do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
2003/424/EC: Commission Decision of 6 June 2003 amending Decision 96/603/EC establishing the list of products belonging to Classes A "No contribution to fire" provided for in Decision 94/611/EC implementing Article 20 of Council Directive 89/106/EEC on construction products (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2003) 1673)
Date: 2003-06-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: building industry, building materials, cement, fire, plaster

12.6.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 144/9

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COMMISSION

COMMISSION DECISION
of 6 June 2003
amending Decision 96/603/EC establishing the list of products belonging to Classes A ‘No contribu-
tion to fire’ provided for in Decision 94/611/EC implementing Article 20 of Council Directive 89/
106/EEC on construction products

(notified under document number C(2003) 1673)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2003/424/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 89/106/EEC of 21
December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations and
the Member States relating to
administrative provisions of
construction products (1), as amended by Directive 93/68/
EEC (2),

Having regard to Commission Decision 2000/147/EC of 8
February 2000 implementing Council Directive 89/106/EEC as
regards the classification of the reaction to fire performance of
construction products (3), and in particular Article 1(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Commission Decision 96/603/EC (4), as amended by
Decision 2000/605/EC (5), established a list of products
belonging to Classes A ‘No contribution to fire’ provided
for in Tables 1 and 2 of the Annex to Commission Deci-
sion 94/611/EC (6), which described the European classi-
fication system for expressing the reaction to fire perfor-
mance of construction products.

Decision 94/611/EC has been replaced by Decision
2000/147/EC.

The notes for ‘Mortar with inorganic binding agents’ in
the table set out in the Annex to Decision 96/603/EC
should be adapted to technical progress.

Decision 96/603/EC should therefore be
accordingly.

amended

(5)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accor-
dance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on
Construction,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

In the table set out in the Annex to Decision 96/603/EC, for
‘Mortar with inorganic binding agents’ the notes ‘Rendering/
plastering mortars and mortars for floor screeds based on one
or more inorganic binding agent(s), e.g. cement, lime, masonry
cement and gypsum’ are replaced by ‘Rendering/plastering
mortars, mortars for floor screeds and masonry mortars based
on one or more inorganic binding agent(s), e.g. cement, lime,
masonry cement and gypsum’.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 6 June 2003.

For the Commission
Erkki LIIKANEN
Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 40, 11.2.1989, p. 12.
(2) OJ L 220, 30.8.1993, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 50, 23.2.2000, p. 14.
(4) OJ L 267, 19.10.1996, p. 23.
(5) OJ L 258, 12.10.2000, p. 36.
(6) OJ L 241, 19.9.1994, p. 25.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 974/2003 of 5 June 2003 fixing the maximum reduction in the duty on maize imported in connection with the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 581/2003
Date: 2003-06-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: import, maize, tariff reduction

6.6.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 139/31

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 974/2003

of 5 June 2003

fixing the maximum reduction in the duty on maize imported in connection with the invitation to
tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 581/2003

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 of 30
June 1992 on the common organisation of the market in
cereals (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1666/
2000 (2), and in particular Article 12(1) thereof,

(3)

(4)

The application of the abovementioned criteria to the
current market situation for the cereal in question results
in the maximum reduction in the import duty being
fixed at the amount specified in Article 1.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
accordance with the opinion of
the Management
Committee for Cereals,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

An invitation to tender for the maximum reduction in
the duty on maize imported into Portugal from third
countries was opened pursuant to Commission Regula-
tion (EC) No 581/2003 (3).

Pursuant to Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EC) No
1839/95 (4), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No
2235/2000 (5), the Commission, acting under the proce-
dure laid down in Article 23 of Regulation (EEC) No
1766/92, may decide to fix maximum reduction in the
import duty.
In fixing this maximum the criteria
provided for in Articles 6 and 7 of Regulation (EC) No
1839/95 must be taken into account. A contract
is
awarded to any tenderer whose tender is equal to or less
than the maximum reduction in the duty.

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For tenders notified from 30 May to 5 June 2003, pursuant to
the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 581/
2003, the maximum reduction in the duty on maize imported
shall be 41,89 EUR/t and be valid for a total maximum quan-
tity of 24 500 t.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 6 June 2003.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 5 June 2003.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 181, 1.7.1992, p. 21.
(2) OJ L 193, 29.7.2000, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 83, 1.4.2003, p. 36.
(4) OJ L 177, 28.7.1995, p. 4.
(5) OJ L 256, 10.10.2000, p. 13.
Euro exchange rates
Date: 2003-06-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: euro, exchange rate

6.6.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 132/1

I

(Information)

COMMISSION

Euro exchange rates (1)

5 June 2003

(2003/C 132/01)

1 euro =

USD

JPY

DKK

GBP

SEK

CHF

ISK

NOK

BGN

CYP

CZK

EEK

HUF

LTL

Currency

US dollar

Japanese yen

Danish krone

Pound sterling

Swedish krona

Swiss franc

Iceland króna

Norwegian krone

Bulgarian lev

Cyprus pound

Czech koruna

Estonian kroon

Hungarian forint

Lithuanian litas

Exchange
rate

1,1775

139,28

7,4243

0,7121

9,126

1,5437

85,5

8,137

1,9464

LVL

MTL

PLN

ROL

SIT

SKK

TRL

AUD

CAD

Currency

Latvian lats

Maltese lira

Polish zloty

Romanian leu

Slovenian tolar

Slovak koruna

Turkish lira

Australian dollar

Canadian dollar

0,58658

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

31,4

NZD

New Zealand dollar

15,6466

SGD

Singapore dollar

Exchange
rate

0,6593

0,43

4,45

38 000

233,405

41,52

1 705 000

1,7678

1,5932

9,1828

2,0387

2,0286

263,53

KRW

South Korean won

1 413,29

3,4535

ZAR

South African rand

9,4676

___________
(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 979/2003 of 6 June 2003 fixing the maximum export refund on wholly milled long grain B rice to certain third countries in connection with the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 1898/2002
Date: 2003-06-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: award of contract, export refund, rice, third country

7.6.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 141/15

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 979/2003

of 6 June 2003

fixing the maximum export refund on wholly milled long grain B rice to certain third countries in
connection with the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 1898/2002

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 of 22
December 1995 on the common organisation of the market in
rice (1), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No
411/2002 (2), and in particular Article 13(3) thereof,

(3)

(4)

The application of the abovementioned criteria to the
current market situation for the rice in question results
the
in the maximum export
amount specified in Article 1.

refund being fixed at

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
accordance with the opinion of
the Management
Committee for Cereals,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

An invitation to tender for the export refund on rice was
to Commission Regulation (EC) No
issued pursuant
1898/2002 (3).

Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 584/
75 (4), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1948/
2002 (5), allows the Commission to fix,
in accordance
with the procedure laid down in Article 22 of Regula-
tion (EC) No 3072/95 and on the basis of the tenders
submitted, a maximum export refund.
In fixing this
maximum, the criteria provided for in Article 13 of
Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 must be taken into
account. A contract is awarded to any tenderer whose
tender is equal to or less than the maximum export
refund.

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The maximum export refund on wholly milled long grain B
rice to be exported to certain third countries pursuant to the
invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 1898/2002 is
hereby fixed on the basis of the tenders submitted from 2 to 5
June 2003 at 295,00 EUR/t.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 7 June 2003.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 6 June 2003.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 329, 30.12.1995, p. 18.
(2) OJ L 62, 5.3.2002, p. 27.
(3) OJ L 287, 25.10.2002, p. 11.
(4) OJ L 61, 7.3.1975, p. 25.
(5) OJ L 299, 1.11.2002, p. 18.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1871/03 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Recovery.
Date: 2003-06-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: claim, consumer credit, debt, law of obligations, loan

C 11 E/236

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.1.2004

(2004/C 11 E/264)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1871/03

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 June 2003)

Subject: Recovery

Does the Commission believe that there can be a substantial growth in cross-border lending without
measures to approximate recovery times for defaulted loans and the proportion of such loans that are
recovered?

Joint answer
to Written questions E-1870/03 and E-1871/03
given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 July 2003)

Recovery difficulties can indeed constitute a barrier to cross-border lending to consumers. However, the
proposed Directive on credit for consumers (1) is focussed on the rules applying to the consumer credit
agreement. It has no ambition to harmonise either general procedures for recovery of debts or national
enforcement procedures for claims. Consequently, the Commission has no current plans to prepare the
estimates suggested by the Honourable Member.

However, as most defaulted debts in the field of consumer credit are uncontested claims, the Commission
addresses the issue through its 2002 proposal for a Council Regulation on uncontested claims (2).

Moreover, the Commission issued in 2002 a Green Paper on the creation of a uniform or harmonised
procedure for a European order for payment (‘injonction de payer’) (3). The objective is to create a specific
and fast procedure for the settlement of uncontested litigations, available in all Member States. The
consultation on this Green Paper closed on 31 May 2003. A public hearing was organised on 26 June
2003 in Brussels (4), the outcome of which is currently being examined.

(1) Proposal for a Directive of the Parliament and of the Council on the harmonisation of laws, regulations and

administrative provisions of the Member States concerning credit for consumers, OJ C 331 E, 31.12.2002.

(2) Proposal for a Council Regulation creating a European enforcement order for uncontested claims, OJ C 203 E,

27.8.2002.

(3) COM(2002) 746 final.
(4) Bâtiment Charlemagne (cid:1) Rue de la Loi, 170 (cid:1) 1040 Bruxelles (cid:1) Registration form: http://europa.eu.int/comm/

justice_home/news/consulting_public/docs/regis_form_260603_en.doc.

(2004/C 11 E/265)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1887/03

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(6 June 2003)

Subject: Olympic Airways

The management of Olympic Airways has drawn up a business plan which aims to reduce the workforce
by 50 %.

Has the Greek Transport Ministry notified the Commission of any commitments it has made towards those
workers who will lose their jobs? In the event that the Commission has not been informed about the
future of the workers, does it plan to intervene in any way?
Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.3192 — ThyssenKrupp/HSP Hoesch/JV) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2003-06-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Germany, alloy, architecture, civil engineering, economic concentration, exchange of information, merger control, metal product, section, steel

C 132/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

6.6.2003

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3192 — ThyssenKrupp/HSP Hoesch/JV)

(2003/C 132/02)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1.
On 28 May 2003 the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to
Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1310/97 (2),
(ThyssenKrupp Technik),
by which the undertakings ThyssenKrupp Gesellschaft
Germany, belonging to the ThyssenKrupp Group and HSP Hoesch Spundwand und Profil GmbH (HSP
Hoesch Spundwand), Germany, belonging to the Salzgitter group, acquire, within the meaning of Article
3(1)(b) of the Regulation,
(Thys-
senKrupp Bautechnik), Germany, by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting
a joint venture.

joint control of the undertaking ThyssenKrupp Bautechnik GmbH,

für Technik mbH,

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

— ThyssenKrupp Technik: development, production,

leasing, pruchasing and sale of machinery,
equipment, spacial profiles and other components for engineering and (hydraulic) construction; and
material like rails, crossties, etc., and rolling stock and several alloys,

— HSP Hoesch Spundwand: production and marketing of heavy steel profile products, especially sheet

piling, construction pit equipment and corrugated profile products,

— ThyssenKrupp Bautechnik: worldwide marketing hot rolled piles and sheet piling of HSP Hoesch

Spundwand.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified concentration could fall within

3.
the scope of Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit

4.
proposed operation.

their possible observations on the

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication.
Observations can be sent by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference
COMP/M.3192 — ThyssenKrupp/HSP Hoesch/JV, to:

European Commission,
Directorate-General for Competition,
Directorate B — Merger Task Force,
J-70,
B-1049 Brussels.

(1) OJ L 395, 30.12.1989, p. 1; corrigendum: OJ L 257, 21.9.1990, p. 13.
(2) OJ L 180, 9.7.1997, p. 1; corrigendum: OJ L 40, 13.2.1998, p. 17.
Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty — Cases where the Commission raises no objections
Date: 2003-06-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Germany, Greece, State aid, agricultural holding, control of State aid, farming sector, fire, foodstuff, livestock farming, sales promotion

6.6.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 132/3

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2003/C 132/03)

Date of adoption of the decision: 30.4.2003

Date of adoption of the decision: 30.4.2003

Member State: Germany (Sachsen)

Member State: Greece

Aid No: N 829/01

Aid No: NN 5/01 (ex N 807/2000)

Title: Aid for sales promotion measures

Objective: To support participation by undertakings in the
food and
sales
promotion measures

in advertising

agricultural

sector

and

Legal basis: Haushaltsordnung des Freistaates Sachsen

Budget: EUR 1 350 000 per year

Aid intensity or amount: Variable

Duration: Indefinite

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confi-
dential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Title: Measures to assist farmers whose holdings and livestock
farms were damaged by fire in 2000

Objective: To compensate losses resulting from an exceptional
event (fire)

Legal basis: Μέτρα υπέρ παραγωγών της χώρας που οι γεωργο-
κτηνοτροφικές τους εκµεταλλεύσεις ζηµιώθηκαν από πυρκαγιές
κατά το έτος 2000 (σχέδιο διυπουργικής απόφασης)

Budget: EUR 73 367 572

Aid intensity or amount: Variable, depending on the losses

Duration: Five years

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confi-
dential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1884/03 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Trade intensity in euro area.
Date: 2003-06-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: economic statistics, euro area, gross domestic product, impact study, intra-EU trade, third stage of EMU, trading operation

C 65 E/102

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

(2004/C 65 E/114)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1884/03

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 June 2003)

Subject: Trade intensity in euro area

Will the Commission please estimate the relationship between trade growth and GDP growth in each of
the Member States and indicate whether the advent of the euro has yet had any effect in increasing the
trade intensity of GDP growth in participating Member States, compared with non-participating Member
States, since its introduction on 1 January 1999?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(16 July 2003)

The Commission has conducted research in the past into the effects of the creation of the internal market
on trade and gross domestic product (GDP) growth but has not recently updated these estimates.

Although to date the Commission has not made estimates for the specific contribution of the euro’s
introduction on trade developments, a number of studies indicate the introduction of the single currency
has led to a significant increase in trade as stated in the reply by the Commission to the Honourable
Member’s Written Question E-1883/03 (1).

(1) OJ C 58 E, 6.3.2004, p. 106.

(2004/C 65 E/115)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1919/03

by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission

(12 June 2003)

Subject: Hearings of officials involved in the Eurostat affair

On 19 March 2003, the Director-General of OLAF informed the French judicial authorities in writing of
the possible implication of senior Eurostat officials in fraud.

In a statement to Eurostat of 19 May 2003 (IP/03/709), the Commission made it clear that the officials
mentioned in the OLAF dossier had not been heard by OLAF regarding the unresolved accusations against
them.

Can the Commission state how this is to be reconciled with Article 4 of the Commission Decision of
2 June 2000 on the terms and conditions for internal investigations in relation to the prevention of fraud,
corruption and other illegal activities, which requires such hearings to take place before conclusions are
drawn by OLAF in which officials concerned are referred to by name?

According to Article 4 of the above-mentioned Decision, the hearing may only be deferred in cases
necessitating the maintenance of absolute secrecy for the purposes of the investigation and requiring the
use of investigative procedures falling within the remit of a national judicial authority, in agreement with
the President of the Commission or its Secretary-General respectively.

Can the Commission state when, and by whom, the decision was made to defer the hearing involving the
officials concerned, and how this decision was justified?
Commission Regulation (EC) No 976/2003 of 6 June 2003 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 2003-06-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import, import price, stone fruit

7.6.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 141/3

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 976/2003

of 6 June 2003

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and
vegetables

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

(2)

In compliance with the above criteria,
the standard
import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the
Annex to this Regulation,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 of
21 December 1994 on detailed rules for the application of the
import arrangements
last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 1947/2002 (2), and in parti-
cular Article 4(1) thereof,

fruit and vegetables (1), as

for

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Whereas:

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down, pursuant to the
outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade nego-
tiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the
standard values for imports from third countries,
in
respect of the products and periods stipulated in the
Annex thereto.

The standard import values referred to in Article 4 of Regula-
tion (EC) No 3223/94 shall be fixed as indicated in the Annex
hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 7 June 2003.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 6 June 2003.

For the Commission

J. M. SILVA RODRÍGUEZ

Agriculture Director-General

(1) OJ L 337, 24.12.1994, p. 66.
(2) OJ L 299, 1.11.2002, p. 17.

L 141/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

7.6.2003

to the Commission Regulation of 6 June 2003 establishing the standard import values for determining the
entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

ANNEX

CN code

0702 00 00

0707 00 05

0709 90 70

0805 50 10

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

0809 10 00

0809 20 95

Third country code (1)

Standard import value

(EUR/100 kg)

052
096
999

052
999

052
999

382
388
528
999

388
400
404
508
512
524
528
720
800
804
999

052
220
999

068
400
999

71,1
83,0
77,0

83,4
83,4

92,6
92,6

63,8
66,8
60,1
63,6

86,7
121,8
89,5
75,0
76,8
59,9
68,8
113,3
144,9
97,4
93,4

322,6
56,9
189,8

156,6
295,5
226,1

(1) Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2020/2001 (OJ L 273, 16.10.2001, p. 6). Code ‘999’ stands for

‘of other origin’.