# Official Journal C 170/2018

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 170 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 6117 May 2018 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 170

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 6117 May 2018

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | IV   Notices |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 170/01 | Euro exchange rates | 1 |
| | European Data Protection Supervisor |
| 2018/C 170/02 | Summary of the Opinion of the EDPS on eight negotiating mandates to conclude international agreements allowing the exchange of data between Europol and third countries | 2 |
| | NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA |
| | EFTA Surveillance Authority |
| 2018/C 170/03 | No state aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement | 5 |
| 2018/C 170/04 | State aid — Decision to raise no objections | 6 |

Notice No

Contents

page

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2018/C 170/01

Euro exchange rates

1

European Data Protection Supervisor

2018/C 170/02

Summary of the Opinion of the EDPS on eight negotiating mandates to conclude international agreements allowing the exchange of data between Europol and third countries

2

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

2018/C 170/03

No state aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement

5

2018/C 170/04

State aid — Decision to raise no objections

6

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 170/05 | Call for proposals under the multi-annual work programme for financial assistance in the field of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) — Transport sector for the period 2014-2020 (Commission Implementing Decision C(2018) 2226 of 19 April 2018 amending Implementing Decision C(2014) 1921) | 7 |
| | European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) |
| 2018/C 170/06 | Notice of open competitions | 8 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 170/07 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8861 — Comcast/Sky) (
  1
  ) | 9 |
| 2018/C 170/08 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8884 — Altor Funds/Trioplast Industrier) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 11 |
| 2018/C 170/09 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8887 — Platinum Equity/LifeScan) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 12 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

2018/C 170/05

Call for proposals under the multi-annual work programme for financial assistance in the field of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) — Transport sector for the period 2014-2020 (Commission Implementing Decision C(2018) 2226 of 19 April 2018 amending Implementing Decision C(2014) 1921)

7

European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)

2018/C 170/06

Notice of open competitions

8

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2018/C 170/07

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8861 — Comcast/Sky) (
  1
  )

1

9

2018/C 170/08

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8884 — Altor Funds/Trioplast Industrier) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

11

2018/C 170/09

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8887 — Platinum Equity/LifeScan) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

12

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

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance.

1

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

EN

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 17.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 170/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 170/1

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Euro exchange rates (1)

16 May 2018

(2018/C 170/01)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,1784 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 129,83 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4487 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,87418 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,2903 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,1792 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 123,00 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,5715 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 25,545 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 317,27 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,2889 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,6350 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 5,2178 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,5741 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,5161 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 9,2504 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,7115 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5824 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 274,50 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 14,7584 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,5137 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,3830 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 16 582,15 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,6712 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 61,715 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 73,5977 |
| THB | Thai baht | 37,874 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 4,3294 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 23,2843 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 79,8925 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,1784

JPY

Japanese yen

129,83

DKK

Danish krone

7,4487

GBP

Pound sterling

0,87418

SEK

Swedish krona

10,2903

CHF

Swiss franc

1,1792

ISK

Iceland króna

123,00

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,5715

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

25,545

HUF

Hungarian forint

317,27

PLN

Polish zloty

4,2889

RON

Romanian leu

4,6350

TRY

Turkish lira

5,2178

AUD

Australian dollar

1,5741

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,5161

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

9,2504

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,7115

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5824

KRW

South Korean won

1 274,50

ZAR

South African rand

14,7584

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,5137

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,3830

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

16 582,15

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,6712

PHP

Philippine peso

61,715

RUB

Russian rouble

73,5977

THB

Thai baht

37,874

BRL

Brazilian real

4,3294

MXN

Mexican peso

23,2843

INR

Indian rupee

79,8925

---

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

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European Data Protection Supervisor

| 17.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 170/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 170/2

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Summary of the Opinion of the EDPS on eight negotiating mandates to conclude international agreements allowing the exchange of data between Europol and third countries

(The full text of this Opinion can be found in English, French and German on the EDPS website www.edps.europa.eu)

(2018/C 170/02)

1.   INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The Europol Regulation (1) lays down specific rules regarding transfers of data by Europol outside of the EU. Article 25(1) thereof lists a number of legal grounds based on which Europol could lawfully transfer data to authorities of third countries. One possibility would be an adequacy decision of the Commission in accordance with Article 36 of Directive (EU) 2016/680 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) finding that the third country to which Europol transfers data ensures an adequate level of protection. Since there is no such adequacy decisions at the moment, the other alternative for Europol to regularly transfer data to a third country would be to use an appropriate framework resulting from the conclusion of a binding international agreement between the EU and the receiving third country.

On 20 December 2017, the Commission adopted eight Recommendations (3) for Council Decisions to authorise the opening of negotiations for international agreements between the European Union (EU) and eight third countries of the Middle East and North African (MENA) regions, i.e. Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey. Such international agreements would provide the required legal basis for the exchange of personal data between Europol and the authorities of these third countries competent to fight serious crimes and terrorism.

The Commission considers that there is a need for closer cooperation between Europol and these eight countries in light of the EU political strategy outlined in the European Agenda on Security (4), Council Conclusions (5), and the Global Strategy of the EU's Foreign and Security Policy (6) as well as the operational needs of law enforcement authorities across the EU and of Europol. These eight third countries were also identified in the Eleventh Progress Report towards a genuine and effective Security Union (7). Cooperation with MENA countries is envisaged as a whole (8). The current instability in the region, especially the situation in Syria and Iraq, is identified as presenting a significant long-term security threat to the EU. This concerns both the effective fight against terrorism and related organised crime, and migration-related challenges such as the facilitation of irregular migration and trafficking in human beings. Cooperation with local law enforcement is also perceived as critical to address these challenges.

In accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the Commission will be responsible for negotiating these international agreements with third countries on behalf of the EU. With these eight Recommendations, the Commission seeks to obtain authorisation from the Council of the European Union (Council) to start the negotiations with the eight third countries identified. Once the negotiations are completed, in order to formally conclude these agreements, the European Parliament will have to give its consent to the texts of the agreements negotiated, while the Council will have to sign the agreements.

5.   CONCLUSION

The EDPS welcomes the attention paid to data protection in the Annexes to the Commission Recommendations of 20 December 2017 that will constitute the mandate of the Commission to negotiate on behalf of the EU the respective international agreements with each one of the eight MENA countries for which cooperation with Europol is envisaged.

The necessity and proportionality of the international agreements envisaged to allow Europol to regularly transfer data to the competent authorities of the eight third countries in question need to be fully assessed to ensure compliance with Article 52(1) of the Charter. To allow such an in depth assessment on a case-by-case basis, the EDPS recommends to further narrow down and differentiate the needs for transfers based on the particular situation of each third country and the reality on the ground. The scope of each international agreement and the purposes for transfers to each third country should be further specified accordingly in the Annexes. The EDPS recommends further carrying out impact assessments to better assess the risks posed by transfers of data to these third countries for individuals' rights to privacy and data protection, but also for other fundamental rights and freedoms protected by the Charter, in order to define the precise safeguards necessary.

The EDPS notes that, pursuant to Article 25(1)(b) of the Europol Regulation, Europol could regularly transfer data to a third country through the conclusion of a binding international agreement between the EU and the receiving third country on the condition that such agreement adduce appropriate safeguards. The EDPS considers that ‘adducing appropriate safeguards’ within the meaning of the Europol Regulation implies that the international agreements concluded with third countries should:

| — | ensure full consistency with Article 8 of the Charter in the receiving third countries, in particular with the purpose limitation principle, the right of access, the right to rectification and the control by an independent authority specifically stipulated by the Charter, |
| --- | --- |

—

ensure full consistency with Article 8 of the Charter in the receiving third countries, in particular with the purpose limitation principle, the right of access, the right to rectification and the control by an independent authority specifically stipulated by the Charter,

| — | follow Opinion 1/15 of the CJEU by ensuring that the level of protection resulting from these agreements be essentially equivalent to the level of protection in EU law, |
| --- | --- |

—

follow Opinion 1/15 of the CJEU by ensuring that the level of protection resulting from these agreements be essentially equivalent to the level of protection in EU law,

| — | apply mutatis mutandis the criteria included in Recital 71 of Directive (EU) 2016/680, i.e. transfers of personal data are subject to confidentiality obligations, the principle of specificity and the fact that the personal data will not be used to request, hand down or execute a death penalty or any form of cruel and inhuman treatment, |
| --- | --- |

—

apply mutatis mutandis the criteria included in Recital 71 of Directive (EU) 2016/680, i.e. transfers of personal data are subject to confidentiality obligations, the principle of specificity and the fact that the personal data will not be used to request, hand down or execute a death penalty or any form of cruel and inhuman treatment,

| — | mirror specific safeguards included in the Europol Regulation, such as restrictions specified by information providers, and |
| --- | --- |

—

mirror specific safeguards included in the Europol Regulation, such as restrictions specified by information providers, and

| — | apply essential guarantees in the context of criminal investigations and include safeguards that address on a case-by-case basis the foreseeable risks that transfers to these third countries could pose with respect to other fundamental rights and freedoms. |
| --- | --- |

—

apply essential guarantees in the context of criminal investigations and include safeguards that address on a case-by-case basis the foreseeable risks that transfers to these third countries could pose with respect to other fundamental rights and freedoms.

In addition to these general recommendations, the recommendations and comments of the EDPS in the present Opinion relate to the following specific aspects of the future international agreements to be negotiated with MENA countries in the negotiating mandates:

| — | the purpose limitation and purpose specification principles regarding data transferred by Europol, |
| --- | --- |

—

the purpose limitation and purpose specification principles regarding data transferred by Europol,

| — | onward transfers by competent authorities of the third countries in question, |
| --- | --- |

—

onward transfers by competent authorities of the third countries in question,

| — | restrictions on the processing of information transferred by Europol to the competent authorities of the third countries, |
| --- | --- |

—

restrictions on the processing of information transferred by Europol to the competent authorities of the third countries,

| — | independent oversight ensured in the third countries, |
| --- | --- |

—

independent oversight ensured in the third countries,

| — | the rights of data subjects, |
| --- | --- |

—

the rights of data subjects,

| — | transfer of special categories of data to the competent authorities of the third countries, |
| --- | --- |

—

transfer of special categories of data to the competent authorities of the third countries,

| — | data retention of the data transferred by Europol, and |
| --- | --- |

—

data retention of the data transferred by Europol, and

| — | the possibility to suspend and terminate the international agreements in cases of breaches of their provisions. |
| --- | --- |

—

the possibility to suspend and terminate the international agreements in cases of breaches of their provisions.

Done at Brussels, 14 March 2018.

Giovanni BUTTARELLI

European Data Protection Supervisor

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(1)  Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and replacing and repealing Council Decisions 2009/371/JHA, 2009/934/JHA, 2009/935/JHA, 2009/936/JHA and 2009/968/JHA (OJ L 135, 24.5.2016, p. 53), hereinafter ‘the Europol Regulation’.

1

(2)  Directive (EU) 2016/680 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by competent authorities for the purposes of the prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of criminal offences or the execution of criminal penalties, and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Council Framework Decision 2008/977/JHA (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 89).

2

(3)  Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Jordanian competent authorities for fighting serious crime and terrorism, COM(2017) 798 final; Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Turkey on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Turkish competent authorities for fighting serious crime and terrorism, COM(2017) 799 final; Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the Lebanese Republic on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Lebanese competent authorities for fighting serious crime and terrorism, COM(2017) 805 final; Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the State of Israel on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Israeli competent authorities for fighting serious crime and terrorism, COM(2017) 806 final; Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and Tunisia on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Tunisian competent authorities for fighting serious crime and terrorism, COM(2017) 807 final; Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Moroccan competent authorities for fighting serious crime and terrorism, COM(2017) 808 final; Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the Arab Republic of Egypt on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Egyptian competent authorities for fighting serious crime and terrorism, COM(2017) 809 final; Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an agreement between the European Union and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the Algerian competent authorities for fighting serious crime and terrorism, COM(2017) 811 final.

3

(4)  Communication from the Commission of 28 April 2015 to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — The European Agenda On Security, COM(2015) 185 final.

4

(5)  Conclusions from the Council of 19 June 2017 on EU External Action on Counter-terrorism, Document 10384/17.

5

(6)  Shared Vision, Common Action: A Stronger Europe — A Global Strategy for the European Union's Foreign and Security Policy, available at: http://europa.eu/globalstrategy/en

6

(7)  Communication from the Commission of 18 October 2017 to the European Parliament, the European Council and the Council — Eleventh progress report towards an effective and genuine Security Union, COM(2017) 608 final.

7

(8)  See the Memorandum of Understanding of all Commission Recommendations for Council Decisions tabled on 20 December 2017, except for the one concerning Israel.

8

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NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

| 17.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 170/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 170/5

---

No state aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement

(2018/C 170/03)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority considers that the following measure does not constitute state aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement:

| Date of adoption of the decision | : | 7 February 2018 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Case No | : | 81382 |
| Decision No | : | 017/18/COL |
| EFTA State | : | Norway |
| Region | : |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | : | Compensation for pension costs to non-profit organisations providing certain health and child welfare services |
| Legal basis | : |
| Type of measure | : | Scheme |
| Objective | : | Health care and social services |
| Form of aid | : | Grants |
| Budget | : | NOK 1,1 billion |
| Intensity | : |
| Duration | : | 100 years |
| Economic sectors | : | Health care and social services |
| Name and address of the granting authority | : | Ministry of Health and Care Services |
| PO Box 8011 Dep |
| N-0030 Oslo |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision

:

7 February 2018

Case No

:

81382

Decision No

:

017/18/COL

EFTA State

:

Norway

Region

:

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

:

Compensation for pension costs to non-profit organisations providing certain health and child welfare services

Legal basis

:

Type of measure

:

Scheme

Objective

:

Health care and social services

Form of aid

:

Grants

Budget

:

NOK 1,1 billion

Intensity

:

Duration

:

100 years

Economic sectors

:

Health care and social services

Name and address of the granting authority

:

Ministry of Health and Care Services

PO Box 8011 Dep

N-0030 Oslo

NORWAY

Other information

:

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found on the EFTA Surveillance Authority’s website:

http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/state-aid-register/

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| 17.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 170/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 170/6

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State aid — Decision to raise no objections

(2018/C 170/04)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority raises no objections to the following State aid measure:

| Date of adoption of the decision | : | 22 February 2018 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Case No | : | 81568 |
| Decision No | : | 027/18/COL |
| EFTA State | : | Norway |
| Region | : |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | : | NOx tax exemption for 2018-2025 |
| Legal basis | : | NOx Agreement 2018-2025 |
| Type of measure | : | Scheme |
| Objective | : | Environmental protection |
| Form of aid | : | Tax exemption |
| Budget | : | NOK 14 billion |
| Intensity | : |
| Duration | : | 2018-2025 |
| Economic sectors | : | All undertakings subject to NOx tax |
| Name and address of the granting authority | : | Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment |
| PO Box 8013 Dep |
| N-0030 Oslo |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision

:

22 February 2018

Case No

:

81568

Decision No

:

027/18/COL

EFTA State

:

Norway

Region

:

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

:

NOx tax exemption for 2018-2025

Legal basis

:

NOx Agreement 2018-2025

Type of measure

:

Scheme

Objective

:

Environmental protection

Form of aid

:

Tax exemption

Budget

:

NOK 14 billion

Intensity

:

Duration

:

2018-2025

Economic sectors

:

All undertakings subject to NOx tax

Name and address of the granting authority

:

Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment

PO Box 8013 Dep

N-0030 Oslo

NORWAY

Other information

:

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found on the EFTA Surveillance Authority’s website:

http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/state-aid-register/

---

V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

| 17.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 170/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 170/7

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Call for proposals under the multi-annual work programme for financial assistance in the field of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) — Transport sector for the period 2014-2020

(Commission Implementing Decision C(2018) 2226 of 19 April 2018 amending Implementing Decision C(2014) 1921)

(2018/C 170/05)

The European Commission, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, is hereby launching a call for proposals (CEF-Transport-2018 (General envelope) in order to award grants in accordance with the priorities and objectives defined in the multi-annual work programme for financial assistance in the field of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) — Transport sector.

The indicative call budget is EUR 450 million.

The deadline for the submission of proposals is 24 October 2018 (17:00 Brussels time)

The complete text of the call for proposals is available on:

https://ec.europa.eu/inea/en/connecting-europe-facility/cef-transport/apply-funding/2018-cef-transport-call-proposals.

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European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)

| 17.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 170/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 170/8

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NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITIONS

(2018/C 170/06)

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is organising the following open competitions:

| | EPSO/AD/358/18 — GERMAN-LANGUAGE (DE) LAWYER-LINGUISTS (AD 7) |
| --- | --- |

EPSO/AD/358/18 — GERMAN-LANGUAGE (DE) LAWYER-LINGUISTS (AD 7)

| | EPSO/AD/359/18 — DUTCH-LANGUAGE (NL) LAWYER-LINGUISTS (AD 7) |
| --- | --- |

EPSO/AD/359/18 — DUTCH-LANGUAGE (NL) LAWYER-LINGUISTS (AD 7)

The competition notice is published in 24 languages in
  Official Journal of the European Union C 170 A of 17 May 2018.

Further information can be found on the EPSO website: https://epso.europa.eu/

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 17.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 170/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 170/9

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8861 — Comcast/Sky)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 170/07)

| 1. | On 7 May 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).
  This notification concerns the following undertakings:






  — | Comcast Corporation (United States), and |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

On 7 May 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—

Comcast Corporation (United States), and

| — | Sky plc (United Kingdom). |
| --- | --- |

—

Sky plc (United Kingdom).

Comcast Corporation acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of Sky plc.

The concentration is accomplished by way of public bid announced on 25 April 2018.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for Comcast Corporation: Comcast is a US listed global media, technology and entertainment company, with two primary businesses: Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal (‘NBCU’). Comcast is present in Europe almost entirely through NBCU, which is active in Europe in: (i) production, sales and distribution of film and television content; (ii) wholesale supply of TV channels and on-demand services; (iii) CNBC, a business news service, as well as NBC News; (iv) the provision of television content to end-users through NBCU’s video-on- demand service; (v) the licensing of its intellectual property to manufacturers and distributors of consumer products; (vi) minor golf-related digital businesses; and (vii) minor direct-to-consumer DVD and Blu-ray, SteelBooks and music disk sales,
  —   for Sky plc: Sky is a UK public company whose shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange. Sky is the holding company of a number of subsidiaries carrying on business in a variety of sectors predominantly in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy, including: (i) licensing/acquisition of audiovisual programming; (ii) TV channel wholesale supply in the UK and Ireland; (iii) retailing of audiovisual programming to subscribers; (iv) provision of technical platform services to broadcasters on Sky’s DTH platforms in the UK, Ireland, Germany and Austria; (v) sale of TV advertising; (vi) in the UK and Ireland, the provision of fixed-line retail telephony and broadband services; (vii) in the UK, the provision of mobile communications services; and (viii) in the UK, provision of access to public Wi-Fi hotspots. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for Comcast Corporation: Comcast is a US listed global media, technology and entertainment company, with two primary businesses: Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal (‘NBCU’). Comcast is present in Europe almost entirely through NBCU, which is active in Europe in: (i) production, sales and distribution of film and television content; (ii) wholesale supply of TV channels and on-demand services; (iii) CNBC, a business news service, as well as NBC News; (iv) the provision of television content to end-users through NBCU’s video-on- demand service; (v) the licensing of its intellectual property to manufacturers and distributors of consumer products; (vi) minor golf-related digital businesses; and (vii) minor direct-to-consumer DVD and Blu-ray, SteelBooks and music disk sales,

—   for Sky plc: Sky is a UK public company whose shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange. Sky is the holding company of a number of subsidiaries carrying on business in a variety of sectors predominantly in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy, including: (i) licensing/acquisition of audiovisual programming; (ii) TV channel wholesale supply in the UK and Ireland; (iii) retailing of audiovisual programming to subscribers; (iv) provision of technical platform services to broadcasters on Sky’s DTH platforms in the UK, Ireland, Germany and Austria; (v) sale of TV advertising; (vi) in the UK and Ireland, the provision of fixed-line retail telephony and broadband services; (vii) in the UK, the provision of mobile communications services; and (viii) in the UK, provision of access to public Wi-Fi hotspots.

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

3.

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

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:
  M.8861 — Comcast/Sky
  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 |

4.

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

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

M.8861 — Comcast/Sky

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

---

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

---

| 17.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 170/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 170/11

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8884 — Altor Funds/Trioplast Industrier)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 170/08)

| 1. | On 4 May 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).
  This notification concerns the following undertakings:






  — | Altor Funds (Sweden), |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

On 4 May 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—

Altor Funds (Sweden),

| — | Trioplast Industrier AB (Sweden). |
| --- | --- |

—

Trioplast Industrier AB (Sweden).

Altor Funds acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of Trioplast Industrier.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for Altor Funds: private equity funds with focus on investments in the mid-market segment of the Nordic region,
  —   for Trioplast Industrier: manufacturing of packaging solutions based on polyethylene film. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for Altor Funds: private equity funds with focus on investments in the mid-market segment of the Nordic region,

—   for Trioplast Industrier: manufacturing of packaging solutions based on polyethylene film.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.
  Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under 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. |
| --- | --- |

3.

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

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under 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. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:
  M.8884 — Altor Funds/Trioplast Industrier
  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 |

4.

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

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

M.8884 — Altor Funds/Trioplast Industrier

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

---

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

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

---

| 17.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 170/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 170/12

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8887 — Platinum Equity/LifeScan)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 170/09)

| 1. | On 4 May 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).
  This notification concerns the following undertakings:






  — | Platinum Equity (‘Platinum’, United States), |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

On 4 May 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—

Platinum Equity (‘Platinum’, United States),

| — | LifeScan, Inc., part of Johnson&Johnson (United States). |
| --- | --- |

—

LifeScan, Inc., part of Johnson&Johnson (United States).

The proposed concentration consists of the acquisition by Platinum of the LifeScan blood glucose monitoring business. Platinum will acquire sole control of LifeScan within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares and assets through a special purpose vehicle.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for Platinum: a private investment firm, specialised in the merger, acquisition and operation of companies in a broad range of businesses, including information technology, telecommunications, logistics, metal services, manufacturing and distribution at global level,
  —   for LifeScan: provides blood glucose monitoring systems for home and hospital use under the global brand OneTouch. The OneTouch portfolio includes personal blood glucose meters, testing strips, lancets, point of care testing systems and integrated digital solutions. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for Platinum: a private investment firm, specialised in the merger, acquisition and operation of companies in a broad range of businesses, including information technology, telecommunications, logistics, metal services, manufacturing and distribution at global level,

—   for LifeScan: provides blood glucose monitoring systems for home and hospital use under the global brand OneTouch. The OneTouch portfolio includes personal blood glucose meters, testing strips, lancets, point of care testing systems and integrated digital solutions.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.
  Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under 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. |
| --- | --- |

3.

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

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under 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. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:
  M.8887 — Platinum Equity/LifeScan
  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 |

4.

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

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

M.8887 — Platinum Equity/LifeScan

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

---

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

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

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