# Επίσημη Εφημερίδα C 243/2007

| | ISSN 1725-2415 |
| --- | --- |
| Επίσημη Εφημερίδα
  της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης | C 243 |
| | |
| Έκδοση στην ελληνική γλώσσα | Ανακοινώσεις και Πληροφορίες | 50ό έτος17 Οκτωβρίου 2007 |

ISSN 1725-2415

Επίσημη Εφημερίδα

της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης

C 243

Έκδοση στην ελληνική γλώσσα

Ανακοινώσεις και Πληροφορίες

50ό έτος17 Οκτωβρίου 2007

---

| Ανακοίνωση αριθ | Περιεχόμενα | Σελίδα |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Ανακοινώσεις |
| | ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΕΙΣ ΠΡΟΕΡΧΟΜΕΝΕΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΑ ΟΡΓΑΝΑ ΚΑΙ ΤΟΥΣ ΟΡΓΑΝΙΣΜΟΥΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΗΣ ΕΝΩΣΗΣ |
| | Επιτροπή |
| 2007/C 243/01 | Μη διατύπωση αντιρρήσεων σχετικά με κοινοποιηθείσα συγκέντρωση (Υπόθεση COMP/M.4748 — T-Mobile/Orange) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Ανακοίνωση αριθ

Περιεχόμενα

Σελίδα

II   Ανακοινώσεις

ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΕΙΣ ΠΡΟΕΡΧΟΜΕΝΕΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΑ ΟΡΓΑΝΑ ΚΑΙ ΤΟΥΣ ΟΡΓΑΝΙΣΜΟΥΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΗΣ ΕΝΩΣΗΣ

Επιτροπή

2007/C 243/01

Μη διατύπωση αντιρρήσεων σχετικά με κοινοποιηθείσα συγκέντρωση (Υπόθεση COMP/M.4748 — T-Mobile/Orange) (
  1
  )

1

1

| | IV   Πληροφορίες |
| --- | --- |
| | ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΕΣ ΠΡΟΕΡΧΟΜΕΝΕΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΑ ΟΡΓΑΝΑ ΚΑΙ ΤΟΥΣ ΟΡΓΑΝΙΣΜΟΥΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΗΣ ΕΝΩΣΗΣ |
| | Επιτροπή |
| 2007/C 243/02 | Ισοτιμίες του ευρώ | 2 |

IV   Πληροφορίες

ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΕΣ ΠΡΟΕΡΧΟΜΕΝΕΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΑ ΟΡΓΑΝΑ ΚΑΙ ΤΟΥΣ ΟΡΓΑΝΙΣΜΟΥΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΗΣ ΕΝΩΣΗΣ

Επιτροπή

2007/C 243/02

Ισοτιμίες του ευρώ

2

| | V   Γνωστοποιήσεις |
| --- | --- |
| | ΔΙΟΙΚΗΤΙΚΕΣ ΔΙΑΔΙΚΑΣΙΕΣ |
| | Ευρωπαϊκή Υπηρεσία Επιλογής Προσωπικού (EPSO) |
| 2007/C 243/03 | Προκήρυξη γενικού διαγωνισμού EPSO/AST/43-44/07 | 3 |
| | ΔΙΑΔΙΚΑΣΙΕΣ ΠΟΥ ΑΦΟΡΟΥΝ ΤΗΝ ΕΦΑΡΜΟΓΗ ΤΗΣ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗΣ ΑΝΤΑΓΩΝΙΣΜΟΥ |
| | Επιτροπή |
| 2007/C 243/04 | Κρατική ενίσχυση — Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο — Κρατική ενίσχυση C 23/07 (πρώην N 118/07) — Vauxhall Motors Ltd — Ενίσχυση για επαγγελματική εκπαίδευση υπέρ της Ellesmere Port — Πρόσκληση για υποβολή παρατηρήσεων σύμφωνα με το άρθρο 88 παράγραφος 2 της συνθήκης ΕΚ (
  1
  ) | 4 |
| | ΛΟΙΠΕΣ ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ |
| | Επιτροπή |
| 2007/C 243/05 | Δημοσίευση αίτησης σύμφωνα με το άρθρο 6 παράγραφος 2 του κανονισμού (ΕΚ) αριθ. 510/2006 του Συμβουλίου για την προστασία των γεωγραφικών ενδείξεων και των ονομασιών προέλευσης των γεωργικών προϊόντων και των τροφίμων | 11 |

V   Γνωστοποιήσεις

ΔΙΟΙΚΗΤΙΚΕΣ ΔΙΑΔΙΚΑΣΙΕΣ

Ευρωπαϊκή Υπηρεσία Επιλογής Προσωπικού (EPSO)

2007/C 243/03

Προκήρυξη γενικού διαγωνισμού EPSO/AST/43-44/07

3

ΔΙΑΔΙΚΑΣΙΕΣ ΠΟΥ ΑΦΟΡΟΥΝ ΤΗΝ ΕΦΑΡΜΟΓΗ ΤΗΣ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗΣ ΑΝΤΑΓΩΝΙΣΜΟΥ

Επιτροπή

2007/C 243/04

Κρατική ενίσχυση — Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο — Κρατική ενίσχυση C 23/07 (πρώην N 118/07) — Vauxhall Motors Ltd — Ενίσχυση για επαγγελματική εκπαίδευση υπέρ της Ellesmere Port — Πρόσκληση για υποβολή παρατηρήσεων σύμφωνα με το άρθρο 88 παράγραφος 2 της συνθήκης ΕΚ (
  1
  )

1

4

ΛΟΙΠΕΣ ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ

Επιτροπή

2007/C 243/05

Δημοσίευση αίτησης σύμφωνα με το άρθρο 6 παράγραφος 2 του κανονισμού (ΕΚ) αριθ. 510/2006 του Συμβουλίου για την προστασία των γεωγραφικών ενδείξεων και των ονομασιών προέλευσης των γεωργικών προϊόντων και των τροφίμων

11

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Κείμενο που παρουσιάζει ενδιαφέρον για τον ΕΟΧ |

---

(1)   Κείμενο που παρουσιάζει ενδιαφέρον για τον ΕΟΧ

1

| EL | |
| --- | --- |

EL

---

II Ανακοινώσεις

ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΕΙΣ ΠΡΟΕΡΧΟΜΕΝΕΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΑ ΟΡΓΑΝΑ ΚΑΙ ΤΟΥΣ ΟΡΓΑΝΙΣΜΟΥΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΗΣ ΕΝΩΣΗΣ

Επιτροπή

| 17.10.2007 | EL | Επίσημη Εφημερίδα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης | C 243/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

EL

Επίσημη Εφημερίδα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης

C 243/1

---

Μη διατύπωση αντιρρήσεων σχετικά με κοινοποιηθείσα συγκέντρωση

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

(Κείμενο που παρουσιάζει ενδιαφέρον για τον ΕΟΧ)

(2007/C 243/01)

Στις 20 Αυγούστου 2007, η Επιτροπή αποφάσισε να μη διατυπώσει αντιρρήσεις για την παραπάνω κοινοποιηθείσα συγκέντρωση και να την κηρύξει συμβατή με την κοινή αγορά. Η απόφαση βασίζεται στο άρθρο 6 παράγραφος 1 στοιχείο β) του κανονισμού (EΚ) αριθ. 139/2004 του Συμβουλίου. Το πλήρες κείμενο της απόφασης διατίθεται μόνο στην αγγλική γλώσσα και θα δημοσιευθεί μετά την απάλειψη τυχόν επιχειρηματικών απορρήτων που περιέχει. Θα διατίθεται:

| — | από τον δικτυακό τόπο του Europa για τον ανταγωνισμό (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Στον τόπο αυτό προσφέρονται διάφορα εργαλεία για τον εντοπισμό των μεμονωμένων υποθέσεων συγκεντρώσεων, όπως ευρετήρια με τις εταιρείες, τους αριθμούς υποθέσεων, τις ημερομηνίες και τους διάφορους κλάδους, |
| --- | --- |

—

από τον δικτυακό τόπο του Europa για τον ανταγωνισμό (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). Στον τόπο αυτό προσφέρονται διάφορα εργαλεία για τον εντοπισμό των μεμονωμένων υποθέσεων συγκεντρώσεων, όπως ευρετήρια με τις εταιρείες, τους αριθμούς υποθέσεων, τις ημερομηνίες και τους διάφορους κλάδους,

| — | σε ηλεκτρονική μορφή στον δικτυακό τόπο του EUR-Lex με τον αριθμό εγγράφου 32007M4748. Το EUR-Lex είναι δικτυακός τόπος που δίνει πρόσβαση στην κοινοτική νομοθεσία (http://eur-lex.europa.eu). |
| --- | --- |

—

σε ηλεκτρονική μορφή στον δικτυακό τόπο του EUR-Lex με τον αριθμό εγγράφου 32007M4748. Το EUR-Lex είναι δικτυακός τόπος που δίνει πρόσβαση στην κοινοτική νομοθεσία (http://eur-lex.europa.eu).

---

IV Πληροφορίες

ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΕΣ ΠΡΟΕΡΧΟΜΕΝΕΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΑ ΟΡΓΑΝΑ ΚΑΙ ΤΟΥΣ ΟΡΓΑΝΙΣΜΟΥΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΗΣ ΕΝΩΣΗΣ

Επιτροπή

| 17.10.2007 | EL | Επίσημη Εφημερίδα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης | C 243/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

EL

Επίσημη Εφημερίδα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης

C 243/2

---

Ισοτιμίες του ευρώ (1)

16 Οκτωβρίου 2007

(2007/C 243/02)

1 ευρώ=

| | Νομισματική μονάδα | Ισοτιμία |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | δολάριο ΗΠΑ | 1,4150 |
| JPY | ιαπωνικό γιεν | 165,17 |
| DKK | δανική κορόνα | 7,4528 |
| GBP | λίρα στερλίνα | 0,69650 |
| SEK | σουηδική κορόνα | 9,1538 |
| CHF | ελβετικό φράγκο | 1,6753 |
| ISK | ισλανδική κορόνα | 86,25 |
| NOK | νορβηγική κορόνα | 7,6660 |
| BGN | βουλγαρικό λεβ | 1,9558 |
| CYP | κυπριακή λίρα | 0,5842 |
| CZK | τσεχική κορόνα | 27,526 |
| EEK | εσθονική κορόνα | 15,6466 |
| HUF | ουγγρικό φιορίνι | 251,05 |
| LTL | λιθουανικό λίτας | 3,4528 |
| LVL | λεττονικό λατ | 0,7030 |
| MTL | μαλτέζικη λίρα | 0,4293 |
| PLN | πολωνικό ζλότι | 3,7196 |
| RON | ρουμανικό λέι | 3,3513 |
| SKK | σλοβακική κορόνα | 33,687 |
| TRY | τουρκική λίρα | 1,7314 |
| AUD | αυστραλιανό δολάριο | 1,5929 |
| CAD | καναδικό δολάριο | 1,3878 |
| HKD | δολάριο Χονγκ Κονγκ | 10,9724 |
| NZD | νεοζηλανδικό δολάριο | 1,8930 |
| SGD | δολάριο Σιγκαπούρης | 2,0767 |
| KRW | νοτιοκορεατικό γουόν | 1 297,84 |
| ZAR | νοτιοαφρικανικό ραντ | 9,7399 |
| CNY | κινεζικό γιουάν | 10,6380 |
| HRK | κροατικό κούνα | 7,3235 |
| IDR | ινδονησιακή ρουπία | 12 819,90 |
| MYR | μαλαισιανό ρίγκιτ | 4,7862 |
| PHP | πέσο Φιλιππινών | 62,755 |
| RUB | ρωσικό ρούβλι | 35,3050 |
| THB | ταϊλανδικό μπατ | 44,424 |

Νομισματική μονάδα

Ισοτιμία

USD

δολάριο ΗΠΑ

1,4150

JPY

ιαπωνικό γιεν

165,17

DKK

δανική κορόνα

7,4528

GBP

λίρα στερλίνα

0,69650

SEK

σουηδική κορόνα

9,1538

CHF

ελβετικό φράγκο

1,6753

ISK

ισλανδική κορόνα

86,25

NOK

νορβηγική κορόνα

7,6660

BGN

βουλγαρικό λεβ

1,9558

CYP

κυπριακή λίρα

0,5842

CZK

τσεχική κορόνα

27,526

EEK

εσθονική κορόνα

15,6466

HUF

ουγγρικό φιορίνι

251,05

LTL

λιθουανικό λίτας

3,4528

LVL

λεττονικό λατ

0,7030

MTL

μαλτέζικη λίρα

0,4293

PLN

πολωνικό ζλότι

3,7196

RON

ρουμανικό λέι

3,3513

SKK

σλοβακική κορόνα

33,687

TRY

τουρκική λίρα

1,7314

AUD

αυστραλιανό δολάριο

1,5929

CAD

καναδικό δολάριο

1,3878

HKD

δολάριο Χονγκ Κονγκ

10,9724

NZD

νεοζηλανδικό δολάριο

1,8930

SGD

δολάριο Σιγκαπούρης

2,0767

KRW

νοτιοκορεατικό γουόν

1 297,84

ZAR

νοτιοαφρικανικό ραντ

9,7399

CNY

κινεζικό γιουάν

10,6380

HRK

κροατικό κούνα

7,3235

IDR

ινδονησιακή ρουπία

12 819,90

MYR

μαλαισιανό ρίγκιτ

4,7862

PHP

πέσο Φιλιππινών

62,755

RUB

ρωσικό ρούβλι

35,3050

THB

ταϊλανδικό μπατ

44,424

---

(1)

Πηγή: Ισοτιμίες αναφοράς που δημοσιεύονται από την Ευρωπαϊκή Κεντρική Τράπεζα.

---

V Γνωστοποιήσεις

ΔΙΟΙΚΗΤΙΚΕΣ ΔΙΑΔΙΚΑΣΙΕΣ

Ευρωπαϊκή Υπηρεσία Επιλογής Προσωπικού (EPSO)

| 17.10.2007 | EL | Επίσημη Εφημερίδα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης | C 243/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

EL

Επίσημη Εφημερίδα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης

C 243/3

---

ΠΡΟΚΉΡΥΞΗ ΓΕΝΙΚΟΫ ΔΙΑΓΩΝΙΣΜΟΫ EPSO/AST/43-44/07

(2007/C 243/03)

Η Ευρωπαϊκή Υπηρεσία Επιλογής Προσωπικού (EPSO) διοργανώνει τους ακόλουθους γενικούς διαγωνισμούς: EPSO/AST/43/07 και EPSO/AST/44/07 — Βοηθοί (AST3) βουλγαρικής και ρουμανικής ιθαγένειας στους ακόλουθους τομείς:

| 1. | Ευρωπαϊκή δημόσια διοίκηση |
| --- | --- |

1.

Ευρωπαϊκή δημόσια διοίκηση

| 2. | Δημοσιονομική διαχείριση |
| --- | --- |

2.

Δημοσιονομική διαχείριση

Η προκήρυξη του διαγωνισμού δημοσιεύεται μόνο στα γερμανικά, αγγλικά και γαλλικά στην Επίσημη Εφημερίδα C 243 A της 17ης Οκτωβρίου 2007.

Περισσότερες πληροφορίες δημοσιεύονται στο δικτυακό τόπο της EPSO http://europa.eu/epso.

---

ΔΙΑΔΙΚΑΣΙΕΣ ΠΟΥ ΑΦΟΡΟΥΝ ΤΗΝ ΕΦΑΡΜΟΓΗ ΤΗΣ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗΣ ΑΝΤΑΓΩΝΙΣΜΟΥ

Επιτροπή

| 17.10.2007 | EL | Επίσημη Εφημερίδα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης | C 243/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

EL

Επίσημη Εφημερίδα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης

C 243/4

---

ΚΡΑΤΙΚΉ ΕΝΊΣΧΥΣΗ — ΗΝΩΜΈΝΟ ΒΑΣΊΛΕΙΟ

Κρατική ενίσχυση C 23/07 (πρώην N 118/07) — Vauxhall Motors Ltd — Ενίσχυση για επαγγελματική εκπαίδευση υπέρ της Ellesmere Port

Πρόσκληση για υποβολή παρατηρήσεων σύμφωνα με το άρθρο 88 παράγραφος 2 της συνθήκης ΕΚ

(Κείμενο που παρουσιάζει ενδιαφέρον για τον ΕΟΧ)

(2007/C 243/04)

Με επιστολή της 10ης Ιουλίου 2007 που αναδημοσιεύεται στην αυθεντική γλώσσα του κειμένου της επιστολής στις σελίδες που ακολουθούν την παρούσα περίληψη, η Επιτροπή κοινοποίησε στο Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο την απόφασή της να κινήσει τη διαδικασία του άρθρου 88 παράγραφος 2 της συνθήκης ΕΚ σχετικά με τμήμα της προαναφερόμενης ενίσχυσης.

Τα ενδιαφερόμενα μέρη μπορούν να υποβάλουν τις παρατηρήσεις τους επί των μέτρων για τα οποία η Επιτροπή κινεί τη διαδικασία μέσα σε ένα μήνα από την ημερομηνία δημοσίευσης της παρούσας περίληψης και της επιστολής που ακολουθεί, στην ακόλουθη διεύθυνση:

| European Commission |
| --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| State aid registry |
| SPA-3 6/5 |
| B-1049 Brussels |
| Φαξ: (32-2) 296 12 42. |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

State aid registry

SPA-3 6/5

B-1049 Brussels

Φαξ: (32-2) 296 12 42.

Οι παρατηρήσεις αυτές θα κοινοποιηθούν στο Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο. Το απόρρητο της ταυτότητας του ενδιαφερόμενου μέρους που υποβάλει τις παρατηρήσεις μπορεί να ζητηθεί γραπτώς με μνεία των σχετικών λόγων.

ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗ

Στις 5 Μαρτίου 2007, το Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο γνωστοποίησε στην Επιτροπή την πρόθεσή του να χορηγήσει ενίσχυση στην επιχείρηση Vauxhall Motors Ltd, Ellesmere Port («Vauxhall»), εργοστάσιο κατασκευής αυτοκινήτων που αποτελεί μονάδα της Vauxhall Motors Ltd και τμήμα της General Motors Ltd. Η κοινοποίηση έγινε δυνάμει του άρθρου 5 του κανονισμού περί των ενισχύσεων για επαγγελματική εκπαίδευση (EΚ) αριθ. 68/2001 το οποίο απαιτεί να κοινοποιούνται ατομικά όλες οι άνω του ενός εκατομμυρίου ευρώ ενισχύσεις για επαγγελματική εκπαίδευση.

Η εν λόγω ενίσχυση αποσκοπεί στη στήριξη ενός προγράμματος επαγγελματικής εκπαίδευσης που έχει εκπονηθεί για τη βελτίωση της απόδοσης της Vauxhall. Το πρόγραμμα αυτό προβλέπεται να καλύψει περίοδο έξι ετών (2007 έως και 2012). Οι συνολικές επιλέξιμες δαπάνες της επαγγελματικής εκπαίδευσης ανέρχονται σε 16 583 461 GBP. Η ενίσχυση θα χορηγηθεί από την North-West Development Agency με τη μορφή άμεσης επιχορήγησης ύψους 8 584 767 GBP πληρωτέας σε έξι ετήσιες δόσεις.

Η Επιτροπή θεωρεί ότι το μέτρο συνιστά κρατική ενίσχυση κατά την έννοια του άρθρου 87 της συνθήκης ΕΚ. Η Επιτροπή θα εκτιμήσει το κατά πόσον η ενίσχυση συμβιβάζεται με την κοινή αγορά βάσει του άρθρου 87 παράγραφος 3 στοιχείο γ) της συνθήκης ΕΚ. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, η Επιτροπή θα λάβει υπόψη της τις κατευθυντήριες γραμμές του κανονισμού περί ενισχύσεων για επαγγελματική εκπαίδευση. Η Επιτροπή θα εξετάσει επίσης αν η ενίσχυση παρέχει ένα αναγκαίο κίνητρο για την εκπαίδευση, συγκεκριμένα αν η εκπαίδευση θα μπορούσε να πραγματοποιηθεί χωρίς ενίσχυση. Το κριτήριο αυτό του «χαρακτήρα κινήτρου» είναι ένας γενικός όρος του συμβιβάσιμου των κρατικών ενισχύσεων.

Στην παρούσα φάση, η Επιτροπή διατηρεί αμφιβολίες ως προς το συμβιβάσιμο της ενίσχυσης για τους ακόλουθους λόγους. Πρώτον, αμφισβητεί τον χαρακτήρα κινήτρου της ενίσχυσης όσον αφορά τρία μέρη του προγράμματος επαγγελματικής εκπαίδευσης (εκπαίδευση για το σύστημα παραγωγής (Production System Training), εκπαίδευση σχετική με το σύστημα παγκόσμιας παραγωγής (Global Manufacturing System) της GM και προγράμματα εργασίας/μελετών για αποφοίτους δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης) τα οποία η Επιτροπή θεωρεί ότι μπορούν να υλοποιηθούν ακόμη και χωρίς ενίσχυση.

Δεύτερον, η Επιτροπή δεν συμφωνεί με την άποψη του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου ότι η εκπαίδευση που προβλέπεται να παρασχεθεί σε τέσσερις τομείς του προγράμματος (εκπαίδευση για το σύστημα παραγωγής, σύστημα παγκόσμιας παραγωγής, αλλαγή νοοτροπίας και βελτιστοποιημένη παραγωγή) συνιστά γενική εκπαίδευση κατά την έννοια του κανονισμού περί των ενισχύσεων για επαγγελματική εκπαίδευση, ήτοι εκπαίδευση που αποφέρει επαγγελματικές δεξιότητες που μπορούν να μεταφερθούν σε άλλες επιχειρήσεις ή κλάδους και για την οποία μπορεί να χορηγηθεί ενίσχυση έως το 50 % των επιλέξιμων δαπανών. Η Επιτροπή πιστεύει ότι τα εν λόγω μέρη της επαγγελματικής εκπαίδευσης συνιστούν ειδική εκπαίδευση κατά την έννοια του κανονισμού (μέγιστη ένταση ενίσχυσης 25 %).

ΚΕΙΜΕΝΟ ΤΗΣ ΕΠΙΣΤΟΛΗΣ

«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

---

ΛΟΙΠΕΣ ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ

Επιτροπή

| 17.10.2007 | EL | Επίσημη Εφημερίδα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης | C 243/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

17.10.2007

EL

Επίσημη Εφημερίδα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης

C 243/11

---

Δημοσίευση αίτησης σύμφωνα με το άρθρο 6 παράγραφος 2 του κανονισμού (ΕΚ) αριθ. 510/2006 του Συμβουλίου για την προστασία των γεωγραφικών ενδείξεων και των ονομασιών προέλευσης των γεωργικών προϊόντων και των τροφίμων

(2007/C 243/05)

Η δημοσίευση αυτή παρέχει το δικαίωμα ένστασης κατά την έννοια του άρθρου 7 του κανονισμού (ΕΚ) αριθ. 510/2006 του Συμβουλίου (1) . Οι δηλώσεις ένστασης διαβιβάζονται στην Επιτροπή εντός εξαμήνου από την ημερομηνία της παρούσας δημοσίευσης.

ΣΥΝΟΨΗ

ΚΑΝΟΝΙΣΜΟΣ (ΕΚ) αριθ. 510/2006 ΤΟΥ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟΥ

«CHAMOMILLA BOHEMICA»

Αριθ. ΕΚ: CZ/PDO/005/0411/28.10.2004

ΠΟΠ (X) ΠΓΕ ( )

Στην παρούσα σύνοψη παρατίθενται τα κύρια στοιχεία των προδιαγραφών για ενημερωτικούς σκοπούς.

1.   Αρμόδια υπηρεσία του κράτους μέλους:

| Ονομασία: | Úřad průmyslového vlastnictví |
| --- | --- |
| Διεύθυνση: | Antonína Čermáka 2a |
| CZ-160 68 Praha 6 |

Ονομασία:

Úřad průmyslového vlastnictví

Διεύθυνση:

Antonína Čermáka 2a

CZ-160 68 Praha 6

Τηλ.:

(420) 220 383 111

Φαξ:

(420) 224 324 718

e-mail:

posta@upv.cz

2.   Ομάδα:

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

Ονομασία:

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

Διεύθυνση:

U Národní galerie 470

CZ-150 00 Praha 5-Zbraslav

Τηλ.:

(420) 257 898 111

Φαξ:

(420) 257 921 328

e-mail:

leros@leros.cz

Σύνθεση:

παραγωγοί/μεταποιητές ( X ) λοιποί ( )

3.   Τύπος προϊόντος:

Κλάση 1.8: Άλλα προϊόντα του παραρτήματος I

4.   Προδιαγραφές:

[σύνοψη των απαιτήσεων του άρθρου 4 παράγραφος 2 του κανονισμού (ΕΚ) αριθ. 510/2006]

4.1   Ονομασία: «Chamomilla Bohemica»

«Chamomilla Bohemica» είναι η παραδοσιακή ονομασία του λουλουδιού του γνήσιου χαμομηλιού που συναντάται στη Βοημία (Τσεχική δημοκρατία).

4.2   Περιγραφή: Αποξηραμένο λουλούδι του γνήσιου χαμομηλιού (flos Chamomilla vulgaris) — Matricariae flos, Matricaria recutita (L.) Rauschert, Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert.

Το «Chamomilla Bohemica» χαρακτηρίζεται από την περιεκτικότητά του σε αιθέριο έλαιο (έως 1 %), του οποίου κύρια δραστική ουσία είναι το χαμαζουλένιo, που περιέχεται σε ποσοστό 0,06 έως 0,07 %. Χάρη στα χαρακτηριστικά του, το «Chamomilla Bohemica» έχει ποιότητα ανώτερη από αυτή των φυτών από άλλες γεωγραφικές περιοχές και πληροί σε μεγάλο βαθμό τα κριτήρια που θέσπισε η τσεχική Φαρμακοποιία για το λουλούδι του γνήσιου χαμομηλιού το 1997 και το 2002. Σύμφωνα με το συμπλήρωμα του 2004 της έκδοσης του 2002 της τσεχικής Φαρμακοποιίας, το προϊόν περιέχει «τουλάχιστον 4 ml αιθέριου ελαίου χρώματος μπλε ανά χιλιόγραμμο ξηράς ουσίας και τουλάχιστον 0,25 % συνολικά απηγανινο-7-γλυκοζίτη επί ξηράς ουσίας. Τα κύρια συστατικά του αιθέριου ελαίου είναι τα σεσκιτερπένια [περίπου 50 % του αιθέριου ελαίου, (-)-α-βισαβολόλη, οξείδιο της βισαβολόλης A, οξείδιο της βισαβολόλης B, οξείδιο της (-)-βισαβολόνης A]. Το αιθέριο έλαιο περιέχει επίσης χαμαζουλένιo (ελάχιστη περιεκτικότητα: 0,035 %). Εκτός από το αιθέριο έλαιο, το “Chamomilla Bohemica” περιέχει κουμαρίνες (ουμπελιφερόνη, ερνιαρίνη), φλαβονοειδή (απηγανινο-7-γλυκοζίτη και τα παράγωγά του, λουτεολίνη, κερκετόλη, ισοραμνετίνη), στα οποία η ελάχιστη περιεκτικότητα είναι 0,01 %, καθώς και αζουλένια (ελάχιστη περιεκτικότητα: 0,02 %). Τα φλαβονοειδή (0,015 %) έχουν σπασμολυτικές ιδιότητες. Οι σπειροαιθέρες (0,03 %) έχουν βακτηριοστατικές και μυκητοστατικές ιδιότητες.» Το «Chamomilla Bohemica» δεν πρέπει να δίδει αιθέριο έλαιο καφέ χρώματος κατά τη χρωματογραφία λεπτής στιβάδας, και η μέση περιεκτικότητά του σε χαμαζουλένιo πρέπει να είναι μεταξύ 0,06 και 0,07 %. Διατίθεται στο εμπόριο με τη μορφή φυτού για αφέψημα σε ατομικά φακελάκια και χύμα, σε συσκευασία των 50 γραμμαρίων ή, για το χονδρικό εμπόριο, σε σάκους των 14 kg.

4.3   Γεωγραφική περιοχή: Η Βοημία, δηλαδή οι περιφέρειες της Πράγας, της κεντρικής Βοημίας, της νότιας Βοημίας, του Plzeň, του Karlovy Vary, του Ústi nad Labem, του Liberec, του Hradec Králové και του Pardubice, καθώς και, για την περιφέρεια της Vysočina, τα καντόνια (okres) Havlíčkův Brod, Jihlava et Pelhřimov, σύμφωνα με τον οργανικό νόμο αριθ. 347/1997 για την οργάνωση μεγάλων εδαφικών ενοτήτων και για τροποποίηση του οργανικού νόμου αριθ. 1/1993 του Τσεχικού Εθνικού Συμβουλίου, και του συντάγματος της Τσεχικής Δημοκρατίας, στην επικαιροποιημένη έκδοσή του.

Οι περιοχές καλλιέργειας του «Chamomilla Bohemica» στο έδαφος της Βοημίας καθορίζονται από τις ακόλουθες κλιματολογικές και εδαφολογικές συνθήκες: αργιλώδη και αμμώδη εδάφη (σύμφωνα με την ταξινόμηση των εδαφών: μαυρόχωμα, καστανόχωμα και στραγγισμένα εδάφη), των οποίων το pH είναι μεταξύ 7,3 και 8,1· κλιματολογικές συνθήκες: οι ετήσιες βροχοπτώσεις ανέρχονται σε 500 έως 700 mm/m2· υψόμετρο μεταξύ 230 και 480 m.

4.4   Απόδειξη προέλευσης: Οι μεταποιητές τηρούν μητρώο των προμηθευτών, οι οποίοι υποβάλλονται σε έλεγχο σε κάθε φάση της διεργασίας συγκομιδής του λουλουδιού του χαμομηλιού, δηλαδή τη φύτευση, την ανάπτυξη, τη συλλογή, την ξήρανση, την αποθήκευση και τη μεταποίηση. Τηρούν επίσης μητρώο των αγοραστών των έτοιμων προϊόντων.

Η αρμόδια Τοπική υπηρεσία της Εθνικής Επιθεώρησης Γεωργίας και Τροφίμων μεριμνά για την τήρηση των προδιαγραφών.

4.5   Μέθοδος παραγωγής: Το χαμομήλι παρουσιάζει μεγάλη ικανότητα προσαρμογής, αλλά οι ουσίες που περιέχει είναι πολύ ευαίσθητες στις περιβαλλοντικές συνθήκες· απαιτείται επίσης να ακολουθούνται οι παρακάτω φάσεις:

Προετοιμασία του εδάφους: η καλλιέργεια του χαμομηλιού έχει ελάχιστες απαιτήσεις, μόνο μέτριο όργωμα, επιφανειακό σβάρνισμα και βοτάνισμα του εδάφους.

Φύτευση: χρησιμοποίηση συσκευών σποράς ακριβείας, ισοπέδωση του εδάφους μετά τη σπορά, 20 g σπόρων ανά αρ.

Ανάπτυξη: κατά τη φάση αυτή, λίπανση με σύνθετα βιομηχανικά λιπάσματα (NPK ή Cererit, για παράδειγμα).

Συλλογή και επεξεργασία μετά τη συλλογή: τα λουλούδια συλλέγονται χειρωνακτικά ή με τη βοήθεια αυτοκινούμενων μηχανών Neset και Unag αμέσως μετά την άνθησή τους· ξηραίνονται κατά προτίμηση σε ανώτατη θερμοκρασία 40 oC και στη συνέχεια προωθούνται σε αλυσίδες επεξεργασίας εξοπλισμένες με συστήματα διαλογής και διαχωρισμού.

Είναι απαραίτητο, για τη διατήρηση των εγγενών χαρακτηριστικών των πρώτων υλών που αναφέρονται στο σημείο 4.2, να τηρείται η οριοθετημένη περιοχή καλλιέργειας.

Αποθήκευση και συσκευασία: το προϊόν διατηρείται σε ξηρό μέρος, μακριά από το φως και σε καλά αεριζόμενους χώρους, και στη συνέχεια συσκευάζεται σε χάρτινες σακούλες ενιαίας περιεκτικότητας στις οποίες τοποθετείται ετικέτα· οι εργασίες αυτές, περιλαμβανόμενης της τελικής συσκευασίας, δεν πρέπει απαραίτητα να πραγματοποιούνται στην οριοθετημένη περιοχή, πρέπει όμως να εκτελούνται σύμφωνα με τους ισχύοντες κανόνες.

4.6   Δεσμός: Οι τσεχικές περιοχές παρήγαγαν ήδη χαμομήλι άριστης ποιότητας, αλλά η ονομασία «Chamomilla Bohemica» άρχισε να χρησιμοποιείται πιο συχνά κυρίως από τη δεκαετία του 1950, όταν αυξήθηκε η ζήτηση από το εξωτερικό και ήταν απαραίτητο να καθιερωθεί η διάκριση ανάμεσα στην καλλιέργεια αυτή και τις άλλες παραγωγές χαμομηλιού. Η ενλόγω ονομασία χαρακτηρίζει ένα χαμομήλι με επακριβώς καθορισμένες ιδιότητες (βλέπε σημείο 4.2), οι οποίες οφείλονται στις φυσικές συνθήκες που προσφέρει το περιβάλλον του. Αυτή η ιδιοτυπία απορρέει από το συνδυασμό πολλών καλλιεργητικών παραγόντων, όπως το κλίμα, το έδαφος και οι τρόποι συγκομιδής (μέσο ύψος βροχοπτώσεων: 500 έως 700 mm/m2, pH του εδάφους: μεταξύ 7,3 και 8,1, τύπος εδάφους: αργιλώδες και αμμώδες). Η απόδοση εξαρτάται ουσιαστικά από την επιλογή του τύπου εδάφους και τις βροχοπτώσεις. Τέλος, το υψόμετρο και η ηλιοφάνεια είναι δύο παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν σε μεγάλο βαθμό την περιεκτικότητα σε αιθέριο έλαιο και σε χαμαζουλένιο. Το «Chamomilla Bohemica», προϊόν υψηλής ποιότητας, έχει παρουσιαστεί σε διάφορες εκθέσεις, όπως οι «SALIMA» και «Země živitelka», όπου έλαβε τη διάκριση «Προϊόν υψηλής ποιότητας». Οι κατασκευαστές Neset και Unag ανέπτυξαν ειδικά εργαλεία για τη συλλογή των κεφαλών του χαμομηλιού χωρίς να προκαλείται βλάβη στο υπόλοιπο φυτό.

Στην Τσεχική Δημοκρατία, η ονομασία προέλευσης «Chamomilla Bohemica» είναι καταχωρισμένη από την 21η Ιανουαρίου 1975 με αριθμό 84 και προστατεύεται επίσης στο πλαίσιο διμερούς συμφωνίας που έχει συναφθεί με την Πορτογαλία.

4.7   Οργανισμός ελέγχου:

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

Όνομα:

Státní zemědělská a potravinářská inspekce — inspektorát v Praze

Διεύθυνση:

Za opravnou 4

CZ-150 00 Praha 5

Τηλ.:

(420) 257 199 511

Φαξ:

(420) 257 199 529

e-mail:

praha@szpi.gov.cz

και τα τοπικά γραφεία της Εθνικής Επιθεώρησης που βρίσκονται στις περιοχές παραγωγής και μεταποίησης.

4.8   Επισήμανση: Η ονομασία «Chamomilla Bohemica» πρέπει να εμφανίζεται με ευανάγνωστους χαρακτήρες (κεφαλαία γράμματα) στην κύρια όψη της συσκευασίας.

---

(1)  ΕΕ L 93 της 31.3.2006, σ. 12.

---