and time of closure

11.4.2015

Duration

11.4 – 31.12.2015

Member State

Spain

Stock or Group of stocks

USK/567EI.

Species

Tusk (Brosme brosme)

Zone

Union and international waters of V, VI and VII

Type(s) of fishing vessels

—

Reference number

12/TQ104

---

(1)  OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

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| 28.7.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 246/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.7.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 246/5

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Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

(2015/C 246/07)

In accordance with Article 35(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (1), a decision has been taken to close the fishery as set down in the following table:

| Date and time of closure | 12.3.2015 |
| --- | --- |
| Duration | 12.3 – 31.12.2015 |
| Member State | Spain |
| Stock or Group of stocks | ALF/3X14- |
| Species | Alfonsinos (Beryx spp.) |
| Zone | Union and international waters of III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XII and XIV |
| Type(s) of fishing vessels | — |
| Reference number | 11/DSS |

Date and time of closure

12.3.2015

Duration

12.3 – 31.12.2015

Member State

Spain

Stock or Group of stocks

ALF/3X14-

Species

Alfonsinos (Beryx spp.)

Zone

Union and international waters of III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XII and XIV

Type(s) of fishing vessels

—

Reference number

11/DSS

---

(1)  OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

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| 28.7.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 246/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.7.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 246/5

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Information communicated by Member States regarding closure of fisheries

(2015/C 246/08)

In accordance with Article 35(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (1), a decision has been taken to close the fishery as set down in the following table:

| Date and time of closure | 16.5.2015 |
| --- | --- |
| Duration | 16.5 - 31.12.2015 |
| Member State | Spain |
| Stock or Group of stocks | POK/56-14 |
| Species | Saithe (Pollachius virens) |
| Zone | VI; Union and international waters of Vb, XII and XIV |
| Type(s) of fishing vessels | — |
| Reference number | 13/TQ104 |

Date and time of closure

16.5.2015

Duration

16.5 - 31.12.2015

Member State

Spain

Stock or Group of stocks

POK/56-14

Species

Saithe (Pollachius virens)

Zone

VI; Union and international waters of Vb, XII and XIV

Type(s) of fishing vessels

—

Reference number

13/TQ104

---

(1)  OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

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V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 28.7.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 246/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.7.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 246/6

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.7700 — Apax Partners/RFS Holland Holding)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2015/C 246/09)

| 1. | On 17 July 2015 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking(s) Apax Partner LLP (‘AP’, United Kingdom), indirectly through the fund Apax VIII and its affiliates, acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking RFS Holland Holding B.V. (‘RFS’, the Netherlands) by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 17 July 2015 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking(s) Apax Partner LLP (‘AP’, United Kingdom), indirectly through the fund Apax VIII and its affiliates, acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking RFS Holland Holding B.V. (‘RFS’, the Netherlands) by way of purchase of shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for AP: investment advisory services to private equity funds investing in a range of industry sectors,
  —   for RFS: online retail, predominantly in the Netherlands, through online retailers such as Wehkamp, FonQ and Create 2 Fit. Its subsidiary Lacent provides credit facilities to Wehkamp customers. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for AP: investment advisory services to private equity funds investing in a range of industry sectors,

—   for RFS: online retail, predominantly in the Netherlands, through online retailers such as Wehkamp, FonQ and Create 2 Fit. Its subsidiary Lacent provides credit facilities to Wehkamp customers.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in this Notice. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in this Notice.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number M.7700 — Apax Partners/RFS Holland Holding, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number M.7700 — Apax Partners/RFS Holland Holding, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

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| 28.7.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 246/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.7.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 246/7

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.7602 — Deutsche Telekom Group/MET Holding/JV)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2015/C 246/10)

| 1. | On 17 July 2015, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Magyar Telekom Nyrt. (‘Magyar Telekom’ of Hungary) controlled by Deutsche Telekom AG and MET Holding AG (‘MET Holding’ of Hungary) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and Article 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control in a newly created company constituting a joint venture (‘JV’ of Hungary) by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 17 July 2015, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Magyar Telekom Nyrt. (‘Magyar Telekom’ of Hungary) controlled by Deutsche Telekom AG and MET Holding AG (‘MET Holding’ of Hungary) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and Article 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control in a newly created company constituting a joint venture (‘JV’ of Hungary) by way of purchase of shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | Magyar Telekom is a company primarily active in the provision of telecommunications services in Hungary controlled by Deutsche Telekom. It is also a retail energy supplier providing electricity and natural gas services for end-user customers, supplying residential customers and non-residential customers, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

Magyar Telekom is a company primarily active in the provision of telecommunications services in Hungary controlled by Deutsche Telekom. It is also a retail energy supplier providing electricity and natural gas services for end-user customers, supplying residential customers and non-residential customers,

| — | MET Group, a group of undertakings solely owned by the holding company MET Holding is active in the European market, among other fields, in the trading, wholesale and retail sales of natural gas, electricity, oil and other oil products. MET Group is present in 14 national gas markets and 13 European gas hubs, |
| --- | --- |

—

MET Group, a group of undertakings solely owned by the holding company MET Holding is active in the European market, among other fields, in the trading, wholesale and retail sales of natural gas, electricity, oil and other oil products. MET Group is present in 14 national gas markets and 13 European gas hubs,

| — | JV will be active in the retail supply of gas and electricity in Hungary. |
| --- | --- |

—

JV will be active in the retail supply of gas and electricity in Hungary.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number M.7602 — Deutsche Telekom Group/MET Holding/JV, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number M.7602 — Deutsche Telekom Group/MET Holding/JV, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

---

| 28.7.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 246/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.7.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 246/8

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.7613 — CBRE/Johnson Controls facilities management business)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2015/C 246/11)

| 1. | On 17 July 2015, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking CBRE Group, Inc. (‘CBRE Group’, USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of Johnson Controls’ assets and business providing facilities management services, real estate services and construction project management services (known as Global WorkPlace Solutions, ‘GWS’, USA) by way of purchase of assets and shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 17 July 2015, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking CBRE Group, Inc. (‘CBRE Group’, USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of Johnson Controls’ assets and business providing facilities management services, real estate services and construction project management services (known as Global WorkPlace Solutions, ‘GWS’, USA) by way of purchase of assets and shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for CBRE Group: real estate services,
  —   for GWS: facilities management services. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for CBRE Group: real estate services,

—   for GWS: facilities management services.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in this Notice. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in this Notice.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number M.7613 — CBRE/Johnson Controls facilities management business, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number M.7613 — CBRE/Johnson Controls facilities management business, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

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OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 28.7.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 246/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.7.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 246/9

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Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2015/C 246/12)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘ΧΑΛΛΟΥΜΙ’ (HALLOUMI)/‘HELLIM’

EU No: CY-PDO-0005-01243-17.7.2014

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

1.   Name(s)

‘Χαλλουμι’ (Halloumi)/‘Hellim’

The two names may be used together or separately.

2.   Member State or Third Country

Cyprus

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.3. Cheeses

3.2.   Description of product to which the name in (1) applies

Hereinafter, ‘Halloumi’ represents the two names specified above, i.e.:

‘Χαλλουμι’ (Halloumi)/‘Hellim’.

There are two types of Halloumi – fresh and mature.

Fresh Halloumi is made from curds produced by curdling milk with rennet. It is cooked and formed into its characteristic shape. It is semi-hard and elastic, folded (into a rectangular or semi-circular shape), white to light-yellowish in colour, has a close texture and is easily sliced, with a characteristic smell and taste. It smells strongly of milk/whey and has an aroma and taste of mint, a barnyard smell and a pungent, salty taste. The maximum moisture content is 46 %, the minimum fat content is 43 % (in dry weight) and the maximum salt content is 3 %.

Mature Halloumi is made from curds produced by curdling milk with rennet. It is cooked and formed into its characteristic shape and left to mature in salted whey for at least 40 days. It is semi-hard to hard, less elastic, folded (into a rectangular or semi-circular shape), white to yellowish in colour, has a close texture and is easily sliced, with a characteristic smell and taste. It smells strongly of milk/whey and has an aroma and taste of mint, a barnyard smell and a pungent, salty taste; it is slightly bitter and very salty. The maximum moisture content is 37 %, the minimum fat content is 40 % (in dry weight), the maximum salt content is 6 % and the acidity is 1,2 % (expressed as lactic acid in dry weight).

Halloumi cheeses weigh from 150 to 350 grams.

3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

Raw materials (for processed products only)

Milk (fresh sheep or goat's milk or a mixture thereof, with or without cow's milk added), rennet (but not pig rennet), fresh or dried Cypriot mint leaves (Mentha viridis) and salt. The proportion of sheep or goat's milk or the mixture thereof must always be greater than the proportion of cow's milk. In other words, when cow's milk is used in addition to sheep or goat's milk or a mixture thereof, the proportion of cow's milk in the Halloumi must not be greater than the proportion of sheep or goat's milk or the mixture thereof. The milk used for making Halloumi is Cypriot full-fat milk. The milk must be pasteurised or have been heated to a temperature above 65 °C. It must not be condensed milk or contain any of the following: milk powder, condensed milk, casein salts, colourings, preservatives or other additives. It must not contain antibiotics, pesticides or other harmful substances.

The sheep and goat's milk comes from local breeds and their crosses that have adapted to the island's climate. Specifically, the sheep's milk comes from the local fat-tailed sheep and the Cypriot type of the Chios sheep whose morphological and production characteristics have diverged from those of the population of origin after a long-standing national breeding programme and which now constitutes a specific breed type, and their crosses. Some cross-bred animals may display characteristics originating from genes of Awassi or East Friesian sheep breeds introduced in Cyprus in the 1960s. The goat's milk comes from the local Machaira goat, the local Pissouri goat and the Cypriot type of Damascus goat, whose morphological and production characteristics have diverged from those of the population of origin after a long-standing national breeding programme and which now constitutes a specific breed type, and their crosses.

The cow's milk comes from black and white cows that were gradually introduced in Cyprus, starting at the beginning of the 20th century, and are now very well adapted to local conditions.

Feed (for products of animal origin only)

Regarding the milk used to make Halloumi, the following applies, without prejudice to the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 664/2014:

The sheep and goat's milk comes from local breeds and their cross-breeds that graze throughout the year, provided weather conditions permit. All the coarse fodder in the sheep and goats' diet is locally produced (green forage, hay, silage, straw/stubble and grazing on wild plants). As regards feed supplements, cereals, including barley and maize, protein feed such as husked, partly decorticated soybean meal, products and by-products of various raw materials such as wheat bran, and inorganic substances, vitamins and micronutrients may be used.

The cow's milk comes from black and white cows that are housed in sheds and fed on forage, hay, silage and straw that are produced in Cyprus, mainly from native forage plants, and on feed supplements. Specifically, the cows' diet consists of locally produced forage (35-40 %) (green forage plants, hay, silage and straw/stubble). The remaining 60-65 % of their diet consists of feed supplements containing mainly barley, maize, soya and bran. As regards the feed supplements, 20 % of the barley and the bran is produced locally, while the soya and maize are imported.

3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the defined geographical area

The sheep, goat and cow's milk that is the raw material for the production of Halloumi cheese is produced within the defined geographical area. The Halloumi cheese itself is also produced within the defined geographical area.

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product to which the registered name refers

Halloumi cheese must be packaged within the defined geographical area for the following reasons: (a) immediately after it has been produced, Halloumi must be packaged to prevent further ripening, (b) the Halloumi production process (production-packaging) cannot be interrupted (continuous production), (c) to ensure traceability, the product must be packaged by the producer and labelled accordingly, (d) to prevent any cheese produced outside Cypriot territory being marketed as PDO Halloumi, so as to guarantee the quality and origin of the product and ensure that the requisite controls may be carried out.

3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product to which the registered name refers

Regarding the composition of the milk used to produce Halloumi, in cases where a mixture of milks is used, the different types of milk must be mentioned on the label, in decreasing order of percentage.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The administrative boundaries of the districts of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Famagusta, Paphos and Kyrenia.

5.   Link with the geographical area

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area

Natural factors: Cyprus has a Mediterranean climate characterised by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The island's terrain also plays a very important role: the mountains receive a relatively high amount of rainfall and affect the hydrology and environment of the lower lying areas, as the numerous streams are fed with water from springs for several months after the rains have stopped. In relation to its size Cyprus has one of the richest floras in the Mediterranean, owing to its geological structure, climate, geographical position, the surrounding sea and the land configuration (Tsintidis et al., 2002). There are 1 908 different species of plant, 140 of which are endemic, i.e. they are found only in Cyprus (Department of Forests, 2004). Lastly, the local breeds of dairy animals in Cyprus include the local fat-tailed sheep, which is well adapted to the dry climate and high temperatures of the area, and the local Machaira and Pissouri goats. The Chios sheep and the Damascus goat (introduced in the 1950s and 1930s respectively) are also local breed types, as their morphological and production characteristics have diverged from those of the populations of origin after a long-standing national breeding programme.

Human factors: historical references show that Halloumi production in Cyprus was known from the most ancient times. Halloumi is mentioned as ‘calumi’ in a codex containing five manuscripts on the history of Cyprus that is kept in the library of the Correr Museum in Venice. Dating back to 1554, this is the oldest written reference to Halloumi that has been found up to now. There are also later references to Halloumi, inter alia by Archimandrite Kyprianos in 1788.

The importance of Halloumi in the life of the local people can be clearly seen through art (poetry, literature) and the place it occupied in agricultural shows (Lyssi, 1939). The list of classes and cash prizes and the conditions for entry for the Lyssi Agricultural Show, which was published in both Greek and Turkish, includes the products that can be entered in the competition. The Turkish name for Halloumi is ‘Hellim’. Turkish Cypriot Halloumi producers use both names for our traditional product or just the name ‘Hellim’. There is ample evidence that the two names ‘Halloumi’ and ‘Hellim’ refer to the same traditional Cypriot product, for which both names are used (Halkin Sesi newspaper, 1959 and 1962 and product packaging for export bearing both names).

The close link between the product and the island's inhabitants is also evident from the fact that today ‘Halloumas’, ‘Hallouma’, ‘Halloumakis’ and ‘Halloumis’ are common Cypriot surnames.

From ancient times Halloumi was an important element in the Cypriot diet (Bevan, 1919; Pitcairn, 1934; Zigouris, 1952) and met the needs of Cypriot families all year round. Halloumi was ‘the famous Cypriot cheese, produced in a special way’, one of the most common accompaniments to bread in every Cypriot household, essential to every rural family (Xioutas, 2001). As well as being consumed locally, from ancient times Halloumi was exported to various countries (Archimandrite Kyprianos, 1788), including Egypt, Syria, Greece, Turkey, Palestine, France, Sudan, the United Kingdom, America, Australia and China (Dawe, 1928).

The production process is unique, in particular the stages of cooking the product at a high temperature for a specific length of time, the folding and the addition of Cypriot mint. Cooking the curds is very important since, according to a relevant study, it enhances the product's organoleptic qualities. Specifically, cooking the curds at a high temperature produces high levels of certain basic chemical compounds that help determine the taste of Halloumi. Some of these compounds are lactones, such as delta-dodecalactone (characterised by a fruity flavour) and delta-decalactone (characterised by a creamy flavour), whereas some are methyl ketones, which are characterised by a milk-like flavour (P. Papademas, 2000).

The typical folding of the curds, as part of the traditional processing, sets halloumi apart from all other cheeses. The practice of folding came into use because, traditionally, this made it easier to put the cheeses into the containers where they were kept in whey. Also, the mint leaves are placed between the curd layers (during the folding process) so that they are held in place, allowing the mint to give its characteristic aroma to the final product. The use of mint (Mentha viridis) at the folding stage gives the final product its characteristic aroma thanks to the presence of the terpenes pulegone (‘mint terpene’) and carvone (Papademas and Robinson, 1998). It is the local producers who have the knowledge of this production process.

5.2.   Specificity of the product

The specific characteristics of the product include:

| (a) | the property that it does not spread or melt at high temperatures (it can be eaten not only as it is but also fried, grilled, etc.), |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the property that it does not spread or melt at high temperatures (it can be eaten not only as it is but also fried, grilled, etc.),

| (b) | the heat treatment of the curds in whey at a temperature of over 90 °C for at least 30 minutes, which is a unique feature of the production process and contributes to the specific organoleptic characteristics of the product, |
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(b)

the heat treatment of the curds in whey at a temperature of over 90 °C for at least 30 minutes, which is a unique feature of the production process and contributes to the specific organoleptic characteristics of the product,

| (c) | the folding that gives it its characteristic shape, |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the folding that gives it its characteristic shape,

| (d) | its organoleptic characteristics (with a characteristic smell and taste – it smells strongly of milk/whey and has an aroma and taste of mint, a barnyard smell and a pungent, salty taste) due mainly to the sheep and goat's milk, which is affected by the animals' diet, the mint that is added during the production process and the volatile compounds that are formed during the heat treatment of the curds in whey, and |
| --- | --- |

(d)

its organoleptic characteristics (with a characteristic smell and taste – it smells strongly of milk/whey and has an aroma and taste of mint, a barnyard smell and a pungent, salty taste) due mainly to the sheep and goat's milk, which is affected by the animals' diet, the mint that is added during the production process and the volatile compounds that are formed during the heat treatment of the curds in whey, and

| (e) | its traditional character, derived from the fact that it has been made in Cyprus since ancient times according to the traditional method handed down from one generation to the next, and it is the local producers who have the knowledge of this process today. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

its traditional character, derived from the fact that it has been made in Cyprus since ancient times according to the traditional method handed down from one generation to the next, and it is the local producers who have the knowledge of this process today.

5.3.   Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI)

The link between Halloumi and the geographical environment resides in the specificity of the island's Mediterranean climate. The local vegetation consumed by the dairy animals passes from the stage of green pasture to semi-dry and finally dry fodder, following the characteristic phases of the local microclimate. Some of these plants are endemic. This local Cypriot vegetation, consumed by the animals either fresh or dried, has a crucial effect on the quality of the milk and consequently the specific characteristics of the cheese (Papademas, 2000). The presence of the bacillus Lactobacillus cypricasei (lactobacillus from Cypriot cheese), which has been isolated only from Cypriot Halloumi, testifies to the link between the island's microflora and the product (Lawson et al., 2001). Also, the addition of Cypriot mint further contributes to the product's characteristic flavour. Other factors affecting the product's organoleptic characteristics, especially its taste and smell, are the type of milk used, as sheep and goat's milk contain specific low molecular weight fatty acids, and the volatile compounds formed during the production process.

Regarding the link between human factors and the product, Halloumi is considered traditional to Cyprus, since, as described in point 5.1, it has played a very important role in the life and diet of the island's inhabitants, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, since ancient times and knowledge of the production process has been handed down from one generation to the next. Both its characteristic folded shape and its specific property of not melting at high temperatures are due to this traditional production process that has been passed down through the generations.

Publication reference of the specification

(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)

http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/da/da.nsf/All/F3FF567F4E8FF1C5C2257B970039D8EF/$file/Τελικές%20Προδιαγραφές%20Χαλλούμι%20(Halloumi)%20και%20Hellim.pdf

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(1)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.

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