# Official Journal C 257/2019

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 257 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 6231 July 2019 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 257

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 6231 July 2019

---

| Contents | page |
| --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2019/C 257/01 | Commission notice — Guidelines for the implementation of the single digital gateway Regulation — 2019-2020 work programme | 1 |

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2019/C 257/01

Commission notice — Guidelines for the implementation of the single digital gateway Regulation — 2019-2020 work programme

1

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| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2019/C 257/02 | Euro exchange rates | 14 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2019/C 257/02

Euro exchange rates

14

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2019/C 257/03 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9397 — Mirova/GE/Desarrollo Eólico Las Majas) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 15 |
| 2019/C 257/04 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9418 — Temasek/RRJ Masterfund III/Gategroup) (
  1
  ) | 17 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2019/C 257/05 | Publication of an application for registration of a name 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 | 18 |
| 2019/C 257/06 | Information notice — Public consultation — Geographical indications proposed by New Zealand to be protected in the EU | 23 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2019/C 257/03

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9397 — Mirova/GE/Desarrollo Eólico Las Majas) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

15

2019/C 257/04

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9418 — Temasek/RRJ Masterfund III/Gategroup) (
  1
  )

1

17

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2019/C 257/05

Publication of an application for registration of a name 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

18

2019/C 257/06

Information notice — Public consultation — Geographical indications proposed by New Zealand to be protected in the EU

23

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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

| 31.7.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 257/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

31.7.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/1

---

Commission notice

Guidelines for the implementation of the single digital gateway Regulation

2019-2020 work programme

(2019/C 257/01)

Introduction

Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) establishing a single digital gateway aims at facilitating online access to the information, administrative procedures and assistance services that citizens and businesses need to move within the Union and to trade, establish themselves and expand their businesses in another Member State.

Article 31(1) of the Regulation foresees the adoption of an annual work programme that shall specify actions to facilitate implementation of the Regulation, in particular actions:

| — | to improve the presentation of specific information within the areas listed in Annex I and to facilitate the timely implementation, by competent authorities at all levels, of the requirement to provide information; |
| --- | --- |

—

to improve the presentation of specific information within the areas listed in Annex I and to facilitate the timely implementation, by competent authorities at all levels, of the requirement to provide information;

| — | to facilitate compliance with Article 6 on the digitalisation of procedures and Article 13 on the cross-border access to online procedures; |
| --- | --- |

—

to facilitate compliance with Article 6 on the digitalisation of procedures and Article 13 on the cross-border access to online procedures;

| — | to ensure the consistent compliance with the quality requirements on information, procedures and assistance services set out in Articles 9 to 12; |
| --- | --- |

—

to ensure the consistent compliance with the quality requirements on information, procedures and assistance services set out in Articles 9 to 12;

| — | related to the promotion of the gateway in accordance with Article 23(2.) |
| --- | --- |

—

related to the promotion of the gateway in accordance with Article 23(2.)

These Commission guidelines aim at listing these actions and at providing a detailed timeline for the various steps to be taken for their implementation. On 26 February 2019, this list has been discussed with the gateway coordination group, as foreseen by Article 31(2) of the Regulation.

In view of the convergence of a number of actions towards the December 2020 deadline, this first work programme covers the period up to the launch of the single digital gateway, namely July 2019-December 2020.

Implementation of the work programme will be monitored both via the gateway coordination group online collaboration platform and during meetings of the gateway coordination group.

For the purposes of this Commission notice, the following definitions apply:

| — | ‘competent authority’ means any Member State authority or body established at national, regional or local level with specific responsibilities relating to the information, procedures, assistance and problem-solving services covered by the gateway Regulation; |
| --- | --- |

—

‘competent authority’ means any Member State authority or body established at national, regional or local level with specific responsibilities relating to the information, procedures, assistance and problem-solving services covered by the gateway Regulation;

| — | ‘national coordinators’ are the representatives appointed by Member States as foreseen by Article 28 of the gateway Regulation. |
| --- | --- |

—

‘national coordinators’ are the representatives appointed by Member States as foreseen by Article 28 of the gateway Regulation.

1.   Information and service quality

Objective 1.1: Ensuring availability of information

Reference: Articles 4 and 5 of the Regulation on access to information, Article 9 on quality of information on rights, obligations and rules.

Background

The gateway will provide citizens and businesses with sufficiently comprehensive information to allow them to exercise their rights and obligations derived from Union and national law, including information about how to handle administrative procedures.

The Regulation provides in Annex I a list of areas for which the Commission and Member States will have to ensure all the information relevant for citizens and businesses is provided online by 12 December 2020. To avoid duplications (see objective 1.4), the Commission will publish information on EU-wide rights and obligations on the Your Europe portal (2) while Member States will publish most of the required information on national implementation on their portals. The Commission and Member States have agreed on the way Annex 1 topics are shared between EU and national level websites. A common search tool will ensure that all information can be found easily by users of the gateway.

The current version of the Your Europe portal already covers largely EU-wide rights and obligations. It also includes information on national implementation provided by Member States authorities for some of the topics identified in Annex I. By 12 December 2020, national content on Your Europe will be phased out as it is replaced by information on national websites. The European Commission has proposed guidance on how to reuse or reproduce on national websites the national content already available on Your Europe.

How and when?

| When | What | Who |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Q3-Q4 2019 | Identify for all Annex I areas whether information that needs to be covered at the national level is online
  Identify the responsible authorities
  Develop a work plan for addressing the information gaps at the national level | National coordinators |
| By Q4 2019 | Provide basic guidance on topics in Annex I that are currently not covered on Your Europe | Commission |
| Q1-Q2 2020 | Fill information gaps at national level | National coordinators
  Competent authorities |
| Q1-Q2 2020 | Fill information gaps at EU level | Commission |
| Q2 2020 | Mid-term assessment of progress made towards full coverage of Annex I topics | National coordinators
  Commission |
| Q2 2020 | Provide links to national information in a common repository to be used for the search facility | National coordinators
  Commission |
| Q3-Q4 2020 | Test, fix bugs and improve search facility | Commission |
| Q4 2020 | All areas identified in Annex I to be covered at the level required (EU or national) | Commission
  National coordinators |

When

What

Who

Q3-Q4 2019

Identify for all Annex I areas whether information that needs to be covered at the national level is online

Identify the responsible authorities

Develop a work plan for addressing the information gaps at the national level

National coordinators

By Q4 2019

Provide basic guidance on topics in Annex I that are currently not covered on Your Europe

Commission

Q1-Q2 2020

Fill information gaps at national level

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Q1-Q2 2020

Fill information gaps at EU level

Commission

Q2 2020

Mid-term assessment of progress made towards full coverage of Annex I topics

National coordinators

Commission

Q2 2020

Provide links to national information in a common repository to be used for the search facility

National coordinators

Commission

Q3-Q4 2020

Test, fix bugs and improve search facility

Commission

Q4 2020

All areas identified in Annex I to be covered at the level required (EU or national)

Commission

National coordinators

Objective 1.2: Ensuring quality of information and information on procedures, including user friendliness and web accessibility

Reference: Article 8 of the Regulation on quality requirements related to web accessibility and Article 9 on quality of information on rights, obligations and rules.

Background

The gateway must provide information that is user-friendly, well-structured and well presented. The content should be accurate and updated, and include the date of latest update. It should provide the name of the authority responsible for the information, and contact details of relevant assistance or problem-solving services. It should be accompanied by references to legal acts, technical specifications, guidelines.

Websites managed by Member State authorities have to comply with web accessibility rules (as set out in Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3)). The Regulation extends this requirement to Commission-managed websites included in the gateway.

The Commission has proposed initial guidance on how these requirements can be met, based on its experience managing the Your Europe portal.

How and when?

| When | What | Who |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Q3-Q4 2019 | Share guidance provided by the Commission with competent authorities or integrate it in existing guidelines for quality management of web content
  Set up an approach for monitoring quality of web content to be covered by the gateway | National coordinators
  Competent authorities |
| Q3 2019-Q4 2020 | Exchange regularly on quality and accessibility standards and on good practice | National coordinators, in the frame of the gateway coordination group |
| Q4 2020 | All relevant information to be of the right quality — relevant, accessible, and the following the requirements laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 | Commission
  National coordinators |

When

What

Who

Q3-Q4 2019

Share guidance provided by the Commission with competent authorities or integrate it in existing guidelines for quality management of web content

Set up an approach for monitoring quality of web content to be covered by the gateway

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Q3 2019-Q4 2020

Exchange regularly on quality and accessibility standards and on good practice

National coordinators, in the frame of the gateway coordination group

Q4 2020

All relevant information to be of the right quality — relevant, accessible, and the following the requirements laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/1724

Commission

National coordinators

Objective 1.3: Translating information

Reference: Articles 9 to 12 of the Regulation on translation and quality requirements

Background

In order for the services offered through the gateway to be accessible to a wide range of users, explanations on the rules, the procedures and what can be expected from assistance services covered by the gateway will need to be provided at least in a language that most users can understand. This language is defined as the official language of the Union that is ‘broadly understood by the largest possible number of cross-border users’. Article 12(3) of the Regulation provides further clarification by referring to the language ‘most widely studied as a foreign language by users across the Union.’ In practice, this language should be English for most national websites. The Commission will continue to translate information on rights and procedures applicable uniformly throughout the EU into all EU languages on its own websites.

The Commission will support Member States in this task by providing a translation service (human translation). In view of budget limitations, priority for the use of this service should be given to the basic information in all areas listed in Annex I, followed by any further information, explanations about assistance services and instructions for procedures.

How and when?

| When | What | Who |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Q3 2019 | Inform Member States of the arrangements for the translation service, including available translation volumes per Member State and rules for optimal use of the facility | Commission |
| Q3 2019-Q4 2019 | Draw an overview of translation needs of the various competent authorities
  Prioritise needs in view of the translation volume available | National coordinators |
| Q1 2020 | Provide national coordinators with a link to the translation service | Commission |
| Q1-Q4 2020 | Submit requests for translation | National coordinators |
| Q2-Q3 2020 | Reattribute translation volumes if necessary to ensure optimal use of the translation facility | Commission |
| Q2-Q4 2020 | Make translations accessible on national websites | National coordinators |

When

What

Who

Q3 2019

Inform Member States of the arrangements for the translation service, including available translation volumes per Member State and rules for optimal use of the facility

Commission

Q3 2019-Q4 2019

Draw an overview of translation needs of the various competent authorities

Prioritise needs in view of the translation volume available

National coordinators

Q1 2020

Provide national coordinators with a link to the translation service

Commission

Q1-Q4 2020

Submit requests for translation

National coordinators

Q2-Q3 2020

Reattribute translation volumes if necessary to ensure optimal use of the translation facility

Commission

Q2-Q4 2020

Make translations accessible on national websites

National coordinators

Objective 1.4: Avoiding duplication

Reference: Recitals 17 and 55, Articles 19.6 and 30 of the Regulation

Background

The Regulation calls on Member States and the Commission to provide single sources for each information item required for the gateway, and to avoid partial or full duplication whenever possible. This is to avoid confusion among users confronted with different portals containing similar but not identical information on some topics. Aiming for single information sources also makes updates easier and reduces the risk of presenting inconsistent information.

Only information exclusively targeting citizens and businesses and explaining their applicable rights and obligations is eligible for the gateway. It should not be mixed with other content, such as information on policy in the making that is aimed at a different audience.

The Commission will work to integrate EU-level information addressing citizens and businesses on their Single Market rights on Your Europe (4).

The Commission has defined, together with Member States, which topics in Annex I are to be covered on Your Europe or other Commission-managed websites, and which topics are to be addressed by national information.

How and when?

| When | What | Who |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Q3 2019-Q4 2020 | Integrate all EU-level information on single market rights addressing citizens or businesses on Your Europe exclusively, except where such information has to be included in EU portals created through a separate legal act | Commission |
| Q3 2019-Q4 2020 | Make a clear separation between information on applicable rules for citizens and businesses, presented on Your Europe, and information on policy in the making, covered on the Commission’s corporate website and separate DG websites | Commission |
| Q3 2019-Q4 2020 | Develop an integrated approach covering portals created through a separate legal act and the gateway, to ensure a common look and feel and to avoid duplication | Commission |
| Q3 2019-Q4 2020 | Develop an integrated approach at the national level to avoid duplication of information on specific topics between various national portals | National coordinators
  Competent authorities |

When

What

Who

Q3 2019-Q4 2020

Integrate all EU-level information on single market rights addressing citizens or businesses on Your Europe exclusively, except where such information has to be included in EU portals created through a separate legal act

Commission

Q3 2019-Q4 2020

Make a clear separation between information on applicable rules for citizens and businesses, presented on Your Europe, and information on policy in the making, covered on the Commission’s corporate website and separate DG websites

Commission

Q3 2019-Q4 2020

Develop an integrated approach covering portals created through a separate legal act and the gateway, to ensure a common look and feel and to avoid duplication

Commission

Q3 2019-Q4 2020

Develop an integrated approach at the national level to avoid duplication of information on specific topics between various national portals

National coordinators

Competent authorities

2.   IT development, digitalisation of procedures, data collection

Objective 2.1: Digitalising procedures

Reference: Article 6 of the Regulation on procedures to be offered fully online.

Background

The gateway will offer users easy access to national administrative procedures. For this purpose the Regulation requires all Member States to ensure that users can access and complete any of the procedures listed in Annex II fully online. This means that the user should be able to take all steps electronically, at a distance and through an online service. The Regulation also gives a non-exhaustive list of specific criteria which need to be met (see Article 6).

While the ultimate deadline for digitalising procedures is in December 2023, Member States should start working on this project already now and look for opportunities to implement the requirements well before the deadline as part of their ongoing e-government programmes.

EU programmes will help Member States achieve this goal, for instance in the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (5) (H2020), the Connecting Europe Facility (6) (CEF), the ISA2 programme (7) and the ERDF (8). Competent authorities are invited to contact their national coordinators responsible for the financial programmes in their Member State.

How and when?

| When | What | Who |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Q3-Q4 2019 | Verify which of the Annex II procedures are already available online, in compliance with the criteria of Article 6
  Identify the responsible authorities
  Share information with the coordination group | National coordinators
  Competent authorities |
| Q3-Q4 2019 | Guidance on ‘fully online’ procedures, such as check list, examples of good practices, interoperability principles | Commission |
| Q1 2020 | Identify the remaining gaps
  Share information with the coordination group | National coordinators
  Competent authorities |
| Q1 2020 | Discuss good practice and challenges related to digitising Annex II procedures
  Discuss the outcome of the ISA2 form generator feasibility study and next steps
  Discuss needs and opportunities for (co-) funding of national digitalisation actions | National coordinators, in the frame of the coordination group |
| Q2 2020 | Develop national work plans to fill the remaining gaps at national level | National coordinators |
| Q3 2020-Q4 2023 | Monitor progress with digitalisation of Annex II procedures in all Member States | Coordination group |
| p. m. Q4 2023 | All Annex II procedures to be fully online | National coordinators


  Competent authorities |

When

What

Who

Q3-Q4 2019

Verify which of the Annex II procedures are already available online, in compliance with the criteria of Article 6

Identify the responsible authorities

Share information with the coordination group

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Q3-Q4 2019

Guidance on ‘fully online’ procedures, such as check list, examples of good practices, interoperability principles

Commission

Q1 2020

Identify the remaining gaps

Share information with the coordination group

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Q1 2020

Discuss good practice and challenges related to digitising Annex II procedures

Discuss the outcome of the ISA2 form generator feasibility study and next steps

Discuss needs and opportunities for (co-) funding of national digitalisation actions

National coordinators, in the frame of the coordination group

Q2 2020

Develop national work plans to fill the remaining gaps at national level

National coordinators

Q3 2020-Q4 2023

Monitor progress with digitalisation of Annex II procedures in all Member States

Coordination group

p. m. Q4 2023

All Annex II procedures to be fully online

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Objective 2.2: Ensuring access of cross-border users to online procedures

Reference: Article 13 of the Regulation on cross-border access to online procedures.

Background

The Regulation foresees that procedures which are already online, are (made) fully accessible for cross-border users. That means that if a procedure is available for a national of a specific Member State, it also has to be accessible in all its steps to users from other Member States or to users from the same Member State living in another Member State or who have previously lived, worked, studied or done business in another Member State.

Member States may use an alternative, technically separate technical solution for cross-border users where necessary, but in those situations, extra care should be taken to ensure that the procedure would lead to the same outcome and is not more burdensome than the procedure offered to national users.

Special attention should be paid to obstacles for cross-border users, such as form fields that require national phone numbers, national prefixes for phone numbers or national postal codes, payment of fees that can only be done through systems which are not (widely) available for cross-border users, the lack of detailed explanations in a language understood by cross-border users, the lack of possibilities to submit electronic evidence from authorities located in another Member State and the lack of acceptance of electronic means of identification issued in other Member States.

In certain areas (e.g. Services Directive, Professional Qualifications Directive, Public Procurement Directives), non-discriminatory access to procedures for cross-border users is already a legal requirement in addition to the principle of non-discrimination enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

How and when?

| When | What | Who |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Q3-Q4 2019 | Guidelines and practical checklist on how to ensure that national online procedures are fully accessible for cross-border users | Commission in cooperation with national coordinators |
| Q1-Q2 2020 | Identify remaining obstacles (e.g. technical, functional, organisational and legal)
  Draw up a plan to address them | National coordinators
  Competent authorities |
| Q1 2020 | Share guidelines with relevant authorities or integrate recommendations in existing quality guidelines for development of online procedures | National coordinators |
| Q1-Q4 2020 | Exchange of good practice in the frame of the coordination group
  Monitoring progress | National coordinators |
| p. m. Q4 2023 | Online procedures accessible for cross-border users in a non-discriminatory way | National coordinators


  Competent authorities |

When

What

Who

Q3-Q4 2019

Guidelines and practical checklist on how to ensure that national online procedures are fully accessible for cross-border users

Commission in cooperation with national coordinators

Q1-Q2 2020

Identify remaining obstacles (e.g. technical, functional, organisational and legal)

Draw up a plan to address them

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Q1 2020

Share guidelines with relevant authorities or integrate recommendations in existing quality guidelines for development of online procedures

National coordinators

Q1-Q4 2020

Exchange of good practice in the frame of the coordination group

Monitoring progress

National coordinators

p. m. Q4 2023

Online procedures accessible for cross-border users in a non-discriminatory way

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Objective 2.3: Contributing to the development of the EU level IT tools and ensuring interoperability between EC and national IT tools

Reference: Article 21 of the Regulation on responsibilities for the ICT applications supporting the gateway.

Background:

As foreseen by the Regulation, the functioning of the gateway will be enabled by technical tools developed by the Commission in close cooperation with Member States. These include: a search facility and a common assistance finder guiding end-users towards information, procedures and assistance services; a user feedback tool on quality of services; a user feedback tool on obstacles in the Single Market; a tool to collect statistics of use; and a dashboard as the interface for public authorities.

Methods for collecting and exchanging data regarding feedback on quality and statistics will be decided in implementing acts.

The Commission has contracted studies that have proposed the technical basis for these tools, by defining requirements, an IT architecture and an analysis of interoperability questions, and has presented the state of development to the national coordinators.

How and when?

| When | What | Who |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Q3 2019 | Inform the coordination group of the outcome of the studies conducted by the Commission on the gateway IT tools (2018-2019) | Commission |
| Search facility and common assistance service finder |
| Q4 2019 | Examine how to automatise the collection of links for the repository of links | Commission
  National coordinators |
| Q1 2020 | Inform national coordinators about how to access and provide links to the repository | Commission |
| Q1 2020 | Testing period for the search facility together with the repository of links, and testing for the common assistance service finder | Commission
  National coordinators |
| Q3 2020 | Commission presents the beta version of the search facility and the common assistance service finder to national coordinators | Commission
  National coordinators |
| User feedback on quality and user statistics |
| Q3 2019-Q4 2019 | Commission gathers opinions from national coordinators on the implementing acts | Commission
  National coordinators |
| Q4 2019-Q1 2020 | Commission consults national coordinators on the development of the common user feedback tool | Commission
  National coordinators
  Competent authorities responsible for assistance services in the frame of their respective networks |
| Q2 2020 | Adoption of the implementing act(s) | Commission
  SDGR Committee |
| Q1 2020-Q2 2020 | Draw an overview of which national websites that will be part of the gateway have an existing feedback tool and an existing tool to collect statistics, and which websites will need to connect to the common user feedback tool and/or deploy a new tool to collect statistics | Commission
  National coordinators |
| Q1 2020-Q2 2020 | Development of the feedback tool on quality and the tool to collect user statistics | Commission |
| Q3 2020 | Provide link to the common user feedback tool to national coordinators | Commission |
| Q4 2020 | Ensure that each service that is part of the gateway and does not have an existing feedback tool complying with the implementing act requirements links to the common user feedback tool
  Alternatively, ensure that feedback collected through existing feedback tools complies with the implementing act and that the agreed data are made available through the common dashboard | National coordinators
  Competent authorities |
| Q4 2020 | Ensure that the collection of statistics complies with the implementing act and that the agreed data are made available to the Commission and the other national coordinators | National coordinators
  Competent authorities |
| User feedback on obstacles in the Single Market |
| Q3 2019 | Commission consults national coordinators on the development of the user feedback tool reporting on obstacles in the Single Market and the system to collect aggregated data from the assistance services | Commission
  National coordinators |
| Q4 2019-Q3 2020 | Development of IT tools | Commission |
| Common Dashboard |
| Q1 2020 | Commission presents to national coordinators the beta version of the tool which will be functional in limited capacity: submitting links to the repository and submitting translations requests | Commission
  National coordinators |
| Q1 2020 | Inform national coordinators about how to submit links to the repository and translation requests | Commission |
| Q1-Q3 2020 | Development of the common dashboard in its full capacity | Commission |
| Q3 2020 | Inform national coordinators about how to access and use the common dashboard | Commission |
| Q4 2020 | Launch of the gateway | |

When

What

Who

Q3 2019

Inform the coordination group of the outcome of the studies conducted by the Commission on the gateway IT tools (2018-2019)

Commission

Search facility and common assistance service finder

Q4 2019

Examine how to automatise the collection of links for the repository of links

Commission

National coordinators

Q1 2020

Inform national coordinators about how to access and provide links to the repository

Commission

Q1 2020

Testing period for the search facility together with the repository of links, and testing for the common assistance service finder

Commission

National coordinators

Q3 2020

Commission presents the beta version of the search facility and the common assistance service finder to national coordinators

Commission

National coordinators

User feedback on quality and user statistics

Q3 2019-Q4 2019

Commission gathers opinions from national coordinators on the implementing acts

Commission

National coordinators

Q4 2019-Q1 2020

Commission consults national coordinators on the development of the common user feedback tool

Commission

National coordinators

Competent authorities responsible for assistance services in the frame of their respective networks

Q2 2020

Adoption of the implementing act(s)

Commission

SDGR Committee

Q1 2020-Q2 2020

Draw an overview of which national websites that will be part of the gateway have an existing feedback tool and an existing tool to collect statistics, and which websites will need to connect to the common user feedback tool and/or deploy a new tool to collect statistics

Commission

National coordinators

Q1 2020-Q2 2020

Development of the feedback tool on quality and the tool to collect user statistics

Commission

Q3 2020

Provide link to the common user feedback tool to national coordinators

Commission

Q4 2020

Ensure that each service that is part of the gateway and does not have an existing feedback tool complying with the implementing act requirements links to the common user feedback tool

Alternatively, ensure that feedback collected through existing feedback tools complies with the implementing act and that the agreed data are made available through the common dashboard

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Q4 2020

Ensure that the collection of statistics complies with the implementing act and that the agreed data are made available to the Commission and the other national coordinators

National coordinators

Competent authorities

User feedback on obstacles in the Single Market

Q3 2019

Commission consults national coordinators on the development of the user feedback tool reporting on obstacles in the Single Market and the system to collect aggregated data from the assistance services

Commission

National coordinators

Q4 2019-Q3 2020

Development of IT tools

Commission

Common Dashboard

Q1 2020

Commission presents to national coordinators the beta version of the tool which will be functional in limited capacity: submitting links to the repository and submitting translations requests

Commission

National coordinators

Q1 2020

Inform national coordinators about how to submit links to the repository and translation requests

Commission

Q1-Q3 2020

Development of the common dashboard in its full capacity

Commission

Q3 2020

Inform national coordinators about how to access and use the common dashboard

Commission

Q4 2020

Launch of the gateway

Objective 2.4: Once-only

Reference: Article 14 of the Regulation on the technical system for the cross-border automated exchange of evidence and application of the ‘once-only’ principle.

Background

As foreseen by the Regulation, the Commission will, in cooperation with Member States, establish a technical system for exchanging evidence for the online procedures listed in Annex II to the Regulation and for the procedures provided for in the Services Directive (9), the Professional Qualifications Directive (10) and two public procurements Directives 2014/24/EU (11) and 2014/25/EU (12) of the European Parliament and of the Council.

How and when?

| When | What | Who |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Q1 2019-Q3 2020 | Preparatory action on once-only under CEF to analyse existing technical solutions (from TOOP project and available at national level), share experiences, support cross-border interoperability and assess readiness of Member States | Commission
  National coordinators
  Competent authorities |
| Q3 2019 | Inform national coordinators about the status and outcome of the once-only pilots and studies | Commission |
| Q3 2019-Q2 2021 | Assess fitness of digital procedures at national level for incorporation of the once-only step
  Draw a work plan to address gaps | National coordinators
  Competent authorities |
| Q3 2019-Q2 2020 | Run, if feasible, a pilot covering a wider range of the gateway procedures | Commission
  National coordinators
  Competent authorities |
| Q1 2020-Q3 2020 | Discuss content for the implementing act | Commission
  National coordinators
  Competent authorities |
| Q3 2020-Q4 2020 | Commission gathers opinions from national coordinators on the draft implementing act and on the core and generic services under development | Commission
  National coordinators |
| p.m. Q2 2021 | Adoption of implementing act | Commission |
| p.m. Q4 2023 | Once-only technical system in place and ready for use | |

When

What

Who

Q1 2019-Q3 2020

Preparatory action on once-only under CEF to analyse existing technical solutions (from TOOP project and available at national level), share experiences, support cross-border interoperability and assess readiness of Member States

Commission

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Q3 2019

Inform national coordinators about the status and outcome of the once-only pilots and studies

Commission

Q3 2019-Q2 2021

Assess fitness of digital procedures at national level for incorporation of the once-only step

Draw a work plan to address gaps

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Q3 2019-Q2 2020

Run, if feasible, a pilot covering a wider range of the gateway procedures

Commission

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Q1 2020-Q3 2020

Discuss content for the implementing act

Commission

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Q3 2020-Q4 2020

Commission gathers opinions from national coordinators on the draft implementing act and on the core and generic services under development

Commission

National coordinators

p.m. Q2 2021

Adoption of implementing act

Commission

p.m. Q4 2023

Once-only technical system in place and ready for use

3.   Assistance services

Objective 3.1: Ensuring availability of information about assistance services and their quality

Reference: Articles 7, 11 and 16 of the Regulation on access to assistance and problem-solving services, on quality of information on these services and on quality requirements related to them.

Background

The gateway will offer users easy access to a broad range of assistance services. For an optimal experience, end-users should in addition get to know, before submitting a request for assistance, what to expect from such services and under what conditions they can use them. Assistance services will have to publish online a clear and user-friendly explanation of the service provided, as detailed in Article 11. To be accessible to a majority of users, this explanation will have to be provided in principle in English (official language of the Union that is ‘broadly understood by the largest possible number of cross-border users’, see objective 1.3). Like the other gateway services, assistance services should be of the highest quality and will have to respect quality criteria listed in the Regulation. Quality will be monitored through user feedback and statistics.

These requirements are mandatory for the assistance services listed in annex III of the Regulation. The Commission has mapped the state of play and identified gaps for these services.

In addition, the Commission and national coordinators may opt-in other assistance services if those fulfil the conditions foreseen in the Regulation. Priority will be in 2019 and 2020 on preparing for the inclusion of assistance services that are funded or co-funded and/or managed by the Commission, such as the European Consumer Centres, the IPR Help Desk, the part of the Enterprise Europe Network that addresses topics covered by the gateway, SOLVIT or Your Europe Advice.

Where necessary to meet the needs of the users, national coordinators may also propose to the Commission to opt in private or semi-private assistance services if they fulfil the quality requirements of the gateway.

How and when?

For annex III services:

| When | What | Who |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Q3 2019 | Provide to national coordinators a check-list of quality requirements to be checked, including the provision of information on the assistance service | Commission |
| Q3 2019-Q2 2020 | Address gaps identified | Competent authorities, coordinated by national coordinators |
| Q1 2020-Q2 2020 | Provide to the Commission links, descriptions and contact details of the assistance services for inclusion in the assistance service finder | Competent authorities, via national coordinators |
| Q3 2019-Q2 2020 | Exchange regularly on quality standards, on how to provide information on the service and on good practice | Gateway coordination group |
| Q3-Q4 2020 | Test, fix bugs, improve assistance service finder | Commission |
| Q4 2020 | Launch of the assistance service finder | |

When

What

Who

Q3 2019

Provide to national coordinators a check-list of quality requirements to be checked, including the provision of information on the assistance service

Commission

Q3 2019-Q2 2020

Address gaps identified

Competent authorities, coordinated by national coordinators

Q1 2020-Q2 2020

Provide to the Commission links, descriptions and contact details of the assistance services for inclusion in the assistance service finder

Competent authorities, via national coordinators

Q3 2019-Q2 2020

Exchange regularly on quality standards, on how to provide information on the service and on good practice

Gateway coordination group

Q3-Q4 2020

Test, fix bugs, improve assistance service finder

Commission

Q4 2020

Launch of the assistance service finder

For services funded and/or managed by the Commission that request to opt in:

| When | What | Who |
| --- | --- | --- |
| By Q3 2019 | Express interest to opt in | Commission, after discussion with competent authorities in the frame of their respective networks |
| Q3 2019 | Provide to national coordinators and to competent authorities an explanation of the procedure and a check-list of quality requirements to be checked before proposing a new opt-in service, including the provision of information on the assistance service | Commission |
| Q3 2019 | Finalise the analysis of the state of play and identify gaps | Commission, after discussion with competent authorities |
| Q3 2019 | Inform the gateway coordination group about the interest to opt in and the results of this analysis | Commission |
| Q3 2019-Q2 2020 | Address gaps identified | Competent authorities, coordinated by the Commission (networks) |
| Q1 2020 | Report to the gateway coordination group on the on-going work | Commission |
| Q1 2020-Q2 2020 | Provide to the Commission links, descriptions and contact details of the assistance services for inclusion in the assistance service finder | Competent authorities, via the Commission |
| Q3 2019-Q2 2020 | Exchange regularly on quality standards, on how to provide information on the service and on good practice | Competent authorities, coordinated by the Commission (networks) |
| Q3 2020 | Inform the coordination group of compliance with all requirements
  Submit to the Commission any remaining element necessary for inclusion in the assistance service finder | Competent authorities, via the Commission |
| Q3-Q4 2020 | Test, fix bugs, improve assistance service finder | Commission |
| Q4 2020 | Launch of the assistance service finder | |

When

What

Who

By Q3 2019

Express interest to opt in

Commission, after discussion with competent authorities in the frame of their respective networks

Q3 2019

Provide to national coordinators and to competent authorities an explanation of the procedure and a check-list of quality requirements to be checked before proposing a new opt-in service, including the provision of information on the assistance service

Commission

Q3 2019

Finalise the analysis of the state of play and identify gaps

Commission, after discussion with competent authorities

Q3 2019

Inform the gateway coordination group about the interest to opt in and the results of this analysis

Commission

Q3 2019-Q2 2020

Address gaps identified

Competent authorities, coordinated by the Commission (networks)

Q1 2020

Report to the gateway coordination group on the on-going work

Commission

Q1 2020-Q2 2020

Provide to the Commission links, descriptions and contact details of the assistance services for inclusion in the assistance service finder

Competent authorities, via the Commission

Q3 2019-Q2 2020

Exchange regularly on quality standards, on how to provide information on the service and on good practice

Competent authorities, coordinated by the Commission (networks)

Q3 2020

Inform the coordination group of compliance with all requirements

Submit to the Commission any remaining element necessary for inclusion in the assistance service finder

Competent authorities, via the Commission

Q3-Q4 2020

Test, fix bugs, improve assistance service finder

Commission

Q4 2020

Launch of the assistance service finder

4.   Promotion

Objective 4.1: Promoting the gateway

Reference: Articles 22 and 23 of the Regulation on promotion, name, logo and quality label

Background

The gateway, named ‘Your Europe’, will offer users easy access to a broad range of high-quality services. Existence of ‘Your Europe’ and reliability of the services it offers need to be advertised to end-users.

For that purpose, a logo, serving as a quality label of ‘Your Europe’ has been decided upon by the Commission, in close cooperation with the gateway coordination group (13). The logo and guidelines explaining how to use it have been provided to national coordinators. This logo and a link to the gateway will need to be made visible and accessible from all websites that are part of the gateway.

In addition, the Commission and Member States will need to enhance findability and raise awareness of ‘Your Europe’ among end-users. Activities to promote ‘Your Europe’ and the websites that are part of it will need to be coordinated.

How and when?

| When | What | Who |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Q3 2019-Q4 2020 | Prepare to add the logo on all websites that will be part of the repository of links | Commission
  National coordinators
  Competent authorities |
| Q3 2019-Q4 2020 | Prepare to add the link to the gateway on all websites that will be part of the repository of links | Commission
  National coordinators
  Competent authorities |
| Q4 2020 | Make sure logo and link are added on all websites that are part of the repository of links | Commission
  National coordinators
  Competent authorities |
| Q3 2019-Q4 2020 | Search engine optimisation of Your Europe in search engines accessible to the wider public | Commission |
| Q3 2019-Q4 2020 | Promote the gateway to national and local competent authorities | National coordinators
  Commission |
| Q3 2019-Q2 2020 | Draw a coordinated communication plan | Commission
  National coordinators |
| Q3 2020-Q4 2020 | Implement the communication plan | Commission
  National coordinators
  Competent authorities |

When

What

Who

Q3 2019-Q4 2020

Prepare to add the logo on all websites that will be part of the repository of links

Commission

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Q3 2019-Q4 2020

Prepare to add the link to the gateway on all websites that will be part of the repository of links

Commission

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Q4 2020

Make sure logo and link are added on all websites that are part of the repository of links

Commission

National coordinators

Competent authorities

Q3 2019-Q4 2020

Search engine optimisation of Your Europe in search engines accessible to the wider public

Commission

Q3 2019-Q4 2020

Promote the gateway to national and local competent authorities

National coordinators

Commission

Q3 2019-Q2 2020

Draw a coordinated communication plan

Commission

National coordinators

Q3 2020-Q4 2020

Implement the communication plan

Commission

National coordinators

Competent authorities

---

(1)  OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 1.

(2)  And on Commission websites created by legal basis.

(3)  OJ L 327, 2.12.2016, p. 1.

(4)  Except for what concerns Commission websites created by legal basis.

(5)  https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/programmes/h2020

(6)  https://ec.europa.eu/inea/en/connecting-europe-facility

(7)  https://ec.europa.eu/isa2/isa2_en

(8)  European regional development fund.

(9)  Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 22).

(10)  Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 376, 27.12.2006, p. 36).

(11)  OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 65.

(12)  OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 243.

(13)  Ongoing process, to be completed by the adoption of this annual work programme.

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 31.7.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 257/14 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

31.7.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/14

---

Euro exchange rates (1)

30 July 2019

(2019/C 257/02)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,1154 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 121,00 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4666 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,91653 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,6453 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,1038 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 135,10 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,7368 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 25,650 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 327,49 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,2912 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,7321 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 6,2005 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,6189 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4691 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,7259 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6855 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5283 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 317,25 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 15,7801 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,6761 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,3807 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 15 637,91 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,6010 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 56,701 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 70,5654 |
| THB | Thai baht | 34,360 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 4,2237 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 21,2437 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 76,7575 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,1154

JPY

Japanese yen

121,00

DKK

Danish krone

7,4666

GBP

Pound sterling

0,91653

SEK

Swedish krona

10,6453

CHF

Swiss franc

1,1038

ISK

Iceland króna

135,10

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,7368

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

25,650

HUF

Hungarian forint

327,49

PLN

Polish zloty

4,2912

RON

Romanian leu

4,7321

TRY

Turkish lira

6,2005

AUD

Australian dollar

1,6189

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4691

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,7259

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6855

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5283

KRW

South Korean won

1 317,25

ZAR

South African rand

15,7801

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,6761

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,3807

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

15 637,91

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,6010

PHP

Philippine peso

56,701

RUB

Russian rouble

70,5654

THB

Thai baht

34,360

BRL

Brazilian real

4,2237

MXN

Mexican peso

21,2437

INR

Indian rupee

76,7575

---

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

---

V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 31.7.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 257/15 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

31.7.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/15

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9397 — Mirova/GE/Desarrollo Eólico Las Majas)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2019/C 257/03)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | Mirova, acting as management company of Mirova-Eurofideme 3 (France), ultimately owned Banque Populaire Caisse d’épargne (‘BPCE’, France), |
| --- | --- |

—

Mirova, acting as management company of Mirova-Eurofideme 3 (France), ultimately owned Banque Populaire Caisse d’épargne (‘BPCE’, France),

| — | General Electric Company (‘GE’, United States), |
| --- | --- |

—

General Electric Company (‘GE’, United States),

| — | Desarrollo Eólico Las Majas XIX, S.L.U. (Spain), controlled by the Forestalia group. |
| --- | --- |

—

Desarrollo Eólico Las Majas XIX, S.L.U. (Spain), controlled by the Forestalia group.

Mirova and GE acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of Desarrollo Eólico Las Majas XIX. The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.

| — | Mirova is a French venture capital fund which focuses on responsible investment managing funds for institutional investors in various asset classes, inter alia, renewable energy and core infrastructures, sustainable equities and green bonds, |
| --- | --- |

—

Mirova is a French venture capital fund which focuses on responsible investment managing funds for institutional investors in various asset classes, inter alia, renewable energy and core infrastructures, sustainable equities and green bonds,

| — | GE is a global manufacturing, technology and services company. The core activity of its business unit GE Energy Financial Services is investment in the energy sector. Its business unit GE Renewable Energy supplies products and services to wind, hydro and solar power generation customers, including manufacturing and servicing of wind turbines, |
| --- | --- |

—

GE is a global manufacturing, technology and services company. The core activity of its business unit GE Energy Financial Services is investment in the energy sector. Its business unit GE Renewable Energy supplies products and services to wind, hydro and solar power generation customers, including manufacturing and servicing of wind turbines,

| — | Desarrollo Eólico Las Majas XIX is a holding company, which will own three windfarm projects in Aragon, Spain. |
| --- | --- |

—

Desarrollo Eólico Las Majas XIX is a holding company, which will own three windfarm projects in Aragon, Spain.

3.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the 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 the Notice.

4.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.9397 — Mirova/GE/Desarrollo Eólico Las Majas

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

| Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
| --- |
| Fax +32 22964301 |
| Postal address: |
| European Commission |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal 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’).

1

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

2

---

| 31.7.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 257/17 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

31.7.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/17

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9418 — Temasek/RRJ Masterfund III/Gategroup)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2019/C 257/04)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | Esta Investments Pte.Ltd, controlled by Temasek International Pte. (‘Temasek’) (Singapore), |
| --- | --- |

—

Esta Investments Pte.Ltd, controlled by Temasek International Pte. (‘Temasek’) (Singapore),

| — | RRJ Masterfund III, belonging to the group of RRJ Capital (Hong Kong), |
| --- | --- |

—

RRJ Masterfund III, belonging to the group of RRJ Capital (Hong Kong),

| — | gategroup Holding AG (‘Gategroup’) (Switzerland), currently solely controlled by RRJ Capital. |
| --- | --- |

—

gategroup Holding AG (‘Gategroup’) (Switzerland), currently solely controlled by RRJ Capital.

Temasek and RRJ Masterfund III acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of Gategroup.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.

—   for Temasek: an investment company headquartered in Singapore. It owns a majority shareholding in Singapore Airlines, which operates passenger flights to/from certain EEA airports where Gategroup is active, so the Transaction gives rise to a small number of vertical relationships at those airports,

—   for RRJ Masterfund III: an investment firm based in Hong Kong and Singapore. It undertakes private equity investments in Asia, and primarily focuses on growth capital and state-owned enterprise investments,

—   for Gategroup: provides in-flight catering, retail on-board services, and other related services in around 60 countries, including in the EEA.

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.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.9418 — Temasek/RRJ Masterfund III/Gategroup

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

| Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
| --- |
| Fax +32 22964301 |
| Postal address: |
| European Commission |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal 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’).

1

---

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 31.7.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 257/18 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

31.7.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/18

---

Publication of an application for registration of a name 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

(2019/C 257/05)

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) within three months from the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘PROVOLA DEI NEBRODI’

EU No: PDO-IT-02394 – 2.3.2018

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

1.   Name(s)

‘Provola dei Nebrodi’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Italy

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.3. Cheeses

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

‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ PDO is a pasta filata (‘stretched-curd’) cheese made from cows' milk. Several varieties are produced: fresca (fresh), semi-stagionata (partially aged), stagionata (aged), sfoglia (flaky) and con limone verde (with the addition of green lemon). When dispatched for consumption, the cheese has the following properties:

| (a) | Shape: The fresca variety has the classical pear-shaped form, either with or without a ‘stalk’ (known as a testina) at the top. The other varieties are oval, with a short neck widening towards the top. Depending on customary practice in the specific producing region, they may or may not have a testina. String is tied round the neck of the cheese so that it can be hung up in pairs for drying and/or ageing. |
| --- | --- |

(a)

Shape: The fresca variety has the classical pear-shaped form, either with or without a ‘stalk’ (known as a testina) at the top. The other varieties are oval, with a short neck widening towards the top. Depending on customary practice in the specific producing region, they may or may not have a testina. String is tied round the neck of the cheese so that it can be hung up in pairs for drying and/or ageing.

| (b) | Size: The size varies depending on the weight of the cheese, with the oblong side measuring between 15 and 35 cm and the diameter ranging from 12 to 25 cm. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

Size: The size varies depending on the weight of the cheese, with the oblong side measuring between 15 and 35 cm and the diameter ranging from 12 to 25 cm.

| (c) | Weight: ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’fresca weighs between 1 and 2 kg, while the semi-stagionata, stagionata, sfoglia, and con limone verde varieties weigh between 2 and 10 kg. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

Weight: ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’fresca weighs between 1 and 2 kg, while the semi-stagionata, stagionata, sfoglia, and con limone verde varieties weigh between 2 and 10 kg.

| (d) | External appearance: The rind is thin, smooth and compact. It is free from any pitting or creasing and is a straw-tinged creamy white colour, developing to a more or less intense golden yellow as the cheese ages. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

External appearance: The rind is thin, smooth and compact. It is free from any pitting or creasing and is a straw-tinged creamy white colour, developing to a more or less intense golden yellow as the cheese ages.

| (e) | Texture: The fresca variety is soft and ivory white, while in the other varieties the texture becomes semi-hard to hard and the colour turns amber yellow as ripening progresses. A typical flaky texture develops with advanced ageing, giving us the variety historically known as ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’sfoglia (sfoglia means ‘a fine layer’). The con limone verde variety remains softer, although it tends to become semi-hard as ageing progresses. This is due to the slow release of moisture from the lemon embedded in the cheese. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

Texture: The fresca variety is soft and ivory white, while in the other varieties the texture becomes semi-hard to hard and the colour turns amber yellow as ripening progresses. A typical flaky texture develops with advanced ageing, giving us the variety historically known as ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’sfoglia (sfoglia means ‘a fine layer’). The con limone verde variety remains softer, although it tends to become semi-hard as ageing progresses. This is due to the slow release of moisture from the lemon embedded in the cheese.

| (f) | Eyes: The cheese may be lightly strewn with small eyes. |
| --- | --- |

(f)

Eyes: The cheese may be lightly strewn with small eyes.

| (g) | Taste: Fresh cheeses taste decidedly pleasant, sweet and delicate, whereas a strong, flavoursome cheese flavour emerges as ageing progresses. |
| --- | --- |

(g)

Taste: Fresh cheeses taste decidedly pleasant, sweet and delicate, whereas a strong, flavoursome cheese flavour emerges as ageing progresses.

| (h) | Aroma: The ageing process brings out marked aromatic notes dominated by green grass, hay, butyric acid and mushrooms, evidencing the cheese's close links with the local territory and the types of grass on which the cows graze. A citrus scent prevails in the con limone verde variety. |
| --- | --- |

(h)

Aroma: The ageing process brings out marked aromatic notes dominated by green grass, hay, butyric acid and mushrooms, evidencing the cheese's close links with the local territory and the types of grass on which the cows graze. A citrus scent prevails in the con limone verde variety.

| (i) | Chemical composition: Total solids are not less than 52 % in fresh cheeses and not less than 60 % in partially aged and aged cheeses; fat accounts for no less than 38 % of total solids; and sodium chloride may not exceed 4 % of total solids. |
| --- | --- |

(i)

Chemical composition: Total solids are not less than 52 % in fresh cheeses and not less than 60 % in partially aged and aged cheeses; fat accounts for no less than 38 % of total solids; and sodium chloride may not exceed 4 % of total solids.

| (j) | Ageing:
  ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ PDO fresca has a short ageing period of less than 30 days;
  ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ PDO semi-stagionata is aged between 30 and 120 days;
  ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ PDO stagionata is aged for more than 120 days;
  ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ PDO sfoglia has a minimum ageing period of five months;
  ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ PDO con limone verde (with a whole green lemon embedded into the cheese once the curds have been stretched) has a minimum ageing period of 90 days. |
| --- | --- |

(j)

Ageing:

‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ PDO fresca has a short ageing period of less than 30 days;

‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ PDO semi-stagionata is aged between 30 and 120 days;

‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ PDO stagionata is aged for more than 120 days;

‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ PDO sfoglia has a minimum ageing period of five months;

‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ PDO con limone verde (with a whole green lemon embedded into the cheese once the curds have been stretched) has a minimum ageing period of 90 days.

| (k) | The rinds of the semi-stagionata and stagionata, sfoglia and con limone verde varieties can be coated with olive oil. |
| --- | --- |

(k)

The rinds of the semi-stagionata and stagionata, sfoglia and con limone verde varieties can be coated with olive oil.

| (l) | ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ can be sold whole or in portions. The stagionata variety can also be sold grated. |
| --- | --- |

(l)

‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ can be sold whole or in portions. The stagionata variety can also be sold grated.

| (m) | When placed on the market, packages of grated ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’stagionata must meet the following technical and technological parameters: free from additives; moisture content not less than 25 % but no greater than 35 %; a homogenous, non-powdery appearance, with particles less than 0,5 mm in diameter not exceeding 25 % of the total content; no more than 18 % rind content; and the specific organoleptic and aromatic characteristics of ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’. |
| --- | --- |

(m)

When placed on the market, packages of grated ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’stagionata must meet the following technical and technological parameters: free from additives; moisture content not less than 25 % but no greater than 35 %; a homogenous, non-powdery appearance, with particles less than 0,5 mm in diameter not exceeding 25 % of the total content; no more than 18 % rind content; and the specific organoleptic and aromatic characteristics of ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’.

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

Feed

Feedstuffs produced in the identified geographical area must make up at least 60 % of the dry matter in the cows' overall diet.

Different types of fodder — pasture, hay, undergrowth or dry residues from meadows and pastures, depending on availability — must make up at least 60 % of the daily dry matter fed to the cows, calculated on an annual basis.

The cows graze on varied pasture for at least 240 days a year. This pasture comprises green fodder (native wild plants and sown grasses — mainly sulla, common vetch and forage cereals), dry residues from meadows and wild forage, minor farmed cereals, and undergrowth.

The cows' basic diet of fodder is supplemented by feedstuffs that ensure a balanced nutrient intake. These feedstuffs can constitute up to 40 % of the dry matter fed to the cows, calculated on an annual basis.

Maize and soya make up the bulk of the feedstuffs from outside the zone of origin, combined, to a lesser extent, with sunflower and carob meal, minor cereals and their by-products, beet, vitamin and mineral supplements, and minor traces of other products.

The fact that farmers have to resort to using feedstuffs from outside the area of origin reflects the soil and climate conditions of the Nebrodi region, which is highly suited to permanent grassland and pasture (with 100 000 hectares of utilised agricultural area (UAA), the region accounts for around 30 % of Sicily's total grassland and pasture), and much less appropriate for arable farming to produce cereals and grain legumes (representing less than 3 % of Sicily's UAA), according to the most recent census compiled by the Italian National Institute of Statistics in 2010.

The cows may not be fed silage, fresh by-products from industrial processing, fenugreek, or foodstuffs representing sources of contamination or that have been poorly preserved.

Raw materials

Raw whole cows' milk; kid or lamb rennet paste; and green lemon for ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’con limone verde.

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

Milk production, cheesemaking, ageing.

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

‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ can be sold whole or in portions. Aged cheese can also be sold grated.

In order to ensure authenticity and traceability, the production of packaging formats that require ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ PDO cheeses to be grated or have their rind cut off (scrapings, cubes, slices, etc.), thus removing the identifying details and branded markings from the cheese, may only take place within the geographical area identified in point 4.

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

‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ PDO is released onto the market with identifying markings and a sticker or another type of label, which must be attached to the neck of the cheese and/or the side of a portion, and to grated cheese packaging. As well as the information required by the legislation in force, the ‘Provola dei Nebrodi D.O.P.’ logo must be displayed on the sticker or other label used.

Indications referring to companies, names, business names and private trademarks which are not laudatory in nature and are not likely to mislead the purchaser may also be included on the label provided that they comply with the applicable legislation on the labelling and presentation of food products. Any such additional indications must be displayed in smaller letters than the PDO logo.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ PDO production area comprises: the entire administrative territory of the municipalities of Bronte, Castiglione di Sicilia, Maletto, Maniace and Randazzo in the province of Catania; the entire administrative territory of the municipalities of Cerami and Troina in the province of Enna; and the entire administrative territory of the municipalities of Alcara li Fusi, Basicò, Capizzi, Capri Leone, Caronia, Castel di Lucio, Castell'Umberto, Cesarò, Ficarra, Floresta, Frazzanò, Galati Mamertino, Gioiosa Marea, Librizzi, Longi, Malvagna, Mirto, Mistretta, Mojo Alcantara, Montalbano Elicona, Montagnareale, Motta d'Affermo, Naso, Patti, Pettineo, Piraino, Raccuja, Reitano, Roccella Valdemone, San Fratello, San Piero Patti, S. Teodoro, S. Angelo di Brolo, Santa Domenica Vittoria, Santo Stefano di Camastra, Sinagra, Tortorici, Tripi, Tusa and Ucria in the province of Messina.

5.   Link with the geographical area

The main factors forming the strong link between ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ and its area of origin are as follows:

| (1) | The use of wild or farmed forage to feed the cows, mainly the pasture typical of the Nebrodi mountain region.
  More than 25 botanical families can be classed as widely represented, with over 120 identified species (high natural biodiversity). Throughout all the different environments there is a clear prevalence of permanent and annual (native) wild fodder plants, sown forage grasses, leguminous plants and Asteraceae, which also have the highest rates of frequency. The local livestock sector developed in conditions that were sometimes very difficult, but this development was made possible by the availability of forage resources distributed over time and space (complementarity of mountainous and hilly areas).
  The importance of grazing for the organoleptic and aromatic properties of ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ has been studied by different researchers for more than a decade. They have identified aliphatic aldehydes, terpenes, and at least another 60 volatile components that help to shape the aromatic profile of the cheese (Verzera A. et al 2004; Ziino M. et al 2005; Licitra G. et al 2008). The importance of terpenes is linked to the fodder plants ingested by the cows, rather than being microbial in origin, proving the significant role played by grazing in the cows' diets. These results have been corroborated by other researchers studying other products (Dumont, J. P. et al 1978; Bugaud, C. et al 2001a and 2001c; Carpino S. et al 2004a and 2004b). |
| --- | --- |

(1)

The use of wild or farmed forage to feed the cows, mainly the pasture typical of the Nebrodi mountain region.

More than 25 botanical families can be classed as widely represented, with over 120 identified species (high natural biodiversity). Throughout all the different environments there is a clear prevalence of permanent and annual (native) wild fodder plants, sown forage grasses, leguminous plants and Asteraceae, which also have the highest rates of frequency. The local livestock sector developed in conditions that were sometimes very difficult, but this development was made possible by the availability of forage resources distributed over time and space (complementarity of mountainous and hilly areas).

The importance of grazing for the organoleptic and aromatic properties of ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ has been studied by different researchers for more than a decade. They have identified aliphatic aldehydes, terpenes, and at least another 60 volatile components that help to shape the aromatic profile of the cheese (Verzera A. et al 2004; Ziino M. et al 2005; Licitra G. et al 2008). The importance of terpenes is linked to the fodder plants ingested by the cows, rather than being microbial in origin, proving the significant role played by grazing in the cows' diets. These results have been corroborated by other researchers studying other products (Dumont, J. P. et al 1978; Bugaud, C. et al 2001a and 2001c; Carpino S. et al 2004a and 2004b).

| (2) | The constant and unfaltering use of traditional cheesemaking and ageing methods passed down from generation to generation, in particular the following:






  (a) | The use of raw whole milk. |
| --- | --- | --- |

(2)

The constant and unfaltering use of traditional cheesemaking and ageing methods passed down from generation to generation, in particular the following:

(a)

The use of raw whole milk.

| (b) | The use of wooden equipment which, by triggering the formation of specific biofilms, allows the native dairy microflora to develop spontaneously. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

The use of wooden equipment which, by triggering the formation of specific biofilms, allows the native dairy microflora to develop spontaneously.

| (c) | The development of the native dairy microflora: The use of commercial starter cultures is not permitted by the ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ product specification. All acidification processes are therefore brought about by the spontaneous development of native dairy microflora, triggered by the use of raw whole milk and the biofilms impregnating the wooden cheesemaking equipment, such as the tina (wooden vat), ruotula (a wooden paddle used to break up the curds), piddiaturi (wooden containers) manuvedda (a flattened wooden staff used for cutting) and tavuliere (a large wooden board). This bears out the link to the region of origin and the environment. Of particular importance are the biofilms colonising the wooden vats, which in matter of minutes release excellent and complex spontaneous dairy microflora. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

The development of the native dairy microflora: The use of commercial starter cultures is not permitted by the ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ product specification. All acidification processes are therefore brought about by the spontaneous development of native dairy microflora, triggered by the use of raw whole milk and the biofilms impregnating the wooden cheesemaking equipment, such as the tina (wooden vat), ruotula (a wooden paddle used to break up the curds), piddiaturi (wooden containers) manuvedda (a flattened wooden staff used for cutting) and tavuliere (a large wooden board). This bears out the link to the region of origin and the environment. Of particular importance are the biofilms colonising the wooden vats, which in matter of minutes release excellent and complex spontaneous dairy microflora.

| (d) | The use of kid or lamb rennet paste, with its natural enzyme complement, as well as inducing the coagulation process, contributes significantly and to an increasing extent to the proteolytic and lipolytic processes as the cheese ages (Condurso C. et al 2006, Ziino M. et al 2005, Cronin T. et al 2007), creating a specific and characteristic aromatic profile. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

The use of kid or lamb rennet paste, with its natural enzyme complement, as well as inducing the coagulation process, contributes significantly and to an increasing extent to the proteolytic and lipolytic processes as the cheese ages (Condurso C. et al 2006, Ziino M. et al 2005, Cronin T. et al 2007), creating a specific and characteristic aromatic profile.

| (e) | The cheesemaker's experience and know-how is definitely one of the factors that shape the quality of the end product. Traditional cheesemaking methods require a complex oversight of many non-standardised natural biological processes (such as coagulation time, curd acidification, or cutting and stretching the curds), meaning that, on a daily basis, the cheesemaker needs to gauge every process and decide whether to intervene in light of the macro- and micro-climatic environmental conditions and the quality of the raw milk — all factors that can be linked back to the territory of origin. Over time, thanks to the cheesemakers' skill and wisdom, two unique varieties of ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ have been developed: con limone verde, with a green lemon, and sfoglia. The latter is made using more precise and specific cheesemaking techniques when breaking up the curds in the vat and during the cutting and stretching process, as well as with changes in temperature and moisture content during the ageing process, linked to the natural environment of the ageing premises. Following further proteolysis and the reduction in the pH and moisture content of the cheese, bundles of long cheese fibres aligned in parallel begin to split off, revealing a flaky texture known by cheesemakers and ageing specialists as sfoglia. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

The cheesemaker's experience and know-how is definitely one of the factors that shape the quality of the end product. Traditional cheesemaking methods require a complex oversight of many non-standardised natural biological processes (such as coagulation time, curd acidification, or cutting and stretching the curds), meaning that, on a daily basis, the cheesemaker needs to gauge every process and decide whether to intervene in light of the macro- and micro-climatic environmental conditions and the quality of the raw milk — all factors that can be linked back to the territory of origin. Over time, thanks to the cheesemakers' skill and wisdom, two unique varieties of ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ have been developed: con limone verde, with a green lemon, and sfoglia. The latter is made using more precise and specific cheesemaking techniques when breaking up the curds in the vat and during the cutting and stretching process, as well as with changes in temperature and moisture content during the ageing process, linked to the natural environment of the ageing premises. Following further proteolysis and the reduction in the pH and moisture content of the cheese, bundles of long cheese fibres aligned in parallel begin to split off, revealing a flaky texture known by cheesemakers and ageing specialists as sfoglia.

| (f) | The cheesemakers' decision to make larger cheeses weighing up to 10 kg, suitable for withstanding long ageing periods (unique in Sicily) — sometimes more than a year. Historically this was also necessary because access to markets could be restricted for long periods of time (snowy winters with particularly harsh weather conditions in the Nebrodi mountains). |
| --- | --- |

(f)

The cheesemakers' decision to make larger cheeses weighing up to 10 kg, suitable for withstanding long ageing periods (unique in Sicily) — sometimes more than a year. Historically this was also necessary because access to markets could be restricted for long periods of time (snowy winters with particularly harsh weather conditions in the Nebrodi mountains).

| (g) | The cool and well-ventilated premises in which the cheese is aged, reflecting the climate of the mountain areas of the Nebrodi region: long and fairly harsh winters followed by mild summers that are not muggy. Rainfall ranges from 500 to 1 400 mm and average annual temperatures are 12-14 °C, with considerable fluctuations between winter and summer, when they rarely exceed 25-28 °C, with 60-90 % humidity. The ageing process is tailored to the time of year and the associated weather conditions, as well as to the type of ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ being made (semi-stagionata, stagionata or sfoglia). |
| --- | --- |

(g)

The cool and well-ventilated premises in which the cheese is aged, reflecting the climate of the mountain areas of the Nebrodi region: long and fairly harsh winters followed by mild summers that are not muggy. Rainfall ranges from 500 to 1 400 mm and average annual temperatures are 12-14 °C, with considerable fluctuations between winter and summer, when they rarely exceed 25-28 °C, with 60-90 % humidity. The ageing process is tailored to the time of year and the associated weather conditions, as well as to the type of ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ being made (semi-stagionata, stagionata or sfoglia).

| (h) | ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ is one of the oldest cheeses in Sicily. As its unique characteristics are the result of knowledge handed down by word of mouth from generation to generation for centuries, particular importance is attached to its appearance in the writings of the priest Gaetano Salomone from 1870 and 1872 (Il Manuale Teorico-Pratico D'Agricoltura e Pastorizia, adattato all'Intelligenza popolare delle persone del circondario di Mistretta (‘Manual of farming and stockbreeding theory and practice, adapted to the intelligence levels of the inhabitants of Mistretta district’)). Back in the late 19th century, these writings described the traditional methods used to make ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’, which are reflected in today's cheesemaking systems. Other historians have also discussed ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’, including Antonino Uccello in Cultura casearia in Sicilia (‘Cheesemaking culture in Sicily’), Bovari, Pecorai, Curatuli 1980, and Giuseppe Martorana in I Vistiamara (‘The Shepherds’), 1988. Their accounts also demonstrate the uniqueness of ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’, linked to the wild and sown pasture grasses of the territory of origin as well as the traditional cheesemaking and ageing practices used consistently by cheesemakers for generations. |
| --- | --- |

(h)

‘Provola dei Nebrodi’ is one of the oldest cheeses in Sicily. As its unique characteristics are the result of knowledge handed down by word of mouth from generation to generation for centuries, particular importance is attached to its appearance in the writings of the priest Gaetano Salomone from 1870 and 1872 (Il Manuale Teorico-Pratico D'Agricoltura e Pastorizia, adattato all'Intelligenza popolare delle persone del circondario di Mistretta (‘Manual of farming and stockbreeding theory and practice, adapted to the intelligence levels of the inhabitants of Mistretta district’)). Back in the late 19th century, these writings described the traditional methods used to make ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’, which are reflected in today's cheesemaking systems. Other historians have also discussed ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’, including Antonino Uccello in Cultura casearia in Sicilia (‘Cheesemaking culture in Sicily’), Bovari, Pecorai, Curatuli 1980, and Giuseppe Martorana in I Vistiamara (‘The Shepherds’), 1988. Their accounts also demonstrate the uniqueness of ‘Provola dei Nebrodi’, linked to the wild and sown pasture grasses of the territory of origin as well as the traditional cheesemaking and ageing practices used consistently by cheesemakers for generations.

| (3) | A complex aromatic profile that is increasingly marked as ageing progresses, made up of over 60 volatile components and numerous flavours linked to the presence of acids, alcohols, esters, ketones, sulphur products, aliphatic aldehydes and terpenes, which develop during ageing (Verzera A. et al 2004; Ziino M. et al 2005; Licitra G. et al 2008). Profile linked to the ingestion of the local forage by the cows and the enzyme processes of raw milk, as well as by the rennet used and the native dairy microflora, guaranteeing a product made in an ecologically sustainable and environmentally friendly way and a high rate of biodiversity. The ageing process brings out marked sensory notes, from the colour (ivory white to amber yellow) to the prevailing notes of ‘butyric acid, green grass, mushrooms and hay’, evidencing the cheese's close links with the local territory and the types of grass on which the cows graze. A citrus scent prevails in the con limone verde variety. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

A complex aromatic profile that is increasingly marked as ageing progresses, made up of over 60 volatile components and numerous flavours linked to the presence of acids, alcohols, esters, ketones, sulphur products, aliphatic aldehydes and terpenes, which develop during ageing (Verzera A. et al 2004; Ziino M. et al 2005; Licitra G. et al 2008). Profile linked to the ingestion of the local forage by the cows and the enzyme processes of raw milk, as well as by the rennet used and the native dairy microflora, guaranteeing a product made in an ecologically sustainable and environmentally friendly way and a high rate of biodiversity. The ageing process brings out marked sensory notes, from the colour (ivory white to amber yellow) to the prevailing notes of ‘butyric acid, green grass, mushrooms and hay’, evidencing the cheese's close links with the local territory and the types of grass on which the cows graze. A citrus scent prevails in the con limone verde variety.

Reference to publication of the product specification

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

The consolidated text of the product specification is available on the following website: http://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/3335

or alternatively:

by going directly to the home page of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy (www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Qualità’ (at the top right of the screen), then on ‘Prodotti DOP IGP STG’ (on the left-hand side of the screen) and finally on ‘Disciplinari di Produzione all'esame dell'UE’.

---

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

---

| 31.7.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 257/23 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

31.7.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/23

---

INFORMATION NOTICE — PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Geographical indications proposed by New Zealand to be protected in the EU

(2019/C 257/06)

Within the framework of negotiations with New Zealand for a Free Trade Agreement (hereafter ‘the Agreement’) including a chapter on Geographical Indications, the authorities from New Zealand have presented, for protection under the Agreement, the attached list of Geographical Indications. The European Commission is currently considering whether these Geographical Indications shall be protected under the future Agreement as Geographical Indications within the meaning of Article 22(1) of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.

The Commission invites any Member State or third country or any natural or legal person having a legitimate interest, resident or established in a Member State or in a third country, to submit oppositions to such protection by lodging a duly substantiated statement.

Statements of opposition must reach the Commission within two months of the date of publication of this notice. Statements of opposition should be sent to the following email address: AGRI-A4@ec.europa.eu

Statements of opposition shall be examined only if they are received within the time-limit set out above and if they show that the protection of the name proposed would:

| (a) | conflict with the name of a plant variety or an animal breed and as a result is likely to mislead the consumer as to the true origin of the product; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

conflict with the name of a plant variety or an animal breed and as a result is likely to mislead the consumer as to the true origin of the product;

| (b) | be wholly or partially homonymous with that of a name already protected in the Union under Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products (1) or contained in the agreements the Union has concluded with the following countries:






  — | Korea (2) |
| --- | --- | --- |

(b)

be wholly or partially homonymous with that of a name already protected in the Union under Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products (1) or contained in the agreements the Union has concluded with the following countries:

—

Korea (2)

| — | Central America (3) |
| --- | --- |

—

Central America (3)

| — | Colombia, Peru and Ecuador (4) |
| --- | --- |

—

Colombia, Peru and Ecuador (4)

| — | Montenegro (5) |
| --- | --- |

—

Montenegro (5)

| — | Bosnia and Herzegovina (6) |
| --- | --- |

—

Bosnia and Herzegovina (6)

| — | Serbia (7) |
| --- | --- |

—

Serbia (7)

| — | Moldova (8) |
| --- | --- |

—

Moldova (8)

| — | South Africa (9) |
| --- | --- |

—

South Africa (9)

| — | CARIFORUM (10) |
| --- | --- |

—

CARIFORUM (10)

| — | Ukraine (11) |
| --- | --- |

—

Ukraine (11)

| — | Switzerland (12) |
| --- | --- |

—

Switzerland (12)

| — | Armenia (13) |
| --- | --- |

—

Armenia (13)

| — | Australia (14) |
| --- | --- |

—

Australia (14)

| — | Chile (15) |
| --- | --- |

—

Chile (15)

| — | Republic of North Macedonia (16) |
| --- | --- |

—

Republic of North Macedonia (16)

| — | Canada (17) |
| --- | --- |

—

Canada (17)

| — | United States (18) |
| --- | --- |

—

United States (18)

| — | Albania (19) |
| --- | --- |

—

Albania (19)

| — | Kosovo (*1) (20) |
| --- | --- |

—

Kosovo (*1) (20)

| — | Japan (21); |
| --- | --- |

—

Japan (21);

| (c) | in the light of a trade mark’s reputation and renown and the length of time it has been used, be liable to mislead the consumer as to the true identity of the product; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

in the light of a trade mark’s reputation and renown and the length of time it has been used, be liable to mislead the consumer as to the true identity of the product;

| (d) | jeopardise the existence of an entirely or partly identical name or of a trade mark or the existence of products which have been legally on the market for at least five years preceding the date of the publication of this notice; or |
| --- | --- |

(d)

jeopardise the existence of an entirely or partly identical name or of a trade mark or the existence of products which have been legally on the market for at least five years preceding the date of the publication of this notice; or

| (e) | if they can give details from which it can be concluded that the name for which protection is considered is generic. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

if they can give details from which it can be concluded that the name for which protection is considered is generic.

The criteria referred to above shall be evaluated in relation to the territory of the Union, which in the case of intellectual property rights refers only to the territory or territories where the said rights are protected. The possible protection of these names in the European Union is subject to the successful conclusion of these negotiations and subsequent legal act.

List of Geographical Indications (22)

| Geographical indications proposed by New Zealand to be protected in the EU | Product category |
| --- | --- |
| Northland | Wine |
| Auckland | Wine |
| Matakana | Wine |
| Kumeu | Wine |
| Waiheke Island | Wine |
| Gisborne | Wine |
| Hawke’s Bay/Hawkes Bay | Wine |
| Central Hawke’s Bay/Central Hawkes Bay | Wine |
| Wairarapa | Wine |
| Gladstone | Wine |
| Martinborough | Wine |
| Nelson | Wine |
| Marlborough | Wine |
| Canterbury | Wine |
| Waipara Valley/Waipara | Wine |
| Waitaki Valley North Otago/Waitaki Valley | Wine |
| Central Otago | Wine |

Geographical indications proposed by New Zealand to be protected in the EU

Product category

Northland

Wine

Auckland

Wine

Matakana

Wine

Kumeu

Wine

Waiheke Island

Wine

Gisborne

Wine

Hawke’s Bay/Hawkes Bay

Wine

Central Hawke’s Bay/Central Hawkes Bay

Wine

Wairarapa

Wine

Gladstone

Wine

Martinborough

Wine

Nelson

Wine

Marlborough

Wine

Canterbury

Wine

Waipara Valley/Waipara

Wine

Waitaki Valley North Otago/Waitaki Valley

Wine

Central Otago

Wine

---

(1)  OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671.

(2)  Council Decision 2011/265/EU of 16 September 2010 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part (OJ L 127, 14.5.2011, p. 1).

(3)  Agreement establishing an Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and Central America on the other (OJ L 346, 15.12.2012, p. 3).

(4)  Trade Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Colombia and Peru, of the other part (OJ L 354, 21.12.2012, p. 3), and Protocol of Accession to the Trade Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Colombia and Peru, of the other part, to take account of the accession of Ecuador (OJ L 356, 24.12.2016, p. 3).

(5)  Council Decision 2007/855/EC of 15 October 2007 concerning the signing and conclusion of the Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community, of the one part, and the Republic of Montenegro, of the other part (OJ L 345, 28.12.2007, p. 1).

(6)  Council Decision 2008/474/EC of 16 June 2008 on the signing and conclusion of the Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community, of the one part, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, of the other part — Protocol 6 (OJ L 169, 30.6.2008, p. 10).

(7)  Council and Commission Decision 2013/490/EU, Euratom of 22 July 2013 on the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement matters between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Serbia, of the other part (OJ L 278, 18.10.2013, p. 14).

(8)  Council Decision 2013/7/EU of 3 December 2012 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on the protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs (OJ L 10, 15.1.2013, p. 1).

(9)  Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the SADC EPA States, of the other part (OJ L 250, 16.9.2016, p. 3).

(10)  Economic Partnership Agreement between the CARIFORUM States, of the one part, and the EU (OJ L 289, 30.10.2008).

(11)  Association Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Ukraine, of the other part (OJ L 161, 29.5.2014, p. 3).

(12)  Decision of the Council, and of the Commission 2002/309/EC as regards the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, of 4 April 2002 on the conclusion of seven Agreements with the Swiss Confederation, and in particular the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in Agricultural products (OJ L 114, 30.4.2002, p. 132).

(13)  Comprehensive And Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part (OJ L 23, 26.1.2018, p. 4).

(14)  Council Decision 2009/49/EC of 28 November 2008 concerning the conclusion of an Agreement between the European Community and Australia on trade in wine (OJ L 28, 30.1.2009, p. 1).

(15)  Council Decision 2002/979/EC of 18 November 2002 on the signature and provisional application of certain provisions of an Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Chile, of the other part (OJ L 352, 30.12.2002, p. 1).

(16)  Council Decision 2001/916/EC of 3 December 2001 on the conclusion of an Additional Protocol adjusting the trade aspects of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, to take account of the outcome of the negotiations between the parties on reciprocal preferential concessions for certain wines, the reciprocal recognition, protection and control of wine names and the reciprocal recognition, protection and control of designations for spirits and aromatised drinks (OJ L 342, 27.12.2001, p. 6).

(17)  Council Decision 2004/91/EC of 30 July 2003 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and Canada on trade in wines and spirit drinks (OJ L 35, 6.2.2004, p. 1).

(18)  Council Decision 2006/232/EC of 20 December 2005 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on trade in wine (OJ L 87, 24.3.2006, p. 1).

(19)  Council Decision 2006/580/EC of 12 June 2006 concerning the signing and conclusion of the Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community, of the one part, and the Republic of Albania, of the other part — Protocol 3 on reciprocal preferential concessions for certain wines, the reciprocal recognition, protection and control of wine, spirit drinks and aromatised wine names (OJ L 239, 1.9.2006, p. 1).

(*1)  This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

(20)  Council Decision (EU) 2016/342 of 12 February 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo, of the other part (OJ L 71, 16.3.2016, p. 1).

(21)  Council Decision (EU) 2018/1907 of 20 December 2018 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Japan for an Economic Partnership (OJ L 330, 27.12.2018, p. 1).

(22)  List provided by the authorities of New Zealand in the framework of the negotiations, and registered in New Zealand.

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