# Official Journal C 168/2012

| | ISSN 1977-091X
  doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2012.168.eng |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 168 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5514 June 2012 |

ISSN 1977-091X

doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2012.168.eng

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 168

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5514 June 2012

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 168/01 | Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2012/C 168/01

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  )

1

1

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 168/02 | Euro exchange rates | 2 |
| 2012/C 168/03 | Commission communication concerning the implementation of Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 552/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the interoperability of the European Air Traffic Management network(Publication of titles and references of Community specifications under the Regulation)
   (
  2
  ) | 3 |
| | NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA |
| | EFTA Surveillance Authority |
| 2012/C 168/04 | Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations in Norway | 4 |
| 2012/C 168/05 | Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority pursuant to Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Modification of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services in Norway | 5 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2012/C 168/02

Euro exchange rates

2

2012/C 168/03

Commission communication concerning the implementation of Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 552/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the interoperability of the European Air Traffic Management network(Publication of titles and references of Community specifications under the Regulation)
   (
  2
  )

(Publication of titles and references of Community specifications under the Regulation)

2

3

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

2012/C 168/04

Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations in Norway

4

2012/C 168/05

Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority pursuant to Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Modification of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services in Norway

5

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) |
| 2012/C 168/06 | Notice of Open Competition | 6 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 168/07 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6572 — KEMET/NEC/NEC TOKIN) (
  2
  ) | 7 |
| 2012/C 168/08 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6625 — Nordic Capital/Tokmanni) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  2
  ) | 8 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2012/C 168/09 | Main specifications of the technical file for Ron de Guatemala | 9 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)

2012/C 168/06

Notice of Open Competition

6

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2012/C 168/07

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6572 — KEMET/NEC/NEC TOKIN) (
  2
  )

2

7

2012/C 168/08

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6625 — Nordic Capital/Tokmanni) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  2
  )

2

8

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2012/C 168/09

Main specifications of the technical file for Ron de Guatemala

9

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance, except for products falling under Annex I to the Treaty |
| | (2)   Text with EEA relevance |

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance, except for products falling under Annex I to the Treaty

1

(2)   Text with EEA relevance

2

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

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 14.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 168/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 168/1

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Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(Text with EEA relevance, except for products falling under Annex I to the Treaty)

2012/C 168/01

| Date of adoption of the decision | 8.5.2012 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | SA.33418 (11/N) |
| Member State | Hungary |
| Region | — | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Mezőgazdasági Időjárási Kockázatkezelési Program |
| Legal basis | A mezőgazdasági termelést érintő időjárási és más természeti kockázatok kezeléséről szóló 2011. évi CLXVIII törvény,
  A vidékfejlesztési miniszter .../2012. (... ...) VM rendelete a kárenyhítési hozzájárulás megfizetésével, valamint a kárenyhítő juttatás igénybevételével kapcsolatos egyes kérdésekről |
| Type of measure | Scheme | — |
| Objective | Natural disasters or exceptional occurrences, Adverse weather conditions |
| Form of aid | Direct grant |
| Budget | | Overall budget: HUF 56 000 million |

Date of adoption of the decision

8.5.2012

Reference number of State Aid

SA.33418 (11/N)

Member State

Hungary

Region

—

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Mezőgazdasági Időjárási Kockázatkezelési Program

Legal basis

A mezőgazdasági termelést érintő időjárási és más természeti kockázatok kezeléséről szóló 2011. évi CLXVIII törvény,

A vidékfejlesztési miniszter .../2012. (... ...) VM rendelete a kárenyhítési hozzájárulás megfizetésével, valamint a kárenyhítő juttatás igénybevételével kapcsolatos egyes kérdésekről

Type of measure

Scheme

—

Objective

Natural disasters or exceptional occurrences, Adverse weather conditions

Form of aid

Direct grant

Budget

Overall budget: HUF 56 000 million

| | Annual budget: HUF 8 000 million |
| --- | --- |

Annual budget: HUF 8 000 million

Intensity

80 %

Duration (period)

Until 31.12.2018

Economic sectors

Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities

Name and address of the granting authority

| Ministry of Rural Development |
| --- |
| Budapest |
| Kossuth Lajos tér 11. |
| 1055 |
| MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY |

Ministry of Rural Development

Budapest

Kossuth Lajos tér 11.

1055

MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARY

Other information

—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/state_aids_texts_en.htm

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 14.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 168/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 168/2

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Euro exchange rates (1)

13 June 2012

2012/C 168/02

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,2534 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 99,80 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4318 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,80630 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 8,8320 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,2009 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 7,5115 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 25,578 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 296,43 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,6968 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,3240 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,4616 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 2,2870 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,2565 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,2860 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 9,7241 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6094 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,6041 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 462,90 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 10,5297 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,9600 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,5514 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 11 825,17 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 3,9814 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 53,308 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 40,9050 |
| THB | Thai baht | 39,570 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 2,5783 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 17,5102 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 69,6890 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,2534

JPY

Japanese yen

99,80

DKK

Danish krone

7,4318

GBP

Pound sterling

0,80630

SEK

Swedish krona

8,8320

CHF

Swiss franc

1,2009

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

7,5115

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

25,578

HUF

Hungarian forint

296,43

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,6968

PLN

Polish zloty

4,3240

RON

Romanian leu

4,4616

TRY

Turkish lira

2,2870

AUD

Australian dollar

1,2565

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,2860

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

9,7241

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6094

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,6041

KRW

South Korean won

1 462,90

ZAR

South African rand

10,5297

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,9600

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,5514

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

11 825,17

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

3,9814

PHP

Philippine peso

53,308

RUB

Russian rouble

40,9050

THB

Thai baht

39,570

BRL

Brazilian real

2,5783

MXN

Mexican peso

17,5102

INR

Indian rupee

69,6890

---

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

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| 14.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 168/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 168/3

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Commission communication concerning the implementation of Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 552/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the interoperability of the European Air Traffic Management network (1)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(Publication of titles and references of Community specifications under the Regulation)

2012/C 168/03

| Organisation | Reference and title of the Community specification | Reference of superseded Community specification | Date of cessation of presumption of conformity of superseded Community specification |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ETSI (2) | EN 303 214 V1.2.1
  Data Link Services (DLS) System; Community Specification for application under the Single European Sky Interoperability Regulation (EC) No 552/2004; Requirements for ground constituents and system testing | EN 303 214 V1.1.1 | 1 January 2014 |

Organisation

Reference and title of the Community specification

Reference of superseded Community specification

Date of cessation of presumption of conformity of superseded Community specification

ETSI (2)

EN 303 214 V1.2.1

Data Link Services (DLS) System; Community Specification for application under the Single European Sky Interoperability Regulation (EC) No 552/2004; Requirements for ground constituents and system testing

EN 303 214 V1.1.1

1 January 2014

---

(1)  OJ L 96, 31.3.2004, p. 26.

(2)  European Telecommunications Standards Institute: 650 route des Lucioles, 06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France, tel. +33 492944200, fax +33 493654716, http://www.etsi.org

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NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

| 14.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 168/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 168/4

---

Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations in Norway

2012/C 168/04

| Member State | Norway |
| --- | --- |
| Concerned routes | Røros–Oslo v.v. |
| Period of validity of the contract | 1 November 2012-31 March 2016 |
| Deadline for submission of tenders | 14 August 2012 |
| Address where the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation related to the public tender and the modified public service obligation can be obtained | Ministry of Transport and Communications |
| PO Box 8010 Dep |
| 0030 Oslo |
| NORWAY |
| Tel. +47 22248353 |
| Fax +47 22245609 |
| http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/sd/Documents/Other-documents/Tenders.html |

Member State

Norway

Concerned routes

Røros–Oslo v.v.

Period of validity of the contract

1 November 2012-31 March 2016

Deadline for submission of tenders

14 August 2012

Address where the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation related to the public tender and the modified public service obligation can be obtained

Ministry of Transport and Communications

PO Box 8010 Dep

0030 Oslo

NORWAY

Tel. +47 22248353

Fax +47 22245609

http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/sd/Documents/Other-documents/Tenders.html

---

| 14.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 168/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 168/5

---

Information notice from the EFTA Surveillance Authority pursuant to Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Modification of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services in Norway

2012/C 168/05

| Member State | Norway |
| --- | --- |
| Route concerned | Røros–Oslo v.v. |
| Original date of entry into force of the public service obligations | 1 April 2012 |
| Date of entry into force of modifications | 1 December 2012 |
| Address where the text and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the modified public service obligation can be obtained | Ministry of Transport and Communications |
| PO Box 8010 Dep |
| 0030 Oslo |
| NORWAY |
| Tel. +47 22248353 |
| Fax +47 22245609 |
| http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/sd/Documents/Other-documents/Tenders.html |

Member State

Norway

Route concerned

Røros–Oslo v.v.

Original date of entry into force of the public service obligations

1 April 2012

Date of entry into force of modifications

1 December 2012

Address where the text and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the modified public service obligation can be obtained

Ministry of Transport and Communications

PO Box 8010 Dep

0030 Oslo

NORWAY

Tel. +47 22248353

Fax +47 22245609

http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/sd/Documents/Other-documents/Tenders.html

---

V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)

| 14.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 168/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 168/6

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NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITION

2012/C 168/06

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is organising open competition

EPSO/AST/121/12 — Conference technicians (AST 3)

The competition notice is published in 23 languages in Official Journal C 168 A of 14 June 2012.

Further details can be found on the EPSO website: http://www.eu-careers.info

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 14.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 168/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 168/7

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6572 — KEMET/NEC/NEC TOKIN)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 168/07

| 1. | On 7 June 2012, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings KEMET Electronics Corporation (‘KEMET’, USA) and NEC Corporation (‘NEC’, Japan) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the whole of NEC TOKIN Corporation (‘NEC TOKIN’, Japan) by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 7 June 2012, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings KEMET Electronics Corporation (‘KEMET’, USA) and NEC Corporation (‘NEC’, Japan) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the whole of NEC TOKIN Corporation (‘NEC TOKIN’, Japan) by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | KEMET mainly manufactures and sells tantalum, ceramic, aluminium, film, paper and electrolytic capacitors, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

KEMET mainly manufactures and sells tantalum, ceramic, aluminium, film, paper and electrolytic capacitors,

| — | NEC TOKIN manufactures and sells capacitors and certain other electronic components; and, |
| --- | --- |

—

NEC TOKIN manufactures and sells capacitors and certain other electronic components; and,

| — | NEC is a Japanese multinational IT company. It provides a broad range of IT products and services to business enterprises, communications services providers and government. |
| --- | --- |

—

NEC is a Japanese multinational IT company. It provides a broad range of IT products and services to business enterprises, communications services providers and government.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope the EC 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 the EC 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 e-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6572 — KEMET/NEC/NEC TOKIN, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| 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 e-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6572 — KEMET/NEC/NEC TOKIN, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

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

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| 14.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 168/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 168/8

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6625 — Nordic Capital/Tokmanni)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 168/08

| 1. | On 4 June, 2012 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Nordic Capital VII Limited (‘Nordic Capital’, Jersey) belonging to the Nordic Capital Group (Jersey) acquires control of the whole of Tokmanni Oy (‘Tokmanni’, Finland) and its subsidiaries within the meaning of Article 3(1) (b) of the Merger Regulation, by way of purchase of shares and assets. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 4 June, 2012 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Nordic Capital VII Limited (‘Nordic Capital’, Jersey) belonging to the Nordic Capital Group (Jersey) acquires control of the whole of Tokmanni Oy (‘Tokmanni’, Finland) and its subsidiaries within the meaning of Article 3(1) (b) of the Merger Regulation, by way of purchase of shares and assets.

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






  — | for Nordic Capital: private equity investment firm, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for Nordic Capital: private equity investment firm,

| — | for Tokmanni: discount retailer for the sale of everyday consumer goods, both food and non-food products through modern distribution channels in Finland. |
| --- | --- |

—

for Tokmanni: discount retailer for the sale of everyday consumer goods, both food and non-food products through modern distribution channels in Finland.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the EC 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 the EC Merger Regulation (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the EC 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 the EC Merger Regulation (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the 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 COMP/M.6625 — Nordic Capital/Tokmanni, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| 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 COMP/M.6625 — Nordic Capital/Tokmanni, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

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

(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32 (‘Notice on a simplified procedure’).

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OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 14.6.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 168/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.6.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 168/9

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MAIN SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TECHNICAL FILE FOR RON DE GUATEMALA

2012/C 168/09

INTRODUCTION

On 15 March 2010, the Asociación Nacional de Fabricantes de Alcoholes y Licores, a Guatemalan body established in accordance with Guatemalan law, applied for registration of ‘Ron de Guatemala’ as a geographical indication under Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89.

In accordance with Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, the Commission must verify, within 12 months from the date of submission of the application referred to in paragraph 1, whether that application complies with this Regulation.

This verification has been carried out and, at the 107th meeting of the Committee for spirit drinks on 8 February 2012, the Commission stated, in accordance with Article 17(6), that the application complied with the Regulation.

As a result, the main specifications of the technical file will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, C series.

In accordance with Article 17(7), any natural or legal person that has a legitimate interest may, within six months from the date of publication of the main specifications of the technical file, object to the registration of the geographical indication in Annex III on the grounds that the conditions laid down in the Regulation are not fulfilled. The objection, which must be duly substantiated, must be submitted to the Commission in one of the official languages of the European Union or accompanied by a translation into one of those languages.

SUMMARY SHEET G.I. ‘RON DE GUATEMALA’

1.   Name: ‘Ron de Guatemala’

2.   Category of spirit drink: Rum (category 1 of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008)

3.   Description: An alcoholic drink made exclusively from raw materials obtained from sugar cane.

‘Ron de Guatemala’ comes in the following different varieties:

Solera: rum from virgin sugar cane honey aged at altitude in white oak barrels,

Solera Añejo: blend of rums from virgin sugar cane honeys aged at altitude in white oak barrels, obtained by blending soleras before bottling,

Solera Reserva: blend of rums from virgin sugar cane honeys aged at altitude in white oak barrels seasoned by previous use for other products,

Solera Gran Reserva: blend of rums from virgin sugar cane honeys aged at altitude in at least two types of barrels seasoned by previous use for different products,

Solera Gran Reserva Especial: blend of rums from virgin sugar cane honeys aged at altitude in at least three types of white oak barrels seasoned by previous use for different products.

4.   Physical, chemical and organoleptic properties: The physical and chemical properties of ‘Ron de Guatemala’ must meet the following organic and chemical requirements:

Chemical requirements:

| | Alcoholic strength: from 37,5 % to 50 % vol. |
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Alcoholic strength: from 37,5 % to 50 % vol.

| | Total sum of congeners (including acetaldehyde, acetic acid, ethyl acetate, higher alcohols) expressed in milligrams per 100 ml of anhydrous ethyl alcohol: more than or equal to 50. |
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Total sum of congeners (including acetaldehyde, acetic acid, ethyl acetate, higher alcohols) expressed in milligrams per 100 ml of anhydrous ethyl alcohol: more than or equal to 50.

| | Total acidity, expressed in milligrams of acetic acid per 100 ml of anhydrous ethyl alcohol: no more than 120. |
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Total acidity, expressed in milligrams of acetic acid per 100 ml of anhydrous ethyl alcohol: no more than 120.

| | Methanol, in milligrams per 100 ml of anhydrous ethyl alcohol: no more than 280. |
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Methanol, in milligrams per 100 ml of anhydrous ethyl alcohol: no more than 280.

Organoleptic requirements:

| | Appearance: transparent and clean appearance, liquid consistency, dense body. |
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Appearance: transparent and clean appearance, liquid consistency, dense body.

| | Colour: determined by age. Hues ranging from amber and gold to reddish. |
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Colour: determined by age. Hues ranging from amber and gold to reddish.

| | Aroma: the primary aromas come from the raw material used, namely the virgin honey extracted from sugar cane. The secondary aromas, which develop during the alcoholic fermentation, are powerfully vinous due to the action of the yeast. The tertiary aromas unfold during the aging process. |
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Aroma: the primary aromas come from the raw material used, namely the virgin honey extracted from sugar cane. The secondary aromas, which develop during the alcoholic fermentation, are powerfully vinous due to the action of the yeast. The tertiary aromas unfold during the aging process.

| | Flavour: generous and smooth flavour ranging from sweet to dry. |
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Flavour: generous and smooth flavour ranging from sweet to dry.

5.   Geographical area: The planting area of the sugar cane for the production of ‘Ron de Guatemala’ is located in the southern departments of Retalhuleu and Suchitepéquez, both bordering the Pacific Ocean. The ageing area is located in the city of Quetzaltenango, at more than 2 300 metres above sea level.

6.   Method of production: The production of ‘Ron de Guatemala’ is a multi-stage process.

Planting the sugar cane: the sugar cane reaches physiological maturity at 12 months of age.

Harvesting: the sugar cane is harvested through manual cutting and mechanical collecting, from the end of the rainy period in November until May.

Pressing at plants: once the sugar cane is cut, it is pressed in mills within a maximum of 36 hours. Producing the virgin sugar cane honey at processing plants involves several stages:

shredding: the sugars are released from the cane by using different shredding techniques to break up the cells,

pressing in mills: juice is extracted by repeatedly pressing the cane in mills,

producing the virgin sugar cane honey: the virgin sugar cane honey is obtained through a process of evaporation to remove the water and thus concentrate the sugar content,

purifying: the virgin sugar cane honey is purified by a process of liming, which works by flocculation and decantation.

Fermentation: the fermentation process is induced by adding yeast of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain to the juice. This strain of yeast is obtained from pineapple.

Distillation: the distillation process takes place in continuous column stills without extraction. The fermented must is heated by steam to a point at which the alcohol turns into alcohol vapour. After passing through condensers, it turns liquid again, thus producing raw rum.

Ageing: the alcoholic strength is brought down to the legal limit of 60° by adding water from nearby springs. The rum is then stored in barrels of American and European white oak which have previously held products such as American whisky, cognac or sherry. The barrels are kept in warehouses that are not hermetically closed.

The last stage involves the assembly. The different rums are blended together, water is added to lower the alcoholic strength, and the resulting blend is stored in wooden containers, which allows the rums to gain balance.

7.   Geographical link: The specificity of ‘Ron de Guatemala’ lies in the combination of many factors stemming from the agro-ecological conditions of both the planting area of the sugar cane and the ageing area, as well as from the authentic character of the production process, which brings together nature, tradition, art and science.

The cultivation area of the sugar cane bears the typical characteristics of tropical climates, with an average annual temperature of 26 °C, average relative humidity of 78 % and average annual rainfall of 2 600 mm to 3 600 mm. This produces cane crops with high sugar levels, which are essential for obtaining highly concentrated and effervescent juice of the best possible quality for the production of rum.

The clay soils favour the retention of moisture and the concentration of sugars in the cane.

The ageing area is situated at altitudes of over 2 400 metres. It has a cold and dry climate and an average annual temperature of 14,79 °C.

The cold and the lower oxygen levels at altitude slow down the chemical ageing process, which allows the aromas and flavours to develop with greater intensity.

8.   Requirements of the national legislation: ‘Ron de Guatemala’ is protected as a designation of origin in the Intellectual Property Registry of Guatemala and meets the requirements legally laid down in Guatemalan Technical Standard COGUANOR NGO 33011, the Law on Spirits, Alcoholic and Fermented Beverages, Decree No 536 of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala, and the Implementing Order of the Law on Spirits, Alcoholic and Fermented Beverages.

9.   Applicant: Asociación Nacional de Fabricantes de Alcoholes y Licores (ANFAL), with a registered office in the department of Guatemala, address Km. 16,5 Carretera Roosevelt, 4-81 zona 1 de Mixco, Guatemala.

10.   Supervisory authority: Laboratorio Nacional de Salud de Guatemala, in charge of verifying compliance with the technical file on the geographical indication ‘Ron de Guatemala’ prior to the sale of the product concerned.

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