# Official Journal C 240/2022

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 240 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 6522 June 2022 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 240

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 6522 June 2022

---

| Contents | page |
| --- | --- |
| | I   Resolutions, recommendations and opinions |
| | RECOMMENDATIONS |
| | European Central Bank |
| 2022/C 240/01 | Recommendation of the European Central Bank of 19 May 2022 on the Centralised Securities Database and the production of securities issues statistics and repealing Recommendation ECB/2012/22 (ECB/2022/26) | 1 |

Contents

page

I   Resolutions, recommendations and opinions

RECOMMENDATIONS

European Central Bank

2022/C 240/01

Recommendation of the European Central Bank of 19 May 2022 on the Centralised Securities Database and the production of securities issues statistics and repealing Recommendation ECB/2012/22 (ECB/2022/26)

1

---

| | II   Information |
| --- | --- |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2022/C 240/02 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10722 – CHEVRON / RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP) (
  1
  ) | 11 |
| 2022/C 240/03 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10729 – FOWI / MOL / TOHO / HOKURIKU / ORSTED / JERA / SWA) (
  1
  ) | 12 |

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2022/C 240/02

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10722 – CHEVRON / RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP) (
  1
  )

1

11

2022/C 240/03

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10729 – FOWI / MOL / TOHO / HOKURIKU / ORSTED / JERA / SWA) (
  1
  )

1

12

---

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2022/C 240/04 | Euro exchange rates — 21 June 2022 | 13 |
| | European Data Protection Supervisor |
| 2022/C 240/05 | Summary of the Opinion of the European Data Protection Supervisor on the Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the negotiations for a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes
  (The full text of this Opinion can be found in English, French and German on the EDPS website www.edps.europa.eu) | 14 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2022/C 240/06 | Commission notice pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community – Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations | 19 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2022/C 240/04

Euro exchange rates — 21 June 2022

13

European Data Protection Supervisor

2022/C 240/05

Summary of the Opinion of the European Data Protection Supervisor on the Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the negotiations for a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes
  (The full text of this Opinion can be found in English, French and German on the EDPS website www.edps.europa.eu)

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

14

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2022/C 240/06

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

19

---

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2022/C 240/07 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10755 – ADVENT / IRCA) – Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 20 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2022/C 240/08 | Publication of a communication of approval of a standard amendment to the product specification for a name in the wine sector referred to in Article 17(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 | 22 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2022/C 240/07

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10755 – ADVENT / IRCA) – Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

20

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2022/C 240/08

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

22

---

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

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance.

1

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

EN

---

I Resolutions, recommendations and opinions

RECOMMENDATIONS

European Central Bank

| 22.6.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 240/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

22.6.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 240/1

---

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 19 May 2022

on the Centralised Securities Database and the production of securities issues statistics and repealing Recommendation ECB/2012/22

(ECB/2022/26)

(2022/C 240/01)

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Article 5.1 and the third indent of Article 34.1 thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2533/98 of 23 November 1998 concerning the collection of statistical information by the European Central Bank (1), and in particular Article 4 thereof,

Having regard to the contribution of the General Council of the European Central Bank,

Whereas:

| (1) | The Centralised Securities Database (CSDB) is a single information technology infrastructure, operated jointly by the members of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB), including national central banks of the Member States whose currency is not the euro (hereinafter ‘non-euro area NCBs’) where such non-euro area NCBs voluntarily participate in the operation of the CSDB. The CSDB stores item-by-item data, in particular, data on securities, their issuers, prices and ratings. The main processes of the CSDB’s operation comprise input data provision, processing of that input data, carrying out data quality management (DQM) and production and dissemination of output data consisting of item-by-item data and aggregate information. These processes are defined and enhanced on a continuous basis by the relevant substructure of the ESCB Statistics Committee and are automatised to the extent possible in order to ensure the efficient operation of the CSDB. A number of changes to these processes require the adoption of a new Guideline and the repeal of Guideline ECB/2012/21, which to date has governed the data quality management framework of the CSDB. Likewise, Recommendation ECB/2012/22 (2), which calls on the non-euro are NCBs to comply with the provisions of Guideline ECB/2012/21, should be also repealed. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

The Centralised Securities Database (CSDB) is a single information technology infrastructure, operated jointly by the members of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB), including national central banks of the Member States whose currency is not the euro (hereinafter ‘non-euro area NCBs’) where such non-euro area NCBs voluntarily participate in the operation of the CSDB. The CSDB stores item-by-item data, in particular, data on securities, their issuers, prices and ratings. The main processes of the CSDB’s operation comprise input data provision, processing of that input data, carrying out data quality management (DQM) and production and dissemination of output data consisting of item-by-item data and aggregate information. These processes are defined and enhanced on a continuous basis by the relevant substructure of the ESCB Statistics Committee and are automatised to the extent possible in order to ensure the efficient operation of the CSDB. A number of changes to these processes require the adoption of a new Guideline and the repeal of Guideline ECB/2012/21, which to date has governed the data quality management framework of the CSDB. Likewise, Recommendation ECB/2012/22 (2), which calls on the non-euro are NCBs to comply with the provisions of Guideline ECB/2012/21, should be also repealed.

| (2) | To enhance monetary and financial stability analyses for the euro area and the Union, to contribute to the production of secondary statistics, to fulfil the euro area reporting commitments on debt securities issuance statistics in the context of the G20 Data Gaps Initiative and to assess the role of the euro in international financial markets, monthly securities issues statistics covering stock and flow aggregates of securities issuances are produced from CSDB item-by-item data (hereinafter ‘CSEC aggregate statistics’). Accordingly, CSEC aggregate statistics should be compiled in the CSDB, and national central banks (NCBs) and the European Central Bank (ECB) should be responsible for the verification of CSEC aggregate statistics and for the DQM of the underlying CSDB item-by-item data. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

To enhance monetary and financial stability analyses for the euro area and the Union, to contribute to the production of secondary statistics, to fulfil the euro area reporting commitments on debt securities issuance statistics in the context of the G20 Data Gaps Initiative and to assess the role of the euro in international financial markets, monthly securities issues statistics covering stock and flow aggregates of securities issuances are produced from CSDB item-by-item data (hereinafter ‘CSEC aggregate statistics’). Accordingly, CSEC aggregate statistics should be compiled in the CSDB, and national central banks (NCBs) and the European Central Bank (ECB) should be responsible for the verification of CSEC aggregate statistics and for the DQM of the underlying CSDB item-by-item data.

| (3) | The overall quality of CSDB item-by-item data can only be assessed at the output level, rather than at the level of individual sets of input data. To ensure the completeness, accuracy and consistency of output data, Guideline (EU) 2022/971 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2022/25) (3) lays down the framework for providing input data, disseminating output data and establishes the DQM to be applied to output feed data, which is a subset of output data that can be used to support the production of statistics or other uses, and to the CSEC aggregate statistics and their underlying CSDB data. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

The overall quality of CSDB item-by-item data can only be assessed at the output level, rather than at the level of individual sets of input data. To ensure the completeness, accuracy and consistency of output data, Guideline (EU) 2022/971 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2022/25) (3) lays down the framework for providing input data, disseminating output data and establishes the DQM to be applied to output feed data, which is a subset of output data that can be used to support the production of statistics or other uses, and to the CSEC aggregate statistics and their underlying CSDB data.

| (4) | In situations where competent authorities other than NCBs provide input data to the CSDB or perform the DQM in the CSDB, such authorities and their respective NCBs must cooperate with each other to ensure that the requirements set out in Guideline (EU) 2022/971 (ECB/2022/25) are met. Such cooperation should include the establishment of a permanent structure for transmitting data, unless the same result is already achieved by national legislation. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

In situations where competent authorities other than NCBs provide input data to the CSDB or perform the DQM in the CSDB, such authorities and their respective NCBs must cooperate with each other to ensure that the requirements set out in Guideline (EU) 2022/971 (ECB/2022/25) are met. Such cooperation should include the establishment of a permanent structure for transmitting data, unless the same result is already achieved by national legislation.

| (5) | The effective application of the CSDB DQM framework relies on cooperation between all members of the ESCB participating in the operation of the CSDB and on the application of equal quality standards by such members. Non-euro area NCBs participating in the operation of the CSDB should cooperate with each other, with NCBs of Member States who have adopted the euro (hereinafter the ‘euro area NCBs’) and with the ECB in, applying the CSDB DQM framework in accordance with Guideline (EU) 2022/971 (ECB/2022/25), |
| --- | --- |

(5)

The effective application of the CSDB DQM framework relies on cooperation between all members of the ESCB participating in the operation of the CSDB and on the application of equal quality standards by such members. Non-euro area NCBs participating in the operation of the CSDB should cooperate with each other, with NCBs of Member States who have adopted the euro (hereinafter the ‘euro area NCBs’) and with the ECB in, applying the CSDB DQM framework in accordance with Guideline (EU) 2022/971 (ECB/2022/25),

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

I.   Definitions

For the purposes of this Recommendation, the terms ‘Centralised Securities Database’ or ‘CSDB’ and ‘Data Quality Management’ or ‘DQM’ have the same meanings as those set out in Article 1 of Guideline (EU) 2022/971 (ECB/2022/25).

II.   Provision of statistical information

| 1. | The addressees are requested to comply in a timely manner with the obligations of euro area NCBs as laid down in Articles 2 to 13 and Article 16 of Guideline (EU) 2022/971 (ECB/2022/25). |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | For the purposes of the compilation of CSEC aggregate statistics as provided for in Article 10 of Guideline (EU) 2022/971 (ECB/2022/25), the breakdowns of CSEC aggregate statistics for non-euro area Member States and the Union as a whole are specified in Annex I to this Recommendation. |
| --- | --- |

2.

III.   Repeal

Recommendation ECB/2012/22 is hereby repealed.

IV.   Final provision

This Recommendation is addressed to the NCBs of non-euro area Member States, insofar as it applies to them.

Done at Frankfurt am Main, 19 May 2022.

The President of the ECB

Christine LAGARDE

---

(1)  OJ L 318, 27.11.1998, p. 8.

1

(2)  Recommendation ECB/2012/22 of the European Central Bank of 26 September 2012 on the data quality management framework for the Centralised Securities Database (OJ C 339, 7.11.2012, p. 1).

2

(3)  Guideline (EU) 2022/971 of the European Central Bank of 19 May 2022 on the Centralised Securities Database and the production of securities issues statistics and repealing Guideline 2012/689/EU (ECB/2012/21) and Guideline (EU) 2021/834 (ECB/2021/15) (ECB/2022/25) (OJ L 166, 22.6.2022, p. 147).

3

---

ANNEX I

CSEC aggregate statistics: Breakdowns for non-euro area Member States and the Union as a whole

While the breakdowns of CSEC aggregate statistics for each individual euro area country and the euro area as a whole are defined in Annex IV to Guideline (EU) 2022/971 (ECB/2022/25), this Annex sets out the breakdowns of CSEC aggregate statistics for the Member States whose currency is not the euro (hereinafter the ‘non-euro area Member States’) and the Union as a whole.

For the issuances of each individual non-euro area Member State, CSEC aggregate statistics must be measured in national currency and be compiled for the breakdowns defined in the following tables. In addition, the aggregates for issuances denominated in ‘All currencies’ and in ‘EUR’ must also be measured in euro. For the issuances for the Union as a whole, CSEC aggregate statistics must be measured in euro and be compiled only for the ‘All currencies’ breakdowns defined in the following tables. The sector codes used in the tables have the meanings defined in Section 1 on ‘Coverage and classifications’ of Annex IV to Guideline (EU) 2022/971 (ECB/2022/25).

Table A1

Debt securities hierarchy 1 – Main maturity and interest rate type breakdowns for individual non-euro area Member States and the Union as a whole

Image 1

Table A2

Debt securities hierarchy 2 – Detailed interest rate type breakdowns for individual non-euro area Member States and the Union as a whole

Image 2

Image 3

Table A3

Debt securities hierarchy 3 – Detailed original maturity breakdowns for individual non-euro area Member States and the Union as a whole

Image 4

Table A4

Debt securities hierarchy 4 – Detailed residual maturity breakdowns for individual non-euro area Member States and the Union as a whole

Image 5

Table A5

Listed shares breakdowns for individual non-euro area Member States and the Union as a whole

Image 6

---

II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 22.6.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 240/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

22.6.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 240/11

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.10722 – CHEVRON / RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2022/C 240/02)

On 7 June 2022, 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 policy’ 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 policy’ 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 32022M10722. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32022M10722. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law.

---

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

---

| 22.6.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 240/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

22.6.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 240/12

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.10729 – FOWI / MOL / TOHO / HOKURIKU / ORSTED / JERA / SWA)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2022/C 240/03)

On 16 June 2022, 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 policy’ 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 policy’ 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 32022M10729. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32022M10729. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law.

---

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

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 22.6.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 240/13 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

22.6.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 240/13

---

Euro exchange rates (1)

21 June 2022

(2022/C 240/04)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,0550 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 143,75 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4393 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,86010 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,6460 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,0214 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 138,70 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 10,3283 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 24,690 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 396,48 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,6435 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,9462 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 18,3049 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,5177 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,3660 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,2817 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6675 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,4612 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 365,09 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 16,7881 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,0680 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,5205 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 15 639,62 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,6399 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 57,304 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | |
| THB | Thai baht | 37,294 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 5,4420 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 21,2485 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 82,4230 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,0550

JPY

Japanese yen

143,75

DKK

Danish krone

7,4393

GBP

Pound sterling

0,86010

SEK

Swedish krona

10,6460

CHF

Swiss franc

1,0214

ISK

Iceland króna

138,70

NOK

Norwegian krone

10,3283

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

24,690

HUF

Hungarian forint

396,48

PLN

Polish zloty

4,6435

RON

Romanian leu

4,9462

TRY

Turkish lira

18,3049

AUD

Australian dollar

1,5177

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,3660

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,2817

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6675

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,4612

KRW

South Korean won

1 365,09

ZAR

South African rand

16,7881

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,0680

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,5205

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

15 639,62

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,6399

PHP

Philippine peso

57,304

RUB

Russian rouble

THB

Thai baht

37,294

BRL

Brazilian real

5,4420

MXN

Mexican peso

21,2485

INR

Indian rupee

82,4230

---

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

---

European Data Protection Supervisor

| 22.6.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 240/14 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

22.6.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 240/14

---

Summary of the Opinion of the European Data Protection Supervisor on the Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the negotiations for a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes

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

(2022/C 240/05)

On 29 March 2022, the European Commission issued a Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the participation of the Commission, on behalf of the European Union, in the United Nations (UN) negotiations for a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes.

The EDPS understands the need for law enforcement authorities to secure and obtain electronic evidence quickly and effectively. He underlines however, that there is already a similar international instrument in force i.e. the Budapest Convention and its Second Additional Protocol which is now open for signature.

The EDPS notes that negotiations in the UN for another convention aiming to address cybercrime and cross-border cooperation in criminal matters have already started. He therefore supports the recommendation for the Commission to be authorised to negotiate on behalf of the EU, as it would contribute to better preserving the level of protection guaranteed by the EU data protection framework. The EDPS notes, however, the vast numbers of countries within the UN, with highly heterogeneous legal systems. Against this background, the EDPS considers that there is a substantial risk that the final text of the Convention could lead to a weakening of the fundamental rights and freedoms of natural persons provided for by EU law, in particular their rights to data protection and privacy. Therefore, it has to be underlined that should the Council authorise the Commission to negotiate in this framework on behalf of the EU, such authorisation would not require the EU to become party to the Convention, should it be adopted. The EDPS considers that the EU should not seek to be party to such a Convention, should the level of data protection of natural persons guaranteed by EU law be undermined.

This Opinion aims to provide constructive and objective advice to the EU institutions with a view to ensuring that the level of data protection as guaranteed by EU law is not undermined. The EDPS welcomes that the mandate aims at ensuring from the outset that the Convention provides strict conditions and strong safeguards to ensure that EU Member States can respect and protect fundamental rights, freedoms and general principles of EU law as enshrined in the EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.

In this context, the EDPS stresses the need to ensure in particular full respect for the fundamental rights to privacy and to the protection of personal data. The EU data protection law regime provides, in principle, that data transfers to a third country can take place without additional requirements only when that third country ensures an adequate level of protection. When the third country has not been declared as adequate, exceptions apply for specific transfers, as long as appropriate safeguards are provided. While the EDPS recognises that it may not be feasible to replicate the terminology and definitions of EU law in an agreement with a large number of third countries, the safeguards for individuals must be clear and effective in order to fully comply with EU law. The Court of Justice of the European Union in recent years has reaffirmed data protection principles including judicial redress and individual rights of individuals. These principles become all the more important considering the sensitivity of the data required for criminal investigations.

Against this background, the EDPS considers that, while many negotiating directives already envisaged are welcome, they should be reinforced. In particular, to ensure compliance with the EU Charter and Article 16 TFEU, the EDPS makes four main recommendations on the negotiating directives:

| — | to limit the international cooperation provisions to the crimes defined in the Convention; |
| --- | --- |

—

to limit the international cooperation provisions to the crimes defined in the Convention;

| — | direct access to data by third country law enforcement authorities and cross-border direct cooperation with service providers should be excluded; |
| --- | --- |

—

direct access to data by third country law enforcement authorities and cross-border direct cooperation with service providers should be excluded;

| — | to ensure that future bilateral and multilateral agreements with third countries should apply in lieu of the Convention should these future agreements ensure higher standards with regard to the protection of fundamental rights, in particular the right to privacy and data protection; |
| --- | --- |

—

to ensure that future bilateral and multilateral agreements with third countries should apply in lieu of the Convention should these future agreements ensure higher standards with regard to the protection of fundamental rights, in particular the right to privacy and data protection;

| — | to ensure that the Convention shall not have effect between two Contracting States if one of them makes the notification that the ratification, acceptance, approval or accession of another Contracting State will not have the effect of establishing relations between those two Contracting States pursuant to this Convention. |
| --- | --- |

—

to ensure that the Convention shall not have effect between two Contracting States if one of them makes the notification that the ratification, acceptance, approval or accession of another Contracting State will not have the effect of establishing relations between those two Contracting States pursuant to this Convention.

Additionally, the Opinion offers further recommendations for improvements and clarifications of the negotiating directives. The comments in this Opinion are without prejudice to any additional comments that the EDPS could make as further issues may arise and would then be addressed once further information is available. He expects to be consulted later on the provisions of the draft Convention before its finalisation.

1.   INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

| 1. | The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organisation, currently made up of 193 Member States (1). The UN and its work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter. Pursuant to the UN Charter, the organisation’s objectives include maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, promoting sustainable development, and upholding international law (2). |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | On 17 December 2018, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 73/187 on ‘Countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes’ (3). Subsequently, on 27 December 2019, it adopted Resolution 74/247 (4) through which it decided to establish an open-ended ad hoc Intergovernmental committee of experts (‘the Ad Hoc Committee’), to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes. Resolution 74/247 stresses the need to enhance coordination and cooperation among States in combating the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes, including by providing technical assistance to developing countries, upon their request. The Resolution also stresses the need to improve national legislation and frameworks and build the capacity of national authorities to deal with such use in all its forms, including its prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution (5)
  , taking into full consideration existing international instruments and efforts at the national, regional and international levels on combating the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes, in particular the work and outcomes of the open-ended intergovernmental Expert Group to Conduct a Comprehensive Study on Cybercrime (6). Three EU Member States (Estonia, Poland and Portugal) are Vice-Chairs within the Ad Hoc Committee (7). |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | On 26 May 2021, by Resolution 75/282 (8), the UN General Assembly further reaffirmed that the Ad Hoc Committee shall take into full consideration existing international instruments and efforts at the national, regional and international levels on combating the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes (9). It decided that this Ad Hoc Committee shall convene at least six sessions, and conclude its work in order to provide a draft Convention to the General Assembly at its seventy-eighth session, which should start in September 2023 and end in September 2024. |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | The first negotiating session was held from 28 February until 11 March 2022. At that occasion the objectives, scope, structure and key elements of the Convention were discussed (10). According to the draft report of this first negotiating session, it was agreed that the following elements should form the structure of the Convention (11):
  Preamble






  1. | General provisions |
| --- | --- | --- |

4.

Preamble

1.

General provisions

| 2. | Criminalization |
| --- | --- |

2.

Criminalization

| 3. | Procedural measures and law enforcement |
| --- | --- |

3.

Procedural measures and law enforcement

| 4. | International cooperation |
| --- | --- |

4.

International cooperation

| 5. | Technical assistance, including exchange of experience |
| --- | --- |

5.

Technical assistance, including exchange of experience

| 6. | Preventive measures |
| --- | --- |

6.

Preventive measures

| 7. | Mechanism of implementation |
| --- | --- |

7.

Mechanism of implementation

| 8. | Final provisions. |
| --- | --- |

8.

Final provisions.

| 5. | The European Commission took part in the meetings of the Ad Hoc Committee as an observer. An intersessional session took place on 24 and 25 March 2022 to solicit inputs from a diverse range of stakeholders on the elaboration of the draft Convention (12). The next negotiating session should start on 30 May 2022 (13). |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | On 29 March 2022, the European Commission issued a Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the participation of the Commission, on behalf of the European Union, in the United Nations negotiations for a comprehensive international Convention on countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes (‘the Recommendation’) (14). The Recommendation is accompanied by an Annex (‘the Annex’), which sets out the proposed Council directives to negotiate the Convention. |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | The Commission recommends the adoption of a Council Decision on the basis of the procedure laid down in Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) for agreements concluded between the EU and third countries. With this Recommendation, the Commission seeks to obtain authorisation from the Council to be appointed as the main negotiator on behalf of the EU in order to ensure the appropriate participation of the EU in the UN negotiations which are expected to touch upon elements that relate to EU legislation and competence, notably in the area of cybercrime (15). |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | The present Opinion of the EDPS is issued in response to a consultation by the European Commission of 29 March 2022, pursuant to Article 42(1) of EUDPR. The EDPS welcomes the reference to this consultation in Recital 5 of the Recommendation. |
| --- | --- |

8.

7.   CONCLUSIONS

| 42. | The EDPS supports the adoption of a Council Decision giving a clear mandate to the European Commission to participate in the UN ongoing negotiations for this Convention, on behalf of the EU. However, he stresses that an authorisation to participate to the negotiations should not require the EU to be party to the Convention should it be adopted, and in particular, the EU should not seek to be party to such Convention should the level of data protection of natural persons guaranteed by EU law be undermined. |
| --- | --- |

42.

| 43. | The EDPS welcomes and underlines the importance of points 6, 17 and 23 of the Annex aiming at preserving existing global and regional instruments, and of the safeguards included in points 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 18, 19 and 24 of the Annex. |
| --- | --- |

43.

| 44. | In light of the above, the EDPS makes the following recommendations:


  Concerning the relationship between the Convention and other instruments








  — | including in the mandate that the Union should aim to achieve that future agreements with third countries should apply in lieu of the Convention, should these future agreements ensure higher standards with regard to the protection of fundamental rights, in particular the right to privacy and data protection. |
| --- | --- | --- |

44.

Concerning the relationship between the Convention and other instruments

—

including in the mandate that the Union should aim to achieve that future agreements with third countries should apply in lieu of the Convention, should these future agreements ensure higher standards with regard to the protection of fundamental rights, in particular the right to privacy and data protection.

Concerning the scope of the Convention

| — | limiting the cooperation provisions to the crimes defined in the Convention. |
| --- | --- |

—

limiting the cooperation provisions to the crimes defined in the Convention.

| — | making clear in the mandate that the Union should oppose any provisions on cross-border direct access to data and cross-border direct cooperation with service providers. |
| --- | --- |

—

making clear in the mandate that the Union should oppose any provisions on cross-border direct access to data and cross-border direct cooperation with service providers.

| — | clarifying that the directives under point 15 of the Annex do not concern cross-border cooperation. |
| --- | --- |

—

clarifying that the directives under point 15 of the Annex do not concern cross-border cooperation.

Concerning the need for appropriate safeguards and the respect of fundamental rights

| — | making clear in the mandate that the Union should ensure a clear delineation between data categories. |
| --- | --- |

—

making clear in the mandate that the Union should ensure a clear delineation between data categories.

| — | including a directive in the mandate to aiming at achieving that the Convention is accompanied by an exhaustive list of the competent authorities in the receiving countries to which data would be transferred as well as a short description of their competences. |
| --- | --- |

—

including a directive in the mandate to aiming at achieving that the Convention is accompanied by an exhaustive list of the competent authorities in the receiving countries to which data would be transferred as well as a short description of their competences.

Concerning the final clauses of the Convention

| — | further specifying in the mandate that the Union should aim to achieve that a Contracting State may at the time of signature, ratification or accession, declare that it will not execute a request for the transfers of personal data to another party, should there be indications that an essential level of protection of the data is no longer ensured in the requesting State. |
| --- | --- |

—

further specifying in the mandate that the Union should aim to achieve that a Contracting State may at the time of signature, ratification or accession, declare that it will not execute a request for the transfers of personal data to another party, should there be indications that an essential level of protection of the data is no longer ensured in the requesting State.

| — | including in the mandate that the Union should aim at achieving the introduction of a clause setting out the mandatory periodical review of the practical operation of the Convention. It should be provided for at the latest five years after its entry into force and then at regular intervals, specifying the frequency of these additional reviews. The content of the review should be specified. The review should focus not only on the implementation of the Convention but assess the necessity and proportionality. The review teams should include data protection experts, including representatives of national data protection authorities. |
| --- | --- |

—

including in the mandate that the Union should aim at achieving the introduction of a clause setting out the mandatory periodical review of the practical operation of the Convention. It should be provided for at the latest five years after its entry into force and then at regular intervals, specifying the frequency of these additional reviews. The content of the review should be specified. The review should focus not only on the implementation of the Convention but assess the necessity and proportionality. The review teams should include data protection experts, including representatives of national data protection authorities.

| — | including in the mandate that the Union should aim at ensuring that the Convention shall not have effect between two Contracting States if one of them makes the notification that the ratification, acceptance, approval or accession of another Contracting State will not have the effect of establishing relations between those two Contracting States pursuant to this Convention. |
| --- | --- |

—

including in the mandate that the Union should aim at ensuring that the Convention shall not have effect between two Contracting States if one of them makes the notification that the ratification, acceptance, approval or accession of another Contracting State will not have the effect of establishing relations between those two Contracting States pursuant to this Convention.

| 45. | Finally, the EDPS remains at the disposal of the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament to provide advice at further stages of this process. The comments in this Opinion are without prejudice to any additional comments that the EDPS could make as further issues may arise and would then be addressed once further information is available. He expects to be consulted on the provisions of the draft Convention before its finalisation. |
| --- | --- |

45.

Brussels, 18 May 2022.

Wojciech Rafał WIEWIÓROWSKI

---

(1)  See the UN Member States here: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/member-states

1

(2)  See Preamble of the Charter of the United Nations, San Francisco, 26 June 1945: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/full-text

2

(3)  United Nations General Assembly Resolution of 17 December 2018, A/RES/73/187.

3

(4)  United Nations General Assembly Resolution of 27 December 2019, A/RES/74/247.

4

(5)  See page 1 of the Resolution.

5

(6)  The open-ended intergovernmental Expert Group to Conduct a Comprehensive Study on Cybercrime was established by the Vienna-based Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) on the request of the UN General Assembly Resolution 65/230, and is a subsidiary body of CCPCJ. The Expert Group is separate from the Ad Hoc Committee negotiating the Convention, which is a subsidiary body of the General Assembly with a different mandate.

6

(7)  Members of the Ad Hoc Committee are as follows: Algeria (Chair), Egypt, Nigeria, China, Japan, Estonia, Poland, Russian Federation, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Brazil, Australia, Portugal, United States (Vice-Chairs), Indonesia (rapporteur).

7

(8)  United Nations General Assembly Resolution of 26 May 2021, A/RES/75/282.

8

(9)  See point 11 of the Resolution.

9

(10)  Submisssions to this first session are available here: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/cybercrime/ad_hoc_committee/ahc-first-session.html.

10

(11)  https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/V22/012/09/PDF/V2201209.pdf?OpenElement.

11

(12)  https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/cybercrime/ad_hoc_committee/intersessional-consultations/1st-intersessional-consultation.

12

(13)  https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/cybercrime/ad_hoc_committee/ahc-second-session.html.

13

(14)  Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the negotiations for a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes (COM(2022)132 final).

14

(15)  See Explanatory Memorandum, p. 2 and Article 1 of the Recommendation.

15

---

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 22.6.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 240/19 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

22.6.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 240/19

---

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

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

(2022/C 240/06)

| Member State | Spain |
| --- | --- |
| Concerned route | Melilla-Almería / Granada / Sevilla |
| Period of validity of the contract | From January 1st 2023 to December 31th 2023. |
| Deadline for submission of tenders | Not before 2 months following the date of publication of this notice |
| Address where the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation related to the public tender and the public service obligation can be obtained | Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana |
| Dirección General de Aviación Civil |
| Subdirección General de Transporte Aéreo |
| Paseo de la Castellana 67 |
| 28071 Madrid |
| ESPAÑA |

Member State

Spain

Concerned route

Melilla-Almería / Granada / Sevilla

Period of validity of the contract

From January 1st 2023 to December 31th 2023.

Deadline for submission of tenders

Not before 2 months following the date of publication of this notice

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

Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana

Dirección General de Aviación Civil

Subdirección General de Transporte Aéreo

Paseo de la Castellana 67

28071 Madrid

ESPAÑA

Email: osp.dgac@mitma.es

---

V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 22.6.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 240/20 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

22.6.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 240/20

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.10755 – ADVENT / IRCA)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2022/C 240/07)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | AI Tiramisù S.r.l. (‘Bidco’, Italy), controlled by Advent International Corporation (‘Advent’,USA), |
| --- | --- |

—

AI Tiramisù S.r.l. (‘Bidco’, Italy), controlled by Advent International Corporation (‘Advent’,USA),

| — | IRCA S.p.A. (‘IRCA’, Italy), controlled by The Carlyle Group (USA). |
| --- | --- |

—

IRCA S.p.A. (‘IRCA’, Italy), controlled by The Carlyle Group (USA).

Advent will acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation, sole control of the whole of IRCA.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.

| — | Advent, is an international private equity investor, based in Boston USA, active in the acquisition of equity stakes and the management of investment funds in various sectors, including healthcare, industrial, technology, retail, consumer and leisure and business and financial services. One of its portfolio companies is Caldic, a distributor of functional ingredients and specialty chemicals active in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, |
| --- | --- |

—

Advent, is an international private equity investor, based in Boston USA, active in the acquisition of equity stakes and the management of investment funds in various sectors, including healthcare, industrial, technology, retail, consumer and leisure and business and financial services. One of its portfolio companies is Caldic, a distributor of functional ingredients and specialty chemicals active in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific,

| — | IRCA is a food ingredient company based in Italy active in the production and sale of semi-finished ingredients for chocolate, bakery (pastry and bread), and gelato. It is mainly active in Italy and to a more limited extend across the EEA and globally. |
| --- | --- |

—

IRCA is a food ingredient company based in Italy active in the production and sale of semi-finished ingredients for chocolate, bakery (pastry and bread), and gelato. It is mainly active in Italy and to a more limited extend across the EEA and globally.

3.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4.

Observations must reach the Commission no later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.10755 – ADVENT / IRCA

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

| 22.6.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 240/22 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

22.6.2022

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 240/22

---

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

(2022/C 240/08)

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

COMMUNICATION OF STANDARD AMENDMENT MODIFYING THE SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Etna’

PDO-IT-A0780-AM02

Date of communication: 25.3.2022

DESCRIPTION OF AND REASONS FOR THE APPROVED AMENDMENT

1.   Information on types of sparkling wines and respective categories

Description: the existing types of sparkling wine products are specified, with a distinction being made between sparkling white and sparkling rosé, each within the two categories ‘sparkling wine’ and ‘quality sparkling wine’.

Reason: ‘Etna’ sparkling white and rosé wines are made from red Nerello Mascalese grapes using only the traditional method. Given the high quality of these products and the increase in market demand, it has been decided to more clearly identify and provide information on the two versions of ‘Etna’ PDO sparkling wine products available.

This amendment concerns Article 1 of the product specification and Section 4 (Description of the wine(s)) of the single document.

2.   Combination of secondary grape varieties

Description: for the ‘Etna’ Bianco and ‘Etna’ Bianco Superiore types, the Minnella bianca and Trebbiano varieties have been deleted from the list of secondary varieties, but the reference to the use of varieties suited to the Sicily region has been maintained.

Reason: the names of these two varieties have been deleted in the interests of clarity, as they are already included in the national register and classified among the varieties that are suited to being grown in the Sicily region.

The amendment concerns Article 2 of the product specification but does not concern the single document.

3.   Change in combination of grape varieties - ‘Etna’ sparkling wine

Description: for ‘Etna’ sparkling wine (rosé or vinified as white) the minimum quantity of Nerello Mascalese grapes has been increased from 60 % to 80 %.

Reason: the purpose of this amendment is for the production to be identified with the varietal originality of Nerello Mascalese grapes.

The amendment concerns Article 2 of the product specification but does not concern the single document.

4.   Administrative changes in the grape production area

Description: the municipality of Paternò has been replaced by the municipality of Ragalna.

Reason: following changes to the public administrations, the municipality of Ragalna has been set up as an autonomous municipality replacing the municipality of Paternò. The area corresponding to the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin (DOC) used to be part of the municipality of Paternò but it now belongs to the newly-established municipality of Ragalna.

This clerical amendment to the administrative information does not entail any change to the boundaries of the area where grapes for the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin are produced.

It is a clerical amendment entailing an update to Article 3 of the product specification and Section 6 (Demarcated geographical area) of the single document.

5.   Insertion of minimum number of plants per hectare

Description: for new plantings and replantings, the spacing must allow for at least 4 600 vines per hectare to be planted.

Reason: a numerical check on the productive layout of new plantings is considered essential in accordance with a rule that combines the local wine-growing tradition and the quality of the vineyards.

The amendment concerns Article 4 of the product specification but does not concern the single document.

6.   Rosé and sparkling rosé and white wine types - minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of the grapes

Description: for rosé and sparkling wine types, the minimum alcoholic strength required of the grapes at harvest has been lowered by half a percentage point: for rosés, down from 12 to 11,5, and for sparkling wines, down from 10 to 9,5.

Reason: being able to work with high acid content is a requirement for both of these types of wine, and therefore the earliest grapes should be harvested based on perfect technological ripeness in order to achieve very fine and delicate wines.

The amendment concerns Article 4 of the product specification but does not concern the single document

7.   Bottling in the demarcated geographical area — update to the reference to the legislation

Description: Reference is made to Article 35(3) of Law No 238/2016 concerning individual permits to bottle wines bearing the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin (DOC) outside the demarcated production area.

Reason: this is a clerical update of the reference to the legislation in force.

This amendment concerns Article 5 of the product specification and Section 9 (Further conditions - Bottling in the demarcated geographical area) of the single document.

8.   ‘Etna’ Rosato, changes to the parameters colour, minimum total alcoholic strength by volume, minimum sugar-free extract

Description: The shade of pink has been changed to include orange hints and the reference to ruby red has been deleted; the minimum total alcoholic strength by volume has been reduced from 12,50 % to 12 %; the dry extract value has been reduced from 20 to 18 g/l.

Reason: the shade of colour can be seen to change with ageing and there is no grounds for including the colour ruby red now that the new techniques used in wine-making allow to produce rosé wines with paler hues. In keeping with what has already been defined for the alcoholic strength of the grapes at harvest and for technical-commercial reasons at the consumption stage, the minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume has been reduced to 12 % and the dry extract value to 18 g/l.

This amendment concerns Article 6 of the product specification and Section 4 (Description of the wine(s)) of the single document.

9.   ‘Etna’ Bianco Superiore – information on minimum total acidity

Description: for the ‘Etna’ Bianco Superiore wine type, only the minimum value of 5,5 g/l is provided for the physico-chemical parameter of total acidity.

Reason: the range of values from 5,5 to 7 g/l, which had been a misprint in previous versions, has been deleted. With the current clerical amendment, the only value referred to is the minimum of 5,5 g/l.

This is a clerical amendment that concerns Article 6 of the product specification and Section 4 (Description of the wine(s)) of the single document.

10.   Inclusion of characteristics of sparkling white and sparkling rosé wine types on consumption

Description: The characteristics on consumption of the sparkling white and sparkling rosé wine types have been set out separately. They had previously been grouped together in the same category, ‘sparkling wine’.

Reason: Sparkling wines are an important part of the identity of the ‘Etna’ designation, in the two types: white and rosé; the physico-chemical and organoleptic characteristics of the two versions of the sparkling wine product (white and rosé) have therefore been identified more accurately.

This amendment concerns Article 6 of the product specification and Section 4 (Description of the wine(s)) of the single document.

11.   Labelling and presentation - use of the broader geographical unit ‘Sicilia’

Description: reference to the broader geographical unit ‘Sicilia’ can be included on the labelling and in presenting ‘Etna’ PDO wines.

Reason: using the broader geographical name ‘Sicilia’ provides consumers with more information on the geographical location of the ‘Etna’ PDO in the regional wine-growing system, in accordance with current EU and national legislation.

The amendment concerns Article 7 of the product specification and Section 9 (Further conditions - Additional provisions relating to labelling) of the single document.

12.   Packaging and closure systems — rewording and clarification

Description: the maximum nominal capacity of glass containers has been reduced from 5 to 3 litres, except in the case of Bordeaux, Burgundy and hock bottles, for which a capacity of up to 18 litres is allowed.

Reason: removing the 5-litre limit excludes the possibility of ‘carboys’ being used and indicating a limit of up to 18 litres encourages the use of large formats.

Description: all of the closure systems provided for by the legislation in force are allowed for sparkling wines, except for plastic materials.

Reason: this amendment expressly sets out the producers’ intention that plastic materials should not be allowed for sparkling wines.

Description: the requirement for standard corks to be used has been removed for all types, with the exception of ‘Etna’ Rosso Riserva and ‘Etna’ Bianco Superiore.

Reason: this amendment makes it clear that, for wines with the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin (DOC), with the exception of ‘Etna’ Rosso Riserva and ‘Etna’ Bianco Superiore, all closures allowed by law are permitted. This opens up the possibility of modern closures commonly found in other countries being used for wine covered by this designation.

This amendment concerns Article 8 of the product specification and Section 9 (Further conditions) of the single document.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

1.   Name of product

Etna

2.   Geographical indication type

PDO – Protected Designation of Origin

3.   Categories of grapevine product

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

1.

Wine

| 4. | Sparkling wine |
| --- | --- |

4.

Sparkling wine

| 5. | Quality sparkling wine |
| --- | --- |

5.

Quality sparkling wine

4.   Description of the wine(s)

1.   ‘Etna’ bianco

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Colour: straw yellow, occasionally with slight hints of gold;

Smell: delicate, distinctive;

Taste: dry, fresh, harmonious;

Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 11,50 %;

Minimum sugar-free extract: 18,0 g/l.

| General analytical characteristics |
| --- |
| Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum total acidity | 5,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid |
| Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) | |
| Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) | |

General analytical characteristics

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum total acidity

5,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

2.   ‘Etna’ bianco superiore

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Colour: Very light straw-yellow with pale green tints;

Smell: delicate, distinctive;

Taste: dry, fresh, harmonious, soft;

Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 12,00 %;

Minimum sugar-free extract: 18,0 g/l

| General analytical characteristics |
| --- |
| Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum total acidity | 5,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid |
| Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) | |
| Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) | |

General analytical characteristics

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum total acidity

5,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

3.   ‘Etna’ rosso

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Colour: ruby red with hints of garnet with ageing;

Smell: intense, distinctive;

Taste: dry, warm, robust, full, harmonious;

Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 12,50 %;

Minimum sugar-free extract: 20,0 g/l.

| General analytical characteristics |
| --- |
| Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum total acidity | 5,0 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid |
| Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) | |
| Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) | |

General analytical characteristics

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum total acidity

5,0 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

4.   ‘Etna’ rosso riserva

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Colour: ruby red with hints of garnet with ageing;

Smell: intense, distinctive;

Taste: dry, warm, robust, full, harmonious;

Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 13,00 %;

Minimum sugar-free extract: 20,0 g/l.

| General analytical characteristics |
| --- |
| Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum total acidity | 4,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid |
| Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) | |
| Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) | |

General analytical characteristics

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum total acidity

4,5 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5.   ‘Etna’ rosato

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Colour: pink of varying intensity and hints of orange

Smell: intense, distinctive;

Taste: dry, harmonious;

Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 12,00 %;

Minimum sugar-free extract: 18,0 g/l.

| General analytical characteristics |
| --- |
| Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum total acidity | 5,0 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid |
| Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) | |
| Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) | |

General analytical characteristics

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum total acidity

5,0 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

6.   ‘Etna’ spumante bianco

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Foam: fine and lasting;

Colour: straw yellow of varying intensity;

Smell: intense and distinctive, sometimes with citrus notes accompanied by a delicate hint of yeast;

Taste: full, harmonious, long-lasting; from ‘brut’ to extra-dry;

Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 11,00 %;

Minimum sugar-free extract: 15,0 g/l.

| General analytical characteristics |
| --- |
| Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum total acidity | 5,0 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid |
| Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) | |
| Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) | |

General analytical characteristics

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum total acidity

5,0 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

7.   ‘Etna’ spumante rosato or rosè

CONCISE TEXTUAL DESCRIPTION

Foam: fine and lasting;

Colour: pink of varying intensity and hints of orange;

Smell: intense and distinctive, sometimes with floral and spicy notes accompanied by a delicate hint of yeast;

Taste: full, harmonious, long-lasting; from ‘brut’ to extra-dry;

Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 11,00 %;

Minimum sugar-free extract: 15,0 g/l.

| General analytical characteristics |
| --- |
| Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume) | |
| Minimum total acidity | 5,0 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid |
| Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre) | |
| Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre) | |

General analytical characteristics

Maximum total alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum actual alcoholic strength (in % volume)

Minimum total acidity

5,0 grams per litre expressed as tartaric acid

Maximum volatile acidity (in milliequivalents per litre)

Maximum total sulphur dioxide (in milligrams per litre)

5.   Wine-making practices

5.1.   Specific oenological practices

1.   Sparkling types — secondary fermentation in the bottle

Specific oenological practice

Sparkling types must be produced exclusively by natural secondary fermentation in the bottle and by resting on the lees for at least 18 months.

2.   Sparkling types — wine-making

Specific oenological practice

Sparkling types must be made:

| — | for the rosé type, either by making red grapes into ‘rosé’ or by making wine from a combination of red and white grapes that have been pressed separately; |
| --- | --- |

—

for the rosé type, either by making red grapes into ‘rosé’ or by making wine from a combination of red and white grapes that have been pressed separately;

| — | for the white type, by making white wine from red grapes. |
| --- | --- |

—

for the white type, by making white wine from red grapes.

3.   Rosso Riserva type

Specific oenological practice

Red wines may bear the term ‘Riserva’ only they have been aged for at least four years within the production area, including at least 12 months in wooden vessels. The ageing period shall begin on 1 November of the year in which the grapes are harvested.

5.2.   Maximum yields

| 1. | ‘Etna’ bianco, bianco superiore, bianco spumante, rosso, rosato, rosato spumante |
| --- | --- |

1.

‘Etna’ bianco, bianco superiore, bianco spumante, rosso, rosato, rosato spumante

9 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

| 2. | ‘Etna’ rosso riserva |
| --- | --- |

2.

‘Etna’ rosso riserva

8 000 kilograms of grapes per hectare

6.   Demarcated geographical area

The production area for grapes suitable for the production of wines bearing the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin is located in the province of Catania and includes land in part of the following municipalities: Biancavilla, S. Maria di Licodia, Ragalna, Belpasso, Nicolosi, Pedara, Trecastagni, Viagrande, Aci S. Antonio, Acireale, S. Venerina, Giarre, Mascali, Zafferana, Milo, S. Alfio, Piedimonte, Linguaglossa, Castiglione, Randazzo.

7.   Wine grape varieties

Carricante B.

Catarratto bianco comune B. - Catarratto

Catarratto bianco lucido B. - Catarratto

Nerello cappuccio N.

Nerello cappuccio N. - Nerello mantellato

Nerello mascalese N.

8.   Description of the link(s)

Etna

The ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin (DOC) is in the province of Catania: 20 municipalities on the lower slopes of Etna, where high quality production is ensured by the variable climate and soil. ‘Etna’ was the first controlled designation of origin (DOC) to be recognised in Sicily. The soil is volcanic and the climate is temperate. The Nerello Mascalese and Carricante grape varieties are grown at high altitudes in the area of the ‘Etna’ DOC. Where the slopes are steep, the vineyards are grown on terraces enclosed by dry stone walls. All of the wines have pleasant, harmonious and elegant aromas. The volcanic soil composition and mineral content result in wines with a long shelf life. This is the area of Sicily where grapes ripen the latest, with the harvest season running from September to the end of October.

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

Winemaking operations in the defined geographical area

Legal framework:

EU legislation

Type of further condition:

Derogation on the production in the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

As well as within the demarcated production area, the operations of wine-making, secondary fermentation to make sparkling wine, mandatory ageing and maturing in the bottle can be carried out anywhere in the municipalities; not only in the part specifically included in the demarcated area, but also in the territory of the municipalities bordering the demarcated area.

Packaging within the demarcated geographical area

Legal framework:

EU legislation

Type of further condition:

Packaging within the demarcated geographical area

Description of the condition:

In accordance with Article 4 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 2019/33, bottling operations for wines bearing the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin must be carried out within the wine-making area in order to safeguard quality and reputation, to ensure the origin and effective controls. However, in order to safeguard the pre-established rights of operators who have traditionally carried out bottling outside the demarcated production area, individual permits may be granted under the conditions laid down in Article 35(3) of Law No 238/2016.

Labelling and presentation

Legal framework:

In national legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

Wines covered by the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin may feature additional geographical terms referring to the administrative units or districts where the grapes are grown, based on the list provided in Annex 1 to the product specification.

Information on the vintage year

Legal framework:

In national legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The vintage year must be stated on all wines covered by the ‘Etna’ controlled designation of origin, with the exception of sparkling wines that are not single-vintage.

Labelling and presentation

Legal framework:

In national legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

The broader geographical unit ‘Sicilia’ may be used on the labelling and in presenting ‘Etna’ wines, in accordance with Article 30 of Law 238/2016 and Article 7(4) of the product specification for the ‘Sicilia’ controlled designation of origin.

Packaging and closure systems

Legal framework:

EU legislation

Type of further condition:

Additional provisions relating to labelling

Description of the condition:

‘Etna’ DOC wines shall only be released for consumption in glass containers with a nominal capacity of up to 3 litres. This restriction excludes traditional glass Bordeaux, Burgundy and hock bottles, for which a maximum capacity of 18 litres is allowed.

All of the closure systems provided for by the legislation in force are permitted for sparkling wines, except for plastic materials.

All of the closures allowed under the applicable legislation are permitted, with the exception of the Rosso Riserva and Bianco Superiore types, where the use of standard corks is mandatory.

Link to the product specification

https://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/17936

---

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

---