# Diario Oficial C 243/2007

| | ISSN 1725-244X |
| --- | --- |
| Diario Oficial
  de la Unión Europea | C 243 |
| | |
| Edición en lengua española | Comunicaciones e informaciones | 50o año17 de octubre de 2007 |

ISSN 1725-244X

Diario Oficial

de la Unión Europea

C 243

Edición en lengua española

Comunicaciones e informaciones

50o año17 de octubre de 2007

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| Número de información | Sumario | Página |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Comunicaciones |
| | COMUNICACIONES PROCEDENTES DE INSTITUCIONES Y ÓRGANOS DE LA UNIÓN EUROPEA |
| | Comisión |
| 2007/C 243/01 | No oposición a una concentración notificada (Asunto COMP/M.4748 — T-Mobile/Orange) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Número de información

Sumario

Página

II   Comunicaciones

COMUNICACIONES PROCEDENTES DE INSTITUCIONES Y ÓRGANOS DE LA UNIÓN EUROPEA

Comisión

2007/C 243/01

No oposición a una concentración notificada (Asunto COMP/M.4748 — T-Mobile/Orange) (
  1
  )

1

1

| | IV   Informaciones |
| --- | --- |
| | INFORMACIONES PROCEDENTES DE INSTITUCIONES Y ÓRGANOS DE LA UNIÓN EUROPEA |
| | Comisión |
| 2007/C 243/02 | Tipo de cambio del euro | 2 |

IV   Informaciones

INFORMACIONES PROCEDENTES DE INSTITUCIONES Y ÓRGANOS DE LA UNIÓN EUROPEA

Comisión

2007/C 243/02

Tipo de cambio del euro

2

| | V   Anuncios |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDIMIENTOS ADMINISTRATIVOS |
| | Oficina Europea de Selección de Personal (EPSO) |
| 2007/C 243/03 | Anuncio de oposición general EPSO/AST/43-44/07 | 3 |
| | PROCEDIMIENTOS RELATIVOS A LA APLICACIÓN DE LA POLÍTICA DE COMPETENCIA |
| | Comisión |
| 2007/C 243/04 | Ayuda estatal — Reino Unido — Ayuda estatal C 23/07 (ex N 118/07) — Vauxhall Motors Ltd — Ayuda a la formación para Ellesmere Port — Invitación a presentar observaciones en aplicación del artículo 88, apartado 2, del Tratado CE (
  1
  ) | 4 |
| | OTROS ACTOS |
| | Comisión |
| 2007/C 243/05 | Publicación de una solicitud con arreglo al artículo 6, apartado 2, del Reglamento (CE) no 510/2006 del Consejo, sobre la protección de las indicaciones geográficas y de las denominaciones de origen de los productos agrícolas y alimenticios | 11 |

V   Anuncios

PROCEDIMIENTOS ADMINISTRATIVOS

Oficina Europea de Selección de Personal (EPSO)

2007/C 243/03

Anuncio de oposición general EPSO/AST/43-44/07

3

PROCEDIMIENTOS RELATIVOS A LA APLICACIÓN DE LA POLÍTICA DE COMPETENCIA

Comisión

2007/C 243/04

Ayuda estatal — Reino Unido — Ayuda estatal C 23/07 (ex N 118/07) — Vauxhall Motors Ltd — Ayuda a la formación para Ellesmere Port — Invitación a presentar observaciones en aplicación del artículo 88, apartado 2, del Tratado CE (
  1
  )

1

4

OTROS ACTOS

Comisión

2007/C 243/05

Publicación de una solicitud con arreglo al artículo 6, apartado 2, del Reglamento (CE) no 510/2006 del Consejo, sobre la protección de las indicaciones geográficas y de las denominaciones de origen de los productos agrícolas y alimenticios

o

11

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Texto pertinente a efectos del EEE |

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(1)   Texto pertinente a efectos del EEE

1

| ES | |
| --- | --- |

ES

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II Comunicaciones

COMUNICACIONES PROCEDENTES DE INSTITUCIONES Y ÓRGANOS DE LA UNIÓN EUROPEA

Comisión

| 17.10.2007 | ES | Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea | C 243/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

ES

Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea

C 243/1

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No oposición a una concentración notificada

(Asunto COMP/M.4748 — T-Mobile/Orange)

(Texto pertinente a efectos del EEE)

(2007/C 243/01)

El 20 de agosto de 2007, la Comisión decidió no oponerse a la concentración notificada citada en el encabezamiento y declararla compatible con el mercado común. Esta Decisión se basa en la letra b) del apartado 1 del artículo 6 del Reglamento (CE) no 139/2004 del Consejo. El texto íntegro de la Decisión solamente está disponible en inglés y se hará público una vez suprimidos los secretos comerciales que pueda contener. Estará disponible:

| — | en el sitio web de la DG Competencia del servidor Europa (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Este sitio web proporciona diversos métodos de búsqueda de las decisiones sobre concentraciones, en particular por nombre de la empresa, número de asunto, fecha de la decisión e índices sectoriales, |
| --- | --- |

—

en el sitio web de la DG Competencia del servidor Europa (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Este sitio web proporciona diversos métodos de búsqueda de las decisiones sobre concentraciones, en particular por nombre de la empresa, número de asunto, fecha de la decisión e índices sectoriales,

| — | en formato electrónico en el sitio web EUR-Lex por número de documento 32007M4748. CELEX es el sistema de acceso informático a la legislación comunitaria (http://eur-lex.europa.eu). |
| --- | --- |

—

en formato electrónico en el sitio web EUR-Lex por número de documento 32007M4748. CELEX es el sistema de acceso informático a la legislación comunitaria (http://eur-lex.europa.eu).

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IV Informaciones

INFORMACIONES PROCEDENTES DE INSTITUCIONES Y ÓRGANOS DE LA UNIÓN EUROPEA

Comisión

| 17.10.2007 | ES | Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea | C 243/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

ES

Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea

C 243/2

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Tipo de cambio del euro (1)

16 de octubre de 2007

(2007/C 243/02)

1 euro=

| | Moneda | Tipo de cambio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | dólar estadounidense | 1,4150 |
| JPY | yen japonés | 165,17 |
| DKK | corona danesa | 7,4528 |
| GBP | libra esterlina | 0,69650 |
| SEK | corona sueca | 9,1538 |
| CHF | franco suizo | 1,6753 |
| ISK | corona islandesa | 86,25 |
| NOK | corona noruega | 7,6660 |
| BGN | lev búlgaro | 1,9558 |
| CYP | libra chipriota | 0,5842 |
| CZK | corona checa | 27,526 |
| EEK | corona estonia | 15,6466 |
| HUF | forint húngaro | 251,05 |
| LTL | litas lituana | 3,4528 |
| LVL | lats letón | 0,7030 |
| MTL | lira maltesa | 0,4293 |
| PLN | zloty polaco | 3,7196 |
| RON | leu rumano | 3,3513 |
| SKK | corona eslovaca | 33,687 |
| TRY | lira turca | 1,7314 |
| AUD | dólar australiano | 1,5929 |
| CAD | dólar canadiense | 1,3878 |
| HKD | dólar de Hong Kong | 10,9724 |
| NZD | dólar neozelandés | 1,8930 |
| SGD | dólar de Singapur | 2,0767 |
| KRW | won de Corea del Sur | 1 297,84 |
| ZAR | rand sudafricano | 9,7399 |
| CNY | yuan renminbi | 10,6380 |
| HRK | kuna croata | 7,3235 |
| IDR | rupia indonesia | 12 819,90 |
| MYR | ringgit malayo | 4,7862 |
| PHP | peso filipino | 62,755 |
| RUB | rublo ruso | 35,3050 |
| THB | baht tailandés | 44,424 |

Moneda

Tipo de cambio

USD

dólar estadounidense

1,4150

JPY

yen japonés

165,17

DKK

corona danesa

7,4528

GBP

libra esterlina

0,69650

SEK

corona sueca

9,1538

CHF

franco suizo

1,6753

ISK

corona islandesa

86,25

NOK

corona noruega

7,6660

BGN

lev búlgaro

1,9558

CYP

libra chipriota

0,5842

CZK

corona checa

27,526

EEK

corona estonia

15,6466

HUF

forint húngaro

251,05

LTL

litas lituana

3,4528

LVL

lats letón

0,7030

MTL

lira maltesa

0,4293

PLN

zloty polaco

3,7196

RON

leu rumano

3,3513

SKK

corona eslovaca

33,687

TRY

lira turca

1,7314

AUD

dólar australiano

1,5929

CAD

dólar canadiense

1,3878

HKD

dólar de Hong Kong

10,9724

NZD

dólar neozelandés

1,8930

SGD

dólar de Singapur

2,0767

KRW

won de Corea del Sur

1 297,84

ZAR

rand sudafricano

9,7399

CNY

yuan renminbi

10,6380

HRK

kuna croata

7,3235

IDR

rupia indonesia

12 819,90

MYR

ringgit malayo

4,7862

PHP

peso filipino

62,755

RUB

rublo ruso

35,3050

THB

baht tailandés

44,424

---

(1)

Fuente: tipo de cambio de referencia publicado por el Banco Central Europeo.

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V Anuncios

PROCEDIMIENTOS ADMINISTRATIVOS

Oficina Europea de Selección de Personal (EPSO)

| 17.10.2007 | ES | Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea | C 243/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

ES

Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea

C 243/3

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ANUNCIO DE OPOSICIÓN GENERAL EPSO/AST/43-44/07

(2007/C 243/03)

La Oficina Europea de Selección de Personal (EPSO) convoca las oposiciones generales siguientes: EPSO/AST/43/07 y EPSO/AST/44/07 — Asistentes (AST3) de nacionalidad búlgara o rumana en los siguientes ámbitos:

| 1) | Administración pública europea |
| --- | --- |

1)

Administración pública europea

| 2) | Gestión financiera |
| --- | --- |

2)

Gestión financiera

La convocatoria se publica únicamente en alemán, francés e inglés en el Diario Oficial C 243 A de 17 de octubre de 2007.

Toda la información pertinente se encuentra en el sitio web de EPSO: http://europa.eu/epso

---

PROCEDIMIENTOS RELATIVOS A LA APLICACIÓN DE LA POLÍTICA DE COMPETENCIA

Comisión

| 17.10.2007 | ES | Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea | C 243/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

ES

Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea

C 243/4

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AYUDA ESTATAL — REINO UNIDO

Ayuda estatal C 23/07 (ex N 118/07) — Vauxhall Motors Ltd — Ayuda a la formación para Ellesmere Port

Invitación a presentar observaciones en aplicación del artículo 88, apartado 2, del Tratado CE

(Texto pertinente a efectos del EEE)

(2007/C 243/04)

Por carta de 10 de julio de 2007, reproducida en la versión lingüística auténtica en las páginas siguientes al presente resumen, la Comisión notificó al Reino Unido su decisión de incoar el procedimiento previsto en el artículo 88, apartado 2, del Tratado CE en relación con una parte de la ayuda antes citada.

Los interesados podrán presentar sus observaciones sobre la ayuda respecto de la cual la Comisión ha incoado el procedimiento en un plazo de un mes a partir de la fecha de publicación del presente resumen y de la carta siguiente, enviándolas a:

| Comisión Europea |
| --- |
| Dirección General de Competencia |
| Registro de Ayudas Estatales |
| SPA-3 6/5 |
| B-1049 Bruselas |
| Fax (32-2) 296 12 42 |

Comisión Europea

Dirección General de Competencia

Registro de Ayudas Estatales

SPA-3 6/5

B-1049 Bruselas

Fax (32-2) 296 12 42

Dichas observaciones se comunicarán al Reino Unido. Los interesados que presenten observaciones podrán solicitar por escrito, exponiendo los motivos de su solicitud, que su identidad sea tratada de forma confidencial.

RESUMEN

El 5 de marzo de 2007, el Reino Unido notificó a la Comisión su intención de conceder una ayuda a Vauxhall Motors Ltd, Ellesmere Port («Vauxhall»), una fábrica de automóviles perteneciente a Vauxhall Motors Ltd y que forma parte de General Motors Ltd. La notificación se hizo de conformidad con el artículo 5 del Reglamento (CE) no 68/2001 de la Comisión, relativo a la aplicación de los artículos 87 y 88 del Tratado CE a las ayudas a la formación, que estipula que deberá notificarse individualmente cualquier ayuda a la formación superior a 1 millón EUR.

La ayuda se destina a apoyar un programa de formación concebido para mejorar los resultados de Vauxhall. La formación se desarrollaría durante 6 años (de 2007 a 2012). Los costes subvencionables totales de la formación ascienden a 16 583 461 GBP. La ayuda sería concedida por la North-West Development Agency (Organismo de Desarrollo del Noroeste) en forma de subvención directa por un importe de 8 584 767 GBP, pagadera en seis anualidades.

La Comisión considera que la medida constituye una ayuda estatal en el sentido del artículo 87 del Tratado CE. La Comisión evaluará la compatibilidad de la ayuda con el mercado común sobre la base del artículo 87, apartado 3, letra c), del Tratado CE. Para ello, tomará en consideración los principios del susodicho Reglamento y también evaluará si la ayuda supone un incentivo necesario para la formación, es decir, si la formación no se habría organizado sin dicha ayuda. Este criterio del efecto incentivador es una condición general de compatibilidad para las ayudas estatales.

En esta fase, la Comisión tiene dudas sobre la compatibilidad de la ayuda por las siguientes razones. Primero, duda de su efecto incentivador en relación con tres partes del programa de formación (formación sobre el sistema de producción, formación sobre el sistema general de fabricación de General Motors, y programas de trabajo y estudio para estudiantes de enseñanza superior) que la Comisión considera que probablemente se llevarían a cabo incluso si no existiese la ayuda.

En segundo lugar, la Comisión cuestiona la opinión de las autoridades británicas en el sentido de que la formación que se impartirá en cuatro ámbitos del programa (formación sobre el sistema de producción, sistema general de fabricación, cambio cultural y producción eficaz) constituye una formación general en el sentido del Reglamento, es decir, una formación que ofrece cualificaciones que pueden ser transferidas a otras empresas o sectores y para la cual la ayuda puede cubrir hasta el 50 % de los costes subvencionables. La Comisión considera que estas partes de la formación constituyen una formación específica en el sentido del Reglamento (intensidad máxima de ayuda del 25 %).

TEXTO DE LA CARTA

«The Commission wishes to inform the United Kingdom that, having examined the information supplied by the UK authorities on the measure referred to above, it has decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty.

1.   THE PROCEDURE

| (1) | By letter dated 28 February 2007, registered with the Commission on 6 March 2007, the UK authorities notified the Commission of the above-mentioned measure for General Motor's Vauxhall assembly plant at Ellesmere Port. The Commission requested complementary information by letter of 4 April 2007 (ref. D/51586), to which the UK authorities replied on 22 May 2007. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

By letter dated 28 February 2007, registered with the Commission on 6 March 2007, the UK authorities notified the Commission of the above-mentioned measure for General Motor's Vauxhall assembly plant at Ellesmere Port. The Commission requested complementary information by letter of 4 April 2007 (ref. D/51586), to which the UK authorities replied on 22 May 2007.

2.   DESCRIPTION OF THE AID

2.1.   The beneficiary

| (2) | The aid recipient is Vauxhall Motors Ltd, Ellesmere Port, UK (“Vauxhall”), a car manufacturing plant which is an operating unit of Vauxhall Motors Ltd and part of General Motors Inc. (“GM”). It manufactures cars from the Opel model range (which are sold in the UK under the Vauxhall badge), currently the Astra which will terminate in 2009. Vauxhall is located in Ellesmere Port in Cheshire in the North-West region of England (1) and employs close to 2 200 workers. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The aid recipient is Vauxhall Motors Ltd, Ellesmere Port, UK (“Vauxhall”), a car manufacturing plant which is an operating unit of Vauxhall Motors Ltd and part of General Motors Inc. (“GM”). It manufactures cars from the Opel model range (which are sold in the UK under the Vauxhall badge), currently the Astra which will terminate in 2009. Vauxhall is located in Ellesmere Port in Cheshire in the North-West region of England (1) and employs close to 2 200 workers.

| (3) | Vauxhall has suffered from a long record of underperformance. Initiatives taken since 2002 have considerably improved the plant's performance. However, according to the UK, the improvements represent only the changes needed to meet the basic standards for a GM plant. In order to survive in the long term, Vauxhall needs to implement a more comprehensive change and staff development programme in order to improve productivity and build quality and make Vauxhall a class leading plant. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Vauxhall has suffered from a long record of underperformance. Initiatives taken since 2002 have considerably improved the plant's performance. However, according to the UK, the improvements represent only the changes needed to meet the basic standards for a GM plant. In order to survive in the long term, Vauxhall needs to implement a more comprehensive change and staff development programme in order to improve productivity and build quality and make Vauxhall a class leading plant.

| (4) | On 17 April 2007, GM announced that Vauxhall was amongst the European GM sites that had been selected to produce the Global Compact Vehicle, the model that will replace the Astra. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

On 17 April 2007, GM announced that Vauxhall was amongst the European GM sites that had been selected to produce the Global Compact Vehicle, the model that will replace the Astra.

2.2.   The training programme

| (5) | Vauxhall intends to implement a wide-ranging training plan which breaks down into 8 individual training areas, 6 of which are considered by the UK to be eligible for training aid:






  (a) | Production System Training: This concerns training in all elements of Vauxhall's production and quality control systems. The objective is to give staff a better understanding of the build process and thus generate better standard, reduce defects and improve problem solving. |
| --- | --- | --- |

(5)

Vauxhall intends to implement a wide-ranging training plan which breaks down into 8 individual training areas, 6 of which are considered by the UK to be eligible for training aid:

(a)

Production System Training: This concerns training in all elements of Vauxhall's production and quality control systems. The objective is to give staff a better understanding of the build process and thus generate better standard, reduce defects and improve problem solving.

| (b) | Integrated Training Plan: This part of the training concerns the implementation of the “Global Manufacturing System” (GMS) which incorporates best practices and technologies into a common manufacturing system for GM operations. Through a series of objectives (“People Involvement”, “Standardisation”, “Built-in Quality”, “Short Lead Time”, “Continuous Improvement”) the training will allow the staff of Vauxhall to build future generations of cars in a better way. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

Integrated Training Plan: This part of the training concerns the implementation of the “Global Manufacturing System” (GMS) which incorporates best practices and technologies into a common manufacturing system for GM operations. Through a series of objectives (“People Involvement”, “Standardisation”, “Built-in Quality”, “Short Lead Time”, “Continuous Improvement”) the training will allow the staff of Vauxhall to build future generations of cars in a better way.

| (c) | Cultural Change: The objective of this training is to instil a sense of common purpose and collective responsibility in the workforce and to create a team culture based on excellence in production. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

Cultural Change: The objective of this training is to instil a sense of common purpose and collective responsibility in the workforce and to create a team culture based on excellence in production.

| (d) | Dual Skilling: The purpose of this training is to develop a flexible workforce by allowing staff with a primary skill in mechanical engineering to develop electrical skills and, conversely, those with primary skills in electrical engineering to acquire mechanical skills. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

Dual Skilling: The purpose of this training is to develop a flexible workforce by allowing staff with a primary skill in mechanical engineering to develop electrical skills and, conversely, those with primary skills in electrical engineering to acquire mechanical skills.

| (e) | Lean Manufacturing: This is a project to ensure that the principles and techniques of lean manufacturing are embedded in the workforce and that employees are fully aware of the benefits of applying these to the manufacturing process at Vauxhall. A central part of training under this heading will be the secondment of staff to another GM plant outside the UK. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

Lean Manufacturing: This is a project to ensure that the principles and techniques of lean manufacturing are embedded in the workforce and that employees are fully aware of the benefits of applying these to the manufacturing process at Vauxhall. A central part of training under this heading will be the secondment of staff to another GM plant outside the UK.

| (f) | Undergraduates: This is a programme whereby Vauxhall organises 12-month courses for young University students. The various programmes (e.g. “Body Planning Engineer”, “Finance Analyst”, “General Assembly Planning Engineer”) combine learning and work experience under the supervision of a mentor. There is no contractual obligation on either party to maintain the working relationship at the end of the training. |
| --- | --- |

(f)

Undergraduates: This is a programme whereby Vauxhall organises 12-month courses for young University students. The various programmes (e.g. “Body Planning Engineer”, “Finance Analyst”, “General Assembly Planning Engineer”) combine learning and work experience under the supervision of a mentor. There is no contractual obligation on either party to maintain the working relationship at the end of the training.

| (6) | Outside the training intended to benefit from the notified State aid are the training areas “Apprentices” (an apprenticeship scheme for young people), “Model Change” (the training needed to adapt to the production of the Global Model Vehicle) and activities related to “Training & Performance Appraisal”. In addition, the UK authorities have informed the Commission that Vauxhall undertakes “routine training” in the skills necessary to the plant's normal operations. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

Outside the training intended to benefit from the notified State aid are the training areas “Apprentices” (an apprenticeship scheme for young people), “Model Change” (the training needed to adapt to the production of the Global Model Vehicle) and activities related to “Training & Performance Appraisal”. In addition, the UK authorities have informed the Commission that Vauxhall undertakes “routine training” in the skills necessary to the plant's normal operations.

| (7) | According to the information provided by the UK, the training would consist mainly in general training, with some elements of specific training (2). The training plan will be implemented over six years (2007 to 2012 included) and will concern all employees at Vauxhall. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

According to the information provided by the UK, the training would consist mainly in general training, with some elements of specific training (2). The training plan will be implemented over six years (2007 to 2012 included) and will concern all employees at Vauxhall.

2.3.   The aid

| (8) | The aid would be given in the form of a direct grant of GBP 8 584 767 payable in six yearly instalments over the running time of the training programme. The aid would be implemented as an individual aid from the North West Development Agency. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

The aid would be given in the form of a direct grant of GBP 8 584 767 payable in six yearly instalments over the running time of the training programme. The aid would be implemented as an individual aid from the North West Development Agency.

| (9) | According to the information provided by the UK, the eligible costs for the training and the aid break down as follows (the costs for the projects “Apprenticeships”, “Model Change” and “Routine Training Budget” are not considered eligible by the UK) (3)
   (4):











  Projects | General training Eligible costs in GBP | Specific training Eligible costs in GBP | Wage compensation in GBP | Total eligible costs in GBP | Aid in GBP | Intensity in % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Product System Training | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] |
| Integrated Training Progr. | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] |
| Cultural Change | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] |
| Dual Skilling | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] |
| Lean Manufacturing | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] |
| Undergraduates | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] |
| TOTAL | 9 870 316 | 464 808 | 6 248 338 | 16 583 461 | 8 584 767 | 51,78 |
| Apprenticeships | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] |
| Model Changes | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] |
| Routine Training Budge | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] | [...] |

(9)

According to the information provided by the UK, the eligible costs for the training and the aid break down as follows (the costs for the projects “Apprenticeships”, “Model Change” and “Routine Training Budget” are not considered eligible by the UK) (3)
   (4):

Projects

General training Eligible costs in GBP

Specific training Eligible costs in GBP

Wage compensation in GBP

Total eligible costs in GBP

Aid in GBP

Intensity in %

Product System Training

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

Integrated Training Progr.

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

Cultural Change

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

Dual Skilling

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

Lean Manufacturing

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

Undergraduates

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

TOTAL

9 870 316

464 808

6 248 338

16 583 461

8 584 767

51,78

Apprenticeships

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

Model Changes

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

Routine Training Budge

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

| (10) | According to the UK, the planned aid amounts respect the aid intensities of the Training Aid Regulation, i.e. 50 % for general training and 25 % for specific training, with an increase of 3,7 percentage points for training to disadvantaged workers within the meaning of Article 2(g) of the Training Aid Regulation (5). |
| --- | --- |

(10)

According to the UK, the planned aid amounts respect the aid intensities of the Training Aid Regulation, i.e. 50 % for general training and 25 % for specific training, with an increase of 3,7 percentage points for training to disadvantaged workers within the meaning of Article 2(g) of the Training Aid Regulation (5).

3.   ASSESSMENT

3.1.   Qualification as State aid

| (11) | According to Article 87 of the EC Treaty, any aid granted by a Member State 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, in so far as it affects trade between Member States, constitutes incompatible State aid unless it can be justified under Article 87(2) or (3) of the EC Treaty. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

According to Article 87 of the EC Treaty, any aid granted by a Member State 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, in so far as it affects trade between Member States, constitutes incompatible State aid unless it can be justified under Article 87(2) or (3) of the EC Treaty.

| (12) | The Commission considers that the measure constitutes State aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty. The funding takes the form of a grant from the general budget of the North West region, and is thus funded from State resources. The measures are selective as they are limited to Vauxhall. They are likely to distort competition within the Community since, by relieving it of a significant part of the costs of the training, the measure will provide Vauxhall with an advantage over other competitors not receiving the aid. Finally, the market for motor vehicles is characterised by extensive trade between Member States. |
| --- | --- |

(12)

The Commission considers that the measure constitutes State aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty. The funding takes the form of a grant from the general budget of the North West region, and is thus funded from State resources. The measures are selective as they are limited to Vauxhall. They are likely to distort competition within the Community since, by relieving it of a significant part of the costs of the training, the measure will provide Vauxhall with an advantage over other competitors not receiving the aid. Finally, the market for motor vehicles is characterised by extensive trade between Member States.

3.2.   Legal basis for the assessment

| (13) | The UK authorities have notified the aid as individual aid under Article 5 of the Training Aid Regulation which provides that when the amount of aid granted to one enterprise for a single training project exceeds EUR 1 million, the aid is not exempted from the notification requirement of Article 88(3) EC Treaty. The Commission notes that the proposed aid in this case amounts to GBP 8 584 767, i.e. about EUR 13 million, to be paid to one enterprise, and that the training project is a single project. The Commission therefore considers that the notification requirement applies to the proposed aid, and that it has been respected by the UK. |
| --- | --- |

(13)

The UK authorities have notified the aid as individual aid under Article 5 of the Training Aid Regulation which provides that when the amount of aid granted to one enterprise for a single training project exceeds EUR 1 million, the aid is not exempted from the notification requirement of Article 88(3) EC Treaty. The Commission notes that the proposed aid in this case amounts to GBP 8 584 767, i.e. about EUR 13 million, to be paid to one enterprise, and that the training project is a single project. The Commission therefore considers that the notification requirement applies to the proposed aid, and that it has been respected by the UK.

| (14) | When assessing an individual training aid which does not qualify for the exemption laid down in the Training Aid Regulation, the Commission will, in line with previous decisions (6) make an individual assessment of the aid on the basis of Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty. However, for the purposes of this individual assessment the Commission will by analogy rely on the guiding principles of the Training Aid Regulation and in particular the exemption criteria laid down in its Article 4. |
| --- | --- |

(14)

When assessing an individual training aid which does not qualify for the exemption laid down in the Training Aid Regulation, the Commission will, in line with previous decisions (6) make an individual assessment of the aid on the basis of Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty. However, for the purposes of this individual assessment the Commission will by analogy rely on the guiding principles of the Training Aid Regulation and in particular the exemption criteria laid down in its Article 4.

| (15) | Moreover, the Commission will, in line with its established practice, assess whether the training aid measure is necessary to undertake the training in question. The necessity of the aid is a general condition for finding the aid compatible with the common market (7). If the aid does not lead to additional training, it cannot be considered to “promote” the economic development within the meaning of Article 87(3)(c) EC of the EC Treaty nor to correct the market imperfections that lead companies to underinvest in the training, as mentioned in recital 10 of the Training Aid Regulation. |
| --- | --- |

(15)

Moreover, the Commission will, in line with its established practice, assess whether the training aid measure is necessary to undertake the training in question. The necessity of the aid is a general condition for finding the aid compatible with the common market (7). If the aid does not lead to additional training, it cannot be considered to “promote” the economic development within the meaning of Article 87(3)(c) EC of the EC Treaty nor to correct the market imperfections that lead companies to underinvest in the training, as mentioned in recital 10 of the Training Aid Regulation.

3.3.   Compatibility with the common market

| (16) | In view of the information submitted by the UK, the Commission has doubts on the compatibility of the aid with the common market for the reasons indicated below. |
| --- | --- |

(16)

In view of the information submitted by the UK, the Commission has doubts on the compatibility of the aid with the common market for the reasons indicated below.

3.3.1.   Incentive effect of the aid

| (17) | As indicated above, the Commission takes the view that training aid can be compatible with the common market only if it creates a necessary incentive for the funded training, in the absence of which the training would not take place. Training which is part of the normal operations of an undertaking and for which market forces alone should provide sufficient incentive will not qualify for training aid. |
| --- | --- |

(17)

As indicated above, the Commission takes the view that training aid can be compatible with the common market only if it creates a necessary incentive for the funded training, in the absence of which the training would not take place. Training which is part of the normal operations of an undertaking and for which market forces alone should provide sufficient incentive will not qualify for training aid.

| (18) | The UK has indicated that all training which is necessary for Vauxhall's normal operations is provided as part of “routine training”, the cost of which is not included in the eligible costs of the notified aid (the same is claimed for the training necessary to adapt to the production of the Global Concept Vehicle, covered by the heading “Model Change”). |
| --- | --- |

(18)

The UK has indicated that all training which is necessary for Vauxhall's normal operations is provided as part of “routine training”, the cost of which is not included in the eligible costs of the notified aid (the same is claimed for the training necessary to adapt to the production of the Global Concept Vehicle, covered by the heading “Model Change”).

| (19) | According to the UK, the training covered by the notification is significantly in excess of the work required to maintain its current business and would, because of it prohibitive cost, not be undertaken by Vauxhall without the aid. The aid would thus be a necessary condition for the training. |
| --- | --- |

(19)

According to the UK, the training covered by the notification is significantly in excess of the work required to maintain its current business and would, because of it prohibitive cost, not be undertaken by Vauxhall without the aid. The aid would thus be a necessary condition for the training.

| (20) | The Commission nevertheless doubts the incentive effect of the aid on parts of the training programme: |
| --- | --- |

(20)

The Commission nevertheless doubts the incentive effect of the aid on parts of the training programme:

Production System Training

| (21) | In the Commission's view, this training appears to be necessary to ensure Vauxhall's normal operations. This should provide Vauxhall with sufficient incentive to undertake the training without aid. |
| --- | --- |

(21)

In the Commission's view, this training appears to be necessary to ensure Vauxhall's normal operations. This should provide Vauxhall with sufficient incentive to undertake the training without aid.

| (22) | The UK has indicated that the training in production systems which is indispensable to Vauxhall's operations is provided through “routine training” which is distinct from the Production System Training. However, the UK has not provided sufficient information to allow the Commission to verify the contents of the “routine training” and to compare it to the Production System Training to satisfy itself that the latter provides additional qualifications. |
| --- | --- |

(22)

The UK has indicated that the training in production systems which is indispensable to Vauxhall's operations is provided through “routine training” which is distinct from the Production System Training. However, the UK has not provided sufficient information to allow the Commission to verify the contents of the “routine training” and to compare it to the Production System Training to satisfy itself that the latter provides additional qualifications.

| (23) | The Commission consequently doubts that the aid is necessary for Vauxhall to undertake the Production System Training. |
| --- | --- |

(23)

The Commission consequently doubts that the aid is necessary for Vauxhall to undertake the Production System Training.

| (24) | Concerning a particular item of the Production System Training, namely lines A25.1.1 to A25.1.6 “Statutory Inspection Training”, the Commission observes that any training which is required by statute will necessarily be undertaken even in the absence of State aid. The Commission would require specific explanations regarding this point. |
| --- | --- |

(24)

Concerning a particular item of the Production System Training, namely lines A25.1.1 to A25.1.6 “Statutory Inspection Training”, the Commission observes that any training which is required by statute will necessarily be undertaken even in the absence of State aid. The Commission would require specific explanations regarding this point.

Integrated Training Plan

| (25) | The Commission understands that GMS is an integrated manufacturing system which has been developed by GM and which is common to all GM car manufacturing facilities. Training the workforce in GMS would therefore appear indispensable to Vauxhall's normal operations and should be undertaken even in the absence of the notified State aid. |
| --- | --- |

(25)

The Commission understands that GMS is an integrated manufacturing system which has been developed by GM and which is common to all GM car manufacturing facilities. Training the workforce in GMS would therefore appear indispensable to Vauxhall's normal operations and should be undertaken even in the absence of the notified State aid.

| (26) | The UK has indicated that GMS training has been undertaken at Vauxhall before, but that the Integrated Training Plan aims at the refreshment and extension of the skills initially learnt and that this expenditure is discretionary and would not be brought about by the simple operation of market forces. |
| --- | --- |

(26)

The UK has indicated that GMS training has been undertaken at Vauxhall before, but that the Integrated Training Plan aims at the refreshment and extension of the skills initially learnt and that this expenditure is discretionary and would not be brought about by the simple operation of market forces.

| (27) | However, the Commission considers that training in the manufacturing systems applied at Vauxhall, including appropriate refreshment courses, are essential to operations. The Commission considers that the UK authorities have failed to provide concrete information to substantiate the claim that the Integrated Training Plan goes beyond what it is necessary for Vauxhall's normal operations and would not be undertaken in the absence of the aid. The Commission consequently doubts that the notified aid, in this respect, is compatible with the common market. |
| --- | --- |

(27)

However, the Commission considers that training in the manufacturing systems applied at Vauxhall, including appropriate refreshment courses, are essential to operations. The Commission considers that the UK authorities have failed to provide concrete information to substantiate the claim that the Integrated Training Plan goes beyond what it is necessary for Vauxhall's normal operations and would not be undertaken in the absence of the aid. The Commission consequently doubts that the notified aid, in this respect, is compatible with the common market.

Undergraduates

| (28) | The UK has indicated that the programme is nonessential to Vauxhall's operations and could be curtailed without business unduly suffering. The costs of the training cannot be considered part of operating costs. Expenditure on the Undergraduate programme is discretionary and up for review every year. It is liable to budget cuts. The State aid would guarantee its continuation. |
| --- | --- |

(28)

The UK has indicated that the programme is nonessential to Vauxhall's operations and could be curtailed without business unduly suffering. The costs of the training cannot be considered part of operating costs. Expenditure on the Undergraduate programme is discretionary and up for review every year. It is liable to budget cuts. The State aid would guarantee its continuation.

| (29) | At this stage, the Commission observes that the Undergraduate programme has been in place for a number of years without State aid, which would indicate that the aid is not necessary for this training. The UK, which has stated that the Undergraduate training brings new talent into the company and is a key element of the training to be undertaken by Vauxhall, has not provided any concrete evidence that the programme will be discontinued in the absence of aid. The Commission is consequently not satisfied that the aid is compatible with the common market in this respect. |
| --- | --- |

(29)

At this stage, the Commission observes that the Undergraduate programme has been in place for a number of years without State aid, which would indicate that the aid is not necessary for this training. The UK, which has stated that the Undergraduate training brings new talent into the company and is a key element of the training to be undertaken by Vauxhall, has not provided any concrete evidence that the programme will be discontinued in the absence of aid. The Commission is consequently not satisfied that the aid is compatible with the common market in this respect.

3.3.2.   The distinction between general and specific training

| (30) | The notions of general and specific training are defined in Article 2(e) of the Training Aid Regulation. Specific training is directly and principally applicable to the employee's present or future position in the assisted undertaking and provides qualifications which are not or only to a limited extent transferable to other firms or fields of work. General training, on the other hand, provides qualifications which are transferable to other firms or fields of work and therefore substantially improve the employability of the employee. The essential distinction between the two forms of training is thus the transferability of the acquired skills. |
| --- | --- |

(30)

The notions of general and specific training are defined in Article 2(e) of the Training Aid Regulation. Specific training is directly and principally applicable to the employee's present or future position in the assisted undertaking and provides qualifications which are not or only to a limited extent transferable to other firms or fields of work. General training, on the other hand, provides qualifications which are transferable to other firms or fields of work and therefore substantially improve the employability of the employee. The essential distinction between the two forms of training is thus the transferability of the acquired skills.

| (31) | For the different parts of the Vauxhall training programme the UK authorities have indicated whether they consider the training to be general or specific (and, consequently, which maximum aid intensity should apply in accordance with Article 4 of the Training Aid Regulation). The Commission nevertheless questions the UK's qualifications as regards the following training projects: |
| --- | --- |

(31)

For the different parts of the Vauxhall training programme the UK authorities have indicated whether they consider the training to be general or specific (and, consequently, which maximum aid intensity should apply in accordance with Article 4 of the Training Aid Regulation). The Commission nevertheless questions the UK's qualifications as regards the following training projects:

Production System Training

| (32) | As indicated above, this training concerns all manufacturing and quality control systems at Vauxhall. The UK has indicated that all training will be given by external trainers and concerns third party equipment which is used in other undertakings and sectors, thus providing trainees with transferable qualifications. |
| --- | --- |

(32)

As indicated above, this training concerns all manufacturing and quality control systems at Vauxhall. The UK has indicated that all training will be given by external trainers and concerns third party equipment which is used in other undertakings and sectors, thus providing trainees with transferable qualifications.

| (33) | The Commission nevertheless considers that the UK has not provided it with sufficient information to allow it to ensure that all training provided under this heading is indeed transferable. The UK would need to provide the Commission with details on the basic “routine” training at Vauxhall so that the Commission can compare the nature of this training and assess to which extent it concerns skills which are specific to Vauxhall or GM. |
| --- | --- |

(33)

The Commission nevertheless considers that the UK has not provided it with sufficient information to allow it to ensure that all training provided under this heading is indeed transferable. The UK would need to provide the Commission with details on the basic “routine” training at Vauxhall so that the Commission can compare the nature of this training and assess to which extent it concerns skills which are specific to Vauxhall or GM.

Integrated Production System

| (34) | As indicated above, this is, to the Commission's understanding, training in the Global Manufacturing System which was developed by GM and is applied at GM facilities. |
| --- | --- |

(34)

As indicated above, this is, to the Commission's understanding, training in the Global Manufacturing System which was developed by GM and is applied at GM facilities.

| (35) | The UK argues that GMS is based on a set of principles applicable to any business situation which involves a regular process. The underlying principles are applied both within and outside the automotive sector. The employees would thus acquire a set of skills which will make them capable of performing more efficiently with any employer. In addition, some specific elements of training have been identified and notified as specific training. |
| --- | --- |

(35)

The UK argues that GMS is based on a set of principles applicable to any business situation which involves a regular process. The underlying principles are applied both within and outside the automotive sector. The employees would thus acquire a set of skills which will make them capable of performing more efficiently with any employer. In addition, some specific elements of training have been identified and notified as specific training.

| (36) | The Commission nevertheless questions whether training into a proprietary manufacturing system can be considered to provide transferable qualifications. Although certain underlying notions may be widely shared, the Commission considers that the training, insofar as it concerns the application of these notions to a concrete production process, is likely to be specific. The Commission would therefore require more detailed information on this training and how closely linked it is to practical applications in the GM manufacturing process. |
| --- | --- |

(36)

The Commission nevertheless questions whether training into a proprietary manufacturing system can be considered to provide transferable qualifications. Although certain underlying notions may be widely shared, the Commission considers that the training, insofar as it concerns the application of these notions to a concrete production process, is likely to be specific. The Commission would therefore require more detailed information on this training and how closely linked it is to practical applications in the GM manufacturing process.

Cultural Change

| (37) | The Commission notes that the UK authorities have not submitted any details on the content and expected output of the training under this heading as, on their own account, this information is not yet available. In spite of this, the UK authorities claim that all training provided under this heading is general training within the meaning of the Training Aid Regulation. |
| --- | --- |

(37)

The Commission notes that the UK authorities have not submitted any details on the content and expected output of the training under this heading as, on their own account, this information is not yet available. In spite of this, the UK authorities claim that all training provided under this heading is general training within the meaning of the Training Aid Regulation.

| (38) | However, the Commission has doubts about the transferability of skills acquired as part of a “cultural change” which — in the words of the UK authorities — is specifically focused on “jointly improving the key production metrics of the plant relating to cost and quality”. In view of this objective and the notification's statements that “individual cultures widely vary between different organisations” and that “there is no optimal culture which can be easily and quickly adopted” the Commission doubts that this part of the training programme provides skills which are transferable by individual employees to other firms or fields of work. The Commission consequently doubts that training fitting the description given by the UK authorities constitutes general training. |
| --- | --- |

(38)

However, the Commission has doubts about the transferability of skills acquired as part of a “cultural change” which — in the words of the UK authorities — is specifically focused on “jointly improving the key production metrics of the plant relating to cost and quality”. In view of this objective and the notification's statements that “individual cultures widely vary between different organisations” and that “there is no optimal culture which can be easily and quickly adopted” the Commission doubts that this part of the training programme provides skills which are transferable by individual employees to other firms or fields of work. The Commission consequently doubts that training fitting the description given by the UK authorities constitutes general training.

Lean Manufacturing

| (39) | The UK has argued that the principles of lean manufacturing are generally applied across the manufacturing industry and that, once acquired by the trainee, provide qualifications which are widely transferable. |
| --- | --- |

(39)

The UK has argued that the principles of lean manufacturing are generally applied across the manufacturing industry and that, once acquired by the trainee, provide qualifications which are widely transferable.

| (40) | Although the notion of lean manufacturing may rest on a body of generally applicable principles and techniques, the Commission nevertheless doubts whether this training can be dissociated from its practical application at Vauxhall or within the GM group at large, and thus whether the qualifications it provides are largely transferable by individual employees to other firms or fields of work. The Commission consequently doubts that this constitutes general training (8). |
| --- | --- |

(40)

Although the notion of lean manufacturing may rest on a body of generally applicable principles and techniques, the Commission nevertheless doubts whether this training can be dissociated from its practical application at Vauxhall or within the GM group at large, and thus whether the qualifications it provides are largely transferable by individual employees to other firms or fields of work. The Commission consequently doubts that this constitutes general training (8).

4.   CONCLUSION

In the light of the foregoing considerations, the Commission, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty, requests the United Kingdom to submit its comments and to provide all such information as may help to assess the aid, within one month of the date of receipt of this letter.

It requests your authorities to forward a copy of this letter to the potential recipient of the aid immediately.

The Commission wishes to remind the United Kingdom that Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty has suspensory effect, and would draw your attention to Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999, which provides that all unlawful aid may be recovered from the recipient.

The Commission warns the United Kingdom that it will inform interested parties by publishing this letter and a meaningful summary of it in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will also inform the EFTA Surveillance Authority by sending a copy of this letter. All such interested parties will be invited to submit their comments within one month of the date of such publication.»

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(1)  Vauxhall is located in an area which until 31 December 2006 qualified for regional aid under Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty. Since 1 January 2007, the region is an unassisted area.

1

(2)  The notions of general and specific training are used as defined in Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid (OJ L 10, 13.1.2001, p. 20), referred to in this decision as “the Training Aid Regulation”.

2

(3)  These amounts in the table are those indicated in the UK's letter of 22 May 2007. However, the Commission notes a discrepancy as regards the figures provided in the notification, at least as concerns the eligible costs for the Integrated Training Programme. The Commission expects the UK authorities to clarify this issue and provide definitive amounts for the eligible costs and the aid.

3

(4)  [...]: Confidential information.

4

(5)  At present, 37 % of workers of the company are considered to be disadvantaged. They fall mainly into the category of persons older than 45 who have not attained an upper secondary education. However, as the training will run over 6 years and as the exact number of disadvantaged workers benefiting from the training will be known only at the time the training is delivered, the UK authorities intend to apply a general increase of aid intensity of 3,7 % across the board. The UK authorities have committed to verifying the actual number of disadvantaged workers in each training project ex post and to correct the applied aid intensities accordingly.

5

(6)  See Commission Decision 2006/938/EC of 4 July 2006 on State aid C 40/2005 ... Ford Genk (OJ C 366, 21.12.2006, p. 32) and Commission Decision of 4 April 2007 on State aid C 14/06 ... General Motors Belgium, not yet published. This follows also from paragraph 16 of the preamble of the Training Aid Regulation.

6

(7)  This is reiterated in point 11 of the Regulation which clarifies that it must be “ensure[d] that State aid is limited to the minimum necessary to obtain the Community objective which market forces alone would not make possible [...]”.

7

ensure[d] that State aid is limited to the minimum necessary to obtain the Community objective which market forces alone would not make possible [...]”

(8)  The Commission points out that in the above-mentioned decision in Ford Genk, training on “Lean organisation” was considered to be specific training.

8

Ford Genk

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OTROS ACTOS

Comisión

| 17.10.2007 | ES | Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea | C 243/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

ES

Diario Oficial de la Unión Europea

C 243/11

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Publicación de una solicitud con arreglo al artículo 6, apartado 2, del Reglamento (CE) no 510/2006 del Consejo, sobre la protección de las indicaciones geográficas y de las denominaciones de origen de los productos agrícolas y alimenticios

(2007/C 243/05)

Esta publicación otorga un derecho de oposición con arreglo al artículo 7 del Reglamento (CE) no 510/2006 del Consejo (1) . Las declaraciones de oposición deben llegar a la Comisión en el plazo de seis meses a partir de la presente publicación.

FICHA RESUMEN

REGLAMENTO (CE) No 510/2006 DEL CONSEJO

«CHAMOMILLA BOHEMICA»

No CE: CZ/PDO/005/0411/28.10.2004

DOP ( X ) IGP ( )

En el presente resumen figuran los principales datos del pliego de condiciones a efectos informativos.

1.   Servicio competente del Estado miembro:

| Nombre: | Úřad průmyslového vlastnictví |
| --- | --- |
| Dirección: | Antonína Čermáka 2a |
| CZ-160 68 Praha 6 |

Nombre:

Úřad průmyslového vlastnictví

Dirección:

Antonína Čermáka 2a

CZ-160 68 Praha 6

Teléfono:

(420) 220 383 111

Fax

(420) 224 324 718

Correo electrónico:

posta@upv.cz

2.   Agrupación solicitante:

| Nombre: | LEROS, s.r.o., zastupující skupinu producentů |
| --- | --- |
| Dirección: | U Národní galerie 470 |
| CZ-150 00 Praha 5-Zbraslav |

Nombre:

LEROS, s.r.o., zastupující skupinu producentů

Dirección:

U Národní galerie 470

CZ-150 00 Praha 5-Zbraslav

Teléfono:

(420) 257 898 111

Fax

(420) 257 921 328

Correo electrónico:

leros@leros.cz

Composición:

Productores/transformadores ( X ) Otros ( )

3.   Tipo de producto:

Clase 1.8: Otros productos del anexo I

4.   Pliego de condiciones:

[resumen de los requisitos de conformidad con el artículo 4, apartado 2, del Reglamento (CE) no 510/2006]

4.1   Denominación: «Chamomilla Bohemica»

La denominación «Chamomilla Bohemica» es la denominación tradicional de la auténtica flor de camomila que se encuentra en Bohemia (República Checa).

4.2   Descripción: Flores desecadas de camomila auténtica (flos Chamomilla vulgaris) — Matricariae flos, Matricaria recutita (L.) Rauschert, Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert.

La «Chamomilla Bohemica» se caracteriza por su contenido de aceite esencial (hasta un 1 %), cuya principal sustancia activa es el camazuleno, presente en un porcentaje comprendido entre el 0,06 % y el 0,07 %. Por sus características, la «Chamomilla Bohemica» tiene una calidad superior a la de las plantas originarias de otras zonas geográficas y responde sobradamente a los criterios establecidos para la flor de camomila auténtica por la farmacopea checa en 1997 y 2002. Según el suplemento de 2004 de la edición de la farmacopea checa de 2002, esta camomila contiene al menos un 4 % de aceite esencial de color azul por kilogramo de materia seca y al menos un 0,25 % en total de apigenina-7-glucósida calculada sobre materia seca. Los principales componentes del aceite esencial son los sesquiterpenos (aproximadamente un 50 % de aceite esencial, (-)-alfa-bisabolol, óxido de bisabolol A y B, oxido de (-)-bisabolona A). Otro componente del aceite esencial es el camazuleno (contenido mínimo 0,035 %). Además del aceite esencial, la «Chamomilla Bohemica» contiene cumarinas (umbeliferona, herniarina), flavonoides (apigenina-7-glucósida y sus derivados, luteolina, quercetol, isorhamnetina) en un porcentaje mínimo del 0,01 %, así como azuleno (contenido mínimo: 0,02 %). Los flavonoides (0,015 % en la materia seca) tienen propiedades espasmolíticas. Los espiroéteres, (0,03 %), presentan propiedades bacterioestáticas y fungistáticas. La «Chamomilla Bohemica» no debe producir aceite esencial de color marrón en la cromatografía en capa fina, y su contenido medio de camazuleno debe estar comprendido entre 0,06 % y 0,07 %. Se comercializa en forma de flores para tisana en bolsitas individuales y a granel, por paquetes de 50 gramos o, para el comercio mayorista, por sacos de 14 kg.

4.3   Zona geográfica: Bohemia, es decir, las regiones de Praga, Bohemia central, Bohemia del sur, Pilsen, Karlovy Vary, Ústí nad Labem. Liberec, Hradec Králové y Pardubice y, en la región de Vysočina, las comarcas (okres) de Havlíčkův Brod, Jihlava y Pelhřimov, de conformidad con la Ley Orgánica no 347/1997, relativa a la organización de los grandes entes territoriales y por la que se modifica la Ley orgánica del Consejo Nacional Checo no 1/1993, constitución de la República Checa en su versión actualmente vigente.

Los lugares de cultivo de la «Chamomilla Bohemica» en el territorio bohemio se definen por las condiciones climáticas y edafológicas siguientes: suelos arcillosos y arenosos (según la clasificación de los suelos, tierras negras, suelos pardos y suelos lixiviados), con un pH comprendido entre 7,3 y 8,1. Condiciones climáticas: las precipitaciones anuales se sitúan entre 500 y 700 mm/m2, la altitud oscila entre 230 y 480 metros por encima del nivel del mar.

4.4   Prueba del origen: Los transformadores mantienen un registro de los proveedores, los cuales se hallan sometidos a controles en todas las fases del proceso de obtención de la flor de camomila: siembra, crecimiento, recolección, secado, almacenamiento y transformación. Asimismo, mantienen un registro de los compradores de los productos acabados.

El servicio competente de la Inspección nacional de la agricultura y la alimentación (Státní zemědělské a potravinářské inspekce) vela por el cumplimiento del pliego de condiciones.

4.5   Método de obtención: La camomila tiene una gran capacidad de adaptación, pero las sustancias que contiene son muy sensibles a las condiciones medioambientales, por lo que es preciso cumplir una serie de requisitos entre los que se hallan los siguientes:

Preparación para la siembra: el cultivo de la manzanilla es poco exigente y requiere simplemente un roturado normal, un rastrillado de la superficie y unas parcelas libres de hierbas.

Siembra: utilización de una sembradora de precisión, aplanamiento del suelo tras la siembra, 20 gramos de semillas por área.

Período vegetativo: durante esa fase, aplicación de fertilizantes industriales complejos (por ejemplo, NPK o Cereritem).

Recolección y tratamiento post-recolección: las flores se cogen a mano o con ayuda de aparatos automotores Neset y Unag inmediatamente después de su eclosión; se recomienda secarlas a una temperatura máxima de 40 °C y trasladarlas a cadenas de transformación que cuenten con sistemas de clasificación y con separadores.

Para asegurar el mantenimiento de las características propias de las materias primas indicadas en el punto 4.2, es fundamental respetar la zona de cultivo delimitada.

Almacenamiento y envasado: el producto se conserva en seco, apartado de la luz y en locales bien ventilados, antes de envasarse en bolsas de papel de contenido única sobre las que se coloca una etiqueta; estas operaciones, incluido el envasado final, no deben efectuarse necesariamente en la zona definida, pero sí llevarse a cabo conforme a las normas y reglas vigentes.

4.6   Vínculo: Los países checos siempre han producido camomila de excelente calidad, pero el uso de la denominación «Chamomilla Bohemica» se hizo más frecuente sobre todo a partir de los años cincuenta, momento en el que aumentó la demanda extranjera y fue necesario establecer una distinción entre este cultivo y las demás producciones de camomila. La denominación «Chamomilla Bohemica» designa una manzanilla con propiedades bien definidas (véase el punto 4.2), derivadas de las condiciones naturales específicas. Esta singularidad se debe a la combinación de varios factores de cultivo, como el clima, el suelo y los métodos de recolección (precipitaciones medias: 500-700 mm/m2, pH de los suelos comprendido entre 7,3 y 8,1, tipo de suelo: arcilloso y arenoso). El rendimiento depende principalmente de la selección del tipo de suelo y de la pluviosidad. Por último, la altitud y la insolación son dos factores que influyen considerablemente en el contenido de aceite esencial y de camazuleno. Por su calidad, la «Chamomilla Bohemica» ha obtenido grandes éxitos en distintas ferias y exposiciones, como SALIMA y Země živitelka, en la que obtuvo en cierta ocasión la mención «Producto de calidad». Las marcas Neset y Unag han creado herramientas especiales para recoger los capítulos florales sin dañar el resto de la planta.

En la República Checa, la denominación de origen «Chamomilla Bohemica» está registrada con el número 84 desde el 21 de enero de 1975, además de estar protegida por un acuerdo bilateral celebrado con Portugal.

4.7   Estructura de control:

| Nombre: | Státní zemědělská a potravinářská inspekce — inspektorát v Praze |
| --- | --- |
| Dirección: | Za opravnou 4 |
| CZ-150 00 Praha 5 |

Nombre:

Státní zemědělská a potravinářská inspekce — inspektorát v Praze

Dirección:

Za opravnou 4

CZ-150 00 Praha 5

Teléfono:

(420) 257 199 511

Fax

(420) 257 199 529

Correo electrónico:

praha@szpi.gov.cz

además de las delegaciones de la Inspección nacional situadas en las zonas de producción y de transformación.

4.8   Etiquetado: La denominación «Chamomilla Bohemica» debe figurar en caracteres legibles (letras mayúsculas) en la cara principal del envase.

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(1)  DO L 93 de 31.3.2006, p. 12.

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