# Official Journal C 316/2020

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 316 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 6324 September 2020 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 316

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 6324 September 2020

---

| Contents | page |
| --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2020/C 316/01 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9879 – APG/NPS/JMI/Brisa) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2020/C 316/01

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9879 – APG/NPS/JMI/Brisa) (
  1
  )

1

1

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| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2020/C 316/02 | Euro exchange rates — 23 September 2020 | 2 |
| 2020/C 316/03 | Summary of European Commission Decisions on authorisations for the placing on the market for the use and/or for use of substances listed in Annex XIV to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
  (Published pursuant to Article 64(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006)
   (
  1
  ) | 3 |
| | NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA |
| | EFTA Surveillance Authority |
| 2020/C 316/04 | State aid – Decision to raise no objections | 4 |
| 2020/C 316/05 | State aid – Decision to raise no objections | 5 |
| 2020/C 316/06 | State aid – Decision to raise no objections | 6 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2020/C 316/02

Euro exchange rates — 23 September 2020

2

2020/C 316/03

Summary of European Commission Decisions on authorisations for the placing on the market for the use and/or for use of substances listed in Annex XIV to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
  (Published pursuant to Article 64(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006)
   (
  1
  )

(Published pursuant to Article 64(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006

1

3

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

2020/C 316/04

State aid – Decision to raise no objections

4

2020/C 316/05

State aid – Decision to raise no objections

5

2020/C 316/06

State aid – Decision to raise no objections

6

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | COURT PROCEEDINGS |
| | EFTA Court |
| 2020/C 316/07 | Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Fürstlicher Oberster Gerichtshof dated 8 May 2020 in the case of SMA SA and Société Mutuelle d'Assurance du Batiment et des Travaux Publics v Finanzmarktaufsicht (Case E-5/20) | 7 |
| 2020/C 316/08 | Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Beschwerdekommission der Finanzmarktaufsicht dated 28 May 2020 in the case of Pintail AG v Finanzmarktaufsicht (Case E-6/20) | 9 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2020/C 316/09 | Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of optical fibre cables originating in the People’s Republic of China | 10 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2020/C 316/10 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9955 – PSP/Aviva/20 Station Road) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 23 |

V   Announcements

COURT PROCEEDINGS

EFTA Court

2020/C 316/07

Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Fürstlicher Oberster Gerichtshof dated 8 May 2020 in the case of SMA SA and Société Mutuelle d'Assurance du Batiment et des Travaux Publics v Finanzmarktaufsicht (Case E-5/20)

7

2020/C 316/08

Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Beschwerdekommission der Finanzmarktaufsicht dated 28 May 2020 in the case of Pintail AG v Finanzmarktaufsicht (Case E-6/20)

9

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

2020/C 316/09

Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of optical fibre cables originating in the People’s Republic of China

10

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2020/C 316/10

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9955 – PSP/Aviva/20 Station Road) Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

23

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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

| 24.9.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 316/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.9.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 316/1

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.9879 – APG/NPS/JMI/Brisa)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 316/01)

On 18 September 2020, 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 32020M9879. 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 32020M9879. 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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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 24.9.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 316/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.9.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 316/2

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Euro exchange rates (1)

23 September 2020

(2020/C 316/02)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,1692 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 122,91 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4429 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,91885 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,4388 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,0773 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 161,40 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 10,9938 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 26,965 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 365,01 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,5001 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,8686 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 8,9920 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,6439 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,5594 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 9,0614 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,7756 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5989 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 362,80 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 19,9607 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,9433 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,5505 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 17 375,00 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,8574 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 56,778 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 89,7875 |
| THB | Thai baht | 36,841 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 6,4498 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 25,8339 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 85,9845 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,1692

JPY

Japanese yen

122,91

DKK

Danish krone

7,4429

GBP

Pound sterling

0,91885

SEK

Swedish krona

10,4388

CHF

Swiss franc

1,0773

ISK

Iceland króna

161,40

NOK

Norwegian krone

10,9938

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

26,965

HUF

Hungarian forint

365,01

PLN

Polish zloty

4,5001

RON

Romanian leu

4,8686

TRY

Turkish lira

8,9920

AUD

Australian dollar

1,6439

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,5594

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

9,0614

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,7756

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5989

KRW

South Korean won

1 362,80

ZAR

South African rand

19,9607

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,9433

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,5505

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

17 375,00

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,8574

PHP

Philippine peso

56,778

RUB

Russian rouble

89,7875

THB

Thai baht

36,841

BRL

Brazilian real

6,4498

MXN

Mexican peso

25,8339

INR

Indian rupee

85,9845

---

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

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| 24.9.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 316/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.9.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 316/3

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Summary of European Commission Decisions on authorisations for the placing on the market for the use and/or for use of substances listed in Annex XIV to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

(Published pursuant to Article 64(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (1))

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 316/03)

Decisions granting an authorisation

| Reference of the decision (2) | Date of decision | Substance name | Holder of the authorisation | Authorisation number | Authorised use | Date of expiry of review period | Reasons for the decision |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| C(2020) 6231 | 17 September 2020 | Strontium chromate
  EC No. 232-142-6, CAS No. 7789-06-2 | Wesco Aircraft EMEA Limited, Lawrence House, Riverside drive, BD19 4DH, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom; | REACH/20/12/0 | Use in primers applied by aerospace and defence sector where any of the following key functionalities or properties is necessary for the intended use: corrosion resistance, active corrosion inhibition, adhesion promotion, thermal shock resistance and chemical resistance | 22 January 2026 | In accordance with Article 60(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, the socio-economic benefits outweigh the risk to human health from the use of the substance and there are no suitable alternative substances or technologies. |
| PPG Europe B.V., Amsterdamseweg 14, 1422 AD Uithoorn, Netherlands | REACH/20/12/1 |
| Cytec Engineered Materials Ltd., Abenbury Way, Wrexham Industrial Estate, LL13 9UZ Wrexham, United Kingdom | REACH/20/12/2 |

Reference of the decision (2)

Date of decision

Substance name

Holder of the authorisation

Authorisation number

Authorised use

Date of expiry of review period

Reasons for the decision

C(2020) 6231

17 September 2020

Strontium chromate

EC No. 232-142-6, CAS No. 7789-06-2

Wesco Aircraft EMEA Limited, Lawrence House, Riverside drive, BD19 4DH, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom;

REACH/20/12/0

Use in primers applied by aerospace and defence sector where any of the following key functionalities or properties is necessary for the intended use: corrosion resistance, active corrosion inhibition, adhesion promotion, thermal shock resistance and chemical resistance

22 January 2026

In accordance with Article 60(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, the socio-economic benefits outweigh the risk to human health from the use of the substance and there are no suitable alternative substances or technologies.

PPG Europe B.V., Amsterdamseweg 14, 1422 AD Uithoorn, Netherlands

REACH/20/12/1

Cytec Engineered Materials Ltd., Abenbury Way, Wrexham Industrial Estate, LL13 9UZ Wrexham, United Kingdom

REACH/20/12/2

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(1)  OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

(2)  The decision is available on the European Commission website at: http://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/chemicals/reach/about/index_en.htm

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NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

| 24.9.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 316/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.9.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 316/4

---

State aid – Decision to raise no objections

(2020/C 316/04)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority raises no objections to the following State aid measure:

| Date of adoption of the decision | 15 June 2020 |
| --- | --- |
| Case No | 85 217 |
| Decision No | 057/20/COL |
| EFTA State | Iceland |
| Region | Iceland |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | COVID-19 Digital gift voucher scheme |
| Legal basis | Act on digital vouchers (i. lög um ferðagjöf) |
| Type of measure | Scheme |
| Objective | To increase domestic demand for tourist services, thereby benefitting the tourist service sector |
| Form of aid | Grants (Indirect aid) |
| Budget | ISK 1,5 billion |
| Duration | 15 June 2020 – 31 December 2020 |
| Economic sectors | Tourism |
| Name and address of the granting authority | The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs





  Arnarhvoli við Lindargötu |
| 101 Reykjavík |
| ICELAND |

Date of adoption of the decision

15 June 2020

Case No

85 217

Decision No

057/20/COL

EFTA State

Iceland

Region

Iceland

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

COVID-19 Digital gift voucher scheme

Legal basis

Act on digital vouchers (i. lög um ferðagjöf)

Type of measure

Scheme

Objective

To increase domestic demand for tourist services, thereby benefitting the tourist service sector

Form of aid

Grants (Indirect aid)

Budget

ISK 1,5 billion

Duration

15 June 2020 – 31 December 2020

Economic sectors

Tourism

Name and address of the granting authority

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs

Arnarhvoli við Lindargötu

101 Reykjavík

ICELAND

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found on the EFTA Surveillance Authority’s website: http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/state-aid-register/decisions/

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| 24.9.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 316/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.9.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 316/5

---

State aid – Decision to raise no objections

(2020/C 316/05)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority raises no objections to the following State aid measure:

| Date of adoption of the decision | 23 June 2020 |
| --- | --- |
| Case No | 85 207 |
| Decision No | 061/20/COL |
| EFTA State | Norway |
| Title | COVID-19 Compensation scheme for taxi companies in Viken |
| Legal basis | The rules governing the measure are set out in the ‘Regler for tilskuddsordning til taxinæringen’. |
| Type of measure | Scheme |
| Objective | The objective of the scheme is to compensate for damage caused by the COVID-19 outbreak to taxi companies that have entered into contracts concerning transportation of pupils with the public transportation authorities in Viken. |
| Budget | NOK 27,9 million |
| Duration | 23 June – 31 August 2020 |
| Economic sectors | Transport |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Østfold kollektivtrafikk





  PO Box 220 |
| 1702 Sarpsborg |
| NORWAY |
| Ruter AS |
| PO Box 1030 |
| 0104 Oslo |
| NORWAY |
| Brakar AS |
| Bragernes torg 1 |
| 3017 Drammen |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision

23 June 2020

Case No

85 207

Decision No

061/20/COL

EFTA State

Norway

Title

COVID-19 Compensation scheme for taxi companies in Viken

Legal basis

The rules governing the measure are set out in the ‘Regler for tilskuddsordning til taxinæringen’.

Type of measure

Scheme

Objective

The objective of the scheme is to compensate for damage caused by the COVID-19 outbreak to taxi companies that have entered into contracts concerning transportation of pupils with the public transportation authorities in Viken.

Budget

NOK 27,9 million

Duration

23 June – 31 August 2020

Economic sectors

Transport

Name and address of the granting authority

Østfold kollektivtrafikk

PO Box 220

1702 Sarpsborg

NORWAY

Ruter AS

PO Box 1030

0104 Oslo

NORWAY

Brakar AS

Bragernes torg 1

3017 Drammen

NORWAY

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found on the EFTA Surveillance Authority’s website:

http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/state-aid-register/decisions/

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| 24.9.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 316/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.9.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 316/6

---

State aid – Decision to raise no objections

(2020/C 316/06)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority raises no objections to the following State aid measure:

| Date of adoption of the decision | 18 June 2020 |
| --- | --- |
| Case No | 85 090 |
| Decision No | 060/20/COL |
| EFTA State | Norway |
| Region | Whole territory of Norway |
| Title | COVID-19 – Portfolio guarantee on trade credit insurance |
| Legal basis | Parliamentary resolution (‘stortingsvedtak’) appropriating the overall framework for the guarantee scheme (yet to be adopted) |
| Type of measure | Scheme |
| Objective | Ensure a functioning trade credit insurance market in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic |
| Form of aid | Guarantees |
| Budget | NOK 19,820 billion in guarantees |
| Duration | Until 31 December 2020 |
| Economic sectors | Trade credit insurance |
| Name and address of the granting authority | GIEK





  Postboks 1763 Vika |
| N-0122 Oslo |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision

18 June 2020

Case No

85 090

Decision No

060/20/COL

EFTA State

Norway

Region

Whole territory of Norway

Title

COVID-19 – Portfolio guarantee on trade credit insurance

Legal basis

Parliamentary resolution (‘stortingsvedtak’) appropriating the overall framework for the guarantee scheme (yet to be adopted)

Type of measure

Scheme

Objective

Ensure a functioning trade credit insurance market in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic

Form of aid

Guarantees

Budget

NOK 19,820 billion in guarantees

Duration

Until 31 December 2020

Economic sectors

Trade credit insurance

Name and address of the granting authority

GIEK

Postboks 1763 Vika

N-0122 Oslo

NORWAY

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found on the EFTA Surveillance Authority’s website:

http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/state-aid-register/decisions/

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V Announcements

COURT PROCEEDINGS

EFTA Court

| 24.9.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 316/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.9.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 316/7

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Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Fürstlicher Oberster Gerichtshof dated 8 May 2020 in the case of SMA SA and Société Mutuelle d'Assurance du Batiment et des Travaux Publics v Finanzmarktaufsicht

(Case E-5/20)

(2020/C 316/07)

A request has been made to the EFTA Court dated 8 May 2020 from Fürstlicher Oberster Gerichtshof (the Princely Supreme Court), which was received at the Court Registry on 20 May 2020, for an Advisory Opinion in the case of SMA SA and Société Mutuelle d'Assurance du Batiment et des Travaux Publics v Finanzmarktaufsicht on the following questions:

| 1. | Must Directive 2009/138/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the taking-up and pursuit of the business of Insurance and Reinsurance (Solvency II) (Collection of EEA law (EWR-Rechtssammlung): Annex IX - 1.01), in particular Articles 27 and 28 thereof, and
  Council Directive 92/49/EEC of 18 June 1992 on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to direct insurance other than life assurance and amending Directives 73/239/EEC and 88/357/EEC (third non-life insurance Directive), and the
  Second Council Directive of 22 June 1988 on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to direct insurance other than life assurance and laying down provisions to facilitate the effective exercise of freedom to provide services and amending Directive 73/239/EEC (88/357/EEC), in particular Article 1(b), Article 7(1)(a) to (c), Article 10, Article 11(7) and Article 21 thereof, and the
  First Council Directive of 24 July 1973 on the coordination of laws, Regulations and administrative provisions relating to the taking-up and pursuit of the business of direct insurance other than life assurance (73/239/EEC), in particular Articles 13 and 14 thereof,
  be interpreted as meaning that these grant rights to creditors of a supervised direct insurance undertaking who are not policy holders, insured persons or beneficiaries of this insurance undertaking or other party to an insurance contract concluded with this insurance undertaking and to whom as injured third party also otherwise no direct right of action against this insurance undertaking as a result of an insurance law relationship is directly conferred and whose claims are owed not by reason of an insurance contract or another activity to which these legal bases are applicable in the framework of direct insurance but whose claims, such as those of the applicants as insurers of third party policy holders, are asserted as recourse claims, in the widest sense, directly against the supervised direct insurance undertaking, in the sense that the competent authority, such as, here, the defendant, has to exercise supervisory measures, which it must carry out under the directives cited, also in the interests of these creditors and on infringement of the corresponding obligations it is liable to the creditors for resulting losses. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Must Directive 2009/138/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the taking-up and pursuit of the business of Insurance and Reinsurance (Solvency II) (Collection of EEA law (EWR-Rechtssammlung): Annex IX - 1.01), in particular Articles 27 and 28 thereof, and

Council Directive 92/49/EEC of 18 June 1992 on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to direct insurance other than life assurance and amending Directives 73/239/EEC and 88/357/EEC (third non-life insurance Directive), and the

Second Council Directive of 22 June 1988 on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to direct insurance other than life assurance and laying down provisions to facilitate the effective exercise of freedom to provide services and amending Directive 73/239/EEC (88/357/EEC), in particular Article 1(b), Article 7(1)(a) to (c), Article 10, Article 11(7) and Article 21 thereof, and the

First Council Directive of 24 July 1973 on the coordination of laws, Regulations and administrative provisions relating to the taking-up and pursuit of the business of direct insurance other than life assurance (73/239/EEC), in particular Articles 13 and 14 thereof,

be interpreted as meaning that these grant rights to creditors of a supervised direct insurance undertaking who are not policy holders, insured persons or beneficiaries of this insurance undertaking or other party to an insurance contract concluded with this insurance undertaking and to whom as injured third party also otherwise no direct right of action against this insurance undertaking as a result of an insurance law relationship is directly conferred and whose claims are owed not by reason of an insurance contract or another activity to which these legal bases are applicable in the framework of direct insurance but whose claims, such as those of the applicants as insurers of third party policy holders, are asserted as recourse claims, in the widest sense, directly against the supervised direct insurance undertaking, in the sense that the competent authority, such as, here, the defendant, has to exercise supervisory measures, which it must carry out under the directives cited, also in the interests of these creditors and on infringement of the corresponding obligations it is liable to the creditors for resulting losses.

| 2. | Does the national implementation of the provisions of EEA law cited in Question 1 [corrected from the original: Question 4] by the national provisions of Article 1 of the Act of 6 December 1995 on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (Insurance Supervisory Act 1995 (Versicherungsaufsichtsgesetz; VersAG alt)), Article 1(2) of the Act of 12 June 2015 on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (Insurance Supervisory Act 2015 (Versicherungsaufsichtsgesetz; VersAG neu)) and Article 4 of the Act of 18 June 2004 on the Financial Market Authority (Financial Market Authority Act (Finanzmarktaufsichtsgesetz; FMAG)) fulfil the requirements for implementation and thus for its application and interpretation by national courts in the sense of such legal bases referred to in the case-law of the EFTA Court such as those required, inter alia, in Case E-3/15 Liechtensteinische Gesellschaft für Umweltschutz, paragraphs 33 et seq. and 74? |
| --- | --- |

2.

Does the national implementation of the provisions of EEA law cited in Question 1 [corrected from the original: Question 4] by the national provisions of Article 1 of the Act of 6 December 1995 on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (Insurance Supervisory Act 1995 (Versicherungsaufsichtsgesetz; VersAG alt)), Article 1(2) of the Act of 12 June 2015 on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings (Insurance Supervisory Act 2015 (Versicherungsaufsichtsgesetz; VersAG neu)) and Article 4 of the Act of 18 June 2004 on the Financial Market Authority (Financial Market Authority Act (Finanzmarktaufsichtsgesetz; FMAG)) fulfil the requirements for implementation and thus for its application and interpretation by national courts in the sense of such legal bases referred to in the case-law of the EFTA Court such as those required, inter alia, in Case E-3/15 Liechtensteinische Gesellschaft für Umweltschutz, paragraphs 33 et seq. and 74?

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| 24.9.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 316/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.9.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 316/9

---

Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Beschwerdekommission der Finanzmarktaufsicht dated 28 May 2020 in the case of Pintail AG v Finanzmarktaufsicht

(Case E-6/20)

(2020/C 316/08)

A request has been made to the EFTA Court dated 28 May 2020 from Beschwerdekommission der Finanzmarktaufsicht (Financial Market Authority), which was received at the Court Registry on 2 June 2020, for an Advisory Opinion in the case of Pintail AG v Finanzmarktaufsicht on the following questions:

| 1. | Must the terms ‘activity’ and ‘business activity’, as they are used in Directives 2009/110/EC and 2007/64/EC (respectively (EU) 2015/2366), be understood as synonyms; if not, what is the difference? |
| --- | --- |

1.

Must the terms ‘activity’ and ‘business activity’, as they are used in Directives 2009/110/EC and 2007/64/EC (respectively (EU) 2015/2366), be understood as synonyms; if not, what is the difference?

| 2. | Must ‘activity’ or ‘business activity’ of an authorised electronic money institution within the meaning of Directive 2009/110/EC be understood as meaning the issuance of electronic money, offering to issue electronic money or at least the activities of an electronic money institution that are subject to authorisation (strict interpretation) or does a sufficiently tangible business action also already suffice, for example, the conduct of other business activities, as is provided for in Article 6(1)(e) of Directive 2009/110/EC, to the extent that this action is directed, in accordance with objective criteria and genuinely, towards the issuance of electronic money and not completely trivial (broad interpretation)? Should a broad interpretation be required: What is the difference between a business action of that kind and purely preparatory actions? |
| --- | --- |

2.

Must ‘activity’ or ‘business activity’ of an authorised electronic money institution within the meaning of Directive 2009/110/EC be understood as meaning the issuance of electronic money, offering to issue electronic money or at least the activities of an electronic money institution that are subject to authorisation (strict interpretation) or does a sufficiently tangible business action also already suffice, for example, the conduct of other business activities, as is provided for in Article 6(1)(e) of Directive 2009/110/EC, to the extent that this action is directed, in accordance with objective criteria and genuinely, towards the issuance of electronic money and not completely trivial (broad interpretation)? Should a broad interpretation be required: What is the difference between a business action of that kind and purely preparatory actions?

| 3. | Using which criteria must the term of ceasing to engage in business, as is provided for in Article 12(1)(a) of Directive 2007/64/EC (respectively, Article 13(1)(a) of Directive (EU) 2015/2366), be interpreted? |
| --- | --- |

3.

Using which criteria must the term of ceasing to engage in business, as is provided for in Article 12(1)(a) of Directive 2007/64/EC (respectively, Article 13(1)(a) of Directive (EU) 2015/2366), be interpreted?

| 4. | Does it make a difference in the interpretation whether the Member State has implemented Article 12(1)(a) of Directive 2007/64/EC (respectively, Article 13(1)(a) of Directive (EU) 2015/2366) in such a way that following 6 months of inactivity the authorisation is withdrawn by active conduct on the part of the authorities or in a such a way that the lapse arises by operation of law (ex lege) and the authority merely determines this afterwards? |
| --- | --- |

4.

Does it make a difference in the interpretation whether the Member State has implemented Article 12(1)(a) of Directive 2007/64/EC (respectively, Article 13(1)(a) of Directive (EU) 2015/2366) in such a way that following 6 months of inactivity the authorisation is withdrawn by active conduct on the part of the authorities or in a such a way that the lapse arises by operation of law (ex lege) and the authority merely determines this afterwards?

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

| 24.9.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 316/10 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.9.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 316/10

---

Notice of initiation

of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of optical fibre cables originating in the People’s Republic of China

(2020/C 316/09)

The European Commission (‘the Commission’) has received a complaint pursuant to Article 5 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’), alleging that imports of optical fibre cables (‘OFC’) originating in the People’s Republic of China are being dumped and are thereby causing injury (2) to the Union industry.

1.   Complaint

The complaint was lodged on 10 August 2020 by Europacable (‘the complainant’), on behalf of producers representing more than 25 % of the total Union production of optical fibre cable.

An open version of the complaint and the analysis of the degree of support by Union producers for the complaint are available in the file for inspection by interested parties. Section 5.6 of this Notice provides information about access to the file for interested parties.

2.   Product under investigation

The product subject to this investigation is single mode optical fibre cables, made up of one or more individually sheathed fibres, with protective casing, whether or not containing electric conductors (‘the product under investigation’).

The following products are excluded:

| (i) | cables in which all the optical fibres are individually fitted with operational connectors at one or both extremities; and |
| --- | --- |

(i)

cables in which all the optical fibres are individually fitted with operational connectors at one or both extremities; and

| (ii) | cables for submarine use. Cables for submarine use are plastic insulated optical fibre cables, containing a copper or aluminium conductor, in which fibres are contained in metal module(s). |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

cables for submarine use. Cables for submarine use are plastic insulated optical fibre cables, containing a copper or aluminium conductor, in which fibres are contained in metal module(s).

All interested parties wishing to submit information on the product scope must do so within 10 days of the date of publication of this Notice (3).

3.   Allegation of dumping

The product allegedly being dumped is the product under investigation originating in the People’s Republic of China (‘the PRC’ or ‘the country concerned’) currently classified under CN code ex 8544 70 00 (TARIC code 8544 70 00 10).

The CN and TARIC codes are given for information only.

The complainant claimed that it is not appropriate to use domestic prices and costs in the PRC, due to the existence of significant distortions within the meaning of point (b) of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation. To substantiate the allegations of significant distortions, the complainant relied on the information contained in the ‘Commission Staff Working Document on Significant Distortions in the Economy of the PRC’ dated 20 December 2017 (the ‘Commission report’) (4) describing the specific market circumstances in the PRC.

In particular, the complainant referred to the specific sections indicating distortions in the telecommunications sector, to the section on raw materials (used in the manufacture of optical fibre cables, i.e. high performance fibres and aramid fibres), as well as to the chapters about the direct or indirect ownership by the Chinese Government in Chinese companies and the general distortions chapter regarding wages and electricity.

In addition to the Commission report, the complainant also relied on publicly available information, including the 13th Five Year Plan including the ‘internet plus plan’ and semi-annual reports of Chinese optical fibre cables producers, on the existence of State intervention and interference in the optical fibre cables market in China, evidencing measures in favour of domestic suppliers and subsidies given to Chinese producers for technological development, transformation and industrialisation and promotion of the telecommunication sector including optical fibre cables.

Finally, the complainant relied on the findings and conclusions in anti-dumping Regulation (EU) 2020/492 (5) on glass fibre fabrics (GFF) from China, as glass fibres are a raw material used in the manufacture of optical fibre cables.

As a result, in view of Article 2(6a)(a) of the basic Regulation, the allegation of dumping is based on a comparison of a constructed normal value on the basis of costs of production and sale reflecting undistorted prices or benchmarks, with the export price (at ex-works level) of the product under investigation when sold for export to the Union. On that basis the dumping margins calculated are significant for the country concerned.

In light of the information available, the Commission considers that there is sufficient evidence pursuant to Article 5(9) of the basic Regulation tending to show that, due to significant distortions affecting prices and costs, the use of domestic prices and costs in the country concerned is inappropriate, thus warranting the initiation of an investigation on the basis of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation.

The Commission report is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website. All the evidence in support of State intervention and distortions in the optical fibre cables sector is part of the open version of the complaint and available in the file for inspection by interested parties.

4.   Allegation of injury and causation

The complainant has provided evidence that imports of the product under investigation from the country concerned have increased overall in absolute terms and in terms of market share.

The evidence provided by the complainant shows that the volume and the prices of the imported product under investigation have had, among other consequences, a negative impact on the quantities sold and on the level of prices charged as well as on the market share held by the Union industry, resulting in substantial adverse effects on the financial situation of the Union industry.

Furthermore, the complainant provides evidence that there is sufficient freely disposable capacity in the PRC indicating the likelihood of substantially increased imports.

It is also alleged that the flow of dumped imports is likely to further increase substantially due to the recent imposition of tariffs in the United States of America against the product under investigation. That indicates a likelihood of a redirection of exports to the Union leading to a substantial increase of dumped imports. The complainant alleges that those changes in circumstances are clearly expected and imminent.

The complainant also alleges that the increase of unfair imports is the main cause of injury and there are no other factors that appear to attenuate the causal link.

The Commission considers that there is sufficient evidence showing that the volume and the prices of the imported product under investigation have had, among other consequences, a negative impact on the quantities sold and the level of prices charged, resulting in substantial adverse effects on the overall performance of the Union industry.

5.   Procedure

Having determined, after informing the Member States, that the complaint has been lodged by or on behalf of the Union industry and that there is sufficient evidence to justify the initiation of a proceeding, the Commission hereby initiates an investigation pursuant to Article 5 of the basic Regulation.

The investigation will determine whether the product under investigation originating in the country concerned is being dumped and whether the dumped imports have caused injury to the Union industry.

If the conclusions are affirmative, the investigation will examine whether the imposition of measures would not be against the Union interest under Article 21 of the basic Regulation. In case of application of Article 7(2a), the investigation will examine the Union’s interest test under Article 7(2b) of the basic Regulation.

Regulation (EU) 2018/825 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6), which entered into force on 8 June 2018 (TDI Modernisation package), introduced significant changes to the timetable and deadlines previously applicable in anti-dumping proceedings. The time-limits for interested parties to come forward, in particular at the early stage of investigations, are shortened.

The Commission also draws the attention of the parties that further to the COVID-19 outbreak, a Notice (7) was published on the potential consequences on anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations.

5.1.   
  Investigation period and period considered

The investigation of dumping and injury will cover the period from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 (‘the investigation period’). The examination of trends relevant for the assessment of injury will cover the period from 1 January 2017 to the end of the investigation period (‘the period considered’).

5.2.   
  Comments on the complaint and the initiation of the investigation

All interested parties are invited to make their views known on the factors of production/inputs and the Harmonised System (HS) codes provided in the complaint within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice.

All interested parties wishing to comment on the complaint (including matters pertaining to injury and causality) or any aspects regarding the initiation of the investigation (including the degree of support for the complaint) must do so within 37 days of the date of publication of this Notice.

Any request for a hearing with regard to the initiation of the investigation must be submitted within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice.

5.3.   
  Procedure for the determination of dumping

Exporting producers (8) of the product under investigation are invited to participate in the Commission investigation.

5.3.1.   Investigating exporting producers

Procedure for selecting exporting producers to be investigated in the PRC

(a)   Sampling

In view of the potentially large number of exporting producers in the country concerned involved in this proceeding and in order to complete the investigation within the statutory time limits, the Commission may limit the exporting producers to be investigated to a reasonable number by selecting a sample (this process is also referred to as ‘sampling’). The sampling will be carried out in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation.

In order to enable the Commission to decide whether sampling is necessary, and if so, to select a sample, all exporting producers, or representatives acting on their behalf, are hereby requested to provide the Commission with information on their company(ies) within 7 days of the date of publication of this Notice.

This information must be provided via TRON.tdi at the following address: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/tron/tdi/form/de52f09e-7127-370d-51ea-23d2f1646b4a

Tron access information can be found in Sections 5.6 and 5.8.

In order to obtain information it deems necessary for the selection of the sample of exporting producers, the Commission has also contacted the authorities of the PRC and may contact any known associations of exporting producers.

If a sample is necessary, the exporting producers may be selected based on the largest representative volume of exports to the Union which can reasonably be investigated within the time available. All known exporting producers, the authorities of the PRC and associations of exporting producers will be notified by the Commission, via the authorities of the PRC if appropriate, of the companies selected to be in the sample.

Once the Commission has received the necessary information to select a sample of exporting producers, it will inform the parties concerned of its decision whether they are included in the sample. The sampled exporting producers will have to submit a completed questionnaire within 30 days from the date of notification of the decision of their inclusion in the sample, unless otherwise specified.

The Commission will add a note reflecting the sample selection to the file for inspection by interested parties. Any comment on the sample selection must be received within 3 days of the date of notification of the sample decision.

A copy of the questionnaire for exporting producers is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website (https://trade.ec.europa.eu/tdi/case_details.cfm?id=2479).

Without prejudice to the possible application of Article 18 of the basic Regulation, exporting producers that have agreed to be included in the sample but are not selected as part of the sample will be considered to be cooperating (‘non-sampled cooperating exporting producers’). Without prejudice to Section 5.3.1(b) below, the anti-dumping duty that may be applied to imports from non-sampled cooperating exporting producers will not exceed the weighted average margin of dumping established for the exporting producers in the sample (9).

(b)   Individual dumping margin for exporting producers not included in the sample

Pursuant to Article 17(3) of the basic Regulation, non-sampled cooperating exporting producers may request the Commission to establish their individual dumping margins. Exporting producers wishing to claim an individual dumping margin must fill in the questionnaire and return it duly completed within 30 days of the date of notification of the sample selection, unless otherwise specified. A copy of the questionnaire for exporting producers is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website (https://trade.ec.europa.eu/tdi/case_details.cfm?id=2479).

The Commission will examine whether non-sampled cooperating exporting producers can be granted an individual duty in accordance with Article 9(5) of the basic Regulation.

However, non-sampled cooperating exporting producers claiming an individual dumping margin should be aware that the Commission may nonetheless decide not to determine their individual dumping margin if, for instance, the number of non-sampled cooperating exporting producers is so large that such determination would be unduly burdensome and would prevent the timely completion of the investigation.

5.3.2.   Additional procedure with regard to the country concerned subject to significant distortions

Subject to the provisions of this Notice, all interested parties are hereby invited to make their views known, submit information and provide supporting evidence regarding the application of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation. Unless otherwise specified, this information and supporting evidence must reach the Commission within 37 days of the date of publication of this Notice.

Pursuant to point (e) of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation, the Commission will shortly after initiation, by means of a note to the file for inspection by interested parties, inform parties to the investigation about the relevant sources, including the selection of an appropriate representative third country where appropriate, that it intends to use for the purpose of determining normal value pursuant to Article 2(6a). Parties to the investigation will be given 10 days to comment on the note, in accordance with point (e) of Article 2(6a).

According to the information available to the Commission, a possible appropriate representative third country is Turkey. With the aim of finally selecting the appropriate representative third country, the Commission will examine whether there is a third country(ies) with similar level of economic development as the PRC, whether there is production and sales of the product under investigation in those third countries, and whether relevant data are readily available. Where there is more than one representative third country, preference will be given, where appropriate, to countries with an adequate level of social and environmental protection.

In the context of this exercise, the Commission invites all exporting producers in the PRC to provide the Commission with information on the materials (raw and processed) and energy used in the production of the product under investigation within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice. This information must be provided via TRON.tdi at the following address: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/tron/tdi/form/0492f690-67d2-954a-a833-52d656e76568

Furthermore, any submissions of factual information to value costs and prices pursuant to point (a) of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation must be filed within 65 days of the date of publication of this Notice. Such factual information should be taken exclusively from publicly available sources.

5.3.3.   Investigating unrelated importers (10) (11)

Unrelated importers of the product under investigation from the PRC to the Union are invited to participate in this investigation.

In view of the potentially large number of unrelated importers involved in this proceeding and in order to complete the investigation within the statutory time limits, the Commission may limit to a reasonable number the unrelated importers that will be investigated by selecting a sample (this process is also referred to as ‘sampling’). The sampling will be carried out in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation.

In order to enable the Commission to decide whether sampling is necessary and, if so, to select a sample, all unrelated importers, or representatives acting on their behalf, are hereby requested to provide the Commission with the information on their company(ies) requested in the Annex to this Notice within 7 days of the date of publication of this Notice.

In order to obtain information it deems necessary for the selection of the sample of unrelated importers, the Commission may also contact any known associations of importers.

If a sample is necessary, the importers may be selected based on the largest representative volume of sales of the product under investigation in the Union which can reasonably be investigated within the time available.

Once the Commission has received the necessary information to select a sample, it will inform the parties concerned of its decision on the sample of importers. The Commission will also add a note reflecting the sample selection to the file for inspection by interested parties. Any comment on the sample selection must be received within 3 days of the date of notification of the sample decision.

In order to obtain information it deems necessary for its investigation, the Commission will make available questionnaires to the sampled unrelated importers. Those parties must submit a completed questionnaire within 30 days from the date of the notification of the decision about the sample, unless otherwise specified.

A copy of the questionnaire for importers is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website (https://trade.ec.europa.eu/tdi/case_details.cfm?id=2479).

5.4.   
  Procedure for the determination of injury and investigating Union producers

A determination of injury is based on positive evidence and involves an objective examination of the volume of the dumped imports, their effect on prices on the Union market and the consequent impact of those imports on the Union industry. In order to establish whether the Union industry is injured, Union producers of the product under investigation are invited to participate in the Commission investigation.

In view of the large number of Union producers concerned and in order to complete the investigation within the statutory time limits, the Commission has decided to limit to a reasonable number the Union producers that will be investigated by selecting a sample (this process is also referred to as ‘sampling’). The sampling is carried out in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation.

The Commission has provisionally selected a sample of Union producers. Details can be found in the file for inspection by interested parties. Interested parties are hereby invited to comment on the provisional sample. In addition, other Union producers, or representatives acting on their behalf, that consider that there are reasons why they should be included in the sample must contact the Commission within 7 days of the date of publication of this Notice. All comments regarding the provisional sample must be received within 7 days of the date of publication of this Notice, unless otherwise specified.

All known Union producers and/or associations of Union producers will be notified by the Commission of the companies finally selected to be in the sample.

The sampled Union producers will have to submit a completed questionnaire within 30 days from the date of notification of the decision of their inclusion in the sample, unless otherwise specified.

A copy of the questionnaire for Union producers is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website (https://trade.ec.europa.eu/tdi/case_details.cfm?id=2479).

5.5.   
  Procedure for the assessment of Union interest

Should the existence of dumping and injury caused thereby be established, a decision will be reached, pursuant to Article 21 of the basic Regulation, as to whether the adoption of anti-dumping measures would not be against the Union interest. Union producers, importers and their representative associations, users and their representative associations, trade unions and representative consumer organisations are invited to provide the Commission with information on the Union interest. In order to participate in the investigation, the representative consumer organisations have to demonstrate that there is an objective link between their activities and the product under investigation.

Information concerning the assessment of Union interest must be provided within 37 days of the date of publication of this Notice unless otherwise specified. This information may be provided either in a free format or by completing a questionnaire prepared by the Commission. Questionnaires, including the questionnaire for users of the product under investigation, are available on DG Trade’s website (https://trade.ec.europa.eu/tdi/case_details.cfm?id=2479). The information submitted pursuant to Article 21 will only be taken into account if supported by factual evidence at the time of submission.

5.6.   
  Interested parties

In order to participate in the investigation interested parties, such as exporting producers, Union producers, importers and their representative associations, users and their representative associations, trade unions and representative consumer organisations first have to demonstrate that there is an objective link between their activities and the product under investigation.

Exporting producers, Union producers, importers and representative associations who made information available in accordance to the procedures described in Sections 5.3.1, 5.3.2 and 5.3.3 above will be considered as interested parties if there is an objective link between their activities and the product under investigation.

Other parties will only be able to participate in the investigation as interested party from the moment they make themselves known, and provided that there is an objective link between their activities and the product under investigation. Being considered as an interested party is without prejudice to the application of Article 18 of the basic Regulation.

Access to the file available for inspection for interested parties is available via TRON.tdi at the following address: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/tron/TDI Please follow the instructions on that page to get access.

5.7.   
  Possibility to be heard by the Commission investigation services

All interested parties may request to be heard by the Commission's investigation services.

Any request to be heard must be made in writing and must specify the reasons for the request as well as a summary of what the interested party wishes to discuss during the hearing. The hearing will be limited to the issues set out by the interested parties in writing beforehand.

The timeframe for hearings is as follows:

| (i) | For any hearings to take place before the deadline for the imposition of provisional measures, a request should be made within 15 days from the date of publication of this Notice and the hearing will normally take place within 60 days of the date of publication of this Notice. |
| --- | --- |

(i)

For any hearings to take place before the deadline for the imposition of provisional measures, a request should be made within 15 days from the date of publication of this Notice and the hearing will normally take place within 60 days of the date of publication of this Notice.

| (ii) | After the stage of provisional findings, a request should be made within 5 days from the date of the disclosure of the provisional findings or of the information document, and the hearing will normally take place within 15 days from the date of notification of the disclosure or the date of the information document. |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

After the stage of provisional findings, a request should be made within 5 days from the date of the disclosure of the provisional findings or of the information document, and the hearing will normally take place within 15 days from the date of notification of the disclosure or the date of the information document.

| (iii) | At the stage of definitive findings, a request should be made within 3 days from the date of the final disclosure, and the hearing will normally take place within the period granted to comment on the final disclosure. If there is an additional final disclosure, a request should be made immediately upon receipt of this additional final disclosure, and the hearing will normally take place within the deadline to provide comments on this disclosure. |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

At the stage of definitive findings, a request should be made within 3 days from the date of the final disclosure, and the hearing will normally take place within the period granted to comment on the final disclosure. If there is an additional final disclosure, a request should be made immediately upon receipt of this additional final disclosure, and the hearing will normally take place within the deadline to provide comments on this disclosure.

The outlined timeframe is without prejudice to the right of the Commission services to accept hearings outside the timeframe in duly justified cases and to the right of the Commission to deny hearings in duly justified cases. Where the Commission services refuse a hearing request, the party concerned will be informed of the reasons for such refusal.

In principle, hearings will not be used to present factual information which is not yet on file. Nevertheless, in the interest of good administration and to enable Commission services to progress with the investigation, interested parties may be directed to provide new factual information after a hearing.

5.8.   
  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 the Commission (a) 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 ‘Sensitive’ (12). Parties submitting information in the course of this investigation are invited to reason their request for confidential treatment.

Parties providing ‘Sensitive’ 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 should 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 via TRON.tdi (https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/tron/TDI) including scanned powers of attorney and certification sheets. By using TRON.tdi or 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.

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 TRON.tdi or 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 via TRON.tdi and 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 G |
| Office: CHAR 04/039 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Trade

Directorate G

Office: CHAR 04/039

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Email:

For dumping issues:

TRADE-AD669-OFC-DUMPING@ec.europa.eu

For injury and Union interest issues:

TRADE-AD669-OFC-INJURY@ec.europa.eu

6.   Schedule of the investigation

Pursuant to Article 6(9) of the basic Regulation, the investigation will be concluded within normally 13, but not more than 14 months of the date of the publication of this Notice. In accordance with Article 7(1) of the basic Regulation, provisional measures may be imposed normally not later than 7 months, but in any event not later than 8 months from the publication of this Notice.

In accordance with Article 19a of the basic Regulation, the Commission will provide information on the planned imposition of provisional duties 4 weeks before the imposition of provisional measures. Interested parties will be given 3 working days to comment in writing on the accuracy of the calculations.

In cases where the Commission intends not to impose provisional duties but to continue the investigation, interested parties will be informed, by means of an information document, of the non-imposition of duties 4 weeks before the expiry of the deadline under Article 7(1) of the basic Regulation.

Interested parties will be given 15 days to comment in writing on the provisional findings or on the information document, and 10 days to comment in writing on the definitive findings, unless otherwise specified. Where applicable, additional final disclosures will specify the deadline for interested parties to comment in writing.

7.   Submission of information

As a rule, interested parties may only submit information in the timeframes specified in Sections 5 and 6 of this Notice. The submission of any other information not covered by those sections, should respect the following timetable:

| (i) | Any information for the stage of provisional findings should be submitted within 70 days from the date of publication of this Notice, unless otherwise specified. |
| --- | --- |

(i)

Any information for the stage of provisional findings should be submitted within 70 days from the date of publication of this Notice, unless otherwise specified.

| (ii) | Unless otherwise specified, interested parties should not submit new factual information after the deadline to comment on the disclosure of the provisional findings or the information document at the stage of provisional findings. After this deadline, interested parties may only submit new factual information if they can demonstrate that such new factual information is necessary to rebut factual allegations made by other interested parties and provided that such new factual information can be verified within the time available to complete the investigation in a timely manner. |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

Unless otherwise specified, interested parties should not submit new factual information after the deadline to comment on the disclosure of the provisional findings or the information document at the stage of provisional findings. After this deadline, interested parties may only submit new factual information if they can demonstrate that such new factual information is necessary to rebut factual allegations made by other interested parties and provided that such new factual information can be verified within the time available to complete the investigation in a timely manner.

| (iii) | In order to complete the investigation within the mandatory deadlines, the Commission will not accept submissions from interested parties after the deadline to provide comments on the final disclosure or, if applicable, after the deadline to provide comments on the additional final disclosure. |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

In order to complete the investigation within the mandatory deadlines, the Commission will not accept submissions from interested parties after the deadline to provide comments on the final disclosure or, if applicable, after the deadline to provide comments on the additional final disclosure.

8.   Possibility to comment on other parties’ submissions

In order to guarantee the rights of defence, interested parties should have the possibility to comment on information submitted by other interested parties. When doing so, interested parties may only address issues raised in the other interested parties’ submissions and may not raise new issues.

Such comments should be made according to the following timeframe:

| (i) | Any comment on information submitted by other interested parties before the deadline of imposition of provisional measures should be made at the latest on day 75 from the date of publication of this Notice, unless otherwise specified. |
| --- | --- |

(i)

Any comment on information submitted by other interested parties before the deadline of imposition of provisional measures should be made at the latest on day 75 from the date of publication of this Notice, unless otherwise specified.

| (ii) | Comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to the disclosure of the provisional findings or of the information document should be submitted within 7 days from the deadline to comment on the provisional findings or on the information document, unless otherwise specified. |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

Comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to the disclosure of the provisional findings or of the information document should be submitted within 7 days from the deadline to comment on the provisional findings or on the information document, unless otherwise specified.

| (iii) | Comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to the final disclosure should be submitted within 3 days from the deadline to comment on the final disclosure, unless otherwise specified. If there is an additional final disclosure, comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to this disclosure should be made within 1 day from the deadline to comment on this disclosure, unless otherwise specified. |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

Comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to the final disclosure should be submitted within 3 days from the deadline to comment on the final disclosure, unless otherwise specified. If there is an additional final disclosure, comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to this disclosure should be made within 1 day from the deadline to comment on this disclosure, unless otherwise specified.

The outlined timeframe is without prejudice to the Commission’s right to request additional information from interested parties in duly justified cases.

9.   Extension to time limits specified in this Notice

Extensions to time-limits provided for in this Notice may be granted upon request of interested parties showing due cause.

Any extension to the time-limits provided for in this Notice should only be requested in exceptional circumstances and will only be granted if duly justified. In any event, any extension to the deadline to reply to questionnaires will be normally limited to 3 days, and as a rule will not exceed 7 days. Regarding time limits for the submission of other information specified in the Notice of initiation, extensions will be limited to 3 days unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated.

10.   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, provisional or final 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.

11.   Hearing Officer

Interested parties may request the intervention of the Hearing Officer for trade proceedings. The Hearing Officer reviews requests for access to the file, disputes regarding the confidentiality of documents, requests for extension of time limits and any other request concerning the rights of defence of interested parties and third parties as may arise during the proceeding.

The Hearing Officer may organise hearings and mediate between the interested party(ies) and Commissions services 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. The Hearing Officer will examine the reasons for the requests. These hearings should only take place if the issues have not been settled with the Commission services in the due course.

Any request must be submitted in good time and expeditiously so as not to jeopardise the orderly conduct of proceedings. To that effect, interested parties should request the intervention of the Hearing Officer at the earliest possible time following the occurrence of the event justifying such intervention. In principle, the timeframes set out in Section 5.7 to request hearings with the Commission services apply mutatis mutandis to requests for hearings with the Hearing Officer. Where hearing requests are submitted outside the relevant timeframes, the Hearing Officer will also examine the reasons for such late requests, the nature of the issues raised and the impact of those issues on the rights of defence, having due regard to the interests of good administration and the timely completion of the investigation.

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/

12.   Processing of personal data

Any personal data collected in this investigation will be treated in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (13).

A data protection notice that informs all individuals of the processing of personal data in the framework of Commission’s trade defence activities is available on DG TRADE’s website: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/accessing-markets/trade-defence/

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(1)  OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21, as last amended by OJ L 143, 7.6.2018, p. 1.

(2)  The general term ‘injury’ refers to material injury as well as to threat of material injury or material retardation of the establishment of an industry as set out in Article 3(1) of the basic Regulation.

(3)  References to the publication of this Notice mean publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(4)  http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2017/december/tradoc_156474.pdf Documents cited in the Commission report may also be obtained upon a duly reasoned request.

(5)  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/492 of 1 April 2020 imposing definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of certain woven, and/or stitched glass fibre fabrics originating in the People’s Republic of China and Egypt (OJ L 108, 6.4.2020, p.1).

(6)  Regulation (EU) 2018/825 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 amending Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Union and Regulation (EU) 2016/1037 on protection against subsidised imports from countries not members of the European Union (OJ L 143, 7.6.2018, p. 1).

(7)  On the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak on anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations (OJ C 86, 16.3.2020, p. 6).

(8)  An exporting producer is any company in the country concerned which produces and exports the product under investigation to the Union market, either directly or via a third party, including any of its related companies involved in the production, domestic sales or exports of the product under investigation.

(9)  Pursuant to Article 9(6) of the basic Regulation, any zero and de minimis margins, and margins established in accordance with the circumstances described in Article 18 of the basic Regulation will be disregarded.

(10)  This section covers only importers not related to exporting producers. Importers that are related to exporting producers have to fill in Annex I to the questionnaire for these exporting producers. 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: (a) they are officers or directors of the other person's business; (b) they are legally recognised partners in business; (c) they are employer and employee; (d) a third party directly or indirectly owns, 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 (OJ L 343, 29.12.2015, p. 558). 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 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code, ‘person’ means a natural person, a legal person, and any association of persons which is not a legal person but which is recognised under Union or national law as having the capacity to perform legal acts (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1).

(11)  The data provided by unrelated importers may also be used in relation to aspects of this investigation other than the determination of dumping.

(12)  A ‘Sensitive’ 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).

(13)  Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39).

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ANNEX

| ☐ | ‘Sensitive’ version |
| --- | --- |
| ☐ | Version ‘For inspection by interested parties’ |
| (tick the appropriate box) |

☐

‘Sensitive’ version

☐

Version ‘For inspection by interested parties’

(tick the appropriate box)

ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING CONCERNING IMPORTS OF OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES ORIGINATING IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

INFORMATION FOR THE SELECTION OF THE SAMPLE OF UNRELATED IMPORTERS

This form is designed to assist unrelated importers in responding to the request for sampling information made in point 5.3.3 of the Notice of initiation.

Both the ‘Sensitive’ version and the version ‘For inspection by interested parties’ must be returned to the Commission as set out in the Notice of initiation.

1.   IDENTITY AND CONTACT DETAILS

Supply the following details about your company:

| Company name | |
| --- | --- |
| Address | |
| Contact person | |
| Email address | |
| Telephone | |
| Website | |

Company name

Address

Contact person

Email address

Telephone

Website

2.   TURNOVER AND SALES VOLUME

Indicate the total turnover in euros (EUR) of your company, and the turnover and length of imports into the Union and resales on the Union market after importation from the People's Republic of China, during the investigation period (1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020) of optical fibre cable as defined in the Notice of initiation.

| | Fibre-kilometres | Cable-kilometres | Value in euros (EUR) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Total turnover of your company in euros (EUR) | | | |
| Imports of the product under investigation originating in the People's Republic of China into the Union | | | |
| Imports of the product under investigation into the Union (all origins) | | | |
| Resales on the Union market after importation from the People's Republic of China of the product under investigation | | | |

Fibre-kilometres

Cable-kilometres

Value in euros (EUR)

Total turnover of your company in euros (EUR)

Imports of the product under investigation originating in the People's Republic of China into the Union

Imports of the product under investigation into the Union (all origins)

Resales on the Union market after importation from the People's Republic of China of the product under investigation

3.   ACTIVITIES OF YOUR COMPANY AND RELATED COMPANIES (1)

Give details of the precise activities of your company and all related companies (please list them and state the relationship to your company) involved in the production and/or selling (export and/or domestic) of the product under investigation. Such activities could include but are not limited to purchasing the product under investigation or producing it under sub-contracting arrangements, or processing or trading the product under investigation.

| Company name and location | Activities | Relationship |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |

Company name and location

Activities

Relationship

4.   OTHER INFORMATION

Please provide any other relevant information that you consider useful to assist the Commission in the selection of the sample.

5.   CERTIFICATION

By providing the above information, your company agrees to its possible inclusion in the sample. If your company is selected to be part of the sample, this will involve completing a questionnaire and accepting a visit at its premises in order to verify its response. If your company indicates that it does not agree to its possible inclusion in the sample, it will be deemed not to have cooperated in the investigation. The Commission's findings for non-cooperating importers are based on the facts available and the result may be less favourable to that company than if it had cooperated.

Signature of authorised official:

Name and title of authorised official:

Date:

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(1)  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: (a) they are officers or directors of the other person's business; (b) they are legally recognised partners in business; (c) they are employer and employee; (d) a third party directly or indirectly owns, 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 (OJ L 343, 29.12.2015, p. 558). 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 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code, ‘person’ means a natural person, a legal person, and any association of persons which is not a legal person but which is recognised under Union or national law as having the capacity to perform legal acts (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1).

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 24.9.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 316/23 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.9.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 316/23

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9955 – PSP/Aviva/20 Station Road)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 316/10)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | Public Sector Pension Investment Board (‘PSP’, Canada), |
| --- | --- |

—

Public Sector Pension Investment Board (‘PSP’, Canada),

| — | Aviva Plc Group (‘Aviva’, United Kingdom), |
| --- | --- |

—

Aviva Plc Group (‘Aviva’, United Kingdom),

| — | 20 Station Road (United Kingdom). |
| --- | --- |

—

20 Station Road (United Kingdom).

PSP and Aviva acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of 20 Station Road.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of assets.

2.

| — | for PSP: the pension investment manager of the pension plans of the Canadian Federal Public Service, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Reserve Force. It manages a diversified global portfolio including stocks, bonds and other fixed-income securities as well as investments in private equity, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources and credit investments, |
| --- | --- |

—

for PSP: the pension investment manager of the pension plans of the Canadian Federal Public Service, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Reserve Force. It manages a diversified global portfolio including stocks, bonds and other fixed-income securities as well as investments in private equity, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources and credit investments,

| — | for Aviva: a UK incorporated listed company operating in the insurance sector. Aviva Plc is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Aviva’s group provides a broad range of insurance, savings and investment products across 16 countries. Aviva’s group is principally active in the UK, France and Canada but also has operations elsewhere in Europe and Asia, |
| --- | --- |

—

for Aviva: a UK incorporated listed company operating in the insurance sector. Aviva Plc is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Aviva’s group provides a broad range of insurance, savings and investment products across 16 countries. Aviva’s group is principally active in the UK, France and Canada but also has operations elsewhere in Europe and Asia,

| — | For 20 Station Road: a commercial real estate property situated on 20 Station Road in Cambridge, CB1, United Kingdom. |
| --- | --- |

—

For 20 Station Road: a commercial real estate property situated on 20 Station Road in Cambridge, CB1, United Kingdom.

3.

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.

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

M.9955 – PSP/Aviva/20 Station Road

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 |

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’).

1

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

2

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