# Official Journal C 56/2020

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 56 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 6319 February 2020 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 56

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 6319 February 2020

---

| Contents | page |
| --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2020/C 56/01 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9332 — Ericsson/Kathrein Antenna and Filter Assets) (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2020/C 56/02 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9433 — MEIF 6 Fibre/KCOM Group) (
  1
  ) | 2 |
| 2020/C 56/03 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9466 — Infineon/Cypress) (
  1
  ) | 3 |

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2020/C 56/01

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9332 — Ericsson/Kathrein Antenna and Filter Assets) (
  1
  )

1

1

2020/C 56/02

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9433 — MEIF 6 Fibre/KCOM Group) (
  1
  )

1

2

2020/C 56/03

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9466 — Infineon/Cypress) (
  1
  )

1

3

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| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2020/C 56/04 | Euro exchange rates — 18 February 2020 | 4 |
| | Court of Auditors |
| 2020/C 56/05 | Special Report 3/2020 The Commission contributes to nuclear safety in the EU, but updates required | 5 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2020/C 56/04

Euro exchange rates — 18 February 2020

4

Court of Auditors

2020/C 56/05

Special Report 3/2020 The Commission contributes to nuclear safety in the EU, but updates required

5

---

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2020/C 56/06 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9665 — Generali Real Estate/Apleona Real Estate/Property Management JV) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| 2020/C 56/07 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9649 — TSR Recycling/Sims Metal Management (Certain recycling assets)) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 8 |
| 2020/C 56/08 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case: M.9623—AMG/Shell/JV) (
  1
  ) | 9 |
| 2020/C 56/09 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9740 — ISQ/Rubis/Rubis Terminal) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 10 |
| 2020/C 56/10 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9754 — KII/INFOR) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 11 |
| 2020/C 56/11 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9735 — Amex/GBT) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 12 |
| 2020/C 56/12 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9739 — AXA/Groupe Crédit Agricole/ELL Luxembourg 2) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 13 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2020/C 56/13 | Information Notice – Public Consultation Geographical Indications from Colombia and Peru to be protected as Geographical Indications in the European Union | 14 |
| 2020/C 56/14 | Communication of the approval of a standard amendment to a product specification for a name in the wine sector, as referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 | 16 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2020/C 56/06

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9665 — Generali Real Estate/Apleona Real Estate/Property Management JV) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

6

2020/C 56/07

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9649 — TSR Recycling/Sims Metal Management (Certain recycling assets)) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

8

2020/C 56/08

Prior notification of a concentration (Case: M.9623—AMG/Shell/JV) (
  1
  )

1

9

2020/C 56/09

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9740 — ISQ/Rubis/Rubis Terminal) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

10

2020/C 56/10

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9754 — KII/INFOR) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

11

2020/C 56/11

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9735 — Amex/GBT) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

12

2020/C 56/12

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9739 — AXA/Groupe Crédit Agricole/ELL Luxembourg 2) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

13

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2020/C 56/13

Information Notice – Public Consultation Geographical Indications from Colombia and Peru to be protected as Geographical Indications in the European Union

14

2020/C 56/14

Communication of the approval of a standard amendment to a product specification for a name in the wine sector, as referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33

16

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

---

(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

| 19.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 56/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 56/1

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.9332 — Ericsson/Kathrein Antenna and Filter Assets)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 56/01)

On 20 August 2019, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32019M9332. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32019M9332. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

---

| 19.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 56/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 56/2

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.9433 — MEIF 6 Fibre/KCOM Group)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 56/02)

On 18 October 2019, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32019M9433. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32019M9433. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

---

| 19.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 56/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 56/3

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.9466 — Infineon/Cypress)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 56/03)

On 16 October 2019, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32019M9466. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32019M9466. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 19.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 56/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 56/4

---

Euro exchange rates (1)

18 February 2020

(2020/C 56/04)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,0816 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 118,70 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4702 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,82985 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,5498 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,0619 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 137,70 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 10,0883 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 24,898 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 334,83 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,2746 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,7823 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 6,5643 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,6195 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4345 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,4024 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6921 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5058 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 288,74 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 16,2792 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,5732 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,4440 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 14 780,06 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,4919 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 54,799 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 68,9685 |
| THB | Thai baht | 33,773 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 4,7009 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 20,1596 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 77,3900 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,0816

JPY

Japanese yen

118,70

DKK

Danish krone

7,4702

GBP

Pound sterling

0,82985

SEK

Swedish krona

10,5498

CHF

Swiss franc

1,0619

ISK

Iceland króna

137,70

NOK

Norwegian krone

10,0883

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

24,898

HUF

Hungarian forint

334,83

PLN

Polish zloty

4,2746

RON

Romanian leu

4,7823

TRY

Turkish lira

6,5643

AUD

Australian dollar

1,6195

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4345

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,4024

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6921

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5058

KRW

South Korean won

1 288,74

ZAR

South African rand

16,2792

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,5732

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,4440

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

14 780,06

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,4919

PHP

Philippine peso

54,799

RUB

Russian rouble

68,9685

THB

Thai baht

33,773

BRL

Brazilian real

4,7009

MXN

Mexican peso

20,1596

INR

Indian rupee

77,3900

---

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

---

Court of Auditors

| 19.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 56/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 56/5

---

Special Report 3/2020

‘The Commission contributes to nuclear safety in the EU, but updates required’

(2020/C 56/05)

The European Court of Auditors hereby informs you that Special Report 3/2020 ‘The Commission contributes to nuclear safety in the EU, but updates required’ has just been published.

The report can be accessed for consultation or downloading on the European Court of Auditors’ Internet: http://eca.europa.eu.

---

V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 19.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 56/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 56/6

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9665 — Generali Real Estate/Apleona Real Estate/Property Management JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 56/06)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | Generali Real Estate S.p.A. (‘Generali RE’, Italy), controlled by Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A (Italy); |
| --- | --- |

—

Generali Real Estate S.p.A. (‘Generali RE’, Italy), controlled by Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A (Italy);

| — | Apleona Real Estate GmbH (‘Apleona RE’, Germany), belonging to the Apleana Group (Germany) and indirectly controlled by EQT AB (Sweden). |
| --- | --- |

—

Apleona Real Estate GmbH (‘Apleona RE’, Germany), belonging to the Apleana Group (Germany) and indirectly controlled by EQT AB (Sweden).

Generali RE and Apleona RE acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a newly created property management joint venture (‘the JV’).

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.

2.

| — | for Generali RE: a real estate asset manager, operating with an integrated business model providing the full scope of asset management including property management services. |
| --- | --- |

—

for Generali RE: a real estate asset manager, operating with an integrated business model providing the full scope of asset management including property management services.

| — | for Apleona RE: offers management services for real estate of all types of use. Apleona RE is part of the Apleona Group, a European group of companies active in integrated facility management, technology development and real-estate management with all commercial services, real estate marketing and leasing. Apleona Group, in turn, is owned by EQT VII (Luxembourg), an investment fund which is part of the EQT group, a group of private investment funds ultimately controlled by EQT AB (Sweden). |
| --- | --- |

—

for Apleona RE: offers management services for real estate of all types of use. Apleona RE is part of the Apleona Group, a European group of companies active in integrated facility management, technology development and real-estate management with all commercial services, real estate marketing and leasing. Apleona Group, in turn, is owned by EQT VII (Luxembourg), an investment fund which is part of the EQT group, a group of private investment funds ultimately controlled by EQT AB (Sweden).

| — | for the JV: provision of property management services in Austria. |
| --- | --- |

—

for the JV: provision of property management services in Austria.

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.9665 — Generali Real Estate/Apleona Real Estate/Property Management JV

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 |

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

---

| 19.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 56/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 56/8

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9649 — TSR Recycling/Sims Metal Management (Certain recycling assets))

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 56/07)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | TSR Recycling GmbH & Co. KG and TSR Recycling Holding GmbH (together ‘TSR Recycling’, Germany), belonging to the Remondis group (Germany), which is ultimately controlled by Rethmann SE & Co. KG (Germany), |
| --- | --- |

—

TSR Recycling GmbH & Co. KG and TSR Recycling Holding GmbH (together ‘TSR Recycling’, Germany), belonging to the Remondis group (Germany), which is ultimately controlled by Rethmann SE & Co. KG (Germany),

| — | Mirec B.V. (Netherlands), Sims M+R GmbH (Germany), Sims Recycling Solutions AB (Sweden), Sims Recycling Solutions Austrian Holdings GmbH (Austria) (together the ‘Target Companies’), all belonging to Sims Metal Management Limited (US). |
| --- | --- |

—

Mirec B.V. (Netherlands), Sims M+R GmbH (Germany), Sims Recycling Solutions AB (Sweden), Sims Recycling Solutions Austrian Holdings GmbH (Austria) (together the ‘Target Companies’), all belonging to Sims Metal Management Limited (US).

TSR Recycling acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of the Target Companies.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.

| — | TSR Recycling: trading and processing of secondary raw material for steel producers and the foundry industry. TSR Recycling collects, stores and processes metal and electronic scrap. TSR Recycling also offers waste disposal and environmental services. TSR Recycling operates recycling facilities in Germany and across Europe, |
| --- | --- |

—

TSR Recycling: trading and processing of secondary raw material for steel producers and the foundry industry. TSR Recycling collects, stores and processes metal and electronic scrap. TSR Recycling also offers waste disposal and environmental services. TSR Recycling operates recycling facilities in Germany and across Europe,

| — | Target Companies: electronic recycling and processing of metal mixtures from different recycling processes. The Target Companies operate facilities in Bergkamen (Germany), Eindhoven (Netherlands), Sint Niklaas (Belgium), Mullendorf (Austria) and Katrinenholm (Sweden). |
| --- | --- |

—

Target Companies: electronic recycling and processing of metal mixtures from different recycling processes. The Target Companies operate facilities in Bergkamen (Germany), Eindhoven (Netherlands), Sint Niklaas (Belgium), Mullendorf (Austria) and Katrinenholm (Sweden).

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.9649 — TSR Recycling/Sims Metal Management (Certain recycling assets)

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

E-mail: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

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

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

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

1

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

2

---

| 19.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 56/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 56/9

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case: M.9623—AMG/Shell/JV)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 56/08)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (‘AMG’, the Netherlands), |
| --- | --- |

—

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (‘AMG’, the Netherlands),

| — | Shell Overseas Investments B.V. (‘SOI’, the Netherlands), a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc (‘Shell’, United Kingdom), |
| --- | --- |

—

Shell Overseas Investments B.V. (‘SOI’, the Netherlands), a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc (‘Shell’, United Kingdom),

| — | Shell & AMG Recycling B.V. (‘S&AR’, the Netherlands). |
| --- | --- |

—

Shell & AMG Recycling B.V. (‘S&AR’, the Netherlands).

AMG and Shell acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of S&AR.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.

2.

| — | AMG is a global specialty metals and engineering group. It is also active in recycling spent resid catalysts, generated from crude oil processing by refineries, in North America and selling of the metals extracted through the recycling process, |
| --- | --- |

—

AMG is a global specialty metals and engineering group. It is also active in recycling spent resid catalysts, generated from crude oil processing by refineries, in North America and selling of the metals extracted through the recycling process,

| — | Shell is a global group of entities active in the exploration, development and production of oil and gas. It also supplies fresh resid catalysts for use in the refining and petrochemical processing industries, |
| --- | --- |

—

Shell is a global group of entities active in the exploration, development and production of oil and gas. It also supplies fresh resid catalysts for use in the refining and petrochemical processing industries,

| — | S&AR will be active, outside North America, in recycling spent resid catalysts and selling of the metals extracted through the recycling process. |
| --- | --- |

—

S&AR will be active, outside North America, in recycling spent resid catalysts and selling of the metals extracted through the recycling process.

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.9623—AMG/Shell/JV

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 |

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

---

| 19.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 56/10 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 56/10

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9740 — ISQ/Rubis/Rubis Terminal)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 56/09)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | I Squared Capital Advisors LLC (‘ISQ’, United States), |
| --- | --- |

—

I Squared Capital Advisors LLC (‘ISQ’, United States),

| — | Rubis SCA (‘Rubis’, France), |
| --- | --- |

—

Rubis SCA (‘Rubis’, France),

| — | Rubis Terminal S.A. (‘Rubis Terminal’, France), currently controlled by Rubis. |
| --- | --- |

—

Rubis Terminal S.A. (‘Rubis Terminal’, France), currently controlled by Rubis.

ISQ acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the whole of Rubis Terminal, alongside Rubis.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.

| — | for ISQ: investment company focusing on sectors such as energy, utilities, telecommunication and transport at a global level. |
| --- | --- |

—

for ISQ: investment company focusing on sectors such as energy, utilities, telecommunication and transport at a global level.

| — | for Rubis: company specialised in the distribution of petroleum products and storage of liquid products (including petroleum products, chemicals, agricultural products and fertilizers) at a global level. |
| --- | --- |

—

for Rubis: company specialised in the distribution of petroleum products and storage of liquid products (including petroleum products, chemicals, agricultural products and fertilizers) at a global level.

| — | for Rubis Terminal: business division of Rubis that mainly operates bulk storage terminals in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Turkey. |
| --- | --- |

—

for Rubis Terminal: business division of Rubis that mainly operates bulk storage terminals in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Turkey.

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.9740 — ISQ/Rubis/Rubis Terminal

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 |

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

---

| 19.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 56/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 56/11

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9754 — KII/INFOR)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 56/10)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | Koch Industries, Inc. (‘KII’, United States), |
| --- | --- |

—

Koch Industries, Inc. (‘KII’, United States),

| — | Infor, Inc. (‘Infor’, United States), currently jointly controlled by Koch Industries Inc. and Golden Gate Private Equity, Inc. |
| --- | --- |

—

Infor, Inc. (‘Infor’, United States), currently jointly controlled by Koch Industries Inc. and Golden Gate Private Equity, Inc.

KII acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of Infor.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.

| — | for KII: privately held corporation that owns a diverse group of companies involved in refining and chemicals, process and pollution control equipment and technologies, minerals, fertilizers, commodity trading and services, polymers and fibers, glass, forest and consumer products, electronic components, ranching, printing and packing, enterprise software and investments. |
| --- | --- |

—

for KII: privately held corporation that owns a diverse group of companies involved in refining and chemicals, process and pollution control equipment and technologies, minerals, fertilizers, commodity trading and services, polymers and fibers, glass, forest and consumer products, electronic components, ranching, printing and packing, enterprise software and investments.

| — | for Infor: international provider of enterprise resource planning software and related services globally. |
| --- | --- |

—

for Infor: international provider of enterprise resource planning software and related services globally.

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.9754 — KII/INFOR

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 |

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

---

| 19.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 56/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 56/12

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9735 — Amex/GBT)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 56/11)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | American Express Company (‘Amex’, United States); |
| --- | --- |

—

American Express Company (‘Amex’, United States);

| — | GBT JerseyCo Limited (‘GBT’, Jersey), currently controlled by Amex and Qatar Holding LLC.
  Amex acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of GBT.
  The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares from Qatar Holding LLC and other shareholders by third parties, thereby reducing the shares of Qatar Holding LLC in GBT. |
| --- | --- |

—

GBT JerseyCo Limited (‘GBT’, Jersey), currently controlled by Amex and Qatar Holding LLC.

Amex acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of GBT.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares from Qatar Holding LLC and other shareholders by third parties, thereby reducing the shares of Qatar Holding LLC in GBT.

2.

| — | for Amex: multinational financial services. Amex, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, provides credit card financial services and business and leisure travel services to consumers and businesses around the world. Amex is active in payment card issuing and merchant acquiring worldwide. |
| --- | --- |

—

for Amex: multinational financial services. Amex, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, provides credit card financial services and business and leisure travel services to consumers and businesses around the world. Amex is active in payment card issuing and merchant acquiring worldwide.

| — | for GBT: provision of travel agency services to businesses, active globally. |
| --- | --- |

—

for GBT: provision of travel agency services to businesses, active globally.

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.9735 — Amex/GBT

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 |

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

---

| 19.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 56/13 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 56/13

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9739 — AXA/Groupe Crédit Agricole/ELL Luxembourg 2)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 56/12)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | AXA Real Estate Investment Managers France (‘AXA REIM France’, France), which is ultimately controlled by AXA S.A. (‘AXA’, France), |
| --- | --- |

—

AXA Real Estate Investment Managers France (‘AXA REIM France’, France), which is ultimately controlled by AXA S.A. (‘AXA’, France),

| — | Predica Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole S.A (‘Predica’, France), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crédit Agricole Assurances (‘CAA’, France), itself a wholly-owned subsidiary of Groupe Crédit Agricole (‘GCA’, France). |
| --- | --- |

—

Predica Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole S.A (‘Predica’, France), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crédit Agricole Assurances (‘CAA’, France), itself a wholly-owned subsidiary of Groupe Crédit Agricole (‘GCA’, France).

AXA REIM France and Predica acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of ELL Luxembourg 2 S.à r.l. (‘ELL’, Luxembourg).

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.

| — | for AXA REIM France: an asset and fund manager which is predominantely active in Europe and is ultimately controlled by AXA, a global insurance group, active in life, health and other forms of insurance, as well as investment management, |
| --- | --- |

—

for AXA REIM France: an asset and fund manager which is predominantely active in Europe and is ultimately controlled by AXA, a global insurance group, active in life, health and other forms of insurance, as well as investment management,

| — | for Predica: active in the the life and health insurance sector, in France. Predica belongs to GCA, a global group offering a wide range of banking and insurance related services, |
| --- | --- |

—

for Predica: active in the the life and health insurance sector, in France. Predica belongs to GCA, a global group offering a wide range of banking and insurance related services,

| — | for ELL: leasing of electric locomotives; its locomotives are designed for international and cross-border traffic and are operated all across continental Europe. |
| --- | --- |

—

for ELL: leasing of electric locomotives; its locomotives are designed for international and cross-border traffic and are operated all across continental Europe.

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.9739 — AXA/Groupe Crédit Agricole/ELL Luxembourg 2

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 |

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

---

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 19.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 56/14 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 56/14

---

INFORMATION NOTICE – PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Geographical Indications from Colombia and Peru to be protected as Geographical Indications in the European Union

(2020/C 56/13)

In the framework of the Trade Agreement between the European Union, and its Member States, and Colombia, Peru (1) and Ecuador (2), the Colombian and Peruvian authorities have presented the annexed list of Geographical Indications, protected as Geographical Indications in respectively Colombia and Peru, for protection under the Agreement. The European Commission is currently considering whether these Geographical Indications shall be also protected in the EU.

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 this publication. Statements of opposition should be sent to the following email address: AGRI-A3@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 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs (3) or with one of the geographical indications from non-EU countries protected in the EU under bilateral agreements publicly available at the following address:
  https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/food_safety_and_quality/documents/list-gis-non-eu-countries-protected-in-eu_en.pdf |
| --- | --- |

(b)

be wholly or partially homonymous with that of a name already protected in the Union under Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs (3) or with one of the geographical indications from non-EU countries protected in the EU under bilateral agreements publicly available at the following address:

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/food_safety_and_quality/documents/list-gis-non-eu-countries-protected-in-eu_en.pdf

| (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; |
| --- | --- |

(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;

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

(e)

or 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 protection of these names in the European Union is subject to the successful conclusion of this procedure and subsequent legal act adding these names to the above mentioned Agreement.

List of Geographical Indications from Colombia to be protected as Geographical Indications in the European Union for agricultural products and foodstuffs (4)

| Name | Short description |
| --- | --- |
| BOCADILLO VELEÑO | Fruit paste |

Name

Short description

BOCADILLO VELEÑO

Fruit paste

List of Geographical Indications from Peru to be protected as Geographical Indications in the European Union for agricultural products and foodstuffs (5)

| Name | Short description |
| --- | --- |
| ACEITUNA DE TACNA | Olive |
| CACAO AMAZONAS PERÚ | Cacao |
| CAFÉ MACHU PICCHU - HUADQUIÑA | Coffee |
| CAFÉ VILLA RICA | Coffee |
| LOCHE DE LAMBAYEQUE | Fruit |
| MACA JUNÍN-PASCO | Maca |

Name

Short description

ACEITUNA DE TACNA

Olive

CACAO AMAZONAS PERÚ

Cacao

CAFÉ MACHU PICCHU - HUADQUIÑA

Coffee

CAFÉ VILLA RICA

Coffee

LOCHE DE LAMBAYEQUE

Fruit

MACA JUNÍN-PASCO

Maca

---

(1)  OJ L 354, 21.12.2012, p. 1.

(2)  OJ L 356, 24.12.2016, p.1.

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

(4)  List provided by the Colombian authorities.

(5)  List provided by the authorities of Peru.

---

| 19.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 56/16 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 56/16

---

Communication of the approval of a standard amendment to a product specification for a name in the wine sector, as referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33

(2020/C 56/14)

This communication is published in accordance with Article 17(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (1).

COMMUNICATION OF APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT

‘Quarts de Chaume’

Reference number: PDO-FR-A0829-AM01

Date of communication: 14 November 2019

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Geographical area

Under ‘Geographical area’ the text has been amended to read as follows: ‘All steps in production must take place in the geographical area comprising the territory of the following commune in the department of Maine-et-Loire, based on the 2018 Official Geographical Code: Rochefort-sur-Loire.

Maps of this geographical area can be found on the website of the National Origin and Quality Institute.’

This is an editorial change: the new list of administrative entities reflects mergers and other administrative zoning changes that have taken place since the specification was approved. For greater legal certainty, the list is now referenced to the latest version of the Official Geographical Code, updated yearly by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE). The geographical area itself remains unchanged.

Finally, in the interests of better public information, the product specification now states that maps of the geographical area can be found on the National Origin and Quality Institute’s website.

Point 6 of the single document (Demarcated geographical area) has been amended accordingly.

2.   Area in immediate proximity

In Chapter I, Section IV, point 3, the list of communes has been replaced by:

Aubigné-sur-Layon, Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Bellevigne-en-Layon (the former territory of the delegated communes of Champ-sur-Layon, Faveraye-Mâchelles, Faye-d’Anjou, Rablay-sur-Layon and Thouarcé), Brissac Loire Aubance (the former territory of the delegated communes of Brissac-Quincé and Vauchrétien), Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Chemillé-en-Anjou (the former territory of the delegated commune of Chanzeaux), Denée, Doué-en-Anjou (the former territory of the delegated communes of Brigné and Les Verchers-sur-Layon), Mauges-sur-Loire (the former territory of the delegated communes of Montjean-sur-Loire and La Pommeraye), Mozé-sur-Louet, Savennières, Soulaines-sur-Aubance, Terranjou (the former territory of the delegated communes of Chavagnes and Notre-Dame-d’Allençon) and Val-du-Layon (the former territory of the delegated communes of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné and Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay).

This change reflects the various mergers of communes that have taken place since the previous version of the product specification was published. The area in immediate proximity itself remains unchanged.

Point 9 of the single document (Further conditions) has been amended accordingly.

3.   Agri-environmental rule

In Chapter I, Section VI, point 2, the following has been added: ‘Controlled green cover, whether naturally occurring or sown, must be in place between the rows; where there is no such green cover, the grower must perform weeding or justify the use of biocontrol products approved by the public authorities for use in winegrowing. Where biocontrol weedkillers are used on a parcel, no other weedkillers may be used.’

This amendment reflects how winegrowing practices throughout the Anjou area are evolving towards an agro-ecological approach, with technical procedures increasingly influenced by environmental concerns. Promoting the presence of green cover and the use of mechanical weeding or biocontrol products reduces chemical weedkiller use. This will help to protect vineyard soils and preserve their natural functions (fertility, biodiversity, biopurification), enhancing the quality and authenticity of wines and strengthening the concept of terroir.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

4.   Harvest announcement

In Chapter I, Section VII, point 1, the following sentence has been deleted: ‘The harvest start date is set in accordance with Article D645-6 of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.’

It is no longer necessary to set a date for beginning the harvest, as growers now have a wide range of tools at their disposal to help them accurately gauge grape ripeness. Each winegrower has access to equipment, whether owned individually or collectively, that makes it possible to pinpoint the best date to start harvesting each parcel, depending on production targets.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

5.   Winery capacity

Rather than ‘All winemakers must have the capacity to make at least 1.4 times the holding’s average yield over the last five years’, Chapter I, Section IX, point 1(c) now states that ‘All winemakers must have the capacity to make at least 1.4 times the average volume of wine made over the last five years’.

Rather than a volume-based capacity (expressed in hl or m3), the product specification used to refer to yield, i.e. harvest volume divided by production area (for example in hl/ha). The proposed amendment remedies this inconsistency in quantities, without any change to the substance of the rule (the minimum winery capacity is still 1,4 times the average volume of wine produced in previous years).

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

6.   Circulation of wines

Section IX(5)(b) of Chapter I, which stated the date on which wines could begin circulating between authorised warehousekeepers, has been deleted.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

7.   Transitional measure

The following has been added to Chapter I, Section XI: ‘The rules requiring winegrowers to have controlled green cover, whether naturally occurring or sown, in place between the rows or, alternatively, to perform weeding or use biocontrol products to control naturally occurring vegetation do not apply to vineyard parcels with a distance between rows of 1,70 m or less that are already in existence at the date of approval of this product specification.’

This transitional measure means that existing vineyards whose current configuration does not lend itself to compliance with the agri-environmental rules are not penalised. In high-density vineyards, namely those in which the rows are 1,70 m apart or closer, maintaining permanent grass cover or performing weeding operations may pose technical problems (mechanisation, equipment, tools). Grass cover increases the risk of spring frosts in low-hanging vines. Moreover, green cover would mean that these vines, already more densely planted, would have yet more vegetation to compete with for their water supply. On the other hand, for vines planted after the product specification is approved, the winegrowers will have full knowledge of the requirements and will have to comply with the new agri-environmental rules, regardless of vine density or the distance between rows.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

8.   Record-keeping

In Chapter II, Section II, point 3, the word ‘potential’ has been replaced by ‘natural’.

In line with all the other product specifications from the Anjou Saumur area, the terms ‘potential alcoholic strength’ or ‘alcohol content’ have been replaced with ‘natural alcoholic strength by volume’. These amendments improve the readability of the product specifications. The rules on record-keeping have been harmonised to make it easier to draw up the inspection plan and check the records.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

9.   Compliance checklist

Chapter III has been revised to ensure consistency across the checklists included in the different product specifications for Anjou Saumur wines.

The single document is not affected by this amendment.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1.   Name of product

Quarts de Chaume

2.   Type of geographical indication

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3.   Category of grapevine product

| 1. | Wine |
| --- | --- |

1.

Wine

4.   Description of the wine(s)

The wines are still white wines made from late-harvested grapes and their main analytical characteristics are as follows:

The wines have a minimum natural alcoholic strength of 18%.

After fermentation, the wines have a fermentable sugar content (glucose + fructose) of more than 85 g per litre.

The total acidity and total sulphur dioxide content are those laid down by EU legislation.

These are sweet white wines made exclusively from the Chenin B grape variety. They are powerful yet delicate, aromatically complex, with a superb balance between sweetness and nervosity on the palate, often accentuated by a hint of bitterness. They have remarkable ageing potential.

| General analytical characteristics |
| --- |
| Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) | 11 |
| Minimum total acidity | |
| Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) | 25 |
| Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) | |

General analytical characteristics

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

11

Minimum total acidity

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

25

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5.   Winemaking practices

a.   Essential oenological practices

Specific oenological practice

The use of screw hoppers, crusher-pumps and continuous presses is forbidden.

All enrichment techniques are banned; - Any practice that lowers the temperature of the harvested grapes to below -5 °C is forbidden; - The use of wood chips is forbidden.

The wines must be matured until at least 1 July of the year following the year of harvest.

In addition to the above provisions, all winemaking practices followed must also comply with the requirements laid down at EU level and in the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code.

Density

Cultivation method

The minimum planting density is 5 000 vines per hectare. Rows of vines may not be spaced more than 2 m apart. The vines making up a row must be spaced at least 1 m apart.

Vine pruning and training

Cultivation method

The vines must be pruned by 30 April, by the mixed pruning method, with a maximum of 12 count buds per vine. At the 11- or 12-leaf growth stage, each vine may not have more than ten fruiting canes for the year.

The foliage on the trellis must reach a height of at least 0,6 times the distance between the rows. This height is measured as the distance between the lower limit of the foliage (which must be at least 0,40 m above ground level) and the upper trimming limit (which must be at least 0,20 m above the upper trellis wire.

Cultivation method

Irrigation is not permitted

Harvesting

Cultivation method

The wines are made from late-harvested grapes.

The grapes are harvested by hand, with pickers passing through the vineyard several times.

Transporting the harvest

Cultivation method

The use of self-emptying harvest trailers with screws or vane pumps is forbidden.

In the containers used for transporting the harvest, the grapes must not be piled to a height of more than one metre.

b.   Maximum yields

25 hectolitres per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

All steps in production must take place in the geographical area comprising the territory of the following commune in the department of Maine-et-Loire, based on the 2018 Official Geographical Code: Rochefort-sur-Loire.

7.   Main wine grape variety(ies)

Chenin

8.   Description of the link(s)

1.   Information on the geographical area

a)   Description of the natural factors relevant to the link

Located in the heart of Anjou, the geographical area is crossed by steep hills stretching along an east-west axis above the river Layon. It lies entirely within the territory of the commune of Rochefort-sur-Loire. The parcels of land specifically demarcated for grape harvesting occupy around 40 hectares at the foot of these hills, facing south. They are located on the lowest slopes, in a bend in the Layon, which they overlook, with an altitude difference of between 25 m and 75 m from the lowest point to the highest.

The bedrock of the demarcated parcels is primarily Brioverian schist – one of the site’s defining features, as rock from this geological stage, though widespread on the Layon’s left bank, is found only in certain isolated spots on the right bank. The elevated portion of the demarcated parcel area features localised deposits of puddingstone (highly eroded conglomerates of pebbles that come from rivers). The soils themselves are also highly eroded, to the point that the bedrock is often exposed, but the vines are most often planted in very thin, clayey soils. These very shallow soils have very limited available water capacity, and the sloping ground gives them excellent drainage.

The area has a subtly distinctive oceanic climate, like that of the area demarcated for the production of ‘Coteaux de Layon’ AOC wines. It benefits from a foehn effect and is protected from the humidity of the ocean by the higher terrain of the Mauges massif to the west. As a result, annual precipitation is around 600 mm, while in the Mauges it is 800 mm. The small valley of Bezigon, formed by a bend in the river Layon, favours the occurrence of morning mists that conceal the vines until late morning during the autumn. This environment is sheltered from northerly, easterly and westerly winds and enjoys long hours of sunshine, allowing the gravelly soils to warm up during the springtime. The evergreen oaks that line the slopes, along with mimosa and almond trees, beautifully encapsulate the fabled douceur angevine.

b)   Description of the human factors relevant to the link

The vineyard derives its name from an old custom. In 1028, Fulk III, Count of Anjou, bequeathed a property located in the commune of Rochefort-sur-Loire to the Abbaye du Ronceray d’Angers. The nuns of this abbey, aware of the site’s value, were able to turn it to best advantage. Thus, in the 15th century, the lords of La Guerche, tenants of the Tènement de Chaume, would pay the nuns with ‘the best quarter of the standing crop on the reverse of the south-facing side’. Ronceray abbey’s continued use of this land over several centuries meant that many documents were kept containing references to the wines produced in the Tènement de Chaume, as evidenced by a summons dated 23 September 1674 regarding the setting of a date for the start of the harvest. In the 17th and 18th centuries, ‘Quarts de Chaume’ wines were highly sought after by Dutch brokers, who made the vineyard by the Layon their primary supplier.

After the French Revolution, ordinary citizens were able to acquire property within the geographical area. The vineyard was restructured and divided among several properties. The new owners sought to improve the quality of the wines produced. At the start of the 20th century, the practice of long pruning for the Chenin B grape variety was repeatedly criticised by Monsieur Mignot, the owner of the ‘Château de Bellerive’, for its adverse effects.

Winegrowers swiftly came to understand the benefits of harvesting this grape variety at an advanced stage of ripeness and of using certain specific harvesting methods. In Traité des cépages (1845), Count Odart argued that ‘It should also not be harvested until it is overripe, such as the condition it reaches towards All Saints’ Day, when the skins, tenderised by the rains, are sloughed off’. Thus, overripeness was one of the essential conditions for harvest sought by the growers. In Topographie de tous les vignobles connus (1816), André Jullien stated that: ‘At the good vineyards, the grape-pickers pass through the vineyard several times; the grapes picked in the first two passes are used only for the ripest wines, providing the wines to be shipped abroad, and the grapes from the third pass are used to make wines for local consumption’.

‘Quarts de Chaume’ was recognised as a registered designation of origin by decree on 10 August 1954, a just reflection of the area’s history and the concern for quality and authenticity that has motivated the winegrowers over successive generations.

2.   Information on the quality and characteristics of the product

Wines with the registered designation of origin ‘Quarts de Chaume’ are sweet white wines produced exclusively using the Chenin B grape variety. They are powerful yet delicate, aromatically complex, with a superb balance between sweetness and nervosity on the palate, often accentuated by a hint of bitterness. They have remarkable ageing potential.

3.   Causal interactions

The oceanic climate with a southern influence, together with the especially favourable topography, the uniquely exposed position at the foot of the hills and the shallow gravelly soils formed by the erosion of the Brioverian schist formations, are the factors that combine to make this site a perfect location for the production of great wines. Chenin B, a native grape variety, is able to flourish here and achieve its full potential, which expresses itself with a singular degree of power and elegance. Managed with the aim of producing small yields, the vines are very carefully tended by the growers.

The area owes its singular nature to its location, nestled within a bend of the river Layon. The early morning mists of autumn leave small drops of water on the skins of fully ripe grapes, favouring Botrytis cinerea infection. This fungus, responsible for noble rot, spreads over the golden bunches under the heat of the sun, increasing the grapes’ sugar concentration and enabling them to develop a greater aromatic complexity. Sometimes, during drier autumns, concentration is achieved via raisining (drying out the grapes), which takes place purely through the action of the wind and the heat. The grapes are then harvested manually, with successive tries (selections) being carried out for each parcel of land. The minimum sugar content required is 298 g per litre.

Among the vineyards of Anjou, several sites that regularly produce exceptional wines, such as ‘Quarts de Chaume’, have emerged over time. They lie at the heart of the best locations, with optimal topographical, soil and climatic conditions. They were identified and named centuries ago and both the vineyards and the cellars receive the greatest attention and care from the winegrowers. Year after year, they produce original wines that have dominated the Anjou wine rankings for centuries under the cru classification. Since the 15th century, wine from the Tènement de Chaume has been especially sought after. Initially its renown was only local, and is evidenced by the care it received from the abbess and the nuns of Ronceray, and by the following account from the Rochefort parish priest in the 1690s, who mentioned it by name when demanding his due: ‘a full cask of Chaulme wine, to be given to me by Monsieur de la Guerche from out of the nineteen that he collects from said Chaulme’.

The spread of the wines’ fame and reputation was greatly aided by the river Layon, which served as a navigational and commercial highway. It was via the Layon that, towards the end of the 18th century, Dutch merchants were able to visit the area and purchase ‘Quarts de Chaume’ wines, which travelled well by sea. In the 19th century, many writings praised these wines. They are mentioned in the French edition of A New Geographical, Historical, and Commercial Grammar by the Scottish geographer William Guthrie (1708-1770), published in 1802, and in L’Anjou, ses vignes et ses vins (1925) Paul Maisonneuve called them ‘the pearls of the Layon’.

The wines are matured over a period of several months, enabling them to develop remarkable keeping qualities as well as enhancing their aromatic complexity. The grand cru status they have acquired reflects the winegrowers’ mastery of the practices and techniques involved in producing these wines, as well as their historical renown built up and consolidated over the course of many generations.

9.   Essential further conditions (packaging, labelling, other requirements)

Area in immediate proximity

Legal framework:

EU legislation

Type of further condition:

Derogation concerning production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

The area in immediate proximity, in which winemaking can be performed by derogation, comprises the territory of the following communes in the department of Maine-et-Loire, based on the 2018 Official Geographical Code: Aubigné-sur-Layon, Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Bellevigne-en-Layon (the former territory of the delegated communes of Champ-sur-Layon, Faveraye-Mâchelles, Faye-d’Anjou, Rablay-sur-Layon and Thouarcé), Brissac Loire Aubance (the former territory of the delegated communes of Brissac-Quincé and Vauchrétien), Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Chemillé-en-Anjou (the former territory of the delegated commune of Chanzeaux), Denée, Doué-en-Anjou (the former territory of the delegated communes of Brigné and Les Verchers-sur-Layon), Mauges-sur-Loire (the former territory of the delegated communes of Montjean-sur-Loire and La Pommeraye), Mozé-sur-Louet, Savennières, Soulaines-sur-Aubance, Terranjou (the former territory of the delegated communes of Chavagnes and Notre-Dame-d’Allençon) and Val-du-Layon (the former territory of the delegated communes of Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné and Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay).

Labelling

Legal framework:

National legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

All optional terms whose use, under EU rules, may be regulated by the Member States must be printed on the labels in letters that are no larger, in height or in width, than twice the size of the letters spelling the registered designation of origin.

The name of the registered designation of origin may be supplemented by the traditional term grand cru in accordance with the rules laid down in the product specification.

The registered designation of origin may be supplemented by the geographical name ‘Val de Loire’ in accordance with the rules laid down in the product specification regarding the use of that name. The geographical name ‘Val de Loire’ must be printed in letters that are no larger, either in height or in width, than two thirds the size of the letters spelling the registered designation of origin.

The name of a smaller geographical unit may appear on the labels of wines covered by the registered designation of origin, provided that:

| — | it is a registered location; |
| --- | --- |

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it is a registered location;

| — | and it appears on the harvest declaration. |
| --- | --- |

—

and it appears on the harvest declaration.

The name of the registered location must be printed in letters that are no larger, either in height or in width, than half the size of the letters spelling the registered designation of origin.

Link to the product specification

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-abcfe31e-d643-4d13-8a1e-40bac856b9f5

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(1)  OJ L 9, 11.1.2019, p. 2.

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