# Den Europæiske Unions C 60/10.

| | ISSN 1725-2393 |
| --- | --- |
| Den Europæiske Unions
  Tidende | C 60 |
| | |
| Dansk udgave | Meddelelser og oplysninger | 48. årgang10. marts 2005 |

ISSN 1725-2393

Den Europæiske Unions

Tidende

C 60

Dansk udgave

Meddelelser og oplysninger

48. årgang10. marts 2005

---

| Informationsnummer | Indhold | Side |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | Retsakter vedtaget i henhold til afsnit VI i traktaten om Den Europæiske Union |
| 2005/C 060/1 | Rådets afgørelse af 24. februar 2005 om genudnævnelse af en vicedirektør for Europol | 1 |
| 2005/C 060/2 | Rådets afgørelse af 28. februar 2005 om udnævnelse af direktøren for Europol | 2 |

Informationsnummer

Indhold

Side

Retsakter vedtaget i henhold til afsnit VI i traktaten om Den Europæiske Union

2005/C 060/1

Rådets afgørelse af 24. februar 2005 om genudnævnelse af en vicedirektør for Europol

1

2005/C 060/2

Rådets afgørelse af 28. februar 2005 om udnævnelse af direktøren for Europol

2

| | I   Meddelelser |
| --- | --- |
| | Kommissionen |
| 2005/C 060/3 | Euroens vekselkurs | 3 |
| 2005/C 060/4 | Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion (Sag COMP/M.3716 — AS Watson/Marionnaud) (
  1
  ) | 4 |
| 2005/C 060/5 | Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion (Sag COMP/M.3722 — Nutreco/Stolt-Nielsen/Marine Harvest JV) (
  1
  ) | 5 |
| 2005/C 060/6 | Ingen indsigelse mod en anmeldt fusion (Sag COMP/M.3641 — BT/Infonet) (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| 2005/C 060/7 | Ingen indsigelse mod en anmeldt fusion (Sag COMP/M.3712 — LGB/Klöckner) (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| 2005/C 060/8 | Det Forenede Kongeriges bekendtgørelse vedrørende Europa-Parlamentets og Rådets direktiv 94/22/EF af 30. maj 1994 om betingelserne for tildeling og udnyttelse af tilladelser til prospektering, efterforskning og produktion af kulbrinter (
  1
  ) | 7 |
| | DET EUROPÆISKE ØKONOMISKE SAMARBEJDSOMRÅDE |
| | EFTA-Tilsynsmyndigheden |
| 2005/C 060/9 | Opfordring til at fremsætte bemærkninger efter artikel 1, stk. 2, i første del af protokol 3 til aftalen om Tilsynsmyndigheden og Domstolen, til forslaget om regionalt differentierede socialsikringsbidrag i Norge (ref. nr. 56310 — tidligere ref. nr. 55463) | 9 |
| | EFTA-Domstolen |
| 2005/C 060/0 | Sag anlagt den 11. januar 2005 af EFTA-Tilsynsmyndigheden mod Kongeriget Norge (Sag E-1/05) | 26 |

I   Meddelelser

Kommissionen

2005/C 060/3

Euroens vekselkurs

3

2005/C 060/4

Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion (Sag COMP/M.3716 — AS Watson/Marionnaud) (
  1
  )

1

4

2005/C 060/5

Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion (Sag COMP/M.3722 — Nutreco/Stolt-Nielsen/Marine Harvest JV) (
  1
  )

1

5

2005/C 060/6

Ingen indsigelse mod en anmeldt fusion (Sag COMP/M.3641 — BT/Infonet) (
  1
  )

1

6

2005/C 060/7

Ingen indsigelse mod en anmeldt fusion (Sag COMP/M.3712 — LGB/Klöckner) (
  1
  )

1

6

2005/C 060/8

Det Forenede Kongeriges bekendtgørelse vedrørende Europa-Parlamentets og Rådets direktiv 94/22/EF af 30. maj 1994 om betingelserne for tildeling og udnyttelse af tilladelser til prospektering, efterforskning og produktion af kulbrinter (
  1
  )

1

7

DET EUROPÆISKE ØKONOMISKE SAMARBEJDSOMRÅDE

EFTA-Tilsynsmyndigheden

2005/C 060/9

Opfordring til at fremsætte bemærkninger efter artikel 1, stk. 2, i første del af protokol 3 til aftalen om Tilsynsmyndigheden og Domstolen, til forslaget om regionalt differentierede socialsikringsbidrag i Norge (ref. nr. 56310 — tidligere ref. nr. 55463)

9

EFTA-Domstolen

2005/C 060/0

Sag anlagt den 11. januar 2005 af EFTA-Tilsynsmyndigheden mod Kongeriget Norge (Sag E-1/05)

26

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   EØS-relevant tekst |

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(1)   EØS-relevant tekst

1

| DA | |
| --- | --- |

DA

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Retsakter vedtaget i henhold til afsnit VI i traktaten om Den Europæiske Union

| 10.3.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 60/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.3.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 60/1

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RÅDETS AFGØRELSE

af 24. februar 2005

om genudnævnelse af en vicedirektør for Europol

(2005/C 60/01)

RÅDET FOR DEN EUROPÆISKE UNION,

som henviser til konventionen om oprettelse af en europæisk politienhed (Europol-konventionen) (1), særlig artikel 29, stk. 2,

som er den myndighed, der har kompetence til at udnævne Europols direktør og vicedirektører,

som henviser til Styrelsesrådets udtalelse, og

som tager følgende i betragtning:

| (1) | Embedsperioden for en vicedirektør for Europol, der blev udnævnt ved Rådets afgørelse af 17. december 2001 (2), udløber den 31. december 2005. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Embedsperioden for en vicedirektør for Europol, der blev udnævnt ved Rådets afgørelse af 17. december 2001 (2), udløber den 31. december 2005.

| (2) | Vedtægten for Europols personale (3), særlig bilag 8 hertil, fastsætter særbestemmelser for proceduren for genudnævnelse af Europols direktør og vicedirektører. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Vedtægten for Europols personale (3), særlig bilag 8 hertil, fastsætter særbestemmelser for proceduren for genudnævnelse af Europols direktør og vicedirektører.

| (3) | Styrelsesrådet har forelagt Rådet en udtalelse, hvori det foreslår, at den nuværende vicedirektør for Europol, Mariano Germán SIMANCAS CARRIÓN, genudnævnes. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Styrelsesrådet har forelagt Rådet en udtalelse, hvori det foreslår, at den nuværende vicedirektør for Europol, Mariano Germán SIMANCAS CARRIÓN, genudnævnes.

| (4) | På grundlag af udtalelsen fra Styrelsesrådet agter Rådet at genudnævne Mariano Germán SIMANCAS CARRIÓN til vicedirektør — |
| --- | --- |

(4)

På grundlag af udtalelsen fra Styrelsesrådet agter Rådet at genudnævne Mariano Germán SIMANCAS CARRIÓN til vicedirektør —

HAR TRUFFET FØLGENDE AFGØRELSE:

Artikel 1

Mariano Germán SIMANCAS CARRIÓN genudnævnes til vicedirektør for Europol fra 1. januar 2006 til den 31. december 2009.

Artikel 2

Denne afgørelse har virkning fra dagen for vedtagelsen.

Den offentliggøres i Den Europæiske Unions Tidende.

Udfærdiget i Bruxelles, den 24. februar 2005

På Rådets vegne

N. SCHMIT

Formand

---

(1)  EFT C 316 af 27.11.1995, s. 2.

1

(2)  EFT C 371 af 28.12.2001, s. 1.

2

(3)  Jf. Rådets afgørelse af 3. december 1998 om vedtagelse af vedtægten for Europols personale (EFT C 26 af 30.1.1999, s. 23), som ændret ved Rådets afgørelse af 19. december 2002 (EFT C 24 af 31.1.2003, s. 1).

3

---

| 10.3.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 60/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.3.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 60/2

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RÅDETS AFGØRELSE

af 28. februar 2005

om udnævnelse af direktøren for Europol

(2005/C 60/02)

RÅDET FOR DEN EUROPÆISKE UNION,

som henviser til konventionen om oprettelse af en europæisk politienhed (Europol-konventionen) (1), særlig artikel 29, stk. 1,

som er den myndighed, der har kompetence til at udnævne Europols direktør,

som henviser til Styrelsesrådets udtalelse, og

som tager følgende i betragtning:

| (1) | Embedsperioden er udløbet for direktøren for Europol, der blev udnævnt ved Rådets afgørelse af 29. april 1999 (2), hvorfor der skal udnævnes en direktør. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Embedsperioden er udløbet for direktøren for Europol, der blev udnævnt ved Rådets afgørelse af 29. april 1999 (2), hvorfor der skal udnævnes en direktør.

| (2) | Vedtægten for Europols personale (3), særlig bilag 8 hertil, fastsætter særbestemmelser for proceduren for udvælgelse af Europols direktør og vicedirektører. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Vedtægten for Europols personale (3), særlig bilag 8 hertil, fastsætter særbestemmelser for proceduren for udvælgelse af Europols direktør og vicedirektører.

| (3) | Europols Styrelsesråd har forelagt Rådet en liste over egnede ansøgere med en sagsmappe for hver af disse ansøgere samt en liste over samtlige ansøgere. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Europols Styrelsesråd har forelagt Rådet en liste over egnede ansøgere med en sagsmappe for hver af disse ansøgere samt en liste over samtlige ansøgere.

| (4) | På grundlag af alle relevante oplysninger fra Styrelsesrådet agter Rådet at udnævne den ansøger, der ifølge Rådet opfylder samtlige krav for at kunne bestride den ledige stilling som direktør — |
| --- | --- |

(4)

På grundlag af alle relevante oplysninger fra Styrelsesrådet agter Rådet at udnævne den ansøger, der ifølge Rådet opfylder samtlige krav for at kunne bestride den ledige stilling som direktør —

HAR TRUFFET FØLGENDE AFGØRELSE:

Artikel 1

Max-Peter RATZEL udnævnes hermed til direktør for Europol fra den 16. april 2005 til den 15. april 2009.

Artikel 2

Denne afgørelse har virkning fra dagen for vedtagelsen.

Den offentliggøres i Den Europæiske Unions Tidende.

Udfærdiget i Bruxelles, den 28. februar 2005

På Rådets vegne

F. BODEN

Formand

---

(1)  EFT C 316 af 27.11.1995, s. 2.

1

(2)  EFT C 149 af 28.5.1999, s. 18.

2

(3)  Jf. Rådets afgørelse af 3. december 1998 om vedtagelse af vedtægten for Europols personale (EFT C 26 af 30.1.1999, s. 23) som ændret ved Rådets afgørelse af 19. december 2002 (EFT C 24 af 31.1.2003, s. 1).

3

---

I Meddelelser

Kommissionen

| 10.3.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 60/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.3.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 60/3

---

Euroens vekselkurs (1)

9. marts 2005

(2005/C 60/03)

1 euro=

| | Valuta | Kurs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | amerikanske dollar | 1,3346 |
| JPY | japanske yen | 139,18 |
| DKK | danske kroner | 7,4462 |
| GBP | pund sterling | 0,69385 |
| SEK | svenske kroner | 9,0530 |
| CHF | schweiziske franc | 1,5535 |
| ISK | islandske kroner | 79,14 |
| NOK | norske kroner | 8,1750 |
| BGN | bulgarske lev | 1,9559 |
| CYP | cypriotiske pund | 0,5823 |
| CZK | tjekkiske koruna | 29,331 |
| EEK | estiske kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | ungarske forint | 241,68 |
| LTL | litauiske litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | lettiske lats | 0,6960 |
| MTL | maltesiske lira | 0,4322 |
| PLN | polske zloty | 3,9040 |
| ROL | rumænske leu | 35 951 |
| SIT | slovenske tolar | 239,73 |
| SKK | slovakiske koruna | 37,555 |
| TRY | tyrkiske lira | 1,7070 |
| AUD | australske dollar | 1,6855 |
| CAD | canadiske dollar | 1,6145 |
| HKD | hongkongske dollar | 10,4097 |
| NZD | newzealandske dollar | 1,8189 |
| SGD | singaporeanske dollar | 2,1639 |
| KRW | sydkoreanske won | 1 336,07 |
| ZAR | sydafrikanske rand | 7,7337 |

Valuta

Kurs

USD

amerikanske dollar

1,3346

JPY

japanske yen

139,18

DKK

danske kroner

7,4462

GBP

pund sterling

0,69385

SEK

svenske kroner

9,0530

CHF

schweiziske franc

1,5535

ISK

islandske kroner

79,14

NOK

norske kroner

8,1750

BGN

bulgarske lev

1,9559

CYP

cypriotiske pund

0,5823

CZK

tjekkiske koruna

29,331

EEK

estiske kroon

15,6466

HUF

ungarske forint

241,68

LTL

litauiske litas

3,4528

LVL

lettiske lats

0,6960

MTL

maltesiske lira

0,4322

PLN

polske zloty

3,9040

ROL

rumænske leu

35 951

SIT

slovenske tolar

239,73

SKK

slovakiske koruna

37,555

TRY

tyrkiske lira

1,7070

AUD

australske dollar

1,6855

CAD

canadiske dollar

1,6145

HKD

hongkongske dollar

10,4097

NZD

newzealandske dollar

1,8189

SGD

singaporeanske dollar

2,1639

KRW

sydkoreanske won

1 336,07

ZAR

sydafrikanske rand

7,7337

---

(1)

Kilde: Referencekurs offentliggjort af Den Europæiske Centralbank.

---

| 10.3.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 60/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.3.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 60/4

---

Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion

(Sag COMP/M.3716 — AS Watson/Marionnaud)

(2005/C 60/04)

(EØS-relevant tekst)

| 1. | Den 3. marts 2005 modtog Kommissionen i henhold til artikel 4 i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (1) en anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion, hvorved virksomheden AS Watson (France) SAS (»AS Watson« Frankrig), der tilhører koncernen Hutchison Whampoa Limited group (Hong Kong), erhverver kontrollen, jf. artikel 3, stk. 1, litra b), i Rådets forordning, med hele virksomheden Marionnaud Parfumeries SA (»Marionnaud«, Frankrig) ved offentligt tilbud, bebudet den 1. februar 2005. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Den 3. marts 2005 modtog Kommissionen i henhold til artikel 4 i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (1) en anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion, hvorved virksomheden AS Watson (France) SAS (»AS Watson« Frankrig), der tilhører koncernen Hutchison Whampoa Limited group (Hong Kong), erhverver kontrollen, jf. artikel 3, stk. 1, litra b), i Rådets forordning, med hele virksomheden Marionnaud Parfumeries SA (»Marionnaud«, Frankrig) ved offentligt tilbud, bebudet den 1. februar 2005.

| 2. | De pågældende virksomheder udøver følgende erhvervsaktiviteter:






  — | AS Watson: detailsalg af helse- og skønhedsprodukter, luksusparfumer og kosmetik |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

De pågældende virksomheder udøver følgende erhvervsaktiviteter:

—

AS Watson: detailsalg af helse- og skønhedsprodukter, luksusparfumer og kosmetik

| — | Marionnaud: detailsalg af luksusparfumer og kosmetik. |
| --- | --- |

—

Marionnaud: detailsalg af luksusparfumer og kosmetik.

| 3. | På grundlag af en foreløbig undersøgelse finder Kommissionen, at den anmeldte transaktion kan falde ind under forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004. Den forbeholder sig dog sin endelige stilling til dette punkt. |
| --- | --- |

3.

På grundlag af en foreløbig undersøgelse finder Kommissionen, at den anmeldte transaktion kan falde ind under forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004. Den forbeholder sig dog sin endelige stilling til dette punkt.

| 4. | Kommissionen opfordrer andre interesserede parter til at fremsætte deres eventuelle bemærkninger til den planlagte fusion.
  Bemærkningerne skal være Kommissionen i hænde senest ti dage efter offentliggørelsen af denne meddelelse. Bemærkningerne med angivelse af sag COMP/M.3716 — AS Watson/Marionnaud, kan sendes til Kommissionen med fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 eller 296 72 44) eller med posten til følgende adresse:





  Europa-Kommissionen |
| --- | --- |
| Generaldirektoratet for Konkurrence |
| Registreringskontoret for Fusioner |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles |

4.

Kommissionen opfordrer andre interesserede parter til at fremsætte deres eventuelle bemærkninger til den planlagte fusion.

Bemærkningerne skal være Kommissionen i hænde senest ti dage efter offentliggørelsen af denne meddelelse. Bemærkningerne med angivelse af sag COMP/M.3716 — AS Watson/Marionnaud, kan sendes til Kommissionen med fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 eller 296 72 44) eller med posten til følgende adresse:

Europa-Kommissionen

Generaldirektoratet for Konkurrence

Registreringskontoret for Fusioner

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles

---

(1)  EUT L 24 af 29.1.2004, s. 1.

---

| 10.3.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 60/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.3.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 60/5

---

Anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion

(Sag COMP/M.3722 — Nutreco/Stolt-Nielsen/Marine Harvest JV)

(2005/C 60/05)

(EØS-relevant tekst)

| 1. | Den 3. marts 2005 modtog Kommissionen i overensstemmelse med artikel 4 i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (1) anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion, hvorved virksomhederne Nutreco Holding N.V. (»Nutreco«, Nederlandene) og Stolt-Nielsen S.A. (»Stolt-Nielsen«, Luxembourg) i fællesskab erhverver kontrol, jf. forordningens artikel 3, stk. 1, litra b), over Marine Harvest N.V. (»Marine Harvest«, Nederlandene) gennem opkøb af aktier i et nyetableret selskab, der udgør et joint venture. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Den 3. marts 2005 modtog Kommissionen i overensstemmelse med artikel 4 i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004 (1) anmeldelse af en planlagt fusion, hvorved virksomhederne Nutreco Holding N.V. (»Nutreco«, Nederlandene) og Stolt-Nielsen S.A. (»Stolt-Nielsen«, Luxembourg) i fællesskab erhverver kontrol, jf. forordningens artikel 3, stk. 1, litra b), over Marine Harvest N.V. (»Marine Harvest«, Nederlandene) gennem opkøb af aktier i et nyetableret selskab, der udgør et joint venture.

| 2. | De deltagende virksomheder er aktive på følgende områder:






  — | Nutreco: fødevarer og foder af høj kvalitet til henholdsvis mennesker og dyr, fisk, fiskefoder, fjerkræ- og svineproduktion |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

De deltagende virksomheder er aktive på følgende områder:

—

Nutreco: fødevarer og foder af høj kvalitet til henholdsvis mennesker og dyr, fisk, fiskefoder, fjerkræ- og svineproduktion

| — | Stolt-Nielsen: transporttjenester, fiskeopdræt, offshoretjenester, tjenester i forbindelse med udbudsprocedurer inden for de maritime erhverv |
| --- | --- |

—

Stolt-Nielsen: transporttjenester, fiskeopdræt, offshoretjenester, tjenester i forbindelse med udbudsprocedurer inden for de maritime erhverv

| — | Marine Harvest: verdensomspændende produktion og salg af laks og andre opdrættede fiskearter, f.eks. torsk og helleflynder. |
| --- | --- |

—

Marine Harvest: verdensomspændende produktion og salg af laks og andre opdrættede fiskearter, f.eks. torsk og helleflynder.

| 3. | Efter en foreløbig gennemgang finder Kommissionen, at den anmeldte fusion muligvis falder ind under forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004. Den har dog endnu ikke taget endelig stilling hertil. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Efter en foreløbig gennemgang finder Kommissionen, at den anmeldte fusion muligvis falder ind under forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004. Den har dog endnu ikke taget endelig stilling hertil.

| 4. | Kommissionen opfordrer hermed alle interesserede til at fremsætte deres eventuelle bemærkninger til den planlagte fusion.
  Bemærkningerne skal være Kommissionen i hænde senest ti dage efter offentliggørelsen af denne meddelelse. De kan med angivelse af sag COMP/M.3722 — Nutreco/Stolt-Nielsen/Marine Harvest JV — sendes til Kommissionen pr. fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 eller 296 72 44) eller med post til følgende adresse:





  Europa-Kommissionen |
| --- | --- |
| Generaldirektoratet for Konkurrence |
| Registreringskontoret for Fusioner |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles |

4.

Kommissionen opfordrer hermed alle interesserede til at fremsætte deres eventuelle bemærkninger til den planlagte fusion.

Bemærkningerne skal være Kommissionen i hænde senest ti dage efter offentliggørelsen af denne meddelelse. De kan med angivelse af sag COMP/M.3722 — Nutreco/Stolt-Nielsen/Marine Harvest JV — sendes til Kommissionen pr. fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 eller 296 72 44) eller med post til følgende adresse:

Europa-Kommissionen

Generaldirektoratet for Konkurrence

Registreringskontoret for Fusioner

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles

---

(1)  EUT L 24 af 29.1.2004, s. 1.

---

| 10.3.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 60/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.3.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 60/6

---

Ingen indsigelse mod en anmeldt fusion

(Sag COMP/M.3641 — BT/INFONET)

(2005/C 60/06)

(EØS-relevant tekst)

Den 25. januar 2005 besluttede Kommissionen ikke at rejse indsigelse mod ovennævnte anmeldte fusion og at erklære den forenelig med fællesmarkedet. Denne beslutning er truffet efter artikel 6, stk. 1, litra b), i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004. Beslutningens fulde ordlyd foreligger kun på engelsk og vil blive offentliggjort, efter at eventuelle forretningshemmeligheder er udeladt. Den kan fås:

| — | på Kommissionens websted for konkurrence (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Dette websted giver forskellige muligheder for at finde de konkrete fusionsbeslutninger, idet de er opstillet efter bl.a. virksomhedens navn, sagsnummer, dato og sektor |
| --- | --- |

—

på Kommissionens websted for konkurrence (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Dette websted giver forskellige muligheder for at finde de konkrete fusionsbeslutninger, idet de er opstillet efter bl.a. virksomhedens navn, sagsnummer, dato og sektor

| — | i elektronisk form på webstedet EUR-Lex under dokumentnummer 32005M3641. EUR-Lex giver online adgang til EU-retten. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex). |
| --- | --- |

—

i elektronisk form på webstedet EUR-Lex under dokumentnummer 32005M3641. EUR-Lex giver online adgang til EU-retten. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex).

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| 10.3.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 60/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.3.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 60/6

---

Ingen indsigelse mod en anmeldt fusion

(Sag COMP/M.3712 — LGB/KLÖCKNER)

(2005/C 60/07)

(EØS-relevant tekst)

Den 28. februar 2005 besluttede Kommissionen ikke at rejse indsigelse mod ovennævnte anmeldte fusion og at erklære den forenelig med fællesmarkedet. Denne beslutning er truffet efter artikel 6, stk. 1, litra b), i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 139/2004. Beslutningens fulde ordlyd foreligger kun på tysk og vil blive offentliggjort, efter at eventuelle forretningshemmeligheder er udeladt. Den kan fås:

| — | på Kommissionens websted for konkurrence (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Dette websted giver forskellige muligheder for at finde de konkrete fusionsbeslutninger, idet de er opstillet efter bl.a. virksomhedens navn, sagsnummer, dato og sektor |
| --- | --- |

—

på Kommissionens websted for konkurrence (http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Dette websted giver forskellige muligheder for at finde de konkrete fusionsbeslutninger, idet de er opstillet efter bl.a. virksomhedens navn, sagsnummer, dato og sektor

| — | i elektronisk form på webstedet EUR-Lex under dokumentnummer 32005M3712. EUR-Lex giver online adgang til EU-retten. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex). |
| --- | --- |

—

i elektronisk form på webstedet EUR-Lex under dokumentnummer 32005M3712. EUR-Lex giver online adgang til EU-retten. (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex).

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| 10.3.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 60/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.3.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 60/7

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Det Forenede Kongeriges bekendtgørelse vedrørende Europa-Parlamentets og Rådets direktiv 94/22/EF af 30. maj 1994 om betingelserne for tildeling og udnyttelse af tilladelser til prospektering, efterforskning og produktion af kulbrinter

(2005/C 60/08)

(EØS-relevant tekst)

BEKENDTGØRELSE AF DET FORENEDE KONGERIGES 23. OFFSHORE OLIE- OG GASTILLADELSESRUNDE

HANDELS- OG INDUSTRIMINISTERIET

THE PETROLIUM (PRODUCTION) (SEAWARD AREAS) REGULATIONS 1988

OFFSHORE (SEAWARD)

| 1) | Under henvisning til Petroleum (Production) (Seaward Areas) Regulations 1988 (S.I. 1988 nr. 1213) med senere ændringer (»1988 Regulations«) og Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995 nr. 1434) opfordrer handels- og industriministeren alle interesserede til at ansøge om tilladelser til havproduktion (i det følgende benævnt »traditionelle tilladelser«), iværksættertilladelser til havproduktion (i det følgende »iværksættertilladelser«) og grænsetilladelser til havproduktion (i det følgende »grænsetilladelser«). Ministeren opfordrer navnlig til ansøgning om »grænsetilladelser« og »traditionelle tilladelser« i de områder, der hører under SEA 1 og SEA 4, og til ansøgninger om »traditionelle tilladelser« og »iværksættertilladelser« i områderne SEA 2, SEA 3 og SEA 5. Oplysninger om disse tilladelsestyper kan fås på handels- og industriministeriets olie- og gasnetsted, http://www.og.dti.gov.uk/upstream/licensing/lictypevar.htm |
| --- | --- |

1)

Under henvisning til Petroleum (Production) (Seaward Areas) Regulations 1988 (S.I. 1988 nr. 1213) med senere ændringer (»1988 Regulations«) og Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995 nr. 1434) opfordrer handels- og industriministeren alle interesserede til at ansøge om tilladelser til havproduktion (i det følgende benævnt »traditionelle tilladelser«), iværksættertilladelser til havproduktion (i det følgende »iværksættertilladelser«) og grænsetilladelser til havproduktion (i det følgende »grænsetilladelser«). Ministeren opfordrer navnlig til ansøgning om »grænsetilladelser« og »traditionelle tilladelser« i de områder, der hører under SEA 1 og SEA 4, og til ansøgninger om »traditionelle tilladelser« og »iværksættertilladelser« i områderne SEA 2, SEA 3 og SEA 5. Oplysninger om disse tilladelsestyper kan fås på handels- og industriministeriets olie- og gasnetsted, http://www.og.dti.gov.uk/upstream/licensing/lictypevar.htm

| 2) | Denne opfordring gælder de blokke og blokafsnit, der på denne bekendtgørelses offentliggørelsestidspunkt ikke allerede omfattes af en olieproduktionstilladelse i et af de områder, som er indtegnet på kort, der kan konsulteres hos handels- og industriministeriet efter forudgående aftale (se under kontaktoplysninger) mandag-fredag mellem kl. 9.15 og 16.45 indtil den 8. juni 2005. Kortene og en liste over de blokke og blokafsnit, som omfattes af dette tilbud, samt de SEA-områder, de indgår i, findes også på handels- og industriministeriets olie- og gasnetsted, www.og.dti.gov.uk. Dette er den 23. tilladelsesrunde til Det Forenede Kongeriges kontinentalsokkel (UKCS). |
| --- | --- |

2)

Denne opfordring gælder de blokke og blokafsnit, der på denne bekendtgørelses offentliggørelsestidspunkt ikke allerede omfattes af en olieproduktionstilladelse i et af de områder, som er indtegnet på kort, der kan konsulteres hos handels- og industriministeriet efter forudgående aftale (se under kontaktoplysninger) mandag-fredag mellem kl. 9.15 og 16.45 indtil den 8. juni 2005. Kortene og en liste over de blokke og blokafsnit, som omfattes af dette tilbud, samt de SEA-områder, de indgår i, findes også på handels- og industriministeriets olie- og gasnetsted, www.og.dti.gov.uk. Dette er den 23. tilladelsesrunde til Det Forenede Kongeriges kontinentalsokkel (UKCS).

| 3) | Tilladelser, der udstedes som følge af denne opfordring, vil indeholde betingelser, som hovedsagelig bygger på standardbestemmelserne i tillæg 2-5 til Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Seaward and Landward) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/352). |
| --- | --- |

3)

Tilladelser, der udstedes som følge af denne opfordring, vil indeholde betingelser, som hovedsagelig bygger på standardbestemmelserne i tillæg 2-5 til Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Seaward and Landward) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/352).

| 4) | Der er blevet foretaget en strategisk miljøvurdering (SEA) af det tilbudte område (»SEA 5«) og vurderingens resultater findes på følgende netsted (tidligere SEA af områderne SEA 1-4 findes på samme netsted): http://www.offshore-sea.org.uk/sea/index.php |
| --- | --- |

4)

Der er blevet foretaget en strategisk miljøvurdering (SEA) af det tilbudte område (»SEA 5«) og vurderingens resultater findes på følgende netsted (tidligere SEA af områderne SEA 1-4 findes på samme netsted): http://www.offshore-sea.org.uk/sea/index.php

ANSØGNING OM TILLADELSE

| 5) | Ansøgerne bør konsultere handels- og industriministeriets olie- og gasnetsted (www.og.dti.gov.uk) for at få oplysninger om procedurer og gebyrer i forbindelse med indsendelser af ansøgninger til denne 23. olie- og gastilladelsesrunde. |
| --- | --- |

5)

Ansøgerne bør konsultere handels- og industriministeriets olie- og gasnetsted (www.og.dti.gov.uk) for at få oplysninger om procedurer og gebyrer i forbindelse med indsendelser af ansøgninger til denne 23. olie- og gastilladelsesrunde.

| 6) | Ansøgningerne indsendes til handels- og industriministeriet i overensstemmelse med disse procedurer inden den 9. juni 2005, kl. 13. |
| --- | --- |

6)

Ansøgningerne indsendes til handels- og industriministeriet i overensstemmelse med disse procedurer inden den 9. juni 2005, kl. 13.

| 7) | Ansøgningerne vil blive bedømt efter de kriterier, der blev benyttet i Det Forenede Kongeriges forrige offshore olie- og gastilladelsesrunde, således som de fremgår af Den Europæiske Unions Tidende (2004/C 56/03) af 4.3.2004, punkt 9, 11 og 13. |
| --- | --- |

7)

Ansøgningerne vil blive bedømt efter de kriterier, der blev benyttet i Det Forenede Kongeriges forrige offshore olie- og gastilladelsesrunde, således som de fremgår af Den Europæiske Unions Tidende (2004/C 56/03) af 4.3.2004, punkt 9, 11 og 13.

| 8) | Når alle ansøgninger er blevet behandlet, underretter ministeren skriftligt ansøgerne om udfaldet. De vil få meddelelse herom hurtigst muligt, når resultatet foreligger, dvs. senest et år efter ansøgningstidspunktet. |
| --- | --- |

8)

Når alle ansøgninger er blevet behandlet, underretter ministeren skriftligt ansøgerne om udfaldet. De vil få meddelelse herom hurtigst muligt, når resultatet foreligger, dvs. senest et år efter ansøgningstidspunktet.

VEDERLAG FOR TILLADELSEN

| 9) | Tilladelser, der udstedes som følge af denne opfordring, betinges af, at der betales et vederlag i overensstemmelse med standardbestemmelserne og tilladelsens tillæg. Oplysninger om disse vederlag findes på olie- og gasnetstedet. |
| --- | --- |

9)

Tilladelser, der udstedes som følge af denne opfordring, betinges af, at der betales et vederlag i overensstemmelse med standardbestemmelserne og tilladelsens tillæg. Oplysninger om disse vederlag findes på olie- og gasnetstedet.

FORTROLIGHED

| 10) | Materiale, der indleveres til støtte for ansøgningerne, behandles fortroligt og som følsomme erhvervsoplysninger. |
| --- | --- |

10)

Materiale, der indleveres til støtte for ansøgningerne, behandles fortroligt og som følsomme erhvervsoplysninger.

| 11) | Det bedes bemærket, at handels- og industriministeriet efter samråd med industriens repræsentanter vil offentliggøre samtlige ansøgeres samlede pointtal. |
| --- | --- |

11)

Det bedes bemærket, at handels- og industriministeriet efter samråd med industriens repræsentanter vil offentliggøre samtlige ansøgeres samlede pointtal.

UNDTAGELSER

| 12) | Betingelser, bestemmelser, vederlag og andre oplysninger i forbindelse med tilladelserne vil normalt være de samme som angivet her, men ministeren forbeholder sig ret til i visse tilfælde at ændre dem af hensyn til særlige omstændigheder (f.eks. tilladelser, der gælder felter, som er taget ud af drift). |
| --- | --- |

12)

Betingelser, bestemmelser, vederlag og andre oplysninger i forbindelse med tilladelserne vil normalt være de samme som angivet her, men ministeren forbeholder sig ret til i visse tilfælde at ændre dem af hensyn til særlige omstændigheder (f.eks. tilladelser, der gælder felter, som er taget ud af drift).

KONTAKTOPLYSNINGER

13)   Licence Administration:

Licensing, Exploration and Development Branch, Department of Trade and Industry, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET (tlf. +(0) 20 72 15 50 32, fax +(0) 20 72 15 50 70).

14)   Energy Resources Development Unit (ERDU) website:

www.og.dti.gov.uk

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DET EUROPÆISKE ØKONOMISKE SAMARBEJDSOMRÅDE

EFTA-Tilsynsmyndigheden

| 10.3.2005 | DA EN EN | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 60/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.3.2005

DA EN EN

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 60/9

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Opfordring til at fremsætte bemærkninger efter artikel 1, stk. 2, i første del af protokol 3 til aftalen om Tilsynsmyndigheden og Domstolen, til forslaget om regionalt differentierede socialsikringsbidrag i Norge (ref. nr. 56310 — tidligere ref. nr. 55463)

(2005/C 60/09)

Ved beslutning 245/04/KOL af 6. oktober 2004, der er gengivet på det autentiske sprog efter dette resumé, indledte EFTA-Tilsynsmyndigheden proceduren efter artikel 1, stk. 2, i første del af protokol 3 til aftalen mellem EFTA-staterne om oprettelse af en tilsynsmyndighed og en domstol (aftalen om Tilsynsmyndigheden og Domstolen). Den norske regering er underrettet herom ved en kopi af beslutningen.

EFTA-Tilsynsmyndigheden opfordrer hermed EØS-aftalens kontraherende parter samt interesserede parter til inden en måned efter datoen for offentliggørelsen af denne meddelelse at fremsætte bemærkninger til:

| EFTA-Tilsynsmyndigheden |
| --- |
| 35, rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 35 |
| B-1040 Bruxelles |

EFTA-Tilsynsmyndigheden

35, rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 35

B-1040 Bruxelles

Disse bemærkninger vil blive videresendt til Norges regering. Interesserede parter, der fremsætter bemærkninger til sagen, kan skriftligt anmode om at få deres navne hemmeligholdt. Anmodningen skal være begrundet.

RESUMÉ

Sagsforløb

Ved brev fra den norske mission ved Den Europæiske Union af 26. april 2004 underrettede de norske myndigheder efter artikel 1, stk. 3, i første del af protokol 3 til aftalen om Tilsynsmyndigheden og Domstolen, myndigheden om, at de agtede at anvende reducerede satser for socialsikringsbidrag for virksomheder inden for visse sektorer, som er beliggende i de nærmere angivne geografiske zoner 2, 3 og 4 i Norge.

Beskrivelse af støtten

De norske myndigheder har til hensigt at anvende de reducerede satser for arbejdsgivernes socialsikringsbidrag, som var gyldige indtil udgangen af 2003, i afgiftszonerne 2, 3 og 4 i Norge fra og med januar 2005. Disse satser var fastsat til 10,60 % i zone 2, 6,4 % i zone 3 og 5,1 % i zone 4. Satserne skal sammenlignes med den fulde sats på 14,1 % i zone 1. Afgiften opkræves på baggrund af bruttolønninger.

Den anmeldte ordning vil finde anvendelse for 209 NACE-sektorer (1), der er blevet udpeget i en økonomisk rapport foretaget af konsulentvirksomheden ECON, som har vurderet konkurrencefladerne (»konkurranseflater«) mellem virksomheder i Norge og virksomheder i andre EØS-stater (2).

Anmeldelsen var baseret på den antagelse, at aktiviteterne i de anmeldte sektorer ikke er genstand for EØS-samhandel. Ifølge den norske regering kan virksomheder inden for disse sektorer derfor drage fordel af de reducerede satser for socialsikringsbidrag, uden at dette opfattes som statsstøtte som defineret i artikel 61, stk. 1, i EØS-aftalen.

Der bør her henvises til den ordning for regionalt differentierede satser for socialsikringsbidrag, som myndigheden godkendte med beslutning 218/03/KOL af 12. november 2003 (3). Ifølge denne ordning fandt de reducerede og differentierede satser for socialsikringsbidrag anvendelse for alle virksomheder i zone 3 og 4. I henhold til myndighedens godkendelse af en overgangsperiode skulle disse satser stige progressivt over en periode på tre år for herefter at nå den fulde sats på 14,1 %.

I modsætning til den forrige ordning vil de regionalt differentierede satser for socialsikringsbidrag i den anmeldte ordning for reducerede socialsikringsbidrag finde anvendelse på ubestemt tid for visse økonomiske sektorer, hovedsageligt inden for tjenesteydelsessegmentet.

Vurdering

Myndigheden nærer tvivl om, hvorvidt den anmeldte ordning, som anført af de norske myndigheder, ikke udgør statsstøtte.

Anvendelsen af reducerede satser for socialsikringsbidrag mindsker statens socialsikringsindtægter. Når staten giver afkald på sædvanlige indtægter, svarer det til forbrug af statslige midler.

De reducerede satser for socialsikringsbidrag ville derfor give de virksomheder, som er aktive inden for de sektorer, der er opført på listen, og som er beliggende i zone 2, 3 eller 4 i Norge, en fordel.

Foranstaltningen ville ikke blot være konkurrenceforvridende for virksomheder inden for den samme sektor, som er beliggende i et af de områder, hvor der ikke kan drages fordel af den anmeldte ordning, men også for virksomheder, som er beliggende i ordningens forskellige zoner, idet satserne varierer fra zone til zone.

Myndigheden nærer tvivl om den metode og den fremgangsmåde, der er anvendt til at fastslå, at der ikke sker nogen påvirkning af samhandlen mellem EØS-aftalens kontraherende parter. Myndigheden nærer endnu større tvivl om, hvorvidt fremgangsmåden er i tråd med fortolkningen af kriteriet »påvirkning af samhandlen«, som defineret i artikel 61, stk. 1, i EØS-aftalen og fastlagt ved retspraksis.

Set i lyset af, at mere end 209 NACE-sektorer er omfattet af ordningen, at der mangler klare og præcise støttekriterier, og at det ikke er lykkedes at iværksætte en kontrol- og revisionsforanstaltning, der kan sikre den nødvendige retlige og økonomiske sikkerhed i ordningens anvendelse, nærer myndigheden tvivl om, hvorvidt ordningen udgør statsstøtte som defineret i artikel 61, stk. 1, i EØS-aftalen.

Konklusion

Myndigheden nærer tvivl om, hvorvidt den anmeldte ordning for regionalt differentierede satser for socialsikringsbidrag udgør statsstøtte som defineret i artikel 61, stk. 1, i EØS-aftalen. Såfremt foranstaltningen udgør statsstøtte, nærer myndigheden tvivl om, hvorvidt den kan erklæres forenelig med EØS-aftalen. Myndigheden er derfor nødt til at indlede den formelle undersøgelsesprocedure efter artikel 1, stk. 2, i første del af protokol 3 til aftalen om Tilsynsmyndigheden og Domstolen.

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(1)  Nomenklatur for økonomiske aktiviteter.

(2)  Se listen over de udpegede NACE-koder nedenfor. Kode 0 betyder ifølge de norske myndigheder, at der ikke sker nogen påvirkning af samhandlen i disse sektorer, hvorimod kode 0/2 indikerer, at nogle virksomheder inden for de givne sektorer i den enkelte zone er udsat for konkurrence fra andre EFTA-stater, mens andre ikke er.

(3)  Er endnu ikke offentliggjort i EUT. EFTA-Tilsynsmyndighedens statsstøttebeslutninger forefindes på myndighedens hjemmeside: http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregistry/

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EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY DECISION

No 245/04/COL

of 6 October 2004

on a proposal for regionally differentiated rates of social security contributions for certain sectors

(Norway)

THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (1), in particular to Articles 61 to 63 and Protocol 26 thereof,

Having regard to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice (2), in particular to Article 24 thereof and Article 1(2) in Part I of Protocol 3 thereof,

Having regard to the Authority's Guidelines (3) on the application and interpretation of Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement,

Whereas:

I.   FACTS

1.   Procedure

Pursuant to Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, the Norwegian authorities notified their intention to apply reduced rates of social security contributions to undertakings active in certain sectors and located in designated geographical Zones 2, 3 and 4 in Norway. The notification was sent by letter dated 26 April 2004 from the Norwegian Mission to the European Union, forwarding a letter from the Ministry of Trade and Industry together with a letter from the Ministry of Finance both dated 23 April 2004, received and registered by the EFTA Surveillance Authority (hereinafter: »the Authority«) on 27 April 2004 (Event No 278992).

On 3 May 2004, a meeting was held in Oslo between representatives of the Authority and the Norwegian authorities to discuss the notification.

Following this meeting, by letter dated 23 June 2004 (Event No 279843), the Authority requested additional information and clarification from the Norwegian authorities.

The Norwegian authorities replied to the information request by letter dated 12 August 2004 from the Norwegian Mission to the European Union, received and registered by the Authority on 13 August 2004 (Event No 290198).

A further discussion between representatives of the Authority and the Norwegian authorities was held in the framework of a package meeting which took place in Oslo on 23 September 2004.

2.   Background

On the basis of the Norwegian Social Security Act of 28 February 1997 (»Lov om folketrygd«), all employers in Norway are subject to compulsory contributions to the national social security scheme. These contributions are calculated in relation to gross salaries of employees and differentiated according to the place of residence of the employees. For this purpose, Norway is divided into five geographical zones. Zone 1 covers the most central parts of the southern part of the country. Zone 2 comprises less central parts of Southern Norway. Zone 3 covers mostly certain mountain regions in Southern Norway. Zone 4 is made up of the most northern part of South Norway and North Norway south of Zone 5. Zone 5 covers the very northernmost part of the country. A detailed overview of the geographical zones is given in Annex I to this Decision.

The Authority opened the formal investigation procedure with respect to the regionally differentiated social security contribution rates in Norway on 19 November 1997 (4). On 2 July 1998, the Authority adopted a decision (5) in which it found that the system provided, through the State budget, a benefit to certain undertakings, which could not be justified on the basis of the general nature and character of the system and which distorted or threatened to distort competition within the European Economic Area. The system of regionally differentiated social security rates was declared incompatible State aid and had to be brought in line with the rules of the EEA Agreement.

On 2 September 1998, the Norwegian authorities brought an action under Article 36(1) of the Surveillance and Court Agreement before the EFTA Court requesting the annulment of the Decision of 2 July 1998.

The Court dismissed the application for annulment on 20 May 1999 (6) and upheld the Authority's decision which considered that the system of differentiated social security contributions constituted State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.

With a view to complying with the Authority's decision of 2 July 1998, the Norwegian authorities proposed new regulations in the regionally differentiated social security contributions scheme. On 22 September 1999, the Authority approved the new regulations for a limited period of time, not going beyond 31 December 2003 (7).

On 21 December 2000, the European Commission took a negative decision concerning a reduced social security contributions aid scheme notified by Sweden (8). In the decision, the Commission pointed out that Norway, by letter dated 27 July 2000, not only submitted comments to the decision to initiate the procedure regarding the Swedish case but also confirmed that it operates a similar scheme.

In the light of the Swedish decision, the Norwegian system was thereafter discussed at several meetings between the Norwegian authorities and the Authority, as well as between the Authority and the services of the European Commission. In view of the similarities between the Norwegian and the Swedish schemes and in order to assure a level playing field within the EEA, the Authority considered it necessary to examine the compatibility of the Norwegian scheme and initiated a formal review of the Norwegian system by letter to the Norwegian authorities dated 4 June 2002 (Doc. No: 02-4189 D).

In its Decision of 25 September 2002 (9), the Authority concluded that the regionally differentiated social security contributions scheme did not qualify for the derogation provided for under Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement and proposed the adoption of appropriate measures requesting the elimination of any incompatible aid involved in the system or to render it compatible with effect from 1 January 2004.

By letter from the Mission of Norway to the European Union dated 29 October 2002, received and registered by the Authority on 31 October 2002 (Doc. No: 02-7855 A), the Norwegian authorities accepted the appropriate measures.

In March 2003, the Norwegian authorities notified the Authority of a three-year transitional period, from 2004 to 2007, for the progressive adjustment of the rates of social security contributions applicable in Zones 3 and 4 (Doc. No: 03-1846 A). According to the notification, the social security rates would be as follows (10):

| | Rates 2003 | Rates 2004 | Rates 2005 | Rates 2006 | Rates 2007 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zone 1 | 14,1 | 14,1 | 14,1 | 14,1 | 14,1 |
| Zone 2 | 10,6 | 14,1 | 14,1 | 14,1 | 14,1 |
| Zone 3 | 6,4 | 8,3 | 10,2 | 12,1 | 14,1 |
| Zone 4 | 5,1 | 7,3 | 9,5 | 11,7 | 14,1 |

Rates 2003

Rates 2004

Rates 2005

Rates 2006

Rates 2007

Zone 1

14,1

14,1

14,1

14,1

14,1

Zone 2

10,6

14,1

14,1

14,1

14,1

Zone 3

6,4

8,3

10,2

12,1

14,1

Zone 4

5,1

7,3

9,5

11,7

14,1

Zone 1 covers 76,6 % of the total population in Norway whereas Zone 2 only covers 9,4 %, Zone 3 covers 2,6 % and Zone 4 covers 9,4 %.

By letter dated 15 April 2003 (Doc. No:03-2467 A), the Norwegian authorities had also notified a continuation of regionally differentiated social security contributions in Nord-Troms and Finnmark (Zone 5). This notification was however withdrawn by letter from the Norwegian Ambassador to the European Union dated 4 July 2003 (Doc. No: 03-4403 A) as the EFTA States, by common accord in the Standing Committee of the EFTA States on 1 July 2003 (No 2/2003/SC), and by reference to Article 1(2) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, had decided that the present scheme in Zone 5 was compatible with the EEA Agreement due to the exceptional circumstances in this zone.

After opening the formal investigation procedure by a decision dated 16 July 2003 (11), the Authority authorised the notified three-year transitional period for the regionally differentiated social security contributions in Zones 3 and 4 by Decision No 218/03/COL of 12 November 2003. In this decision, the Authority noted that without a transitional period, the increase in the social security payments would lead to adverse employment effects. The Authority observed that a gradual phasing out of the differentiated tax rates over a period of three years would mean that the annual cost increases for the undertakings would be spread over the period. On the contrary, an immediate abolishment of the current system would have implied a cost shock to the enterprises concerned. An appropriate transition period seemed advisable in order to mitigate the shock effects and give the undertakings time to adjust to the new economic environment.

3.   Detailed description of the notified measure

The Norwegian authorities have notified the Authority of their intention to apply, for certain economic sectors, from 1 January 2005 onwards, the regionally differentiated rates of social security contributions that existed until the end of 2003 (12).

Zone 5 is kept outside the notification as the rate there continues to be zero following the Decision of the Standing Committee of the EFTA States No 2/2003/SC of 1 July 2003.

The notified scheme will only be applicable for certain sectors which, according to the Norwegian authorities, are not exposed to competition from undertakings in other EEA States. The Norwegian authorities assessed the exposure to competition on the basis of an economic report prepared by an independent consultancy firm ECON in cooperation with a Norwegian law firm (hereinafter: »the ECON report«). The ECON report is based on the assessment of the competition interfaces (»konkurranseflater«) between undertakings located in Zones 2, 3 and 4 in Norway and those in other EEA States.

The ECON report contains a list of sectors supposedly not affected by competition from other EEA States. This list has been drafted on the basis of data on export and import figures to the relevant zones provided by Statistics Norway. In addition, several telephone interviews were made with a selection of enterprises in the services sector in Zones 2, 3 and 4 in Norway. In the introduction to the report, ECON states that there was not enough time or resources to conduct a thorough analysis within all sectors covered by the report. In most cases, the assessment was built on interviews with selected enterprises. Due to this fact, there is a risk of failure. ECON is nonetheless of the opinion that a reasonable picture of competition between EEA States can be drawn from the outcome of the report.

The current notification is thus based on the assumption that activities in the notified sectors are not subject to intra-EEA trade. The Norwegian authorities consider that the notified scheme does not constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement because, on the basis of the ECON report, there is no trade effect in the sectors benefiting from the intended application of reduced social security rates. Consequently, in view of the Norwegian authorities, undertakings in these sectors can benefit from reduced social security contributions without being granted State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.

Contrary to the approved three-year transitional period (Decision No 218/03/COL), the scheme of regionally differentiated social security rates currently notified proposes an indefinite application of regionally differentiated social security rates exclusively to certain sectors of the economy, mainly within the services segment of the economy.

The list of sectors (13) subject to the current notification breaks down as follows, whereby the cipher 0 means that according to the Norwegian authorities there is no effect on trade in these sectors and the ciphers 0/2 indicates that some undertakings of the given sectors within the actual zone are exposed to competition from other EEA States whereas others are not:

| NACE Code | Zone 2 | Zone 3 | Zone 4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 01.300 | Growing of crops combined with farming of animals (mixed farming) |

NACE Code

Zone 2

Zone 3

Zone 4

01.300

Growing of crops combined with farming of animals (mixed farming)

n.a. (14)

n.a.

0

| 22.120 | Publishing of newspapers |
| --- | --- |

22.120

Publishing of newspapers

0/2

0/2

0/2

| 22.210 | Printing of newspapers |
| --- | --- |

22.210

Printing of newspapers

0/2

0/2

0/2

| 35.111 | Building and repairing of ships and hulls more than 100 g.r.tons |
| --- | --- |

35.111

Building and repairing of ships and hulls more than 100 g.r.tons

0/2

0/2

0/2

| 35.113 | Building and repairing of ships less than 100 g.r.tons |
| --- | --- |

35.113

Building and repairing of ships less than 100 g.r.tons

0/2

0/2

0/2

| 40.120 | Transmission of electricity |
| --- | --- |

40.120

Transmission of electricity

0

0

0

| 45.110 | Demolition and wrecking of buildings; earth moving |
| --- | --- |

45.110

Demolition and wrecking of buildings; earth moving

0

0

0

| 45.212 | General construction of civil engineering works |
| --- | --- |

45.212

General construction of civil engineering works

0

0

0

| 45.221 | Tinsmith work |
| --- | --- |

45.221

Tinsmith work

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 45.229 | Other erection of roof covering and frames |
| --- | --- |

45.229

Other erection of roof covering and frames

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 45.230 | Construction of motorways, roads, airfields and sport facilities |
| --- | --- |

45.230

Construction of motorways, roads, airfields and sport facilities

0

0

0

| 45.240 | Construction of water projects |
| --- | --- |

45.240

Construction of water projects

0

n.a.

n.a.

| 45.250 | Other construction work involving special trades |
| --- | --- |

45.250

Other construction work involving special trades

0

0

0

| 45.310 | Installation of electrical wiring and fittings |
| --- | --- |

45.310

Installation of electrical wiring and fittings

0

0

0

| 45.320 | Insulation work activities |
| --- | --- |

45.320

Insulation work activities

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 45.330 | Plumbing |
| --- | --- |

45.330

Plumbing

0

0

0

| 45.340 | Other building installation |
| --- | --- |

45.340

Other building installation

0

n.a.

0

| 45.442 | Glazing |
| --- | --- |

45.442

Glazing

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 45.450 | Other building completion |
| --- | --- |

45.450

Other building completion

0

n.a.

0

| 45.500 | Renting of construction or demolition equipment with operator |
| --- | --- |

45.500

Renting of construction or demolition equipment with operator

n.a.

0

0

| 50.200 | Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles |
| --- | --- |

50.200

Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles

0

0

0

| 50.301 | Commission- and wholesale of motor vehicle, motor vehicle parts and accessories |
| --- | --- |

50.301

Commission- and wholesale of motor vehicle, motor vehicle parts and accessories

0

n.a.

0

| 50.302 | Retail sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories |
| --- | --- |

50.302

Retail sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories

0

0

0

| 50.500 | Retail sale of automotive fuel |
| --- | --- |

50.500

Retail sale of automotive fuel

0

0

0

| 51.170 | Agents involved in the sale of food, beverages and tobacco |
| --- | --- |

51.170

Agents involved in the sale of food, beverages and tobacco

n.a.

n.a.

0/2

| 51.180 | Agents specializing in the sale of particular products or ranges of products n.e.c. |
| --- | --- |

51.180

Agents specializing in the sale of particular products or ranges of products n.e.c.

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 51.210 | Wholesale of grain, seeds and animal feeds |
| --- | --- |

51.210

Wholesale of grain, seeds and animal feeds

0

0

0

| 51.220 | Wholesale of flowers and plants |
| --- | --- |

51.220

Wholesale of flowers and plants

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 51.389 | Wholesale of molluscs n.e.c. |
| --- | --- |

51.389

Wholesale of molluscs n.e.c.

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 51.390 | Non-specialized wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco |
| --- | --- |

51.390

Non-specialized wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco

n.a.

0

0

| 51.421 | Wholesale of clothing |
| --- | --- |

51.421

Wholesale of clothing

0

0

0

| 51.434 | Wholesale of gramophone records, tapes, CD, DVDs and videos |
| --- | --- |

51.434

Wholesale of gramophone records, tapes, CD, DVDs and videos

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 51.460 | Wholesale of pharmaceutical goods |
| --- | --- |

51.460

Wholesale of pharmaceutical goods

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 51.477 | Wholesale of sport goods, games and toys |
| --- | --- |

51.477

Wholesale of sport goods, games and toys

0

n.a.

n.a.

| 51.479 | Wholesale of household goods and personal goods n.e.c. |
| --- | --- |

51.479

Wholesale of household goods and personal goods n.e.c.

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 51.520 | Wholesale of metals and metal ores |
| --- | --- |

51.520

Wholesale of metals and metal ores

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 51.532 | Wholesale of lumber |
| --- | --- |

51.532

Wholesale of lumber

0

0

0

| 51.533 | Wholesale of paints and varnish |
| --- | --- |

51.533

Wholesale of paints and varnish

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 51.539 | Wholesale of construction materials n.e.c. |
| --- | --- |

51.539

Wholesale of construction materials n.e.c.

0

n.a.

0

| 51.561 | Wholesale of paper and paperboard |
| --- | --- |

51.561

Wholesale of paper and paperboard

0

n.a.

0

| 51.840 | Wholesale of computers, computer peripheral equipment and software |
| --- | --- |

51.840

Wholesale of computers, computer peripheral equipment and software

0

0

0

| 51.850 | Wholesale of other office machinery and equipment |
| --- | --- |

51.850

Wholesale of other office machinery and equipment

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 51.872 | Wholesale of shipping equipment and fishing tackle |
| --- | --- |

51.872

Wholesale of shipping equipment and fishing tackle

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 51.900 | Other wholesale |
| --- | --- |

51.900

Other wholesale

0

0

0

| 52.110 | Retail sale in non-specialized stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating |
| --- | --- |

52.110

Retail sale in non-specialized stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating

0/2

0/2

0/2

| 52.120 | Other retail sale in non-specialized stores |
| --- | --- |

52.120

Other retail sale in non-specialized stores

0

0/2

0/2

| 52.220 | Retail sale of meat and meat products |
| --- | --- |

52.220

Retail sale of meat and meat products

0

n.a.

n.a.

| 52.230 | Retail sale of fish, crustaceans and molluscs |
| --- | --- |

52.230

Retail sale of fish, crustaceans and molluscs

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 52.241 | Retail sale of bread, cakes and flour confectionery |
| --- | --- |

52.241

Retail sale of bread, cakes and flour confectionery

0

n.a.

0

| 52.271 | Retail sale of health food |
| --- | --- |

52.271

Retail sale of health food

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 52.279 | Retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores n.e.c. |
| --- | --- |

52.279

Retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores n.e.c.

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 52.310 | Dispensing chemists |
| --- | --- |

52.310

Dispensing chemists

0

0

0

| 52.330 | Retail sale of cosmetic and toilet articles |
| --- | --- |

52.330

Retail sale of cosmetic and toilet articles

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 52.410 | Retail sale of textiles |
| --- | --- |

52.410

Retail sale of textiles

0

0

0

| 52.420 | Retail sale of clothing |
| --- | --- |

52.420

Retail sale of clothing

0

0

0/2

| 52.431 | Retail sale of footwear |
| --- | --- |

52.431

Retail sale of footwear

0

0

0

| 52.441 | Retail sale of lighting equipment |
| --- | --- |

52.441

Retail sale of lighting equipment

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 52.442 | Retail sale of china and glass ware |
| --- | --- |

52.442

Retail sale of china and glass ware

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 52.443 | Retail sale of furniture |
| --- | --- |

52.443

Retail sale of furniture

0

0

0/2

| 52.449 | Retail sale of non electrical household articles n.e.c. |
| --- | --- |

52.449

Retail sale of non electrical household articles n.e.c.

n.a.

0

0

| 52.451 | Retail sale of electrical household appliances, and radio and television goods |
| --- | --- |

52.451

Retail sale of electrical household appliances, and radio and television goods

0

0

0

| 52.453 | Retail sale of musical instruments and musical notes |
| --- | --- |

52.453

Retail sale of musical instruments and musical notes

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 52.461 | Retail sale of variety of hardware, paints and glass |
| --- | --- |

52.461

Retail sale of variety of hardware, paints and glass

0/2

0/2

0/2

| 52.463 | Retail sale of paints and varnish |
| --- | --- |

52.463

Retail sale of paints and varnish

0

0

n.a.

| 52.464 | Retail sale of wood |
| --- | --- |

52.464

Retail sale of wood

n.a.

n.a.

0/2

| 52.469 | Retail sale of hardware, paints and glass n.e.c. |
| --- | --- |

52.469

Retail sale of hardware, paints and glass n.e.c.

n.a.

0

0

| 52.481 | Retail sale of watches, photographic and optical goods |
| --- | --- |

52.481

Retail sale of watches, photographic and optical goods

n.a.

0

0

| 52.482 | Retail sale of gold and silver ware |
| --- | --- |

52.482

Retail sale of gold and silver ware

n.a.

0

0

| 52.483 | Retail sale of sport goods, games and toys |
| --- | --- |

52.483

Retail sale of sport goods, games and toys

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 52.484 | Retail sale of flowers and plants |
| --- | --- |

52.484

Retail sale of flowers and plants

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 52.485 | Retail sale of computers, office and telecommunication equipment |
| --- | --- |

52.485

Retail sale of computers, office and telecommunication equipment

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 52.489 | Retail sale in specialised stores n.e.c. |
| --- | --- |

52.489

Retail sale in specialised stores n.e.c.

n.a.

0

0

| 52.612 | Retail sale of textiles, clothes, footwear, travel accessories and leather goods via mail order houses |
| --- | --- |

52.612

Retail sale of textiles, clothes, footwear, travel accessories and leather goods via mail order houses

0

n.a.

n.a.

| 52.619 | Other retail sale of specialised assortment of goods via mail order houses |
| --- | --- |

52.619

Other retail sale of specialised assortment of goods via mail order houses

0

n.a.

0

| 52.630 | Other non-store retail sale |
| --- | --- |

52.630

Other non-store retail sale

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 52.720 | Repair of electrical household goods |
| --- | --- |

52.720

Repair of electrical household goods

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 55.301 | Operation of restaurants and cafés |
| --- | --- |

55.301

Operation of restaurants and cafés

0

0

0

| 55.302 | Operation of snack bars, salad bars and hot dog bars |
| --- | --- |

55.302

Operation of snack bars, salad bars and hot dog bars

n.a.

0

0

| 55.401 | Pubs |
| --- | --- |

55.401

Pubs

0

0

0

| 55.510 | Canteens |
| --- | --- |

55.510

Canteens

0

n.a.

0

| 55.520 | Catering |
| --- | --- |

55.520

Catering

0

n.a.

0

| 60.220 | Taxi operation |
| --- | --- |

60.220

Taxi operation

n.a.

0

0

| 63.110 | Cargo handling |
| --- | --- |

63.110

Cargo handling

0

n.a.

0

| 63.120 | Storage and warehousing |
| --- | --- |

63.120

Storage and warehousing

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 63.211 | Central agencies for goods and transportation procurement |
| --- | --- |

63.211

Central agencies for goods and transportation procurement

0

0

0

| 63.212 | Parking places and parking houses |
| --- | --- |

63.212

Parking places and parking houses

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 63.213 | Toll bar stations |
| --- | --- |

63.213

Toll bar stations

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 63.219 | Other services allied to land transport |
| --- | --- |

63.219

Other services allied to land transport

0

0

0

| 63.221 | Operation of harbours |
| --- | --- |

63.221

Operation of harbours

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 63.229 | Other supporting water transport activities |
| --- | --- |

63.229

Other supporting water transport activities

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 63.230 | Other supporting air transport activities |
| --- | --- |

63.230

Other supporting air transport activities

0

0

0

| 63.302 | Tourist offices |
| --- | --- |

63.302

Tourist offices

n.a.

0

0

| 63.401 | Freight forwarding services |
| --- | --- |

63.401

Freight forwarding services

0

0

0

| 63.409 | Other forwarding services |
| --- | --- |

63.409

Other forwarding services

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 64.110 | National post activities |
| --- | --- |

64.110

National post activities

0

0

0

| 64.120 | Courier activities other than national post activities |
| --- | --- |

64.120

Courier activities other than national post activities

n.a.

0

0

| 64.210 | Fixed telecommunications carriers |
| --- | --- |

64.210

Fixed telecommunications carriers

0

n.a.

0

| 64.220 | Mobile telecommunications carriers |
| --- | --- |

64.220

Mobile telecommunications carriers

0

n.a.

0

| 64.230 | Internet service providers |
| --- | --- |

64.230

Internet service providers

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 64.240 | Other telecommunication activities |
| --- | --- |

64.240

Other telecommunication activities

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 65.120 | Other monetary intermediation |
| --- | --- |

65.120

Other monetary intermediation

0

0

0

| 65.220 | Other credit granting |
| --- | --- |

65.220

Other credit granting

0

n.a.

0

| 65.239 | Other security management |
| --- | --- |

65.239

Other security management

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 66.010 | Life insurance |
| --- | --- |

66.010

Life insurance

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 66.030 | Non-life insurance |
| --- | --- |

66.030

Non-life insurance

0

0

0

| 67.130 | Activities auxiliary to financial intermediation |
| --- | --- |

67.130

Activities auxiliary to financial intermediation

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 67.200 | Activities auxiliary to insurance and pension funding |
| --- | --- |

67.200

Activities auxiliary to insurance and pension funding

n.a.

0

0

| 70.111 | House building cooperatives |
| --- | --- |

70.111

House building cooperatives

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 70.112 | Other development and sale of real estate |
| --- | --- |

70.112

Other development and sale of real estate

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 70.120 | Buying and selling of own real estate |
| --- | --- |

70.120

Buying and selling of own real estate

n.a.

0

0

| 70.202 | Other letting of own property |
| --- | --- |

70.202

Other letting of own property

0

0

0

| 70.310 | Real estate agencies |
| --- | --- |

70.310

Real estate agencies

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 70.321 | Management of real estate on a fee or contract basis |
| --- | --- |

70.321

Management of real estate on a fee or contract basis

n.a.

0

0

| 70.322 | Caretaker services |
| --- | --- |

70.322

Caretaker services

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 71.110 | Renting of automobiles |
| --- | --- |

71.110

Renting of automobiles

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 71.320 | Renting of construction and civil engineering machinery and equipment |
| --- | --- |

71.320

Renting of construction and civil engineering machinery and equipment

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 71.340 | Renting of other machinery and equipment n.e.c. |
| --- | --- |

71.340

Renting of other machinery and equipment n.e.c.

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 71.400 | Renting of personal and household goods n.e.c. |
| --- | --- |

71.400

Renting of personal and household goods n.e.c.

0

n.a.

0

| 72.500 | Maintenance and repair of office, accounting and computing machinery |
| --- | --- |

72.500

Maintenance and repair of office, accounting and computing machinery

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 74.110 | Legal activities |
| --- | --- |

74.110

Legal activities

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 74.121 | Accounting, book-keeping |
| --- | --- |

74.121

Accounting, book-keeping

0

0

0

| 74.122 | Auditing |
| --- | --- |

74.122

Auditing

0

0

0

| 74.130 | Market research and public opinion polling |
| --- | --- |

74.130

Market research and public opinion polling

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 74.140 | Business and management consultancy activities |
| --- | --- |

74.140

Business and management consultancy activities

0

n.a.

0

| 74.203 | Geological surveying |
| --- | --- |

74.203

Geological surveying

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 74.300 | Technical testing and analysis |
| --- | --- |

74.300

Technical testing and analysis

0

0

0

| 74.400 | Advertising |
| --- | --- |

74.400

Advertising

0

n.a.

0

| 74.501 | Labour recruitment of personnel |
| --- | --- |

74.501

Labour recruitment of personnel

0

0

0

| 74.600 | Investigation and security activities |
| --- | --- |

74.600

Investigation and security activities

0

0

0

| 74.700 | Industrial cleaning |
| --- | --- |

74.700

Industrial cleaning

0

0

0

| 74.810 | Photographic activities |
| --- | --- |

74.810

Photographic activities

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 74.820 | Packaging activities |
| --- | --- |

74.820

Packaging activities

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 74.851 | Secretarial activities |
| --- | --- |

74.851

Secretarial activities

n.a.

0

0

| 74.852 | Translation activities |
| --- | --- |

74.852

Translation activities

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 74.871 | Bill collecting, credit granting activities |
| --- | --- |

74.871

Bill collecting, credit granting activities

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 74.877 | Activities of fairs, exhibitions and congress organisers |
| --- | --- |

74.877

Activities of fairs, exhibitions and congress organisers

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 74.879 | Other business activities n.e.c. |
| --- | --- |

74.879

Other business activities n.e.c.

0

0

0

| 75.110 | General (overall) public service activities |
| --- | --- |

75.110

General (overall) public service activities

0

0

0

| 75.120 | Regulation of the activities of agencies that provide health care, education, cultural services and other social services, excluding social security |
| --- | --- |

75.120

Regulation of the activities of agencies that provide health care, education, cultural services and other social services, excluding social security

0

0

0

| 75.130 | Regulation of and contribution to more efficient operation of business |
| --- | --- |

75.130

Regulation of and contribution to more efficient operation of business

0

0

0

| 75.140 | Supporting service activities for the government as a whole |
| --- | --- |

75.140

Supporting service activities for the government as a whole

0

n.a.

0

| 75.220 | Defence activities |
| --- | --- |

75.220

Defence activities

0

0

0

| 75.230 | Justice and judicial activities |
| --- | --- |

75.230

Justice and judicial activities

0

0

0

| 75.240 | Public security, law and order activities |
| --- | --- |

75.240

Public security, law and order activities

0

0

0

| 75.250 | Fire service activities |
| --- | --- |

75.250

Fire service activities

0

0

0

| 75.300 | Compulsory social security activities |
| --- | --- |

75.300

Compulsory social security activities

0

0

0

| 80.102 | Primary and lower secondary education |
| --- | --- |

80.102

Primary and lower secondary education

0

0

0

| 80.103 | Specialised education for handicap |
| --- | --- |

80.103

Specialised education for handicap

0

0

0

| 80.210 | General secondary education |
| --- | --- |

80.210

General secondary education

0

0

0

| 80.309 | Education at other colleges |
| --- | --- |

80.309

Education at other colleges

n.a.

n.a.

0/2

| 80.410 | Driving school activities |
| --- | --- |

80.410

Driving school activities

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 80.421 | Folk high school education |
| --- | --- |

80.421

Folk high school education

0

0

0

| 80.423 | Activities of adult education associations |
| --- | --- |

80.423

Activities of adult education associations

n.a.

0

0

| 80.424 | Activities of municipal music schools |
| --- | --- |

80.424

Activities of municipal music schools

n.a.

0

0

| 80.429 | Other education |
| --- | --- |

80.429

Other education

0

0

0

| 85.114 | Rehabilitation institutions |
| --- | --- |

85.114

Rehabilitation institutions

0

0

0

| 85.116 | Mental health hospitals for adults |
| --- | --- |

85.116

Mental health hospitals for adults

0

0

n.a.

| 85.118 | Nursing homes |
| --- | --- |

85.118

Nursing homes

0

0

0

| 85.121 | General practitioners |
| --- | --- |

85.121

General practitioners

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 85.122 | Physicians, specialist other than psychiatrist |
| --- | --- |

85.122

Physicians, specialist other than psychiatrist

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 85.130 | Dental practice activities |
| --- | --- |

85.130

Dental practice activities

0

0

0

| 85.142 | Physiotherapy services |
| --- | --- |

85.142

Physiotherapy services

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 85.143 | School health services, maternal and child health care |
| --- | --- |

85.143

School health services, maternal and child health care

0

n.a.

n.a.

| 85.144 | Other preventive health care |
| --- | --- |

85.144

Other preventive health care

n.a.

0

0

| 85.147 | Ambulance services |
| --- | --- |

85.147

Ambulance services

0

0

0

| 85.149 | Other health activities |
| --- | --- |

85.149

Other health activities

0

0

0

| 85.200 | Veterinary activities |
| --- | --- |

85.200

Veterinary activities

0

0

0

| 85.311 | Child welfare institutions |
| --- | --- |

85.311

Child welfare institutions

0

n.a.

n.a.

| 85.312 | Institutions for alcoholic and drug addicts |
| --- | --- |

85.312

Institutions for alcoholic and drug addicts

0

0

0

| 85.319 | Other social care institutions |
| --- | --- |

85.319

Other social care institutions

n.a.

0

0

| 85.321 | Home help services |
| --- | --- |

85.321

Home help services

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 85.322 | Dwellings with accommodation for elderly and disabled |
| --- | --- |

85.322

Dwellings with accommodation for elderly and disabled

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 85.323 | Child welfare services |
| --- | --- |

85.323

Child welfare services

0

n.a.

0

| 85.324 | Social welfare services without accommodation for alcoholic and drug addicts |
| --- | --- |

85.324

Social welfare services without accommodation for alcoholic and drug addicts

n.a.

0

0

| 85.325 | Family counselling services |
| --- | --- |

85.325

Family counselling services

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 85.326 | Municipal social service offices activities |
| --- | --- |

85.326

Municipal social service offices activities

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 85.327 | Early childhood education and care institutions |
| --- | --- |

85.327

Early childhood education and care institutions

0

0

0

| 85.331 | School-age child care |
| --- | --- |

85.331

School-age child care

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 85.333 | Day care activities for elderly and disabled |
| --- | --- |

85.333

Day care activities for elderly and disabled

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 85.334 | Training for work activities for ordinary labour market |
| --- | --- |

85.334

Training for work activities for ordinary labour market

0

0

0

| 85.335 | Permanent sheltered work activities |
| --- | --- |

85.335

Permanent sheltered work activities

0

0

0

| 85.336 | Social welfare organisations activities |
| --- | --- |

85.336

Social welfare organisations activities

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 85.337 | Reception centres for asylum seekers |
| --- | --- |

85.337

Reception centres for asylum seekers

0

0

0

| 85.338 | Employment/training for work activities under the municipal health and social departments |
| --- | --- |

85.338

Employment/training for work activities under the municipal health and social departments

0

n.a.

n.a.

| 85.339 | Other social work activities without accommodation |
| --- | --- |

85.339

Other social work activities without accommodation

n.a.

0

n.a.

| 90.010 | Collection and treatment of sewage |
| --- | --- |

90.010

Collection and treatment of sewage

0

n.a.

0

| 90.020 | Collection and treatment of other waste |
| --- | --- |

90.020

Collection and treatment of other waste

0

0

0

| 91.110 | Activities of business and employers organizations |
| --- | --- |

91.110

Activities of business and employers organizations

n.a.

0

0

| 91.200 | Activities of trade unions |
| --- | --- |

91.200

Activities of trade unions

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 91.310 | Activities of religious organizations |
| --- | --- |

91.310

Activities of religious organizations

0

0

0

| 91.330 | Activities of other membership organizations n.e.c. |
| --- | --- |

91.330

Activities of other membership organizations n.e.c.

0

n.a.

0

| 92.110 | Motion picture and video production |
| --- | --- |

92.110

Motion picture and video production

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 92.130 | Motion picture projection |
| --- | --- |

92.130

Motion picture projection

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 92.200 | Radio and television activities |
| --- | --- |

92.200

Radio and television activities

0

n.a.

0

| 92.320 | Operation of arts facilities |
| --- | --- |

92.320

Operation of arts facilities

0

n.a.

0

| 92.330 | Fair and amusement park activities |
| --- | --- |

92.330

Fair and amusement park activities

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 92.400 | News agency activities |
| --- | --- |

92.400

News agency activities

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 92.510 | Library and archives activities |
| --- | --- |

92.510

Library and archives activities

0

n.a.

0

| 92.521 | Museum activities |
| --- | --- |

92.521

Museum activities

0

0

0

| 92.522 | Preservation of historical sites and buildings |
| --- | --- |

92.522

Preservation of historical sites and buildings

n.a.

0

0

| 92.610 | Operation of sports arenas and stadiums |
| --- | --- |

92.610

Operation of sports arenas and stadiums

0/2

0

0

| 92.621 | Sport clubs and associations |
| --- | --- |

92.621

Sport clubs and associations

0

0

0

| 92.629 | Other sporting activities n.e.c. |
| --- | --- |

92.629

Other sporting activities n.e.c.

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 92.721 | Activities and adventure companies |
| --- | --- |

92.721

Activities and adventure companies

n.a.

0

n.a.

| 92.729 | Other recreational services n.e.c. |
| --- | --- |

92.729

Other recreational services n.e.c.

0

0

0

| 93.010 | Washing and dry-cleaning of textile and fur products |
| --- | --- |

93.010

Washing and dry-cleaning of textile and fur products

0

0

0

| 93.020 | Hairdressing and other beauty treatment |
| --- | --- |

93.020

Hairdressing and other beauty treatment

n.a.

0

0

| 93.030 | Funeral and related activities |
| --- | --- |

93.030

Funeral and related activities

n.a.

n.a.

0

| 93.040 | Physical well-being activities |
| --- | --- |

93.040

Physical well-being activities

0

0

0

Regarding the sectors marked with the ciphers 0/2, the following criteria have been established in order to differentiate between undertakings not subject to competition from undertakings located in other EEA States and those undertakings which are affected by EEA-wide competition in that only the former are entitled to benefit from reduced social security rates:

| — | NACE Code 22.120 and 22.210: publishing and printing of newspapers

  Due to language, culture and distance, the publishing and printing of local newspapers is considered to operate only in local markets. A newspaper is considered local as long as it is not nationwide. |
| --- | --- |

—

NACE Code 22.120 and 22.210: publishing and printing of newspapers

Due to language, culture and distance, the publishing and printing of local newspapers is considered to operate only in local markets. A newspaper is considered local as long as it is not nationwide.

| — | NACE 35.111 and 35.113: building and repairing of ships and hulls over 100 tons and under 100 tons

  As long as the repair concerns ships operating in Norwegian waters or in acute difficulties, the given shipyards are considered to operate locally and thus not subject to competition from other EEA States. |
| --- | --- |

—

NACE 35.111 and 35.113: building and repairing of ships and hulls over 100 tons and under 100 tons

As long as the repair concerns ships operating in Norwegian waters or in acute difficulties, the given shipyards are considered to operate locally and thus not subject to competition from other EEA States.

| — | NACE 51.170: agents involved in the sale of food, beverages and tobacco

  The Norwegian authorities have not provided any further explanation on the eligibility criteria applicable to undertakings of this sector. According to the ECON report, on the basis of the retail shops they distribute, it was not possible to separate enterprises subject to competition from those which are not. |
| --- | --- |

—

NACE 51.170: agents involved in the sale of food, beverages and tobacco

The Norwegian authorities have not provided any further explanation on the eligibility criteria applicable to undertakings of this sector. According to the ECON report, on the basis of the retail shops they distribute, it was not possible to separate enterprises subject to competition from those which are not.

| — | NACE 52.110: retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating

  Undertakings that are located at a distance of more than 150 kilometres from competitors on the other side of the national border are considered not to be exposed to competition from other EEA States. According to the information submitted by the Norwegian authorities, the use of a critical distance of 150 km was established by identifying the nearest competitors situated on the other side of the border to undertakings with the standard industrial classification 52.110, non specialised retail sales. The competition conditions were considered with respect to undertakings located at varying distances from the nearest competitor on the other side of the border. On the basis of the conclusions of the ECON report, the Norwegian authorities stated that the probability that undertakings situated more than 150 km from a competitor are exposed to competition from undertakings in other EEA states is low. The Norwegian authorities acknowledge that whether there is actual competition depends on the assortment of goods offered. |
| --- | --- |

—

NACE 52.110: retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating

Undertakings that are located at a distance of more than 150 kilometres from competitors on the other side of the national border are considered not to be exposed to competition from other EEA States. According to the information submitted by the Norwegian authorities, the use of a critical distance of 150 km was established by identifying the nearest competitors situated on the other side of the border to undertakings with the standard industrial classification 52.110, non specialised retail sales. The competition conditions were considered with respect to undertakings located at varying distances from the nearest competitor on the other side of the border. On the basis of the conclusions of the ECON report, the Norwegian authorities stated that the probability that undertakings situated more than 150 km from a competitor are exposed to competition from undertakings in other EEA states is low. The Norwegian authorities acknowledge that whether there is actual competition depends on the assortment of goods offered.

| — | NACE 52.120, 52.420 and 52.443: other retail sale in non-specialised stores, retail sale of clothing and retail sale of furniture

  Although the distance to competitors on the other side of the border is of significance, the Norwegian authorities acknowledge that it is difficult to determine an absolute and decisive limit between undertakings affected by intra-EEA trade and those which are not affected. Whereas undertakings located approximately 200 km from a relatively large shopping centre on the other side of the border are exposed to competition, according to the findings of the ECON report, undertakings located closer to the border, but without having any large shopping centre on the other side, are not exposed to competition. Nevertheless, following the same assessment as for NACE 52.110, the Norwegian authorities have explained in the notification that a distance of 200 km seems an appropriate objective criterion to determine the effect on trade for this sector. |
| --- | --- |

—

NACE 52.120, 52.420 and 52.443: other retail sale in non-specialised stores, retail sale of clothing and retail sale of furniture

Although the distance to competitors on the other side of the border is of significance, the Norwegian authorities acknowledge that it is difficult to determine an absolute and decisive limit between undertakings affected by intra-EEA trade and those which are not affected. Whereas undertakings located approximately 200 km from a relatively large shopping centre on the other side of the border are exposed to competition, according to the findings of the ECON report, undertakings located closer to the border, but without having any large shopping centre on the other side, are not exposed to competition. Nevertheless, following the same assessment as for NACE 52.110, the Norwegian authorities have explained in the notification that a distance of 200 km seems an appropriate objective criterion to determine the effect on trade for this sector.

| — | NACE 52.461 and 52.464: retail sale of variety of hardware, paints and glass and retail sale of wood

  The Norwegian authorities have explained that undertakings located at »a very long distance to the national border« are not exposed to competition from undertakings of other EEA States. On the basis of the information provided, »a very long distance to the national border« means that it would not be worth traveling back and forth in one day, whereby the distance depends on i.a. the road standard and traffic conditions. Undertakings situated in the counties Rogaland, Hordaland, Sogn og Fjordane and Møre og Romsdal can benefit from reduced social security rates since they are not exposed to competition from other EEA States. Undertakings in other counties are excluded. |
| --- | --- |

—

NACE 52.461 and 52.464: retail sale of variety of hardware, paints and glass and retail sale of wood

The Norwegian authorities have explained that undertakings located at »a very long distance to the national border« are not exposed to competition from undertakings of other EEA States. On the basis of the information provided, »a very long distance to the national border« means that it would not be worth traveling back and forth in one day, whereby the distance depends on i.a. the road standard and traffic conditions. Undertakings situated in the counties Rogaland, Hordaland, Sogn og Fjordane and Møre og Romsdal can benefit from reduced social security rates since they are not exposed to competition from other EEA States. Undertakings in other counties are excluded.

| — | NACE 80.309: education at other colleges

  The notification only covers adult education courses. |
| --- | --- |

—

NACE 80.309: education at other colleges

The notification only covers adult education courses.

| — | NACE 92.610: operation of sports arenas and stadiums

  An athletic club is considered to be local when it does not participate in the highest division in its branch of athletics. Other sports installations are considered to be local when they are mainly used by local clubs, the local population in the municipality and daytrip visitors, having no competitive offers in other EEA States. |
| --- | --- |

—

NACE 92.610: operation of sports arenas and stadiums

An athletic club is considered to be local when it does not participate in the highest division in its branch of athletics. Other sports installations are considered to be local when they are mainly used by local clubs, the local population in the municipality and daytrip visitors, having no competitive offers in other EEA States.

II.   APPRECIATION

1.   Procedural requirements

Pursuant to Article 1(3) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, »the EFTA Surveillance Authority shall be informed, in sufficient time to enable it to submit its comments, of any plans to grant or alter aid (...). The State concerned shall not put its proposed measures into effect until the procedure has resulted in a final decision.«

By submitting a notification by letter dated 26 April 2004 (Event No 278992) for the scheme of reduced social security rates applicable from 1 January 2005, the Norwegian authorities have complied with the above mentioned notification requirement.

2.   The presence of State aid

In the notification, the Norwegian authorities claim that the proposed scheme of reduced rates of social security contributions does not constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement because it does not affect trade between the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement.

Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement reads as follows:

»Save as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any aid granted by EC Member States, EFTA States or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, in so far as it affects trade between Contracting Parties, be incompatible with the functioning of this Agreement.«

Thus, in order for a measure to be considered State aid, it must constitute a selective advantage in favour of certain undertakings, be granted through state resources and affect competition and trade between the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement. These are cumulative criteria. Accordingly, the failure to fulfil one of them determines that the measure under assessment does not qualify as State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.

2.1.   State resources

The application of reduced social security contributions represents reduced social security revenues for the State. Whenever the State is foregoing income normally due, there is a consumption of state resources within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement. Under the notified scheme, the application of reduced rates would diminish the income that the State would receive in the form of social security contributions. This foregone income constitutes state resources.

2.2.   Selective advantage

In order to be caught by Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement, the measure must be selective in that it favours »certain undertakings or the production of certain goods«. Moreover, it must confer on certain undertakings an advantage that reduces the costs they normally bear in the course of business and relieves them of charges that are normally borne from their budgets.

»certain undertakings or the production of certain goods«

Undertakings benefiting from the application of the notified reduced rates of social security contributions are subject to payment of contributions lower than any other undertaking located in Norway subject to the general social security rate of 14,1 %. Instead of paying social security contributions for their employees for an amount equivalent to 14,1 % of their salaries, undertakings active in the selected sectors which are located in Zones 2, 3 and 4 of Norway will, according to the notification, pay contributions corresponding to 10,6 %, 6,4 % and 5,1 % respectively of their employees' salaries.

The favourable rates of social security contributions thus provide a selective advantage to any undertaking active in any of the sectors included in the list above which are located in Zones 2, 3 and 4 in Norway (15).

15

2.3.   Distortion of competition

In order to be caught by Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement, the measure must distort competition.

A State intervention may distort competition between undertakings of the same sector competing within the national boundaries. Undertakings benefiting from an economic advantage granted by the State which reduces their normal burden of costs are placed in a better competitive position than those who cannot enjoy this advantage.

Social security contributions constitute running or operational costs which undertakings must put up with in the normal course of business. The reduction of such costs in the form of lower social security contributions in favour of certain undertakings located in a number of regions in Norway offers an appreciable advantage to the beneficiaries of that tax concession vis-à-vis their competitors. Undertakings other than those to which the measure at issue applies will have to pay their social security contributions on less advantageous terms, subject to full rates. The fact that the social security costs are reduced makes the undertakings more competitive. Lower costs as a result of reduced social security contributions may allow undertakings to charge lower prices for their products. They may also offer better economic conditions for employees than undertakings subject to the full rate of social security contributions.

vis-à-vis

In the opinion of the Authority, given that the rates applicable to the various zones benefiting from the notified scheme would be different, competition would be distorted not only with respect to undertakings located in areas outside the scheme but also amongst those located within the zones covered by the scheme.

2.4.   Effect on trade

Finally, for Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement to be applicable, the notified measure must have an effect on trade between the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement.

The Norwegian authorities consider that the notified scheme of reduced rates of social security contributions does not qualify as State aid because it will not have an effect on trade within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.

The Norwegian authorities have put forward that the potential beneficiaries of the scheme at hand only participate in purely local activities which do not have an effect on trade. They base their assessment on the ECON report on competition interfaces which has identified a list of sectors supposedly not affected by competition from other EEA States. This list has been drafted on the basis of statistical data on export and import to Zones 2, 3 and 4 as well as on telephone interviews with a selection of enterprises in the services sector. Following the explanations provided in the notification, undertakings in the identified sectors are not exposed to intra-EEA trade. Due to the lack of effect on trade, any state financing granted to undertakings in these sectors will not qualify as State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement. The Authority has doubts both with regard to the method of data collection, which does not seem systematic, and to the approach followed to determine the lack of effect on trade between the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement.

Furthermore, the ECON report produces only a, although not complete, picture of the status quo. It bears no analysis of the future situation. Since trade patterns can change at any time, there is no guarantee that the results of the ECON report, although already questionable now, would also remain valid in the future.

status quo

The Authority has even more doubts whether the approach followed in the notified scheme is in line with the interpretation of the EFTA Court and the Community Courts of the criterion »effect on trade« within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.

The criterion of »effect on trade« as an element for the application of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement has traditionally been broadly interpreted by the case law of the Courts of Justice of the European Communities. Whenever an undertaking is placed in an advantageous position there is a distortion of competition which inextricably leads to an effect on trade (16). Following the case law, this criterion cannot be interpreted in a restricted way to the effect that only aid having a direct effect on trade between EEA States and distorting competition is covered by Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement (17). In general terms, a measure is considered to be State aid if it is »capable« of affecting trade between the EEA States. An aid may affect trade between EEA States even if the recipient undertaking, which is in competition with undertakings from other EEA States, does not itself participate in cross border activities (18). Where a State grants aid to an undertaking, internal supply may be maintained or increased, with the consequence that the opportunities for undertakings established in other EEA States to offer their services to the market of that State are reduced (19).

16

17

18

19

The very circumstances in which the aid has been granted may show whether it is liable to affect trade between EEA States or not (20). The fact that aid is granted in respect of purely local activities or to undertakings operating solely at local level and therefore not in competition with other undertakings in EEA States does not by itself preclude the possibility of an effect on trade (21). The relatively small amount of aid or the relatively small size of the undertakings which receive it do not as such exclude the possibility that intra-EEA trade might be affected (22) although it may constitute one of the features to be taken into account for the assessment of whether there is an effect on trade (23). Anyway, no reference is made in the notification to the size of the undertakings which benefit from the application of reduced social security rates.

20

21

22

23

The Authority has doubts whether the notified scheme provides the necessary mechanisms to guarantee the absence of effect on trade in all instances.

There are no clear criteria for the eligibility of undertakings under the proposed scheme of reduced rates of social security contributions within the sectors identified in the ECON report. As a rule, a general scheme should contain precise and clear criteria to ensure that the Authority has no doubts that the undertakings possibly benefiting from it are also entitled to such aid. Contrary to individual aid awards, a scheme can only be approved in abstract terms whereby it must be ensured that trade is not affected for single undertakings which may benefit from it (24).

24

Reference should be made to the Authority's Decision of 12 November 2003 (25) authorising a transitional period of three years in order to progressively adjust the reduced social security rates applicable to Zones 3 and 4 in Norway to the generally valid rate of 14,1 %. This scheme, from which all undertakings located in Zones 3 and 4 benefit regardless of the sector of activity, was considered to constitute State aid, exception being made of »de minimis« aid amounts.

25

de minimis

The scheme notified at this time proposes the application of reduced social security rates which vary amongst the three zones. Contrary to the scheme mentioned-above, not all undertakings located in the selected Zones 2, 3 and 4 would benefit from the proposed reduced rates, but only those which operate within a given list of economic sectors.

The scheme covers a very broad and varied spectrum of undertakings (26). It is impossible to ensure that all beneficiaries within each of the 209 notified NACE sectors are not exposed to trade within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement. Trade would be affected whenever an undertaking would take advantage of its reduced running costs to expand its market outside the Norwegian borders or would carry this advantage over to more competitive pricing which would prevent foreign undertakings from entering the market. The Authority questions whether it is feasible to assure the lack of effect on trade with respect to a scheme which covers such a varied range of undertakings. In this respect, the Norwegian authorities have themselves acknowledged the difficulty of determining clear and absolute limits between the pure local operation of an activity and its operation with a potential effect on trade.

26

Moreover, in some of the notified sectors, which are characterised by deregulation and liberalisation, it is difficult to demonstrate that any financial intervention from the State in general does not have an effect on trade. In all areas where secondary legislation has been adopted to open and regulate the establishment of the internal market, such as financial services, telecommunications, etc. or in areas which are subject to specific State aid rules, such as shipbuilding, it cannot be taken for granted that the given activity is sheltered from intra-EEA trade.

The Norwegian authorities have not explained in the notification why some sectors are exposed or partially exposed to competition in certain areas but not in others. This is for instance the case of retail sale in non-specialised stores (NACE 52.120), retail sale of clothing (NACE 52.420) or retail sale of furniture (NACE 52.443). According to the notification, undertakings active in these sectors and located in Zones 2 and 3 are not subject to EEA-wide trade while they are partially exposed if they are located in Zone 4.

The same differentiation can be found in the notification in sectors which are not supposed to be exposed to intra-EEA trade in some areas and accordingly are subject to the notification in one of the zones whereas they are not notified in others. By way of example, this is the case of wholesale of household goods (NACE 51.479) or renting of automobiles (NACE 71.110) amongst others.

The ECON report, on the basis of which the notified social security scheme has been prepared, follows a sectoral approach. Therefore, it seems inconsistent not to include in the notification all sectors identified in the report as supposedly not being exposed to intra-EEA trade in all three areas covered by the scheme.

The scheme of regionally differentiated social security rates as it has been notified does not contain any general safeguards to ensure the necessary legal and economic certainty in its application concerning the effect on trade.

Furthermore, the scheme is unlimited in time and does not provide for a review clause of the criteria and conditions of application.

Under these circumstances, the Authority has serious doubts whether the effect on trade can automatically be excluded with respect to all potential beneficiaries of reduced rates of social security contributions.

2.5.   Conclusion

In view of the foregoing, the Authority cannot exclude that the proposed regionally differentiated social security rates might affect trade between the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement.

For these reasons, the Authority has serious doubts about the classification of the notified scheme as a non-aid measure falling outside the scope of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.

3.   Compatibility of the aid

Should the measure constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement, the Authority has doubts regarding its compatibility with the rules of the EEA Agreement.

The Norwegian authorities have argued that the measure at issue does not constitute State aid. Therefore, they have not put forward any arguments concerning its compatibility. However, after assessing the likely involvement of State aid, it has to be considered whether such aid could be compatible on the basis of Article 61(2) and (3) of the EEA Agreement.

The Authority is of the opinion that none of the derogations mentioned in Article 61(2) of the EEA Agreement can be applied to the case at hand.

The Authority has doubts whether the system of reduced rates of social security contributions can be considered compatible on the basis of Article 61(3) of the EEA Agreement. A reduction in the running costs of an undertaking such as the social security contributions constitutes operating aid. Such aid, given to undertakings in certain regions, is normally prohibited.

The application of reduced rates of social security contributions cannot be considered within the framework of Article 61(3)(a) of the EEA Agreement since none of the Norwegian regions qualify for this provision which requires an abnormally low standard of living or serious underemployment. Furthermore, the aid granted in the form of reduced rates of social security contributions does not satisfy the requirements laid down in the regional aid guidelines.

The reduced rates of social security contributions do not seem to promote the execution of an important project of common European interest or to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a State, as it is requested for compatibility on the basis of Article 61(3)(b) of the EEA Agreement.

Concerning Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement, in its Decision No 218/03/COL of 12 November 2003, with regard to State aid in the form of regionally differentiated social security contributions, the Authority considered that a continuation of the Norwegian scheme would be incompatible with Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement and the State Aid Guidelines. However, the Authority deemed a transitional period to be necessary for Zones 3 and 4 to dampen the shock effects that would follow from an immediate application of the full social security tax rates. A period of three years was considered appropriate on the basis of the information provided by the Norwegian authorities, which demonstrated that undertakings would need three years to adjust to the new economic reality.

For undertakings located in Zones 2, 3 and 4 which are active in the sectors listed in the notification, the notified measure implies a return to the rules which were declared incompatible aid by the Authority in 2002 for not qualifying for a derogation under Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement. The fundamental features of the notified scheme are the same as the ones of the scheme subject to the prior decision of the Authority mentioned above with the difference of the sectoral scope of application of the notified measure which is limited to undertakings active in a given list of sectors. Consequently, there is a negative presumption regarding the compatibility of the notified measure with the State aid rules of the EEA Agreement.

On the basis of the information currently available to it, the Authority is not in a position to declare the reduced rates of social security contributions regarding all sectors included in the notified list which are located in Zones 2, 3 and 4 in Norway to be compatible with the EEA Agreement.

4.   Conclusion

Based on the information submitted by the Norwegian authorities, the Authority cannot exclude that the notified measure involves aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.

Furthermore, the Authority has doubts that the measure can be declared compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement on the basis of Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement.

Consequently, and in accordance with Article 4(4) in Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, the Authority is obliged to open the formal investigation procedure provided for in Article 1(2) in Part I of Protocol 3 of the Surveillance and Court Agreement. The decision to open proceedings is without prejudice to the final decision of the Authority.

In light of the foregoing considerations, the Authority, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 1(2) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, requests Norway to submit its comments and to provide all such information as may help to assess the aid scheme notified, within one month of the date of receipt of this Decision.

The Norwegian authorities are reminded not to put the proposed measure into effect,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

| 1. | The Authority has decided to open the formal investigation procedure pursuant to Article 1(2) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement regarding the notified scheme of reduced rates of social security contributions in Zones 2, 3 and 4 in Norway. |
| --- | --- |

1.

The Authority has decided to open the formal investigation procedure pursuant to Article 1(2) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement regarding the notified scheme of reduced rates of social security contributions in Zones 2, 3 and 4 in Norway.

| 2. | The Norwegian Government is invited, pursuant to Article 6(1) in Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, to submit its comments on the opening of the formal investigation procedure within one month from the notification of this Decision. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The Norwegian Government is invited, pursuant to Article 6(1) in Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, to submit its comments on the opening of the formal investigation procedure within one month from the notification of this Decision.

| 3. | Other Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement and interested parties shall be informed by the publishing of this Decision in the EEA Section of the Official Journal of the European Union and the EEA Supplement thereto, inviting them to submit comments within one month from the date of publication of this Decision. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Other Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement and interested parties shall be informed by the publishing of this Decision in the EEA Section of the Official Journal of the European Union and the EEA Supplement thereto, inviting them to submit comments within one month from the date of publication of this Decision.

Official Journal of the European Union

| 4. | This Decision is authentic in the English language. |
| --- | --- |

4.

This Decision is authentic in the English language.

Done at Brussels, 6 October 2004.

For the EFTA Surveillance Authority

Hannes HAFSTEIN

President

Einar M. BULL

College Member

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(1)  Hereinafter referred to as »the EEA Agreement«.

1

(2)  Hereinafter referred to as »the Surveillance and Court Agreement«.

2

(3)  Procedural and Substantive Rules in the Field of State Aid — Guidelines on the application and interpretation of Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, adopted and issued by the EFTA Surveillance Authority on 19 January 1994, published in OJ 1994 L 231, EEA Supplements 03.09.94 No 32, last amended by the Authority's Decision No 195/04/COL of 14 July 2004, not yet published, hereinafter referred to as »the State Aid Guidelines«.

3

(4)  Decision No 246/97/COL. All EFTA Surveillance Authority's State Aid Decisions mentioned hereinafter can be found at the Authority's website:

4

http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregistry/

(5)  Decision No 165/98/COL.

5

(6)  Case E-6/98, The Government of Norway v EFTA Surveillance Authority [1999] Report of the EFTA Court, page 76.

6

The Government of Norway

EFTA Surveillance Authority

(7)  Decision No 228/99/COL.

7

(8)  Published on the OJ L 244 of 14 September 2001, page 32.

8

(9)  Decision No 172/02/COL.

9

(10)  Undertakings in certain economic sectors would pay the full rate of 14,1 % as they already did according to the scheme approved by the Authority's decision of 22 September 1999. The Norwegian authorities also informed about their intention to continue applying the rates for 2003 to the extent that that would be in compliance with the de minimis rule.

10

de minimis

(11)  Decision No 141/03/COL.

11

(12)  Reference is made to the table above.

12

(13)  NACE list of sectors according to the classification of the Norwegian Statistical Office.

13

(14)  The reference „n.a.“ hereinafter means „not applicable“.

14

(15)  The EFTA Court has already stated in Case E-6/98, The Government of Norway v EFTA Surveillance Authority, [1999] Report of the EFTA Court, page 76, paragraph 38, that the application of regional differentiated reduced social security rates confers a selective advantage to certain undertakings which neither derives from the inherent logic of the general system nor results from objective conditions within that general system.

15

The Government of Norway

EFTA Surveillance Authority

(16)  Case 730/79, Philip Morris v Commission [1980] ECR 2671, paragraph 11.

16

Philip Morris

Commission

(17)  Joined Cases T-298/97, T-312/97 e.a., Alzetta a.o. v Commission [2000] ECR-2319, paragraphs 76-78.

17

Alzetta a.o.

Commission

(18)  See in this context, Case T-55/99, CETM v Commission [2000] ECR II-3207, paragraph 86.

18

CETM

Commission

(19)  Case C-303/88, Italy v Commission [1991] ECR I-1433, paragraph 27; Case T-55/99, CETM v Commission [2000] ECR II-3207, paragraph 86.

19

Italy

Commission

CETM

Commission

(20)  Joined Cases 296 and 318/82, Netherlands and Leeuwarder Papierwarenfabriek v Commission [1985] ECR 809.

20

Netherlands and Leeuwarder Papierwarenfabriek

Commission

(21)  Case C-280/00, Altmark Trans GmbH a.o v Nahverkehrgesellschaft Altmark Gmb [2003] ECR I (not yet reported).

21

Altmark Trans GmbH a.o

Nahverkehrgesellschaft Altmark Gmb

(22)  See in this context, inter alia, Case C-142/87, Belgium v Commission [1990] ECR I-959, paragraph 43; Case T-55/99, CETM v Commission [2000] ECR II-3207, paragraph 92 or Case T-214/95, Vlaams Gewest v Commission [1998] ECR II-2319, paragraph 85.

22

inter alia

Belgium

Commission

CETM

Commission

Vlaams Gewest

Commission

(23)  See in this context, inter alia, Commission Decision N711/2001, United Kingdom — Community Investment Tax Credit.

23

inter alia

United Kingdom — Community Investment Tax Credit.

(24)  See in this context, inter alia, Case E-6/98 The Government of Norway v EFTA Surveillance Authority, [1999] Report of the EFTA Court, page 76, paragraphs 56 and 57 where the EFTA Court stated that, in particular, as far as the rules of a scheme are general and abstract in character, the analysis of the impact on trade of a scheme can only be carried out at a general abstract level whereby the impact of the scheme on a market, sector or specific product does not have to be established.

24

inter alia

The Government of Norway

EFTA Surveillance Authority

(25)  Decision No 218/03/COL.

25

(26)  According to the Norwegian authorities, whereas most but not all sectors in manufacturing industry are supposed to be exposed to foreign competition and consequently not supposed to benefit from the currently notified reduced social security rates, 213 branches out of a total of 285 branches in the service sector in Zones 2, 3 and 4 are presumed not to be exposed to foreign competition and thus not to affect trade. In other words, according to the notification, all undertakings in 75 % of all service sectors are not exposed to competition and trade within the EEA.

26

ANNEX

Geographical zones and 2003 tax rates

Zone I: 14,1 per cent tax

This zone includes all municipalities not mentioned below under zone II-V.

Zone II: 10,6 per cent tax

This zone includes:

| — | in Nord-Trøndelag county, the municipalities of Meråker, Frosta, Leksvik, Mosvik, Verran, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Nord-Trøndelag county, the municipalities of Meråker, Frosta, Leksvik, Mosvik, Verran,

| — | in Sør-Trøndelag county, the municipalities of Ørland, Agdenes, Rissa, Bjugn, Rennebu, Meldal, Midtre Gauldal, Selbu, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Sør-Trøndelag county, the municipalities of Ørland, Agdenes, Rissa, Bjugn, Rennebu, Meldal, Midtre Gauldal, Selbu,

| — | in Møre og Romsdal county, the municipalities of Vanylven, Sande, Herøy, Norddal, Stranda, Stordal, Rauma, Nesset, Midsund, Sandøy, Gjemnes, Tingvoll, Sunndal, Haram, Aukra, Eide, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Møre og Romsdal county, the municipalities of Vanylven, Sande, Herøy, Norddal, Stranda, Stordal, Rauma, Nesset, Midsund, Sandøy, Gjemnes, Tingvoll, Sunndal, Haram, Aukra, Eide,

| — | in Sogn og Fjordane county, all municipalities, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Sogn og Fjordane county, all municipalities,

| — | in Hordaland county, the municipalities of Etne, Ølen, Tysnes, Kvinnherad, Jondal, Odda, Ullensvang, Eidfjord, Ulvik, Granvin, Kvam, Modalen, Fedje, Masfjorden, Bømlo, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Hordaland county, the municipalities of Etne, Ølen, Tysnes, Kvinnherad, Jondal, Odda, Ullensvang, Eidfjord, Ulvik, Granvin, Kvam, Modalen, Fedje, Masfjorden, Bømlo,

| — | in Rogaland county, the municipalities of Hjelmeland, Suldal, Sauda, Kvitsøy, Utsira, Vindafjord, Finnøy, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Rogaland county, the municipalities of Hjelmeland, Suldal, Sauda, Kvitsøy, Utsira, Vindafjord, Finnøy,

| — | in Vest-Agder county, the municipalities of Åseral, Audnedal, Hægebostad, Sirdal, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Vest-Agder county, the municipalities of Åseral, Audnedal, Hægebostad, Sirdal,

| — | in Aust-Agder county, the municipalities of Gjerstad, Vegårshei, Åmli, Iveland, Evje og Hornnes, Bygland, Valle, Bykle, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Aust-Agder county, the municipalities of Gjerstad, Vegårshei, Åmli, Iveland, Evje og Hornnes, Bygland, Valle, Bykle,

| — | in Telemark county, the municipalities of Drangedal, Tinn, Hjartdal, Seljord, Kviteseid, Nissedal, Fyresdal, Tokke, Vinje, Nome, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Telemark county, the municipalities of Drangedal, Tinn, Hjartdal, Seljord, Kviteseid, Nissedal, Fyresdal, Tokke, Vinje, Nome,

| — | in Buskerud county, the municipalities of Flå, Nes, Gol, Hemsedal, Ål, Hol, Sigdal, Rollag, Nore and Uvdal, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Buskerud county, the municipalities of Flå, Nes, Gol, Hemsedal, Ål, Hol, Sigdal, Rollag, Nore and Uvdal,

| — | in Oppland county, the municipalities of Nord-Fron, Sør-Fron, Ringebu, Gausdal, Søndre Land, Nordre Land, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Oppland county, the municipalities of Nord-Fron, Sør-Fron, Ringebu, Gausdal, Søndre Land, Nordre Land,

| — | in Hedmark county, the municipalities of Nord-Odal, Eidskog, Grue, Åsnes, Våler, Trysil, Åmot. |
| --- | --- |

—

in Hedmark county, the municipalities of Nord-Odal, Eidskog, Grue, Åsnes, Våler, Trysil, Åmot.

Zone III: 6,4 per cent tax

This zone includes:

| — | in Nord-Trøndelag county, the municipality of Snåsa, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Nord-Trøndelag county, the municipality of Snåsa,

| — | in Sør-Trøndelag county, the municipalities of Hemne, Snillfjord, Oppdal, Røros, Holtålen, Tydal, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Sør-Trøndelag county, the municipalities of Hemne, Snillfjord, Oppdal, Røros, Holtålen, Tydal,

| — | in Oppland county, the municipalities of Dovre, Lesja, Skjåk, Lom, Vågå, Sel, Sør-Aurdal, Etnedal, Nord-Aurdal, Vestre Slidre, Øystre Slidre, Vang, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Oppland county, the municipalities of Dovre, Lesja, Skjåk, Lom, Vågå, Sel, Sør-Aurdal, Etnedal, Nord-Aurdal, Vestre Slidre, Øystre Slidre, Vang,

| — | in Hedmark county, the municipalities of Stor-Elvdal, Rendalen, Engerdal, Tolga, Tynset, Alvdal, Folldal, Os. |
| --- | --- |

—

in Hedmark county, the municipalities of Stor-Elvdal, Rendalen, Engerdal, Tolga, Tynset, Alvdal, Folldal, Os.

Zone IV: 5,1 per cent tax

This zone includes:

| — | in Troms county, municipalities not included among those listed below under zone V, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Troms county, municipalities not included among those listed below under zone V,

| — | in Nordland county, all municipalities, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Nordland county, all municipalities,

| — | in Nord-Trøndelag county, the municipalities of Namsos, Namdalseid, Lierne, Røyrvik, Namsskogan, Grong, Høylandet, Overhalla, Fosnes, Flatanger, Vikna, Nærøy, Leka, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Nord-Trøndelag county, the municipalities of Namsos, Namdalseid, Lierne, Røyrvik, Namsskogan, Grong, Høylandet, Overhalla, Fosnes, Flatanger, Vikna, Nærøy, Leka,

| — | in Sør-Trøndelag county, the municipalities of Hitra, Frøya, Åfjord, Roan, Osen, |
| --- | --- |

—

in Sør-Trøndelag county, the municipalities of Hitra, Frøya, Åfjord, Roan, Osen,

| — | in Møre og Romsdal county, the municipality of Smøla. |
| --- | --- |

—

in Møre og Romsdal county, the municipality of Smøla.

Zone V: 0 per cent tax

This zone includes:

| — | in Finnmark county, all municipalities,
  in Troms county, the municipalities of Karlsøy, Lyngen, Storfjord, Kåfjord, Skjervøy, Nordreisa and Kvænangen. |
| --- | --- |

—

in Finnmark county, all municipalities,

in Troms county, the municipalities of Karlsøy, Lyngen, Storfjord, Kåfjord, Skjervøy, Nordreisa and Kvænangen.

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EFTA-Domstolen

| 10.3.2005 | DA | Den Europæiske Unions Tidende | C 60/26 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

10.3.2005

DA

Den Europæiske Unions Tidende

C 60/26

---

Sag anlagt den 11. januar 2005 af EFTA-Tilsynsmyndigheden mod Kongeriget Norge

(Sag E-1/05)

(2005/C 60/10)

Den 11. januar 2005 anlagde EFTA-Tilsynsmyndigheden, repræsenteret ved Niels Fenger og Per Andreas Bjørgan som partsrepræsentanter for EFTA-Tilsynsmyndigheden, Rue Belliard 35, B-1040 Bruxelles, sag ved EFTA-Domstolen mod Kongeriget Norge.

Sagsøger nedlægger påstand om, at EFTA-Domstolen bør:

| 1. | fastslå, at Kongeriget Norge har tilsidesat sine forpligtelser i henhold til artikel 33 i den retsakt, der henvises til i punkt 11 i bilag IX til aftalen om Det Europæiske Økonomiske Samarbejdsområde (Europa-Parlamentets og Rådets direktiv 2002/83/EF af 5. november 2002 om livsforsikring) som tilpasset EØS-aftalen ved dennes protokol 1, ved at opretholde kravet om, at oprettelsesomkostninger skal betales senest sammen med første præmiebetaling efter § 3, stk. 2, i den norske forskrift nr. 1167 af 21. november 1989 om fordeling af omkostninger, tab, indtægter, midler mv. mellem forsikringsselskaber inden for en koncern og mellem brancher og kontrakter i et forsikringsselskab, og § 10 i den norske forskrift nr. 827 af 22. september 1995 om forsikringstjenesteydelser og etablering af en filial af et forsikringsselskab med hovedkontor i en anden EØS-stat, og |
| --- | --- |

1.

fastslå, at Kongeriget Norge har tilsidesat sine forpligtelser i henhold til artikel 33 i den retsakt, der henvises til i punkt 11 i bilag IX til aftalen om Det Europæiske Økonomiske Samarbejdsområde (Europa-Parlamentets og Rådets direktiv 2002/83/EF af 5. november 2002 om livsforsikring) som tilpasset EØS-aftalen ved dennes protokol 1, ved at opretholde kravet om, at oprettelsesomkostninger skal betales senest sammen med første præmiebetaling efter § 3, stk. 2, i den norske forskrift nr. 1167 af 21. november 1989 om fordeling af omkostninger, tab, indtægter, midler mv. mellem forsikringsselskaber inden for en koncern og mellem brancher og kontrakter i et forsikringsselskab, og § 10 i den norske forskrift nr. 827 af 22. september 1995 om forsikringstjenesteydelser og etablering af en filial af et forsikringsselskab med hovedkontor i en anden EØS-stat, og

| 2. | pålægge Kongeriget Norge at betale sagsomkostningerne. |
| --- | --- |

2.

pålægge Kongeriget Norge at betale sagsomkostningerne.

Juridiske og faktiske omstændigheder samt søgsmålsgrunde:

| — | Ifølge retsaktens artikel 33 kan den EØS-stat, hvor forpligtelsen består, »ikke forhindre forsikringstageren i at indgå en aftale med et forsikringsselskab, der har fået tilladelse i henhold til artikel 4, når aftalen ikke er i strid med gældende retsregler begrundet i almene hensyn i den medlemsstat, hvor forpligtelsen består«. |
| --- | --- |

—

Ifølge retsaktens artikel 33 kan den EØS-stat, hvor forpligtelsen består, »ikke forhindre forsikringstageren i at indgå en aftale med et forsikringsselskab, der har fået tilladelse i henhold til artikel 4, når aftalen ikke er i strid med gældende retsregler begrundet i almene hensyn i den medlemsstat, hvor forpligtelsen består«.

| — | I retsaktens præambel anføres det, at »inden for rammerne af det indre marked er det i forsikringstagerens interesse at have adgang til det størst mulige udvalg af forsikringsprodukter, der tilbydes i Fællesskabet, således at han kan vælge den forsikring, der passer bedst til hans behov«, og at »i et indre marked for forsikring vil forbrugeren have et større og mere varieret udvalg af forsikringer end tidligere«. |
| --- | --- |

—

I retsaktens præambel anføres det, at »inden for rammerne af det indre marked er det i forsikringstagerens interesse at have adgang til det størst mulige udvalg af forsikringsprodukter, der tilbydes i Fællesskabet, således at han kan vælge den forsikring, der passer bedst til hans behov«, og at »i et indre marked for forsikring vil forbrugeren have et større og mere varieret udvalg af forsikringer end tidligere«.

| — | I henhold til § 10 i den norske forskrift nr. 827 af 22. september 1995 skal udenlandske forsikringsselskaber beregne og opkræve betaling af oprettelsesomkostningerne efter § 3, stk. 2, i forskrift nr. 1167 af 21. november 1989 med henblik på markedsføring af deres produkter i Norge. |
| --- | --- |

—

I henhold til § 10 i den norske forskrift nr. 827 af 22. september 1995 skal udenlandske forsikringsselskaber beregne og opkræve betaling af oprettelsesomkostningerne efter § 3, stk. 2, i forskrift nr. 1167 af 21. november 1989 med henblik på markedsføring af deres produkter i Norge.

| — | Denne forskrift forhindrer en forsikringstager i Norge i at indgå en kontrakt med et forsikringsselskab, som fordeler oprettelsesomkostningerne over en periode, og det begrænser forbrugerens valg. |
| --- | --- |

—

Denne forskrift forhindrer en forsikringstager i Norge i at indgå en kontrakt med et forsikringsselskab, som fordeler oprettelsesomkostningerne over en periode, og det begrænser forbrugerens valg.

| — | Endvidere kan bestemmelsen begrænse udbuddet af forskellige forsikringstjenesteydelser, eftersom forsikringsselskaber, som er godkendt i andre EØS-lande, kan hindres i at markedsføre deres produkter i Norge. |
| --- | --- |

—

Endvidere kan bestemmelsen begrænse udbuddet af forskellige forsikringstjenesteydelser, eftersom forsikringsselskaber, som er godkendt i andre EØS-lande, kan hindres i at markedsføre deres produkter i Norge.

---