# Publicatieblad C 243/2007

| | ISSN 1725-2474 |
| --- | --- |
| Publicatieblad
  van de Europese Unie | C 243 |
| | |
| Uitgave in de Nederlandse taal | Mededelingen en bekendmakingen | 50e jaargang17 oktober 2007 |

ISSN 1725-2474

Publicatieblad

van de Europese Unie

C 243

Uitgave in de Nederlandse taal

Mededelingen en bekendmakingen

50e jaargang17 oktober 2007

---

| Nummer | Inhoud | Bladzijde |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Mededelingen |
| | MEDEDELINGEN VAN DE INSTELLINGEN EN ORGANEN VAN DE EUROPESE UNIE |
| | Commissie |
| 2007/C 243/01 | Besluit om geen bezwaar aan te tekenen tegen een aangemelde concentratie (Zaak COMP/M.4748 — T-Mobile/Orange) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Nummer

Inhoud

Bladzijde

II   Mededelingen

MEDEDELINGEN VAN DE INSTELLINGEN EN ORGANEN VAN DE EUROPESE UNIE

Commissie

2007/C 243/01

Besluit om geen bezwaar aan te tekenen tegen een aangemelde concentratie (Zaak COMP/M.4748 — T-Mobile/Orange) (
  1
  )

1

1

| | IV   Informatie |
| --- | --- |
| | INFORMATIE AFKOMSTIG VAN DE INSTELLINGEN EN ORGANEN VAN DE EUROPESE UNIE |
| | Commissie |
| 2007/C 243/02 | Wisselkoersen van de euro | 2 |

IV   Informatie

INFORMATIE AFKOMSTIG VAN DE INSTELLINGEN EN ORGANEN VAN DE EUROPESE UNIE

Commissie

2007/C 243/02

Wisselkoersen van de euro

2

| | V   Bekendmakingen |
| --- | --- |
| | BESTUURLIJKE PROCEDURES |
| | Europees Bureau voor personeelsselectie (EPSO) |
| 2007/C 243/03 | Aankondiging van algemeen vergelijkend onderzoek EPSO/AST/43-44/07 | 3 |
| | PROCEDURES IN VERBAND MET DE UITVOERING VAN HET GEMEENSCHAPPELIJK MEDEDINGINGSBELEID |
| | Commissie |
| 2007/C 243/04 | Staatssteun — Verenigd Koninkrijk — Steunmaatregel C 23/07 (ex N 118/07) — Vauxhall Motors Ltd — Opleidingssteun ten behoeve van Ellesmere Port — Uitnodiging overeenkomstig artikel 88, lid 2, van het EG-Verdrag om opmerkingen te maken (
  1
  ) | 4 |
| | ANDERE BESLUITEN |
| | Commissie |
| 2007/C 243/05 | Bekendmaking van een aanvraag overeenkomstig artikel 6, lid 2, van Verordening (EG) nr. 510/2006 van de Raad inzake de bescherming van geografische aanduidingen en oorsprongsbenamingen van landbouwproducten en levensmiddelen | 11 |

V   Bekendmakingen

BESTUURLIJKE PROCEDURES

Europees Bureau voor personeelsselectie (EPSO)

2007/C 243/03

Aankondiging van algemeen vergelijkend onderzoek EPSO/AST/43-44/07

3

PROCEDURES IN VERBAND MET DE UITVOERING VAN HET GEMEENSCHAPPELIJK MEDEDINGINGSBELEID

Commissie

2007/C 243/04

Staatssteun — Verenigd Koninkrijk — Steunmaatregel C 23/07 (ex N 118/07) — Vauxhall Motors Ltd — Opleidingssteun ten behoeve van Ellesmere Port — Uitnodiging overeenkomstig artikel 88, lid 2, van het EG-Verdrag om opmerkingen te maken (
  1
  )

1

4

ANDERE BESLUITEN

Commissie

2007/C 243/05

Bekendmaking van een aanvraag overeenkomstig artikel 6, lid 2, van Verordening (EG) nr. 510/2006 van de Raad inzake de bescherming van geografische aanduidingen en oorsprongsbenamingen van landbouwproducten en levensmiddelen

11

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Voor de EER relevante tekst |

---

(1)   Voor de EER relevante tekst

1

| NL | |
| --- | --- |

NL

---

II Mededelingen

MEDEDELINGEN VAN DE INSTELLINGEN EN ORGANEN VAN DE EUROPESE UNIE

Commissie

| 17.10.2007 | NL | Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie | C 243/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

NL

Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie

C 243/1

---

Besluit om geen bezwaar aan te tekenen tegen een aangemelde concentratie

(Zaak COMP/M.4748 — T-Mobile/Orange)

(Voor de EER relevante tekst)

(2007/C 243/01)

Op 20 augustus 2007 heeft de Commissie besloten geen bezwaar aan te tekenen tegen bovenvermelde aangemelde concentratie en deze verenigbaar met de gemeenschappelijke markt te verklaren. Deze beschikking is gebaseerd op artikel 6, lid 1, onder b), van Verordening (EG) nr. 139/2004 van de Raad. De volledige tekst van de beschikking is slechts beschikbaar in het Engels en zal openbaar worden gemaakt na verwijdering van eventuele bedrijfsgeheimen. De tekst is beschikbaar:

| — | op de website „concurrentie” van de Europese Commissie (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Deze website biedt verschillende mogelijkheden om individuele concentratiebeschikkingen op te zoeken, onder meer op bedrijfsnaam, nummer van de zaak, datum en sector; |
| --- | --- |

—

op de website „concurrentie” van de Europese Commissie (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Deze website biedt verschillende mogelijkheden om individuele concentratiebeschikkingen op te zoeken, onder meer op bedrijfsnaam, nummer van de zaak, datum en sector;

| — | in elektronische vorm op de EUR-Lex website onder documentnummer 32007M4748. EUR-Lex is het geïnformatiseerde documentatiesysteem voor de communautaire wetgeving (http://eur-lex.europa.eu). |
| --- | --- |

—

in elektronische vorm op de EUR-Lex website onder documentnummer 32007M4748. EUR-Lex is het geïnformatiseerde documentatiesysteem voor de communautaire wetgeving (http://eur-lex.europa.eu).

---

IV Informatie

INFORMATIE AFKOMSTIG VAN DE INSTELLINGEN EN ORGANEN VAN DE EUROPESE UNIE

Commissie

| 17.10.2007 | NL | Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie | C 243/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

NL

Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie

C 243/2

---

Wisselkoersen van de euro (1)

16 oktober 2007

(2007/C 243/02)

1 euro=

| | Munteenheid | Koers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US-dollar | 1,4150 |
| JPY | Japanse yen | 165,17 |
| DKK | Deense kroon | 7,4528 |
| GBP | Pond sterling | 0,69650 |
| SEK | Zweedse kroon | 9,1538 |
| CHF | Zwitserse frank | 1,6753 |
| ISK | IJslandse kroon | 86,25 |
| NOK | Noorse kroon | 7,6660 |
| BGN | Bulgaarse lev | 1,9558 |
| CYP | Cypriotische pond | 0,5842 |
| CZK | Tsjechische koruna | 27,526 |
| EEK | Estlandse kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hongaarse forint | 251,05 |
| LTL | Litouwse litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Letlandse lat | 0,7030 |
| MTL | Maltese lira | 0,4293 |
| PLN | Poolse zloty | 3,7196 |
| RON | Roemeense leu | 3,3513 |
| SKK | Slowaakse koruna | 33,687 |
| TRY | Turkse lira | 1,7314 |
| AUD | Australische dollar | 1,5929 |
| CAD | Canadese dollar | 1,3878 |
| HKD | Hongkongse dollar | 10,9724 |
| NZD | Nieuw-Zeelandse dollar | 1,8930 |
| SGD | Singaporese dollar | 2,0767 |
| KRW | Zuid-Koreaanse won | 1 297,84 |
| ZAR | Zuid-Afrikaanse rand | 9,7399 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 10,6380 |
| HRK | Kroatische kuna | 7,3235 |
| IDR | Indonesische roepia | 12 819,90 |
| MYR | Maleisische ringgit | 4,7862 |
| PHP | Filipijnse peso | 62,755 |
| RUB | Russische roebel | 35,3050 |
| THB | Thaise baht | 44,424 |

Munteenheid

Koers

USD

US-dollar

1,4150

JPY

Japanse yen

165,17

DKK

Deense kroon

7,4528

GBP

Pond sterling

0,69650

SEK

Zweedse kroon

9,1538

CHF

Zwitserse frank

1,6753

ISK

IJslandse kroon

86,25

NOK

Noorse kroon

7,6660

BGN

Bulgaarse lev

1,9558

CYP

Cypriotische pond

0,5842

CZK

Tsjechische koruna

27,526

EEK

Estlandse kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hongaarse forint

251,05

LTL

Litouwse litas

3,4528

LVL

Letlandse lat

0,7030

MTL

Maltese lira

0,4293

PLN

Poolse zloty

3,7196

RON

Roemeense leu

3,3513

SKK

Slowaakse koruna

33,687

TRY

Turkse lira

1,7314

AUD

Australische dollar

1,5929

CAD

Canadese dollar

1,3878

HKD

Hongkongse dollar

10,9724

NZD

Nieuw-Zeelandse dollar

1,8930

SGD

Singaporese dollar

2,0767

KRW

Zuid-Koreaanse won

1 297,84

ZAR

Zuid-Afrikaanse rand

9,7399

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

10,6380

HRK

Kroatische kuna

7,3235

IDR

Indonesische roepia

12 819,90

MYR

Maleisische ringgit

4,7862

PHP

Filipijnse peso

62,755

RUB

Russische roebel

35,3050

THB

Thaise baht

44,424

---

(1)

Bron: door de Europese Centrale Bank gepubliceerde referentiekoers.

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V Bekendmakingen

BESTUURLIJKE PROCEDURES

Europees Bureau voor personeelsselectie (EPSO)

| 17.10.2007 | NL | Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie | C 243/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

NL

Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie

C 243/3

---

AANKONDIGING VAN ALGEMEEN VERGELIJKEND ONDERZOEK EPSO/AST/43-44/07

(2007/C 243/03)

Het Europees Bureau voor personeelsselectie (EPSO) organiseert de volgende algemene vergelijkende onderzoeken: EPSO/AST/43/07 en EPSO/AST/44/07 — Assistenten (AST3) van Bulgaarse en Roemeense nationaliteit, voor de volgende werkgebieden:

| 1. | Europees openbaar bestuur |
| --- | --- |

1.

Europees openbaar bestuur

| 2. | Financieel beheer |
| --- | --- |

2.

Financieel beheer

De aankondiging van het vergelijkend onderzoek wordt alleen in het Duits, het Engels en het Frans bekendgemaakt in Publicatieblad C 243 A van 17 oktober 2007.

Alle informatie is beschikbaar op de website van EPSO: http://europa.eu/epso

---

PROCEDURES IN VERBAND MET DE UITVOERING VAN HET GEMEENSCHAPPELIJK MEDEDINGINGSBELEID

Commissie

| 17.10.2007 | NL | Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie | C 243/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

NL

Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie

C 243/4

---

STAATSSTEUN — VERENIGD KONINKRIJK

Steunmaatregel C 23/07 (ex N 118/07) — Vauxhall Motors Ltd — Opleidingssteun ten behoeve van Ellesmere Port

Uitnodiging overeenkomstig artikel 88, lid 2, van het EG-Verdrag om opmerkingen te maken

(Voor de EER relevante tekst)

(2007/C 243/04)

De Commissie heeft bij schrijven van 10 juli 2007, dat na deze samenvatting in de authentieke taal is weergegeven, het Verenigd Koninkrijk in kennis gesteld van haar besluit tot inleiding van de procedure van artikel 88, lid 2, van het EG-Verdrag ten aanzien van een deel van de bovengenoemde steunmaatregel.

Belanghebbenden kunnen hun opmerkingen over de steunmaatregel ten aanzien waarvan de Commissie de procedure inleidt, maken door deze binnen een maand vanaf de datum van deze bekendmaking te zenden aan:

| Europese Commissie |
| --- |
| Directoraat-generaal Concurrentie |
| Griffie Staatssteun |
| SPA-3 6/5 |
| B-1049 Brussel |
| Fax (32-2) 296 12 42 |

Europese Commissie

Directoraat-generaal Concurrentie

Griffie Staatssteun

SPA-3 6/5

B-1049 Brussel

Fax (32-2) 296 12 42

Deze opmerkingen zullen ter kennis van het Verenigd Koninkrijk worden gebracht. Een belanghebbende die opmerkingen maakt, kan, met opgave van redenen, schriftelijk verzoeken om vertrouwelijke behandeling van zijn identiteit.

SAMENVATTING

Op 5 maart 2007 deed het Verenigd Koninkrijk bij de Commissie aanmelding van zijn voornemen steun te verlenen aan Vauxhall Motors Ltd, Ellesmere Port („Vauxhall”), een automobielfabriek die een divisie is van Vauxhall Motors Ltd en deel uitmaakt van General Motors Ltd. De steun was aangemeld uit hoofde van artikel 5 van Verordening (EG) nr. 68/2001 van de Commissie betreffende opleidingssteun waarin wordt bepaald dat alle opleidingssteun die meer dan 1 miljoen EUR bedraagt afzonderlijk moet worden aangemeld.

Doel van de steun is ondersteuning van een opleidingsprogramma dat op verbetering van de resultaten van Vauxhall is gericht. Het opleidingsprogramma zou over een periode van zes jaar (2007 tot en met 2012) worden uitgevoerd. De totale subsidiabele kosten van de opleiding belopen 16 583 461 GBP. De steun zou door de North-West Development Agency worden verleend als rechtstreekse subsidie van 8 584 767 GBP die in zes jaarlijkse termijnen wordt betaald.

De Commissie is van oordeel dat de betrokken maatregel staatssteun is in de zin van artikel 87, lid 1, van het EG-Verdrag. De Commissie zal de verenigbaarheid van de steun met de gemeenschappelijke markt toetsen aan artikel 87, lid 3, onder c), van het EG-Verdrag. Daarbij zal zij de leidende beginselen van de Verordening betreffende opleidingssteun in aanmerking nemen. De Commissie zal ook nagaan of de steun het noodzakelijke stimulerende effect op het opleidingsprogramma heeft, met andere woorden of het programma zonder steun niet zou worden uitgevoerd. Het stimulerend effect is een algemene voorwaarde voor de verenigbaarheid van staatssteun.

In dit stadium heeft de Commissie om de volgende redenen twijfels over de verenigbaarheid van de steun. Ten eerste heeft zij twijfels over het stimulerend effect van de steun wat de drie onderdelen van het opleidingsprogramma betreft (opleiding betreffende het productiesysteem, opleiding op het gebied van het globale productiesysteem van GM en werk-/studieprogramma's voor studenten), die volgens de Commissie ook zonder steun waarschijnlijk zouden worden uitgevoerd.

Ten tweede deelt de Commissie niet de mening van het VK dat de opleiding die op de vier gebieden van het programma zal worden gegeven (productiesysteem, globaal productiesysteem, culturele verandering en „lean manufacturing”) algemene opleiding is in de zin van de Verordening betreffende opleidingssteun, dat wil zeggen opleiding door middel waarvan bekwaamheden worden verkregen die naar andere ondernemingen of sectoren overdraagbaar zijn en waarvoor steun ten belope van ten hoogste 50 % van de subsidiabele kosten kan worden verleend. De Commissie is van mening dat deze onderdelen van de opleiding specifieke opleiding in de zin van de Verordening (maximale steunintensiteit 25 %) zijn.

TEKST VAN DE BRIEF

„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.”

---

(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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ANDERE BESLUITEN

Commissie

| 17.10.2007 | NL | Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie | C 243/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

NL

Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie

C 243/11

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Bekendmaking van een aanvraag overeenkomstig artikel 6, lid 2, van Verordening (EG) nr. 510/2006 van de Raad inzake de bescherming van geografische aanduidingen en oorsprongsbenamingen van landbouwproducten en levensmiddelen

(2007/C 243/05)

Deze bekendmaking verleent het recht om op grond van artikel 7 van Verordening (EG) nr. 510/2006 van de Raad (1) bezwaar aan te tekenen tegen deze aanvraag. Bezwaarschriften moeten de Commissie bereiken binnen zes maanden te rekenen vanaf de datum van deze bekendmaking.

SAMENVATTING

VERORDENING (EG) Nr. 510/2006 VAN DE RAAD

„CHAMOMILLA BOHEMICA”

EG-nummer: CZ/PDO/005/0411/28.10.2004

BOB ( X ) IGP ( )

Deze samenvatting bevat de belangrijkste gegevens uit het productdossier ter informatie.

1.   Bevoegde dienst van de lidstaat:

| Naam: | Úřad průmyslového vlastnictví |
| --- | --- |
| Adres: | Antonína Čermáka 2a |
| CZ-160 68 Praha 6 |

Naam:

Úřad průmyslového vlastnictví

Adres:

Antonína Čermáka 2a

CZ-160 68 Praha 6

Tel.

(420) 220 383 111

Fax

(420) 224 324 718

E-mail:

posta@upv.cz

2.   Groepering:

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

Naam:

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

Adres:

U Národní galerie 470

CZ-150 00 Praha 5-Zbraslav

Tel.

(420) 257 898 111

Fax

(420) 257 921 328

E-mail:

leros@leros.cz

Samenstelling:

producenten/verwerkers ( X ), andere ( )

3.   Productcategorie:

Categorie 1.8: Andere producten van bijlage I.

4.   Overzicht van het productdossier:

(samenvatting van de in artikel 4, lid 2, van verordening (EG) nr. 510/2006 voorgeschreven gegevens)

4.1.   Naam: „Chamomilla Bohemica”

„Chamomilla Bohemica” is de traditionele aanduiding van de bloem van echte kamille die in Bohemen (Tsjechië) te vinden is.

4.2.   Beschrijving: Gedroogde bloem van echte kamille (flos Chamomilla vulgaris) — Matricariae flos, Matricaria recutita (L.) Rauschert, Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert.

„Chamomilla Bohemica” wordt gekenmerkt door zijn gehalte aan essentiële olie (tot 1 %), waarvan het werkzame hoofdbestanddeel chamazuleen is (gehalte 0,06 tot 0,07 %). „Chamomilla Bohemica” is van een betere kwaliteit dan planten uit andere geografische zones en beantwoordt in ruime mate aan de criteria die in 1997 en in 2002 door de Tsjechische farmacopee voor de bloem van echte kamille zijn opgesteld. Volgens het supplement uit 2004 van de uitgave van 2002 van de Tsjechische farmacopee bevat de bloem „minstens 4 ml essentiële olie met een blauwe kleur per kilogram op de droge stof en in totaal minstens 0,25 % apigenine-7-glucoside, berekend op de droge stof. De voornaamste componenten van de essentiële olie zijn sesquiterpenen (ongeveer 50 % essentiële olie, (-)-alfa-bisabolon, bisabolol A-oxide, bisabolol B-oxide en (-)-bisabolon A-oxide). De essentiële olie bevat eveneens chamazuleen (minimaal gehalte: 0,035 %). Behalve essentiële olie bevat „Chamomilla Bohemica” coumarine (ombelliferon, herniarine), minimaal 0,01 % flavonoïden (apigenine-7-glucoside en de derivaten daarvan: luteoline, quercetol en isorhamnetine), en minimaal 0,02 % azulenen. Flavonoïdes (0,015 %) hebben spasmolytische eigenschappen. Spiro-ethers (0,03 %) hebben bacteriostatische en fungistatische eigenschappen”. „Chamomilla Bohemica” mag geen essentiële olie met een bruine kleur produceren wanneer een dunnelaagchromatogram wordt gemaakt, en het gemiddelde gehalte aan chamazuleen moet tussen 0,06 en 0,07 % bedragen. Deze kamille wordt in de handel gebracht als plant voor kruidenthee, in individuele zakjes en in bulk, in verpakkingen van 50 gram of, voor de groothandel, in zakken van 14 kg.

4.3.   Geografisch gebied: Bohemen, dat wil zeggen: de regio's Praag, Midden-Bohemen, Zuid-Bohemen, Plzeň, Karlovy Vary, Ustí nad Labem, Liberec, Hradec Králové en Pardubice, alsmede, van de regio Vysočina, de kantons (okres) Havlíčkův Brod, Jihlava en Pelhřimov, overeenkomstig de organieke wet nr. 347/1997 betreffende de organisatie van de grote territoriale gemeenschappen en houdende wijziging van de organieke wet van de Nationale Tsjechische Raad nr. 1/1993, en de grondwet van de Tsjechische Republiek, in zijn bijgewerkte versie.

Op de plaatsen waar „Chamomilla Bohemica” op het grondgebied van Bohemen wordt geteeld, zijn de weersomstandigheden en de bodemgesteldheid als volgt: kleiachtige en zandige bodems (volgens de indeling van bodems: zwarte aarde, bruine aarde en uitgespoelde bodems), waarvan de pH tussen 7,3 en 8,1 ligt; klimaat: de jaarlijkse neerslag bedraagt 500 tot 700 mm/m2; het gebied ligt tussen 230 en 480 meter hoogte.

4.4.   Bewijs van de oorsprong: De verwerkers houden een register bij van de leveranciers; die worden gecontroleerd bij elke fase van het proces van de verkrijging van de kamillebloem, namelijk de aanplant, de groei, de pluk, het drogen, de opslag en de verwerking. Zij houden eveneens een register bij van de kopers van de eindproducten.

De plaatselijke bevoegde dienst van de nationale landbouw- en voedselinspectie ziet toe op de naleving van het productdossier.

4.5.   Werkwijze voor het verkrijgen van het product: Kamille heeft een groot aanpassingsvermogen, maar de substanties die zij bevat zijn zeer gevoelig voor de milieuomstandigheden; de volgende fases moeten dan ook worden nageleefd:

voorbereiding van de bodem: de teelt van de kamille is weinig veeleisend; de bodem hoeft niet meer dan gemiddeld te worden bewerkt, de oppervlakte moet worden geëgd en van onkruid worden ontdaan;

het planten: gebruik van precisiezaaimachines, vlak maken van de bodem na de inzaai, 20 g zaden per are;

groei: tijdens deze fase: grondverbetering met samengestelde kunstmeststoffen (bijvoorbeeld NPK of Cererit);

het plukken en de behandeling na het plukken: de bloemen worden met de hand of met behulp van zelfrijdend materieel (Neset en Unag) onmiddellijk na het ontluiken geplukt; vervolgens worden zij gedroogd, bij voorkeur bij een maximumtemperatuur van 40 °C, waarna zij worden verzonden naar productielijnen met sorteermachines en separators.

Om het behoud van de kenmerken van de in punt 4.2 bedoelde grondstoffen te kunnen garanderen, moet de eis dat het product uitsluitend in het afgebakende gebied wordt geteeld, worden nageleefd.

Opslag en verpakking: het product wordt op droge, donkere, goed geventileerde plaatsen bewaard, voordat het wordt verpakt in papieren zakken met eenzelfde inhoud, waarop een etiket wordt aangebracht; deze handelingen, waaronder de eindverpakking, hoeven niet noodzakelijk in het afgebakende gebied te gebeuren, maar moeten overeenkomstig de geldende normen en regels worden uitgevoerd.

4.6.   Verband: In Tsjechië werd altijd al kamille van voortreffelijke kwaliteit geproduceerd, maar vooral sinds de jaren vijftig, toen de buitenlandse vraag steeg en het noodzakelijk werd om een onderscheid tussen deze teelt en de kamilleteelt elders te maken, werd de aanduiding „Chamomilla Bohemica” frequenter gebruikt. Hiermee wordt sindsdien kamille met duidelijk omschreven eigenschappen aangeduid (zie punt 4.2), die te danken zijn aan de natuurlijke milieufactoren. Deze specifieke eigenschappen komen voort uit de combinatie van verschillende teeltfactoren, zoals het klimaat, de bodem en de manier van oogsten (gemiddelde neerslag: 700 mm/m2, pH van de bodem: tussen 7,3 en 8,1, soort bodem: kleiachtig en zandig). De opbrengst hangt voornamelijk af van de bodem en van de hoeveelheid regen. Uiteindelijk zijn de hoogte en het aantal uren zon twee factoren die het gehalte essentiële olie en chamazuleen sterk beïnvloeden. „Chamomilla Bohemica” is op verschillende jaarbeurzen en tentoonstellingen gepresenteerd, zoals „SALIMA” en „Země živitelka”, waar de vermelding „Kwaliteitsproduct” aan dit soort kamille is gegeven. De bedrijven Neset en Unag hebben speciale werktuigen ontwikkeld om de bloemhoofdjes van kamille te plukken zonder de rest van de plant te beschadigen.

In Tsjechië is de oorsprongsbenaming „Chamomilla Bohemica” al sinds 21 januari 1975 geregistreerd onder nummer 84; daarnaast is zij eveneens beschermd in het kader van een bilaterale overeenkomst met Portugal.

4.7.   Controlestructuur:

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

Naam:

Státní zemědělská a potravinářská inspekce — inspektorát v Praze

Adres:

Za opravnou 4

CZ-150 00 Praha 5

Tel.

(420) 257 199 511

Fax

(420) 257 199 529

E-mail:

praha@szpi.gov.cz

Verder: de plaatselijke kantoren van de nationale inspectie in de productie- en verwerkingsgebieden.

4.8.   Etikettering: De aanduiding „Chamomilla Bohemica” moet in goed leesbare hoofdletters op de belangrijkste zijde van de verpakking zijn aangebracht.

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(1)  PB L 93 van 31.3.2006, blz. 12.

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