WRITTEN QUESTION E-2619/03 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Fulfilment by the firm Beiersdorf Hellas of commitments arising from the funding of its modernisation.
Date: 2003-09-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU law - national law, Greece, co-financing, fine, industrial investment, infringement of EU law, operational programme

C 58 E/188

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 2003)

The Commission launched two invitations to tender for a study on the consequences of the judgment of
the Court of Justice in the SIMAP case (1). Unfortunately, the Commission did not receive any bids before
the deadline in response to the first invitation to tender and the only bid received in response to the
second invitation to tender was not acceptable.

The Commission plans to launch a new invitation to tender as soon as possible.

Finally, the transposal of Directive 2000/34/CE of the Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 2000 was
not on the agenda of the meeting with the national experts on working time to which the Honourable
Member refers.

(1)

Judgment of the Court of 3 October 2000 in case C-303/98, Sindicato de Médicos de Asistencia Pública (SIMAP)
and Conselleria de Sanidad y Consumo de la Generalidad Valenciana.

(2004/C 58 E/202)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2619/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 September 2003)

Subject: Fulfilment by the firm Beiersdorf Hellas of commitments arising from the funding of

its

modernisation

In June 1996 the Ministries of the National Economy and of Development issued a joint ministerial
decision approving the application of the provisions of law 1892/90 to Beiersdorf Hellas’s three-year
business plan, and as a result its funding from the second Community support framework. Beiersdorf
Hellas ought to have used the investment to support production of its products and to maintain and
increase the number of its permanent posts to 288. In fact, starting in 1998 (cid:1) before it had finished
implementing its business plan (cid:1) it began to reduce staff numbers, which fell from 231 in 1998 to 192 in
2002, while its production decreased from 1900 tonnes in 1996 to 900 in 2002. Recently,
the
undertaking announced the definitive closure of its production unit. Since this business is evidently not
fulfilling the commitments it made, does the Commission intend to investigate this case and,
if the
allegations prove to be true, what measures does it intend to take?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(10 October 2003)

Beiersdorf Hellas’ project was part-financed by the Community under
Programme 1994-99.

the ‘Industry’ Operational

The Commission has been informed by the Greek authorities that official inspection showed a reduction in
the firm’s staff numbers and that this failure to satisfy the terms under which the investment project was
part-financed led the Law 1892/90 Consultative Committee, meeting on 9 July this year, to impose a
penalty of EUR 74 748,02 under that Law.

The authorities have informed the Commission that the relevant department will investigate the matter of
a change in the firm’s activities so that it can decide whether the subsidy ought to be recovered in part or
in full and a penalty applied under Law 1892/90.

Pending notification of the detailed conclusions from the investigation the Commission will itself look
carefully into the matter when the Industry Operational Programme is closed.