# Official Journal C 157/2018

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 157 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 614 May 2018 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 157

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 614 May 2018

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| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 157/01 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8846 — Black Diamond Capital Management/GST Autoleather) (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2018/C 157/02 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8859 — Viohalco/Koramic/JV) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2018/C 157/01

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8846 — Black Diamond Capital Management/GST Autoleather) (
  1
  )

1

1

2018/C 157/02

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8859 — Viohalco/Koramic/JV) (
  1
  )

1

1

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| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 157/03 | Euro exchange rates | 2 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2018/C 157/03

Euro exchange rates

2

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 157/04 | Notice of initiation of a partial interim review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of tubes and pipes of ductile cast iron (also known as spheroidal graphite cast iron) originating in India | 3 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 157/05 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8857 — Edenred/UTA) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 7 |
| 2018/C 157/06 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8835 — Stadtwerke Olching/BAG Netz/NG Olching/Olching VerwaltungsGmbH) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 9 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 157/07 | Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 11 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

2018/C 157/04

Notice of initiation of a partial interim review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of tubes and pipes of ductile cast iron (also known as spheroidal graphite cast iron) originating in India

3

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2018/C 157/05

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8857 — Edenred/UTA) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

7

2018/C 157/06

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8835 — Stadtwerke Olching/BAG Netz/NG Olching/Olching VerwaltungsGmbH) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

9

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2018/C 157/07

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

11

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

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance.

1

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

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 4.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 157/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 157/1

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.8846 — Black Diamond Capital Management/GST Autoleather)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 157/01)

On 24 April 2018, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32018M8846. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32018M8846. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

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

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| 4.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 157/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 157/1

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.8859 — Viohalco/Koramic/JV)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 157/02)

On 25 April 2018, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32018M8859. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32018M8859. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

---

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

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 4.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 157/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 157/2

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Euro exchange rates (1)

3 May 2018

(2018/C 157/03)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,1992 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 131,03 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4497 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,88180 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,6045 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,1958 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 122,20 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,6465 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 25,585 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 314,06 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,2628 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,6658 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 5,0360 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,5926 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,5404 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 9,4131 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,7041 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5962 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 288,96 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 15,1399 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,6135 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,4153 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 16 708,75 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,7094 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 61,995 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 76,0875 |
| THB | Thai baht | 37,931 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 4,2367 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 22,8159 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 79,8965 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,1992

JPY

Japanese yen

131,03

DKK

Danish krone

7,4497

GBP

Pound sterling

0,88180

SEK

Swedish krona

10,6045

CHF

Swiss franc

1,1958

ISK

Iceland króna

122,20

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,6465

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

25,585

HUF

Hungarian forint

314,06

PLN

Polish zloty

4,2628

RON

Romanian leu

4,6658

TRY

Turkish lira

5,0360

AUD

Australian dollar

1,5926

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,5404

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

9,4131

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,7041

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5962

KRW

South Korean won

1 288,96

ZAR

South African rand

15,1399

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,6135

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,4153

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

16 708,75

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,7094

PHP

Philippine peso

61,995

RUB

Russian rouble

76,0875

THB

Thai baht

37,931

BRL

Brazilian real

4,2367

MXN

Mexican peso

22,8159

INR

Indian rupee

79,8965

---

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

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V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

| 4.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 157/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 157/3

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Notice of initiation of a partial interim review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of tubes and pipes of ductile cast iron (also known as spheroidal graphite cast iron) originating in India

(2018/C 157/04)

The European Commission (‘the Commission’) has received a request for review pursuant to Article 11(3) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Union (1) (‘the basic Regulation’).

1.   Request for review

The request for review was lodged by the four Union producers Saint-Gobain PAM, Saint-Gobain PAM Deutschland GmbH, Saint-Gobain PAM España S.A. and Duktus (Production) GmbH (‘the applicants’).

The partial interim review is limited in scope to the examination of dumping as far as one Indian exporting producer, Electrosteel Castings Ltd (‘ECL’), is concerned.

2.   Product under review

The product under review is tubes and pipes of ductile cast iron (also known as spheroidal graphite cast iron), with the exclusion of tubes and pipes of ductile cast iron without internal and external coating (‘bare pipes’), currently falling within CN codes ex 7303 00 10 and ex 7303 00 90 (TARIC codes 7303001010, 7303009010), originating in India (‘the product under review’).

3.   Existing measures

The measures currently in force are a definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/388 of 17 March 2016 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of tubes and pipes of ductile cast iron (also known as spheroidal graphite cast iron) originating in India (2), as amended by Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2016/1369 (3).

The product under review is also subject to a definitive countervailing duty imposed by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/387 of 17 March 2016 imposing a definitive countervailing duty on imports of tubes and pipes of ductile cast iron (also known as spheroidal graphite cast iron), originating in India (4).

In the investigation leading to the measures in force, a dumping margin of 4,1 % was found for ECL, though ECL is subject to a 0 % anti-dumping duty because of the cumulation with the countervailing duty in force and the lesser duty rule.

4.   Grounds for the review

The request pursuant to Article 11(3) is based on sufficient evidence provided by the applicants that, as far as the dumping of ECL is concerned, the circumstances on the basis of which the existing measures were imposed have changed and that these changes are of lasting nature.

The applicants allege that dumping margins of ECL significantly increased since the original investigation period. The applicants allege that ECL significantly decreased its export prices to the Union, and that such decrease occurred despite the measures in place, an increase in the costs of raw materials and an appreciation of the Indian Rupee against the Euro.

The applicants provided sufficient evidence showing that, as far as ECL is concerned, the continued imposition of the measure at its current level is no longer sufficient to counteract the dumping. In particular, a comparison of ECL's normal value and their export prices to the Union indicates that the dumping margin appears to be significantly higher than the dumping margin of 4,1 % established in the original investigation. The applicants also provided sufficient evidence of the lasting nature of the changed circumstances. In particular, the applicants extended their dumping margin analysis to the full years 2016 and 2017.

Therefore, the applicants allege that the existing measures are no longer sufficient to counteract the dumping.

5.   Procedure

Having determined, after informing the Member States that, as alleged in the application, sufficient evidence exists to justify the initiation of a partial interim review limited to the examination of dumping, the Commission hereby initiates a review in accordance with Article 11(3) of the basic Regulation.

The investigation will also assess the need for the continuation, removal or amendment of the existing measures in respect of ECL.

5.1.   Investigating the exporting producer

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation, the Commission will send a questionnaire to ECL and its related (5) companies in the Union. Unless otherwise specified, this information and supporting evidence must reach the Commission within 37 days of the date of receipt of the questionnaire.

5.2.   Other written submissions

Subject to the provisions of this Notice, all interested parties are hereby invited to make their views known, submit information and provide supporting evidence. Unless otherwise specified, this information and supporting evidence must reach the Commission within 37 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union. In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation, the Commission may send questionnaires to interested parties that have come forward.

5.3.   Possibility to be heard by the Commission investigation services

All interested parties may request to be heard by the Commission investigation services. Any request to be heard must be made in writing and must specify the reasons for the request. For hearings on issues pertaining to the initial stage of the investigation the request must be submitted within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union. Thereafter, a request to be heard must be submitted within the specific deadlines set by the Commission in its communication with the parties.

5.4.   Instructions for making written submissions and sending completed questionnaires and correspondence

Information submitted to the Commission for the purpose of trade defence investigations shall be free from copyrights. Interested parties, before submitting to the Commission information and/or data which is subject to third party copyrights, must request specific permission to the copyright holder explicitly allowing a) the Commission to use the information and data for the purpose of this trade defence proceeding and b) to provide the information and/or data to interested parties to this investigation in a form that allows them to exercise their rights of defence.

All written submissions, including the information requested in this Notice, completed questionnaires and correspondence provided by interested parties for which confidential treatment is requested shall be labelled ‘Limited’ (6). Parties submitting information in the course of this investigation are invited to reason their request for confidential treatment.

Interested parties providing ‘Limited’ information are required to furnish non-confidential summaries of it pursuant to Article 19(2) of the basic Regulation, which will be labelled ‘For inspection by interested parties’. Those summaries must be sufficiently detailed to permit a reasonable understanding of the substance of the information submitted in confidence. If a party providing confidential information fails to show good cause for a confidential treatment request or does not furnish a non-confidential summary of it in the requested format and quality, the Commission may disregard such information unless it can be satisfactorily demonstrated from appropriate sources that the information is correct.

Interested parties are invited to make all submissions and requests by email including scanned powers of attorney and certification sheets, with the exception of voluminous replies which shall be submitted on a CD-ROM or DVD by hand or by registered mail. By using email, interested parties express their agreement with the rules applicable to electronic submissions contained in the document ‘CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN TRADE DEFENCE CASES’ published on the website of the Directorate-General for Trade: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2011/june/tradoc_148003.pdf The interested parties must indicate their name, address, telephone and a valid email address and they should ensure that the provided email address is a functioning official business email which is checked on a daily basis. Once contact details are provided, the Commission will communicate with interested parties by email only, unless they explicitly request to receive all documents from the Commission by another means of communication or unless the nature of the document to be sent requires the use of a registered mail. For further rules and information concerning correspondence with the Commission including principles that apply to submissions by email, interested parties should consult the communication instructions with interested parties referred to above.

Commission address for correspondence:

| European Commission |
| --- |
| Directorate-General for Trade |
| Directorate H |
| Office: CHAR 04/039 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
| Email: TRADE-DCIT-R690@ec.europa.eu |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Trade

Directorate H

Office: CHAR 04/039

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Email: TRADE-DCIT-R690@ec.europa.eu

6.   Non-cooperation

In cases where any interested party refuses access to or does not provide the necessary information within the time limits, or significantly impedes the investigation, findings, affirmative or negative, may be made on the basis of facts available, in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation.

Where it is found that any interested party has supplied false or misleading information, the information may be disregarded and use may be made of facts available.

If an interested party does not cooperate or cooperates only partially and findings are therefore based on facts available in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation, the result may be less favourable to that party than if it had cooperated.

Failure to give a computerised response shall not be deemed to constitute non-cooperation, provided that the interested party shows that presenting the response as requested would result in an unreasonable extra burden or unreasonable additional cost. The interested party should immediately contact the Commission.

7.   Hearing Officer

Interested parties may request the intervention of the Hearing Officer in trade proceedings. The Hearing Officer acts as an interface between the interested parties and the Commission investigation services. The Hearing Officer reviews requests for access to the file, disputes regarding the confidentiality of documents, requests for extension of time limits and requests by third parties to be heard. The Hearing Officer may organise a hearing with an individual interested party and mediate to ensure that the interested parties' rights of defence are being fully exercised.

A request for a hearing with the Hearing Officer should be made in writing and should specify the reasons for the request. For hearings on issues pertaining to the initial stage of the investigation the request must be submitted within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

For further information and contact details interested parties may consult the Hearing Officer's web pages on DG Trade's website: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/trade-policy-and-you/contacts/hearing-officer/

8.   Schedule of the investigation

The investigation will be concluded, pursuant to Article 11(5) of the basic Regulation within 15 months of the date of the publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

9.   Processing of personal data

Any personal data collected in this investigation will be treated in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (7).

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(1)  OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21.

(2)  OJ L 73 18.3.2016, p. 53.

(3)  OJ L 217 12.8.2016, p. 4.

(4)  OJ L 73 18.3.2016, p. 1.

(5)  In accordance with Article 127 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 of 24 November 2015 laying down detailed rules for implementing certain provisions of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code, two persons shall be deemed to be related if one of the following conditions is fulfilled: (a) they are officers or directors of one another's businesses; (b) they are legally recognized partners in business; (c) they are employer and employee; (d) a third party directly or indirectly owns or controls or holds 5 % or more of the outstanding voting stock or shares of both of them; (e) one of them directly or indirectly controls the other; (f) both of them are directly or indirectly controlled by a third person; (g) together they control a third person directly or indirectly; or (h) they are members of the same family. Persons shall be deemed to be members of the same family only if they stand in any of the following relationships to one another: (i) husband and wife, (ii) parent and child, (iii) brother and sister (whether by whole or half blood), (iv) grandparent and grandchild, (v) uncle or aunt and nephew or niece, (vi) parent-in-law and son-in-law or daughter-in-law, (vii) brother-in-law and sister-in-law. In accordance with Article 5(4) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013, ‘person’ means a natural person, a legal person, and any association of persons which is not a legal person but which is recognized under Union or national law as having the capacity to perform legal acts (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1).

(6)  A ‘Limited’ document is a document which is considered confidential pursuant to Article 19 of the basic Regulation and Article 6 of the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-Dumping Agreement). It is also a document protected pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43).

(7)  OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 4.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 157/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 157/7

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8857 — Edenred/UTA)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 157/05)

| 1. | On 24 April 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).
  This notification concerns the following undertakings:






  — | Edenred Tankkarten Holding GmbH, ultimately controlled by Edenred SA (‘Edenred’, France), and |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

On 24 April 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—

Edenred Tankkarten Holding GmbH, ultimately controlled by Edenred SA (‘Edenred’, France), and

| — | Union Tank Eckstein GmbH & Co. KG (‘UTA’, Germany). |
| --- | --- |

—

Union Tank Eckstein GmbH & Co. KG (‘UTA’, Germany).

Edenred acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of UTA, which it currently jointly controls.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares, following the exercise of a put option on 27 December 2017.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are as follows:






  — | Edenred provides pre- and post-paid corporate services including employee benefits and mobility solutions. |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are as follows:

—

Edenred provides pre- and post-paid corporate services including employee benefits and mobility solutions.

| — | UTA issues fuel cards used for cashless payment of fuel and other vehicle-related services. |
| --- | --- |

—

UTA issues fuel cards used for cashless payment of fuel and other vehicle-related services.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.
  Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

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

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:
  M.8857 — Edenred/UTA
  Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:





  Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
| --- | --- |
| Fax +32 22964301 |
| Postal address: |
| European Commission |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.8857 — Edenred/UTA

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

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| 4.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 157/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 157/9

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8835 — Stadtwerke Olching/BAG Netz/NG Olching/Olching VerwaltungsGmbH)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 157/06)

| 1. | On 26 April 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).
  This notification concerns the following undertakings:






  — | Stadtwerke Olching GmbH (‘SWO’, Germany), jointly controlled by Stadt Olching and Stadtwerke Schwäbisch Hall GmbH, |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

On 26 April 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—

Stadtwerke Olching GmbH (‘SWO’, Germany), jointly controlled by Stadt Olching and Stadtwerke Schwäbisch Hall GmbH,

| — | Bayernwerk Netz GmbH (‘BAG Netz’, Germany), belonging to the E.ON group, |
| --- | --- |

—

Bayernwerk Netz GmbH (‘BAG Netz’, Germany), belonging to the E.ON group,

| — | Stadtwerke Olching Stromnetz GmbH & Co. KG (‘NG Olching’, Germany), |
| --- | --- |

—

Stadtwerke Olching Stromnetz GmbH & Co. KG (‘NG Olching’, Germany),

| — | Stadtwerke Olching Stromnetz VerwaltungsGmbH (‘Olching VerwaltungsGmbH’, Germany). |
| --- | --- |

—

Stadtwerke Olching Stromnetz VerwaltungsGmbH (‘Olching VerwaltungsGmbH’, Germany).

SWO and BAG Netz acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of NG Olching and Olching VerwaltungsGmbH.

The concentration is accomplished by way of a purchase of shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for SWO: provides electricity, gas, district heating and related services and operates the electricity distribution system in an industrial park in the city of Olching,
  —   for BAG Netz: develops, operates and maintains electricity and gas distribution networks. Currently, it holds the electricity distribution grid concession in the rest of the city of Olching,
  —   for NG Olching: will hold the electricity distribution grid concession transferred by BAG Netz and will participate in the 2019 tender for the concession of electricity distribution grid in the whole of the city of Olching,
  —   for Olching VerwaltungsGmbH: will manage NG Olching. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for SWO: provides electricity, gas, district heating and related services and operates the electricity distribution system in an industrial park in the city of Olching,

—   for BAG Netz: develops, operates and maintains electricity and gas distribution networks. Currently, it holds the electricity distribution grid concession in the rest of the city of Olching,

—   for NG Olching: will hold the electricity distribution grid concession transferred by BAG Netz and will participate in the 2019 tender for the concession of electricity distribution grid in the whole of the city of Olching,

—   for Olching VerwaltungsGmbH: will manage NG Olching.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.
  Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

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

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:
  M.8835 — Stadtwerke Olching/BAG Netz/NG Olching/Olching VerwaltungsGmbH
  Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:





  Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
| --- | --- |
| Fax +32 22964301 |
| Postal address: |
| European Commission |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.8835 — Stadtwerke Olching/BAG Netz/NG Olching/Olching VerwaltungsGmbH

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

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OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 4.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 157/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

4.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 157/11

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Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2018/C 157/07)

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1)

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘VLEES VAN HET ROOD RAS VAN WEST-VLAANDEREN’

EU No: PDO-BE-02261 — 11.1.2017

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

1.   Name

‘Vlees van het rood ras van West-Vlaanderen’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Belgium

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.1. Fresh meat (and offal)

3.2.   Description of the product to which the name in (1) applies

The name ‘Vlees van het rood ras van West-Vlaanderen’ may be used only for fresh meat from females of the Belgian Red breed that are between three and a half and eight years old and from steers of the Belgian Red breed that are between two and three and a half years old.

The carcasses must meet the following specifications:

—   Weight: at least 380 kg.

—   Conformation: Classes S, E, U, R and O of the SEUROP classification for cattle.

—   Fat cover: 2, 3, 4 or 5.

The meat is fairly dark red, with light, fine marbling and a fine-grained texture.

The meat has a full, intense flavour, and the fine streaks of fat give it a touch of creaminess.

3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

75-100 % of the coarse fodder (grass and grassland products) given to the Belgian Red cows and steers is produced within the geographical area, chiefly on the holding itself. At certain times of their lives, the cattle are additionally given a small percentage of concentrated feed.

In the summer, the cattle graze in the fields as soon as, and for as long as, the weather permits. On average, this amounts to seven months between April and November.

In the winter, the fodder consists primarily of local grassland products: haylage and hay.

The grassland products are produced on the holding, but, if necessary, fodder produced locally, within the geographical area, can be bought in. Only in extreme weather conditions (drought or heavy rainfall) can a limited amount of fodder be bought in from neighbouring areas. Each year, the percentage of the fodder coming from outside the geographical area amounts to from 30 % to a maximum of 50 % of the dry matter fed to the animals, and this does not affect the specific characteristics of the meat.

In addition to grassland products, the cattle are given the following:

| — | in the summer (and only if necessary): locally produced coarse fodder (such as maize, pulp, draff, potatoes, straw, etc.); |
| --- | --- |

—

in the summer (and only if necessary): locally produced coarse fodder (such as maize, pulp, draff, potatoes, straw, etc.);

| — | in the winter: coarse fodder and a maximum of 0,5 kg of concentrated feed per day per 100 kg live weight. |
| --- | --- |

—

in the winter: coarse fodder and a maximum of 0,5 kg of concentrated feed per day per 100 kg live weight.

The additional coarse fodder referred to above is primarily produced on the holding, but can be bought in if necessary. 75-100 % comes from within the geographical area.

The fattening period lasts a maximum of five months. The fodder is supplemented with concentrated feed up to a maximum of 1 kg per day per 100 kg live weight. The concentrated feed contains cereals and is supplemented with, among other things, linseed cake, fodder beet, potatoes, etc. The animals can be fattened in stalls, either tethered or untethered, or on the pasture.

3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

Birth, rearing, fattening and slaughter must take place within the geographical area.

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

—

3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

The label must display the registered name ‘Vlees van het rood ras van West-Vlaanderen’.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area comprises the Belgian province of West Flanders.

5.   Link with the geographical area

Specificity of the geographical area

West Flanders lends itself to traditional agriculture with mixed farms. The province is described as follows: ‘West Flanders is a low-lying area [...]. It enjoys a very favourable maritime climate and consists mainly of very rich agricultural land: behind the line of dunes, the soil is a heavy polder soil; the southern half of the province consists of a fertile sandy loam, while sandy soil is confined to the Bruges-Torhout-Tielt triangle. Apart from in the sandy area, farmers in West Flanders have a whole range of land-management and crop-rotation possibilities open to them.’

Livestock farming has always occupied an important position in West Flanders, thanks to the proximity of the North Sea and the characteristic maritime climate. The maritime climate is strongly influenced by the warm Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean. This means that there are few really cold or really warm days in West Flanders. This, in combination with the fact that the area has the most hours of sunshine in Belgium, favours a rich growth of grass and grassland products, which are the most important food source for the Belgian Red cattle. The rich grass produces a tasty meat with a touch of creaminess.

Keepers of Belgian red cattle hand their know-how down from generation to generation: the animals are allowed to graze outside as long as the weather permits and are reared primarily on coarse fodder. Furthermore, they are slaughtered quite a bit later than beef cattle of other breeds. Cattle farmers in West Flanders run mixed agricultural holdings which are closely tied to the local traditions and have adapted to the geographical and climatic conditions. Alongside livestock farming, arable crops such as wheat, barley, sugar beet, potatoes and maize are also grown and are traditionally used as coarse fodder for the Belgian red cattle.

Specificity of the breed

Red cattle have been grazing in West Flanders and the northern part of French Flanders for hundreds of years. In around 1770, there was a homogeneous breeding centre for red cattle. They accounted for 95 % of the region’s total cattle population.

After Belgium gained independence in 1830, the different stockfarming approaches adopted by the French and Belgian authorities led to a divide in the breed. In France, priority was given to dairy cattle, which led to the development of the ‘rouge des Flandres’ or ‘casselloise’ breed. In West Flanders it remained a dual-purpose breed.

In 1906, a regional syndicate was set up to maintain a herd book for the whole of West Flanders. The breed was known in Dutch as the ‘rood Vlaams ras’ but was later renamed the ‘rood ras van West Vlaanderen’, a name which emphasises the defined breeding area, namely the Belgian province of West Flanders. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the province of West Flanders has deliberately chosen to have a single breed within its borders.

Until the 1970s, up to 80 % of all cattle in West Flanders were of the Belgian Red breed.

The breed was preserved because some West-Flemish farmers deliberately chose it for the specific qualities of the meat. In 1994, it was still the case that 99,6 % of all Belgian Red cattle were in West Flanders. More recent figures show that this figure is currently still over 95 %.

Specificity of the meat

The combination of the specific characteristics of the breed and the geographical characteristics of the province of West Flanders produces a distinctive meat.

Over the centuries, the Belgian Red breed has adapted to the area’s mild maritime climate and the fruits of the rich West Flanders soil. It is commonly said that Belgian Reds convert grass to meat like no other Belgian breed of cattle. The animals spend as long as possible on the pastures of West Flanders and, in the winter, they also receive a rich variety of locally grown coarse fodders.

‘Vlees van het rood ras van West-Vlaanderen’ differs from other Belgian beef by its full, robust meaty flavour. The meaty flavour is accompanied by a touch of creaminess resulting from the fine marbling. Furthermore, the meat is extremely tender without any loss of flavour. The meat owes its tenderness to its fine structure with a very fine grain. The meat has a beautiful dark red colour.

The specific characteristics of ‘Vlees van het rood ras van West-Vlaanderen’ are ensured by the breed, the local grass feed and the mature age of the cattle at slaughter.

Link between the geographical area and the specific characteristics of the product

The link between the Belgian Red breed and the province of West Flanders goes back centuries. The geographical area encompasses the extensive know-how of the local cattle breeders and the efficient keeping of the herd book just as much as the specific climatic and soil conditions.

The high proportion of local grassland products in the cattle’s diet has a positive influence on the flavour of the meat. The favourable maritime climate allows the grass to grow throughout the year, which makes for substantial muscle development and a succulent, finely grained meat. The quality of the meat is a specific characteristic, as the animals are able to range freely on the pastures from a young age and build up muscle mass. The cows have calved several times. Calving and suckling ensure that natural fats develop in the meat, and those fats give ‘Vlees van het rood ras van West-Vlaanderen’ its creamy flavour.

Given that the animals are older when they are slaughtered, they have been given ample time to grow and develop muscle mass on the basis of high-quality local feed. This means that the meat of these robust red cattle is tender and tasty.

Steers of the Belgian Red breed also develop their muscle mass. In conventional beef cattle farming, male animals are almost never given the chance to reach such an age. In conventional beef cattle farming, most male cattle are already slaughtered at around 20 months of age. Steers of the Belgian Red breed are not slaughtered until they are between two and three and a half years old. This allows the animals to build up considerable muscle mass and produces a tender, finely marbled final product. Another big difference with conventional farming practices is that the Belgian Red cattle are given free range as much as possible and are reared on grassland products and coarse fodder from West Flanders rather than on concentrated feed and maize.

The quality of ‘Vlees van het rood ras van West-Vlaanderen’ is reflected in the many references to it on menus, both old and more recent, and in gastronomic literature.

Today, ‘Vlees van het rood ras van West-Vlaanderen’ is held in very high esteem in top gastronomic circles in West Flanders and Belgium as a whole, and there is also demand for this quality product from abroad.

Reference to publication of the specification

(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)

http://lv.vlaanderen.be/sites/default/files/attachments/productdossier_vleesvanhetroodrasvanwestvlaanderen.doc

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(1)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1

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