EN Official Journal of the European Union L 206/13

EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY DECISION

No 98/10/COL

of 24 March 2010

amending, for the 81st time, the procedural and substantive rules in the field of State aid by introducing a new chapter on the criteria for an in-depth assessment of regional aid to large investment projects

THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY (1),

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (2), in particular to Articles 61 to 63 and Protocol 26 thereof,

Having regard to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice (3), in particular to Article 24 and Article 5(2)(b) thereof,

Whereas under Article 24 of the Surveillance and Court Agreement, the Authority shall give effect to the provisions of the EEA Agreement concerning State aid,

Under Article 5(2)(b) of the Surveillance and Court Agreement, the Authority shall issue notices or guidelines on matters dealt with in the EEA Agreement, if that Agreement or the Surveillance and Court Agreement expressly so provides or if the Authority considers it necessary,

The Procedural and Substantive Rules in the Field of State Aid were adopted on 19 January 1994 by the Authority (4),

On 24 June 2009, the Commission of the European Communities adopted a Communication on the criteria for an in-depth assessment of regional aid to large investment project (5),

This Communication is also of relevance for the European Economic Area,

Uniform application of the EEA State aid rules is to be ensured throughout the European Economic Area,

According to point II under the heading ‘GENERAL’ at the end of Annex XV to the EEA Agreement, the Authority, after consultation with the Commission, is to adopt acts corresponding to those adopted by the European Commission,

The Authority has consulted the European Commission and the EFTA States by way of letter on the subject dated 12 March 2010 (Events Nos 549 988, 549 990 and 549 991).

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The State aid Guidelines shall be amended by introducing a new chapter on the criteria for an in-depth assessment of regional aid to large investment projects. The new chapter is contained in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

Only the English version is authentic.

Done at Brussels, 24 March 2010. For the EFTA Surveillance Authority Per SANDERUD President Kurt JÄGER College Member

(1) Hereinafter referred to as the Authority.

(2) Hereinafter referred to as the EEA Agreement.

(3) Hereinafter referred to as the Surveillance and Court Agreement.

(4) Guidelines on the application and interpretation of Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, adopted and issued by the Authority on 19 January 1994, published in the Official Journal of the European Union (hereinafter referred to as OJ) L 231, 3.9.1994, p. 1, and EEA Supplement No 32, 3.9.1994, p. 1, as amended. Hereinafter referred to as the State aid Guidelines. The updated version of the State aid Guidelines is published on the Authority’s website: http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/legal-framework/state-aid-guidelines/

(5) OJ C 223, 16.9.2009, p. 3.