P9_TA(2023)0364 – Establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) – Amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 17 October 2023 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) and amending Directive 2003/87/EC, Regulations (EU) 2021/1058, (EU) 2021/1056, (EU) 2021/1057, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) 2021/1060, (EU) 2021/523, (EU) 2021/695, (EU) 2021/697 and (EU) 2021/241 (COM(2023)0335 – C9-0209/2023 – 2023/0199(COD)) (Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)
Date: 2023-10-17
Institutions: Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Committee on Budgets, Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, Committee on Regional Development, Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety, European Parliament
Subjects: EU financing, EU investment, biotechnology, clean technology, competitiveness, digital transformation, green economy, industrial development, investment promotion




C_202402663EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2024/2663


29.4.2024






P9_TA(2023)0364

Establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’)


Amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 17 October 2023 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) and amending Directive 2003/87/EC, Regulations (EU) 2021/1058, (EU) 2021/1056, (EU) 2021/1057, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) 2021/1060, (EU) 2021/523, (EU) 2021/695, (EU) 2021/697 and (EU) 2021/241 (COM(2023)0335 – C9-0209/2023 – 2023/0199(COD)) (1)



(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

(C/2024/2663)


Amendment 1


Proposal for a regulation


Title








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) and amending Directive 2003/87/EC, Regulations (EU) 2021/1058, (EU) 2021/1056, (EU) 2021/1057, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) 2021/1060, (EU) 2021/523, (EU) 2021/695, (EU) 2021/697 and (EU) 2021/241


on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) and amending Directive 2003/87/EC, Regulations (EU) 2021/1058, (EU) 2021/1056, (EU) 2021/1057, (EU), 
(EU) 2021/1755

, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) 2021/1060, (EU) 2021/523, (EU) 2021/695, (EU) 2021/697 and (EU) 2021/241





Amendment 2


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 2








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(2)


The EU industry has proven its inbuilt resilience but 
is being challenged
. High inflation, labour shortages, post-COVID supply chains disruptions, rising interest rates, and spikes in energy costs and input prices are weighing on the competitiveness of the EU industry. This is paired with strong, but not always fair, competition on the fragmented global market. The EU has already put forward several initiatives to support its industry, such as the Green Deal Industrial Plan, (40) the Critical Raw Materials Act (41) , the Net Zero Industry Act (42) , the new Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for State aid
,

 (43)

and
 REPowerEU. (44) While these solutions provide fast and targeted support, the EU needs a more structural answer to the investment needs of its industries, safeguarding cohesion and the level playing field in the Single Market and 
to reduce
 the EU’s strategic dependencies.












(2)


The EU industry has proven its inbuilt resilience but 
its competitiveness must also be ensured in the future.
 High inflation, labour shortages, post-COVID supply chains disruptions, 
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,
 rising interest rates, and spikes in energy costs and input prices are weighing on the competitiveness of the EU industry 
and have highlighted the importance for the Union to secure its open strategic autonomy and reduce its strategic dependence on third countries in various sectors.
 This is paired with strong, but not always fair, competition on the fragmented global market. The EU has already put forward several initiatives to support its industry, such as the Green Deal Industrial Plan, (40) the Critical Raw Materials Act (41) , the Net Zero Industry Act (42) , the new Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for State aid (43)

, and the Recovery and Resilience Facility

 (43a)

, as amended by
 REPowerEU. (44) While these solutions provide fast and targeted support, the EU needs a more structural answer to the investment needs of its industries, safeguarding cohesion
, creating quality jobs,
 and the level playing field in the Single Market
, facilitating access to funding
 and 
reducing
 the EU’s strategic dependencies. 
The adaptation of new, different State aid frameworks has facilitated the potential allocation of substantial volumes of state aid. Under more adverse circumstances, this situation possesses the capacity to undermine the efficacy of the internal market.















Amendment 3


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 2 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(2a)






The Single Market has brought significant economic, social, and political advantages to the entire Union, including its citizens and businesses. While these benefits are widely recognised, it is imperative to continue finding solutions to further harness its untapped societal potential. The Commission communication of 16 March 2023 entitled “The Single Market at 30” paves the long-term strategic direction of the Single Market. The future Single Market must remain adaptable in the face of evolving geopolitical dynamics, technological advancements, and the green and digital transitions, while fostering the resilience of health systems in the face of an ageing population and contributing to enhance the Union’s long-term competitiveness and productivity.











Amendment 4


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 3








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(3)


The uptake and scaling up 
in the Union of deep and
 digital technologies
, clean
 technologies, and biotechnologies will be essential to seize the opportunities and meet the objectives of the green and digital transitions, thus promoting the competitiveness of the European industry and its sustainability. Therefore, immediate action is required to support the development or manufacturing in the Union of such technologies, safeguarding and strengthening their 
value
 chains thereby reducing the Union’s strategic dependencies, and addressing existing labour and skills shortages in 
those
 sectors through trainings and apprenticeships and the creation of attractive, quality jobs accessible to all.












(3)


The uptake and scaling up 
of
 digital technologies
, net-zero
 technologies and biotechnologies 
and life sciences
 will be essential to 
reduce the Union’s strategic dependencies,
 seize the opportunities and meet the objectives of the green and digital transitions, thus 
securing the sovereignty and strategic autonomy of the Union and
 promoting the competitiveness of the European industry and its sustainability. Therefore, immediate action is required to support the development or manufacturing in the Union of such technologies, safeguarding and strengthening their 
supply
 chains
,
 thereby reducing the Union’s strategic dependencies, and addressing existing labour and skills shortages in 
the relevant
 sectors through 
lifelong learning,
 trainings and apprenticeships and the creation of attractive, quality jobs accessible to all.









Amendment 5


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 4








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(4)


There is a need to support critical technologies in the following fields: deep and digital technologies, 
clean
 technologies, and biotechnologies 
(including the
 respective 
critical raw materials value
 chains), in particular projects, companies and sectors with a critical role for EU’s competitiveness and resilience 
and its value chains
. 
By way of example, deep technologies and digital technologies should include microelectronics, high-performance computing, quantum technologies (i.e., computing, communication and sensing technologies), cloud computing, edge computing, and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity technologies, robotics, 5G and advanced connectivity and virtual realities, including actions related to deep and digital technologies for the development of defence and aerospace applications. Clean technologies should include, among others, renewable energy; electricity and heat storage; heat pumps; electricity grid; renewable fuels of non-biological origin; sustainable alternative fuels; electrolysers and fuel cells; carbon capture, utilisation and storage; energy efficiency; hydrogen and its related infratructure; smart energy solutions; technologies vital to sustainability such as water purification and desalination; advanced materials such as nanomaterials, composites and future clean construction materials, and technologies for the sustainable extraction and processing of critical raw materials. Biotechnology should be considered to include technologies such as biomolecules and its applications, pharmaceuticals and medical technologies vital for health security, crop biotechnology, and industrial biotechnology, such as for waste disposal, and biomanufacturing.
 The Commission 
may issue guidance
 to further specify the scope of the technologies in these three 
fields
 considered to be critical in accordance with this Regulation, in order to promote a common interpretation of the projects, companies and sectors to be supported under the respective programmes in light of the common strategic objective. 
Moreover, technologies in any of these three fields which are subjects of an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) approved by the Commission pursuant to Article 107(3), point (b) TFEU should be deemed to be critical, and individual projects within the scope of such an IPCEI should be eligible for funding, in accordance with the respective programme rules, to the extent that the identified funding gap and the eligible costs have not yet been completely covered.














(4)


There is a need to support critical technologies in the following fields: digital technologies, 
net-zero
 technologies, and biotechnologies 
and life science, including medicinal products on the Union List of Critical Medicinal Products established pursuant to Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2022/123 of the European Parliament and of the Council

 (44a)

and their components, and
 the respective 
supply
 chains 
of those technologies
, in particular 
in
 projects, companies and sectors with a critical role for EU’s competitiveness and resilience
. For reasons of legal clarity and coherence, the definition of digital technologies should be aligned with the definition contained in Decision (EU) 2022/2481 of the European Parliament and of the Council

 (44b)

and the definition of net-zero technologies is aligned with the definition in Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act]. In the absence of a definition of biotechnologies in Union law, this Regulation should take over the OECD definition. Life sciences should include the application of scientific knowledge to fields such as biology, zoology, botany, ecology, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, agronomy, medicine
. 
Critical medicinal products, including active pharmaceutical ingredients, as listed in the Union List of Critical Medicinal Products, should be covered as well. The Union’s open strategic autonomy and competitiveness cannot be enhanced without strengthening the supply chains in the technology sectors covered by this Regulation. Financial support to projects along the supply chain for the manufacturing of critical technologies therefore also contribute to the STEP objectives. Technologies should be considered critical when they bring an innovative, cutting-edge element with significant economic potential to the Single Market or contribute to the prevention or reduction of Union dependencies.
 The Commission 
should adopt a delegated act, at the latest two months after the entry into force of this Regulation,
 to further specify the scope of the technologies in these three 
sectors
 considered to be critical in accordance with this Regulation, in order to promote a common interpretation of the projects, companies and sectors to be supported under the respective programmes in light of the common strategic objective 
to reduce critical dependencies
. 
When defining strategic dependencies, the Commission should build upon the assessments conducted in recent years. When defining strategic dependencies, the Commission should build upon the assessments conducted in recent years.

 (44c)

The Commission should review the delegated act in light of the findings of its interim evaluation report drawn up in accordance with this Regulation and adapt it to the then prevailing market conditions. As the Net-Zero Industry Act creates a comprehensive understanding of those European industries that are deemed necessary to reach the climate targets in 2050, Strategic Projects as identified under Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act] that comply with the resilience or competitiveness criteria of the Net-Zero Industry Act, in the spirit of the critical aspects of all technology projects under this Regulation, should be considered to fulfill the STEP objectives. The same should apply to Strategic Projects identified under Regulation (EU) .... [Critical Raw Materials Act].










 






Amendment 6


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 5








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(5)


Strengthening the manufacturing capacity of 
key
 technologies in the Union will not be possible without a sizeable skilled workforce. However, labour and skills shortages have increased in all sectors including those considered key for the green and digital transition and endanger the rise of 
key
 technologies
, also
 in the 
context of demographic change
. Therefore, it is necessary to boost the activation of more people to the labour market relevant for 
strategic
 sectors, in particular through the creation of jobs and apprenticeships for young, disadvantaged persons
, in particular, young people
 not in employment, education or training. Such support will complement a number of other actions aimed at meeting the skills needs stemming from the transition, outlined in the EU Skills Agenda. (45)













(5)


Strengthening the manufacturing capacity of technologies 
in the relevant sectors identified under this Regulation
 in the Union will not be possible without a sizeable skilled workforce. However, labour and skills shortages
, which
 have increased in all sectors including those considered key for the green and digital transition
, are expected to increase further in light of demographic change
 and endanger the rise of technologies in the 
relevant sectors identified under this Regulation
. Therefore, it is necessary to boost the activation of more people to the labour market relevant for 
relevant
 sectors, in particular through 
investments in learning and life-long learning, the enhancement of relevant skills,
 the creation of 
quality
 jobs and apprenticeships for young, disadvantaged persons not in employment, education or training. Such support will complement a number of other actions aimed at meeting the skills needs stemming from the transition, outlined in the EU Skills Agenda. (45)

Those actions have an important role to play in promoting a mind-set of reskilling and upskilling, boosting the competitiveness of Union undertakings, in particular SMEs, and contributing to the creation of quality jobs with a view to realising the full potential of the green and digital transition in a socially fair, inclusive and just manner.















Amendment 7


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 6








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(6)




The scale of
 investments 
needed for the transition require a full mobilisation of funding available under
 existing EU programmes and funds, 
inclusive
 those granting a budgetary guarantee for financing and investment operations and implementation of financial instruments and blending operations
. Such
 funding should be deployed in a more flexible manner, to provide timely and targeted support for 
critical
 technologies in 
strategic
 sectors. Therefore, a Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) should 
give a structural answer to the Union investment needs by helping
 to better channel 
the
 existing 
EU
 funds towards critical investments aimed at supporting the development or manufacturing of 
critical
 technologies, while preserving a level playing field in the Single Market, thereby preserving cohesion and aiming at a geographically balanced distribution of projects financed under the STEP in accordance with the respective programme mandates.












(6)




Significant
 investments 
will be required over the coming years to strengthen the open strategic autonomy of the Union in a comprehensive way, to preserve its competitiveness in the global market and to achieve the green and digital transitions.
 Existing EU programmes and funds, 
including
 those granting a budgetary guarantee for financing and investment operations and implementation of financial instruments and blending operations
, should contribute to addressing those goals. In addition to its full mobilisation, Union
 funding should be deployed in a more flexible manner, to provide timely and targeted support for technologies in 
relevant
 sectors
, reinforcing the financing for Union-wide and cross-border projects
. Therefore, a Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) should 
help
 to better channel existing 
Union
 funds towards critical investments aimed at supporting the development or manufacturing of technologies 
in relevant sectors
, while preserving a level playing field in the Single Market, thereby preserving cohesion and aiming at a geographically balanced distribution of projects financed under the STEP in accordance with the respective programme mandates. 
While being open to every Member State, STEP should put specific emphasis on net-zero industry valleys as defined under Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act], on projects in territories included in the Territorial just transition plans as referred to in Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1056, on less developed and transition regions as well as more developed regions in Member States whose average GDP per capita is below the EU average of the EU-27 measured in purchasing power standards (PPS) and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2015-2017.











Amendment 8


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 7








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(7)


The STEP should identify resources 
which should be implemented
 within 
the
 existing Union programmes and funds, 
the
 InvestEU, Horizon Europe, European Defence Fund 
and
 Innovation Fund. This should be accompanied by providing additional funding of EUR 
10
 billion. Of this, EUR 5 billion should be used to increase the endowment of the Innovation Fund (46) and EUR 
3
 billion to increase the total amount of the EU guarantee available for the EU compartment under the InvestEU Regulation to EUR 
7,5
 billion, (47) taking into account the relevant provisioning rate. EUR 
0.5
 billion should be made available to increase the financial envelope under the Horizon Europe Regulation, (48) which should be amended accordingly; and EUR 
1.5
 billion to the European Defence Fund. (49)













(7)


The STEP should identify 
available
 resources within existing Union programmes and funds, 
namely
 InvestEU, Horizon Europe, 
EU4Health, Digital Europe, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund (JTF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the
 European Defence Fund
, and the
 Innovation Fund
, for projects contributing to the STEP objectives
. This should be accompanied by providing additional 
Union
 funding of EUR 
13
 billion. Of this, EUR 5 billion should be used to increase the endowment of the Innovation Fund (46) and EUR 
4,2
 billion to increase the total amount of the EU guarantee available for the EU compartment under the InvestEU Regulation (47) to EUR 
10,5
 billion, taking into account the relevant provisioning rate. EUR 
1,3
 billion should be made available to increase the financial envelope under the Horizon Europe Regulation, (48) which should be amended accordingly; and EUR 
2,5
 billion to the European Defence Fund. (49)














Amendment 9


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 8








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(8)


A Sovereignty Seal should be awarded to projects contributing to the STEP objectives, provided that the project has been assessed and complies with the minimum quality requirements, in particular eligibility, exclusion and award criteria, provided by a call for proposals under Horizon Europe, the Digital Europe programme, (50) the EU4Health programme, (51) the European Defence Fund 
or
 the Innovation Fund, and regardless of whether the project has received funding under those instruments. These minimum quality requirements will be established with a view to identify high quality projects. This Seal should be used as a quality label, to help projects attract public and private investments by certifying its contribution to the STEP objectives. Moreover, the Seal will promote better access to EU funding, notably by facilitating cumulative or combined funding from several Union instruments.












(8)


A Sovereignty Seal should be awarded to projects contributing to the STEP objectives, 
taking into account the contribution of the projects to the strengthening and structuring of local industrial networks and their contribution to jobs,
 provided that the project has been assessed and complies with the minimum quality requirements, in particular eligibility, exclusion and award criteria, provided by a call for proposals under Horizon Europe, the Digital Europe programme, (50) the EU4Health programme, (51) the European Defence Fund
,
 the Innovation Fund, 
or the cohesion policy funds
, and regardless of whether the project has received funding under those instruments. These minimum quality requirements will be established with a view to identify high quality projects. 
Strategic projects as identified under Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act] that comply with the resilience or competitiveness criteria of the Net-Zero Industry Act are considered to contribute to the objectives of this Regulation, by either reducing or preventing strategic dependencies or bringing an innovative, cutting-edge element to the Single Market. Therefore, these Strategic Projects under the Regulation (EU).../... [Net-Zero Industry Act] should be awarded a Sovereignty Seal. Equally, as all Strategic Projects identified under the Regulation (EU) .../... [Critical Raw Materials Act] aim at fulfilling the objectives of this Platform, and should be awarded a Sovereignty Seal as well. To promote projects that will eventually contribute to the reduction of European strategic dependence from third countries, the Seal should be awarded only to projects managed by legal entities established inside the Union or a third country associated to the relevant programme. In the same spirit, if the project is managed by multiple legal entities, the Seal should only be awarded to the project, if at least one independent legal entity is established in a Member State and at least two other independent legal entities are established in different Member States or associated countries
. This Seal should be used as a quality label, to help projects attract public and private investments by certifying its contribution to the STEP objectives. Moreover, the Seal will promote better access to EU funding, notably by facilitating cumulative or combined funding from several Union instruments. 
Member States should also be encouraged to take into account the Sovereignty Seal when granting financial support through their own programmes.















Amendment 10


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 9








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(9)


To that end, it should be possible to rely on assessments made for the purposes of other Union programmes in accordance with Articles 126 and 127 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046, (52) in order to reduce administrative burden for beneficiaries of Union funds and encourage investment in priority technologies. Provided they comply with the provisions of the RRF Regulation, (53) Member States should consider including 
actions
 awarded the Sovereignty Seal when 
preparing
 their recovery and resilience plans and 
when proposing their Recovering and Resilience Plans
 and when deciding on investment projects to be financed from 
its
 share of the Modernisation Fund. The Sovereignty Seal should also be taken into account by the Commission in the context of the procedure provided for in Article 19 of the EIB Statute and of the policy check laid down in Article 23 of the InvestEU Regulation. In addition, the implementing partners should be required to examine projects having been awarded the Sovereignty Seal in case they fall within their geographic and activity scope in accordance with Article 26(5) of that Regulation. Authorities in charge of programmes falling under STEP should 
also be encouraged to
 consider support for strategic projects identified in accordance with 
the
 Net Zero Industry 
and the
 Critical Raw Materials 
Acts
 that are within the scope of Article 2 of 
the
 Regulation and for which rules on cumulative funding may apply.












(9)


To that end, it should be possible to rely on assessments made for the purposes of other Union programmes in accordance with Articles 126 and 127 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 , (52) in order to reduce administrative burden for beneficiaries of Union funds and encourage investment in priority technologies. Provided they comply with the provisions of the RRF Regulation, (53) Member States should consider including 
projects
 awarded the Sovereignty Seal when 
revising
 their recovery and resilience plans and when deciding on investment projects to be financed from 
their
 share of the Modernisation Fund. The Sovereignty Seal should also be taken into account by the Commission in the context of the procedure provided for in Article 19 of the EIB Statute and of the policy check laid down in Article 23 of the InvestEU Regulation. In addition, the implementing partners should be required to examine projects having been awarded the Sovereignty Seal in case they fall within their geographic and activity scope in accordance with Article 26(5) of that Regulation. Authorities in charge of programmes falling under STEP should consider 
to
 support for strategic projects identified in accordance with 
Regulation (EU) .../... [
Net Zero Industry 
Act] and Regulation .../... [
Critical Raw Materials 
Act]
 that are within the scope of Article 2 of 
this
 Regulation and for which rules on cumulative funding may apply.













Amendment 11


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 9a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(9a)






To ensure open strategic autonomy and enhance the market valorisation of R&I results in critical technologies, the Union must act as a standards-setter as outlined in the Commission communication of 2 February 2022 entitled “An EU Strategy on Standardisation Setting global standards in support of a resilient, green and digital EU single market”. Therefore, projects that include standardisation efforts in their proposal should be favoured in all the Union programmes providing funding under STEP. Moreover, it is imperative that projects under STEP consider standardisation in their implementation, in order to accelerate and scale upthe deployment of a particular technology across the Single Market. Additionally, aligning international standards with European interests can ensure technological leadership and a level playing field globally. The Commission and Member States should undertake specific efforts to support projects under STEP to actively engage in the development of standards and within national, European and, where appropriate, international standardisation.











Amendment 12


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 9b (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(9b)






Since trust is crucial element for investments, a governance structure should be put in place to ensure that STEP is implemented in an effective, efficient, fair and transparent manner. To that end, the Commission should set up a STEP Committee composed of experts on the various technologies covered by this Regulation as well as on the Union programmes and funds which provide financial support for the Platform. The STEP Committee should be charged with the awarding and promotion of the Sovereignty Seal and the management of the Sovereignty Portal and take on a coordinating role between the various networks and stakeholders that are relevant to achieve the objectives of the platform. Given that the technologies covered by this Regulation are constantly evolving, an Industrial Advisory Group on Strategic Technologies should be set up to assist the Commission by offering advice on latest technological developments and challenges faced by the sectors concerned. This Group should be composed of representatives of Union industry of the sectors covered by this Regulation. Geographical balance within the Industrial Advisory Group should be taken into account.











Amendment 13


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 10








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(10)


A new publicly available website (the ‘Sovereignty Portal’) should be set up by the Commission to provide information on available support 
to
 companies and project promoters seeking funds for STEP 
investments. To that end, it
 should display in an accessible and user-friendly manner the funding opportunities for STEP investments available under the EU budget. This should include information about directly managed programmes
, such as
 Horizon Europe, 
the
 Digital Europe 
programme
, 
the
 EU4Health 
programme,
 and the Innovation Fund, and 
also
 other 
programmes such as
 InvestEU, the 
RRF
, and cohesion policy funds. Moreover, the Sovereignty Portal should help increase the visibility for STEP investments towards investors, by listing the projects that have been awarded a Sovereignty Seal. The Portal should also list the national competent authorities responsible for acting as contact points for the implementation of the STEP at national level.












(10)


A new publicly available website (the ‘Sovereignty Portal’) should be set up by the Commission to provide information on available support 
for projects contributing to the STEP objectives. To address the needs of
 companies and project promoters seeking funds for STEP 
projects under Union funding programmes, the Sovereignty Portal
 should display in an accessible and user-friendly manner the funding opportunities for STEP investments available under the EU budget. This should include information about 
the
 directly managed 
Union
 programmes Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, EU4Health
, the European Defence Fund
 and the Innovation Fund, and other 
Union funding sources, that is
 InvestEU, the 
Recovery and Resilience Facility
, and cohesion policy funds. 
In order to increase the usefulness of the Sovereignty Portal for project promoters, the Portal should include a rapid simulator to give guidance on which Union programme or fund an individual project may be eligible for, without disclosing confidential business information and being legally binding.
 Moreover, the Sovereignty Portal should help increase the visibility for STEP investments towards investors, by listing the projects that have been awarded a Sovereignty Seal. 
The publication of information as regards projects related to security and defence should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and be limited to projects where the publication is deemed necessary by the project promoter or the Commission. Due attention should be paid to the need to protect confidentiality of security of information in defence matters.
 The Portal should also list the national competent authorities responsible for acting as contact points for the implementation of the STEP at national level. 
The Commission should ensure the complementarity of the Portal with similar platforms, including the NZIA Platform, and should avoid red tape and administrative burdens.











Amendment 14


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 10a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(10a)






The Commission should monitor the implementation of the Platform objectives to track progress towards the Union’s policy objectives. The monitoring should be conducted in a manner that is targeted and proportionate to the activities carried out under the Platform to avoid overregulation and administrative burden, in particular for the beneficiaries of funding. In order to ensure accountability to Union citizens, the Commission should report annually to the European Parliament and to the Council on the progress of the implementation of the Platform objectives under each of the programmes and funds, on the overall expenditure of the STEP financed under the respective programmes and funds, and on the performance of the STEP based on the performance indicators provided for by those programmes. Furthermore, information should be provided on the Platform's qualitative and quantitative contribution to cross-border projects and to projects per Member State.











Amendment 15


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 11








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(11)


While the STEP relies on the reprogramming and reinforcement of existing programmes for supporting strategic investments, it is also an important element for testing the feasibility and preparation of new interventions as a step towards a European Sovereignty Fund. The evaluation in 2025 will assess the relevance of the actions undertaken and serve as basis for assessing the need for an upscaling of the support towards strategic sectors.












(11)


While the STEP relies on the reprogramming and reinforcement of existing programmes for supporting strategic investments, 
and reducing the Union dependencies,
 it is also an important element for testing the feasibility and preparation of new interventions 
providing the necessary structural answer to the Union’s investment needs. In particular, it can be considered
 as a step towards 
the establishment of
 a European Sovereignty Fund 
that could contribute to shaping and strengthening a European industrial policy by providing increased funding to European industry in the Multiannual Financial Framework post 2027
. The 
interim
 evaluation in 2025 will assess the relevance of the actions undertaken and 
provide an update on the state of the dependencies
 of the 
Union and the most
 strategic sectors 
to strengthen its autonomy in a comprehensive way
. 
In the interim evaluation, the Commission should also assess the feasibility of expanding the Sovereignty Portal to combine all existing publically available websites and provide information on Union programmes and funds under direct, shared and indirect management in one single Portal. It should
 serve as 
a
 basis for assessing the need for an upscaling of the support towards strategic sectors 
in the post-2027 multiannual financial framework, with a view to better addressing the identified challenges and meeting the policy objectives of the Union in this field
.









Amendment 16


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 12








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(12)


Directive 2003/87/EC (54) should be amended to allow for additional financing with a financial envelope for the period 2024-2027 of EUR 5 billion. The Innovation Fund supports investments in innovative low-carbon technologies, which is a scope that is to be covered by the STEP. The increase in volume of the Innovation Fund should therefore allow to provide financing responding to the objective of supporting the development or manufacturing in the Union of 
critical clean
 technologies. In line with the objectives of ensuring cohesion and promoting the Single Market, and in order to support the green transition and the development of 
clean
 technologies throughout the Union, the additional financial envelope should be made available through calls for proposals 
open
 to entities from Member States whose average GDP per capita is below the EU average of the EU-27 measured in purchasing power standards (PPS) and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2015-2017.












(12)


Directive 2003/87/EC (54) should be amended to allow for additional financing with a financial envelope for the period 2024-2027 of EUR 5 billion 
to be provided from the European Union’s general budget
. The Innovation Fund supports investments in innovative low-carbon technologies, which is a scope that is to be covered by the STEP. The increase in volume of the Innovation Fund should therefore allow to provide financing responding to the objective of supporting the development or manufacturing in the Union of 
net-zero
 technologies. In line with the objectives of ensuring 
economic, social and territorial
 cohesion and promoting the Single Market, and in order to support the green transition and the development of 
net-zero
 technologies throughout the Union, the additional financial envelope should be made available through calls for proposals 
for Strategic Projects as defined in Regulation EU (.../...) [Net-Zero Industry Act], provided they either comply with the resilience or competitiveness criteria in the selection process of strategic projects. Until 31 December 2025, the financial envelope should be available in equal parts
 to entities from Member States whose average GDP per capita is below the EU average of the EU-27 measured in purchasing power standards (PPS) and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2015-2017 
and to entities from all Member States. Technical assistance to Member States with a low level of participation as provided for in the latest revision of the ETS Directive should be maintained throughout those calls for proposals
.













Amendment 17


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 13








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(13)


In order to extend support possibilities for investments aimed at strengthening industrial development and reinforcement of value chains in strategic sectors, the scope of support from the ERDF should be extended by providing for new specific objectives under the ERDF, without prejudice to the rules on eligibility of expenditure and climate spending as set out in Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 (55) and Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 (56) . In strategic sectors, it should also be possible to support productive investments in enterprises 
other than
 SMEs
,
 which can make a significant contribution to the development of less developed and transition regions, as well as in more developed regions of Member States with a GDP per capita below the EU average. Managing authorities are encouraged to promote the collaboration between large enterprises and local SMEs, supply chains, innovation and technology ecosystems. This would allow reinforcing Europe’s overall capacity to strengthen its position in those sectors through providing access to all Member States for such investments, thus counteracting the risk of increasing disparities.












(13)


In order to extend support possibilities for investments aimed at strengthening industrial development and reinforcement of value chains in strategic sectors, the scope of support from the ERDF should be extended by providing for new specific objectives under the ERDF, without prejudice to the rules on eligibility of expenditure and climate spending as set out in Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 (55) and Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 (56) . In strategic sectors, it should also be possible to support productive investments in enterprises 
with a focus on
 SMEs 
and midcaps and
 which can make a significant contribution to the development of less developed and transition regions, as well as in more developed regions of Member States with a GDP per capita below the EU average. Managing authorities are encouraged to promote the collaboration between large enterprises and local SMEs, supply chains, innovation and technology ecosystems. This would allow reinforcing Europe’s overall capacity to strengthen its position in those sectors through providing access to all Member States for such investments, thus counteracting the risk of increasing disparities. 
The resources programmed for these new specific objectives should be limited to a maximum of 20% of the initial allocation of the ERDF in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/1058.















Amendment 18


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 14








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(14)


The scope of support of the JTF, laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/1056, (57) should also be extended to cover investments in 
clean
 technologies contributing to the objectives of the STEP by 
large
 enterprises, provided that they are compatible with the expected contribution to the transition to climate neutrality as set out in the territorial just transition plans. The support provided for such investments should not require a revision of the territorial just transition plan 
where that revision would be exclusively linked to the gap analysis justifying the investment from the perspective of job creation.














(14)


The scope of support of the JTF, laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/1056, (57) should also be extended to cover investments in 
net-zero
 technologies 
and addressing shortages of labour and skills in support of these investments,
 contributing to the objectives of the STEP by enterprises with focus on 
SMEs and mid-caps
, provided that they are compatible with the expected contribution to the transition to climate neutrality as set out in the territorial just transition plans. 
In the context of support for enterprises other than SMEs, consideration should also be given to investments contributing to the creation of apprenticeships and jobs or providing education or training for new skills.
 The support provided for such investments should not require a revision of the territorial just transition plan.













Amendment 19


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 14a








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(14a)






Member States should have the possibility to transfer all or part of their provisional allocation from the resources of the BAR to the ERDF or ESF+, provided that they are to support productive investments, which can make a significant contribution to the development of less developed and transition regions, as well as in more developed regions of Member States with a GDP per capita below the EU average, including in those regions and local communities that are most adversely affected by the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union. The investments contributing to the objectives of the STEP to be funded under the ERDF and ESF+ and the BAR can serve similar purposes and have similar content since both aim ultimately to allow reinforcing Europe’s overall capacity to strengthen its position in certain sectors through providing access to Member States for such investments, thus counteracting the risk of increasing disparities and mitigating negative impacts on economic, social and territorial cohesion.











Amendment 20


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 14b








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(14b)






Member States should also have the possibility to transfer all or part of their provisional allocation from the resources of the BAR to the JTF, provided that these resources are to support actions that are compliant with approved Territorial Just Transition Plans, including in the just transition regions that are - directly or indirectly - most affected by the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union. Both JTF and the BAR can contribute to the objectives of STEP since both aim to ultimately allow regional economic diversification and reinforce Europe’s overall capacity to strengthen its position in certain sectors through providing access to Member States to investments, thus counteracting the risk of increasing disparities and mitigating negative impacts on economic, social and territorial cohesion.











Amendment 21


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 16








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(16)


In order to help accelerate investments and provide immediate liquidity for investments supporting the STEP objectives under the ERDF, the ESF+ (59) and the JTF, an additional amount of exceptional pre-financing should be provided in the form of a one-off payment with respect to the priorities dedicated to investments supporting the STEP objectives. The additional pre-financing should apply to the whole of the JTF allocation given the need to accelerate its implementation and the strong links of the JTF to support Member States towards the STEP objectives. The rules applying for those amounts of exceptional pre-financing should be consistent with the rules applicable to pre-financing set out in Regulation (EU) 2021/1060. Moreover, to further incentivise the uptake of such investments and ensure its faster implementation, the possibility for an increased EU financing rate of 100% for the STEP priorities should be available. When implementing the new STEP objectives, managing authorities are encouraged to apply certain social criteria 
or
 promote social positive outcomes, such as creating apprenticeships and jobs for young disadvantaged persons, in particular young persons not in employment, education or training, applying the social award criteria in the Directives on public procurement when a project is implemented by a body subject to public procurement, and paying the applicable wages as agreed through collective bargaining.












(16)


In order to help accelerate investments and provide immediate liquidity for investments supporting the STEP objectives under the ERDF, the ESF+ (59) and the JTF, an additional amount of exceptional pre-financing should be provided in the form of a one-off payment with respect to the priorities dedicated to investments supporting the STEP objectives. The additional pre-financing should apply to the whole of the JTF allocation given the need to accelerate its implementation and the strong links of the JTF to support Member States towards the STEP objectives. The rules applying for those amounts of exceptional pre-financing should be consistent with the rules applicable to pre-financing set out in Regulation (EU) 2021/1060. Moreover, to further incentivise the uptake of such investments and ensure its faster implementation, the possibility for an increased EU financing rate of 
up to
 100% for the STEP priorities should be available. When implementing the new STEP objectives, managing authorities are encouraged to apply certain social criteria 
and
 promote social positive outcomes, such as creating apprenticeships and 
quality
 jobs for young disadvantaged persons, in particular young persons not in employment, education or training, applying the social award criteria in the Directives on public procurement when a project is implemented by a body subject to public procurement, and paying the applicable wages as agreed through collective bargaining.













Amendment 22


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 18








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(18)


The regulatory framework for the implementation of the 2014-2020 programmes has been adapted over the past years to provide Member States and regions 
with additional
 with additional flexibility in terms of implementation rules and more liquidity to tackle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war or aggression against Ukraine. These measures
, introduced at the end of the programming period,
 require sufficient time and administrative resources to be fully exploited and implemented; also at a time where Member States will focus resources on revising the 2021-2027 operational programmes linked to the STEP objectives. With a view to alleviate the administrative burden on programme authorities and to prevent possible loss of funds at closure for purely administrative reasons, the deadlines for the administrative closure of the programmes under the 2014-2020 period should be extended in Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 (61) and Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 (62) . More specifically, the deadline for the submission of that final payment application should be extended by 12 months. Furthermore, the deadline for the submission of the closure documents should also be extended by 12 months. In the context of this amendment, it is appropriate to clarify that distribution of food and material bought until the end of the eligibility period (end-2023) may continue after that date. In order to ensure a sound implementation of the EU budget and respect for the payment ceilings, payments to be made in 2025 should be capped at 
1
 % of the financial appropriations from resources under the Multiannual Financial Framework per programme. Amounts due exceeding the ceiling of 
1
% of programme appropriations per fund for 2025 would not be paid in 2025 nor in subsequent years but only used for the clearance of pre-financing. Unused amounts shall be decommitted in accordance with the general rules for decommitment at closure.












(18)


The regulatory framework for the implementation of the 2014-2020 programmes has been adapted over the past years to provide Member States and regions with additional flexibility in terms of implementation rules and more liquidity to tackle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war or aggression against Ukraine. These measures require sufficient time and administrative resources to be fully exploited and implemented; also at a time where Member States will focus resources on revising the 2021-2027 operational programmes linked to the STEP objectives. With a view to alleviate the administrative burden on programme authorities and to prevent possible loss of funds at closure for purely administrative reasons, the deadlines for the administrative closure of the programmes under the 2014-2020 period should be extended in Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 (61) and Regulation (EU) No 223/2014 (62) . More specifically, the deadline for the submission of that final payment application should be extended by 12 months. Furthermore, the deadline for the submission of the closure documents should also be extended by 12 months. 
Consequently, Member States should be able to submit the final payment application by 30 June 2025 and the documents referred to in Article 138 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 by 15 February 2026, in order to give Member States sufficient time to finalise the process linked to the closure of projects.
 In the context of this amendment, it is appropriate to clarify that distribution of food and material bought until the end of the eligibility period (end-2023) may continue after that date. In order to ensure a sound implementation of the EU budget and respect for the payment ceilings, payments to be made in 2025 should be capped at 
10
% of the financial appropriations from resources under the Multiannual Financial Framework per programme. Amounts due exceeding the ceiling of 
10
% of programme appropriations per fund for 2025 would not be paid in 2025 nor in subsequent years but only used for the clearance of pre-financing. Unused amounts shall be decommitted in accordance with the general rules for decommitment at closure. 
Taking into account the specific challenges of the outermost regions as defined in Article 349 TFEU, specific derogation should be provided as regards the deadline for the final application for an interim payment for the final accounting year and the interim payments in 2025 should be capped at 15%.















Amendment 23


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 19








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(19)


InvestEU is the EU flagship programme to boost investment, especially the green and digital transition, by providing demand-driven financing, including through blending mechanisms, and technical assistance. Such approach contributes to crowd in additional public and private capital. Given the high market demand of InvestEU guarantee, the EU compartment of InvestEU should be reinforced to correspond to the objectives of the STEP. This will, among other things, reinforce InvestEU’s existing possibility to invest in projects forming part of an IPCEI, within the identified 
critical
 technology sectors. In addition, Member States are encouraged to contribute to the InvestEU Member State compartment to support financial products in line with the STEP objectives, without prejudice to applicable State aid rules. It should be possible for Member States to include as a measure in their recovery and resilience plans a cash contribution for the purpose of the Member State compartment of InvestEU to support objectives of the STEP. That additional contribution to support objectives of the STEP could reach up to 6% of their recovery and resilience plan’s total financial allocation to the Member State compartment of InvestEU. Additional flexibility and clarifications should also be introduced to better pursue the objectives of the STEP.












(19)


InvestEU is the EU flagship programme to boost investment, especially the green and digital transition, by providing demand-driven financing, including through blending mechanisms, and technical assistance. Such approach contributes to crowd in additional public and private capital. Given the high market demand of InvestEU guarantee, the EU compartment of InvestEU should be reinforced to correspond to the objectives of the STEP. This will, among other things, reinforce InvestEU’s existing possibility to invest in projects forming part of an IPCEI, within the identified 
relevant
 technology sectors. 
To ensure a full absorption of available funds and provided that implementing partners do not have sufficient capacity to absorb the 25 % of the EU guarantee that is earmarked for them, the Commission may exceptionally grant more than 75 % of the EU guarantee to the EIB Group. In this context, the Commission should encourage and assist the implementing partners other than the EIB Group to absorb in full the funding that is available to them.
 In addition, Member States are encouraged to contribute to the InvestEU Member State compartment to support financial products in line with the STEP objectives, without prejudice to applicable State aid rules. It should be possible for Member States to include as a measure in their recovery and resilience plans a cash contribution for the purpose of the Member State compartment of InvestEU to support objectives of the STEP. That additional contribution to support objectives of the STEP could reach up to 6% of their recovery and resilience plan’s total financial allocation to the Member State compartment of InvestEU. Additional flexibility and clarifications should also be introduced to better pursue the objectives of the STEP. 
In general, the Commission and all authorities in charge of programmes contributing to the implementation of STEP should be encouraged to ensure consistency, coherence, complementarity and synergy among sources of funding with the STEP objectives.











Amendment 24


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 20








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(20)


Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation, and its European Innovation Council (EIC) provides for support for innovations with potential breakthrough and disruptive nature with scale-up potential that may be too risky for private investors. Additional flexibility should be provided for under Horizon Europe, so that the EIC Accelerator can provide equity-only support to non-bankable SMEs, including start-ups, and non-bankable SMEs and small mid-caps, carrying out innovation 
in
 the technologies supported by the STEP and regardless of whether they previously received other types of support from the EIC Accelerator. The implementation of the EIC Fund 
is currently
 limited to a maximum investment amount of EUR 15 million except in exceptional cases and 
cannot accommodate
 follow-on financing rounds or larger investment amounts. Allowing for equity-only support for non-bankable SMEs and small mid-caps would address the existing market gap 
with
 investments needs in the range of EUR 15 to 50 million. Moreover, experience has shown that the amounts committed for the EIC Pilot under Horizon2020 are not fully used. 
These
 unused funds should be made available for the purposes of the EIC Accelerator under Horizon Europe. The Horizon Europe Regulation should also be amended to reflect the increased envelope for the European Defence Fund.












(20)


Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation, and its European Innovation Council (EIC) provides for support
, in particular
 for innovations with potential breakthrough and disruptive nature with scale-up potential that may be too risky for private investors. Additional flexibility should be provided for under Horizon Europe, so that the EIC Accelerator can provide equity-only support to non-bankable SMEs, including start-ups, and non-bankable SMEs and small mid-caps, carrying out innovation
, in particular to those working on
 the technologies supported by the STEP
,
 and regardless of whether they previously received other types of support from the EIC Accelerator. 
In
 the implementation of the EIC Fund 
the Commission
 limited 
the investments of the Fund
 to a maximum investment amount of EUR 15 million except in exceptional cases and 
this limited the Fund from effectively accommodating
 follow-on financing rounds or larger investment amounts. Allowing for equity-only support for non-bankable SMEs and small mid-caps would address the existing market gap
, in particular for
 investments needs in the range of EUR 15 to 50 million. Moreover, experience has shown that the amounts committed for the EIC Pilot under Horizon2020 are not fully used. 
In accordance with Article 15(3) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1046, those
 unused funds should be made available for the purposes of the EIC Accelerator under Horizon Europe. The Horizon Europe Regulation should also be amended to reflect the increased envelope for the European Defence Fund.









Amendment 25


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 20a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(20a)






The EIC plays a pivotal role in offering initial funding to fast growing startups and small mid-caps. With its specialised knowledge, the EIC is ideally positioned to enhance funding opportunities for companies seeking capital for scaling up beyond the initial innovation stage. However, the implementation of the EIC Accelerator so far has shown that the ambitious and transformative nature of the EIC as the investor of reference for breakthrough innovation in Europe through the EIC Fund, has created implementation challenges and legal uncertainty for the implementing entities, in particular regarding the role of the EIC and the SME Executive Agency. Considering the central role of the EIC Fund in the success of STEP, the relevant legislative provisions on the functioning of the EIC should be clarified. In the process of further improving the functioning of the EIC, establishment of an independent Union body pursuant to Article 187 TFEU as the main entity responsible for implementing the EIC should be considered.











Amendment 26


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 21








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(21)


The European Defence Fund is the leading programme for enhancing the competitiveness, innovation, efficiency and technological autonomy of the Union’s defence industry, thereby contributing to the Union’s open strategic autonomy. The development of defence capabilities is crucial, as it underpins the capacity and the autonomy of the European industry to develop defence products and the independence of Member States as the end-users of such products. The additional envelope should therefore be made available to support 
actions
 in the field of deep and digital technologies contributing to the development of defence applications.












(21)


The European Defence Fund is the leading programme for enhancing the competitiveness, innovation, efficiency and technological autonomy of the Union’s defence industry, thereby contributing to the Union’s open strategic autonomy. The development of defence capabilities is crucial, as it underpins the capacity and the autonomy of the European industry to develop defence products and the independence of Member States as the end-users of such products. The additional envelope should therefore be made available to support 
projects
 in the field of deep and digital technologies contributing to the development of defence applications.









Amendment 27


Proposal for a regulation


Recital 21a








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(21a)






To maximise the impact of the loan support available under Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council [RRF] in pursuit of the objectives laid down in Article 4 of that Regulation, Member States should be able to request additional funding in the form of loans, drawn from the loan support remaining available under that Regulation after 1 September 2023, with a view to contributing the proceeds of those loans in the form of cash to the Member State compartment of InvestEU to support objectives of the STEP. Member States should be able to request such loan support until 15 December 2023.











Amendment 28


Proposal for a regulation


Article 1 – paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





This Regulation establishes a Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’ or ‘the Platform’) to support 
critical and emerging
 strategic technologies .


This Regulation establishes a Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’ or ‘the Platform’) to support strategic technologies 
and their respective supply chains in relevant sectors, thereby supporting the implementation of the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 established by Decision (EU) 2022/2481 of the European Parliament and of the Council

 (1a)

, Regulation (EU)
 .
../... [Net-Zero Industry Act ] and Regulation (EU) .../... [Critical Raw Materials Act].






 






Amendment 29


Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   To strengthen European sovereignty and security, accelerate the Union’s green and digital transitions and enhance its competitiveness, reduce its strategic dependencies, favour a level playing field in the Single Market for investments throughout the Union, and promote inclusive access to attractive, quality jobs, the Platform shall pursue the following objectives:




1.   To strengthen European 
industrial
 sovereignty and security, 
reduce the Union’s strategic dependencies,
 accelerate the Union’s green and digital transitions and enhance its competitiveness, favour a level playing field in the Single Market for investments throughout the Union, 
foster cross-border participation, including of SMEs, strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion and solidarity among Member States
 and 
regions,
 promote inclusive access to attractive, quality jobs 
and to facilitate access to finance for project promoters, streamlining the procedures and reducing the administration burden thereof,
 the Platform shall pursue the following objectives:






Amendment 30


Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)


supporting the development or manufacturing throughout the Union, or safeguarding and strengthening the respective 
value
 chains
, of critical
 technologies in the following 
fields
:












(a)


supporting the development or manufacturing throughout the Union, or safeguarding and strengthening the respective 
supply
 chains 
as referred to in paragraph 4 of
 technologies in the following 
sectors
:









Amendment 31


Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(i)




deep and
 digital technologies












(i)


digital technologies, 
including multi-country projects as defined in Article 2, point (2) of Decision (EU) 2022/2481 of the European Parliament and of the Council and contributing to the targets and objectives of the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 established by that Decision;











Amendment 32


Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(ii)




clean
 technologies












(ii)




net-zero
 technologies 
as defined in Article 3, point (...) of Regulation (EU) .../...[Net-Zero Industry Act];











Amendment 33


Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(iii)


biotechnologies












(iii)


biotechnologies
, as defined in the Annex to this Regulation and life science, including medicinal products on the Union List of Critical Medicinal Products and their components;











Amendment 34


Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)


addressing shortages of labour and skills critical to all kinds of quality jobs in support of the objective 
under
 point (a).












(b)


addressing shortages of labour and skills critical to all kinds of quality jobs in support of the objective 
set out in
 point (a)
, in particular through lifelong learning and in close cooperation with social partners and education and training initiatives already in place, including the European Net Zero Industry Academies established pursuant to Article 23 of Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act];











Amendment 35


Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point ba (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(ba)






fostering deep-tech innovation, in support of the objective set out in point (a), which has the potential to deliver transformative solutions, rooted in cutting edge science, technology and engineering, including innovation combining advances in the physical, biological and digital spheres.











Amendment 36


Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 2








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






2.   The technologies referred to in point (a) of the first paragraph, shall be deemed to be critical where they meet at least one of the following conditions:




2.   The technologies
, including their supply chains,
 referred to in point (a) of the first paragraph, shall be deemed to be critical where they meet at least one of the following conditions:






Amendment 37


Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2(new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 




By ... [two months after the entry into force of this Regulation], the Commission shall adopt a delegated act, to supplement this Regulation by defining how the technologies, including their supply chains, referred to in paragraph 1, point (a), of this Article can meet the conditions of this paragraph. The delegated act shall be reviewed in light of the interim evaluation report referred to in Article 8.







Amendment 38


Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 3








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment








3.
   
Where an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) approved by the Commission pursuant to Article 107(3), point (b) TFEU relates to any of the technology fields referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1, the relevant technologies shall be deemed to be critical.







deleted







Amendment 39


Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 4








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






4.   The 
value
 chain for the manufacturing of 
critical
 technologies referred to in 
the first
 paragraph relates to final products, as well as 
key
 components, 
specific
 machinery and critical raw materials 
primarily used
 for the production of those products.




4.   The 
supply
 chain for the manufacturing of technologies referred to in paragraph 
1
 relates to final products, as well as components, machinery and critical raw materials 
as set out in Annex II to Regulation (EU) .../... [Critical Raw Materials Act] which are indispensable
 for the production 
and functioning
 of those products.






Amendment 40


Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 4a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





4a.
   
Strategic projects as identified under Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act], that comply with either the resilience criteria as defined in Article 10(1)(a) of that Regulation or with the competitiveness criteria as defined in Article 10(1)(b) of that Regulation in the selection process of net-zero strategic projects, and and (EU) .... [Critical Raw Materials Act]) shall be considered to fulfil the objectives of the STEP Platform as referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.








Amendment 41


Proposal for a regulation


Article 2 – paragraph 4b (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





4b.
   
When implementing programmes and activities to achieve the objectives under this Regulation, the Commission and Member States shall put specific emphasis on supporting Net-Zero Industry Valleys as defined in Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act] projects in territories included in the Territorial just transition plans as referred to in Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1056. and in less developed and transition regions, as well as more developed regions in Member States whose average GDP per capita is below the EU average of the EU-27 measured in purchasing power standards (PPS) and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2015-2017.








Amendment 42


Proposal for a regulation


Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   Implementation of the Platform shall be 
supported, in particular, through
:




1.   
Financial support for the
 implementation of the Platform shall be 
provided from existing Union programmes and funds. To reinforce their ability to deliver on the STEP objectives, additional funding shall be provided to the following Union programmes and funds
:






Amendment 43


Proposal for a regulation


Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)


a Union guarantee referred to in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/523 with the indicative amount of EUR 
7 500 000 000  That guarantee
 shall be implemented in accordance with Regulation 
(EU) 2021/523
;












(a)


a Union guarantee referred to in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/523 with the indicative amount of EUR 
10 500 000 000 , which
 shall be implemented in accordance with 
that
 Regulation;









Amendment 44


Proposal for a regulation


Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)


an amount of EUR 
500 000 000 
 in current prices of the financial envelope referred to in point (i) of Article 12(2)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2021/695
. That amount
 shall be implemented in accordance with Regulation 
(EU) 2021/695
;












(b)


an amount of EUR 
1 300 000 000 
 in current prices of the financial envelope referred to in point (i) of Article 12(2)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2021/695
, which
 shall be implemented in accordance with 
that
 Regulation;









Amendment 45


Proposal for a regulation


Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(c)


an amount of EUR 5 000 000 000  in current prices of the financial envelope referred to in the sixth subparagraph of Article 10a(8) of Directive 2003/87/EC
. That amount
 shall be implemented within the Innovation Fund in accordance with the rules of Article 10a(8) of Directive 2003/87/EC and Commission Delegated Regulation 
[2019/856]
.












(c)


an amount of EUR 5 000 000 000  in current prices of the financial envelope referred to in the sixth subparagraph of Article 10a(8) of Directive 2003/87/EC
, which
 shall be implemented within the Innovation Fund in accordance with the rules of Article 10a(8) of Directive 2003/87/EC and Commission Delegated Regulation 
(EU) 2019/856
.









Amendment 46


Proposal for a regulation


Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(d)


An amount of EUR 
1 500 000 000 
 in current prices of the financial envelope 
refered
 to in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/697
. That amount
 shall be implemented in accordance with Regulation 
(EU) 2021/697
.












(d)


An amount of EUR 
2 500 000 000 
 in current prices of the financial envelope 
referred
 to in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/697
, which
 shall be implemented in accordance with 
that
 Regulation.









Amendment 47


Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – title








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





Sovereignty Seal and cumulative funding


Sovereignty Seal,

combined
 and cumulative funding





Amendment 48


Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   The Commission shall award a Sovereignty Seal to any 
action
 contributing to any of the Platform objectives, provided the action has been assessed and complies with the minimum quality requirements, in particular eligibility, exclusion and award criteria, provided by a call for proposals under Regulation (EU) 2021/695, Regulation (EU) 2021/694, Regulation (EU) 2021/697, Regulation (EU) 2021/522, or Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/856.




1.   The Commission shall award a Sovereignty Seal to any 
project
 contributing to any of the Platform objectives, provided 
that
 the 
project
 has been assessed and complies with the minimum quality requirements, in particular eligibility, exclusion and award criteria, provided by a call for proposals under Regulation (EU) 2021/695, Regulation (EU) 2021/694, Regulation (EU) 2021/697, Regulation (EU) 2021/522, 
Regulation (EU) 2021/1060
 or Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/856
, or has been identified as a strategic project as defined in Regulation (EU)
 .
../... ('Net Zero Industry Act'), if that project complies with either the resilience criteria as defined in Article 10(1), point (a), of that Regulation or with the competitiveness criteria as defined in Article 10(1)(b) of the NZIA Regulation in the selection process of net-zero strategic projects, or as defined in Regulation (EU) .../... ('Critical Raw Materials Act'). Those calls for proposals shall be continuously open.








Amendment 49


Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





1a.
   
When assessing whether a project contributes to any of the Platform objectives in accordance with paragraph 1, the Commission shall take into account the contribution of the project to the strengthening and structuring of local networks of industrial actors and its contribution to the creation of jobs.








Amendment 50


Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – paragraph 1 b (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





1b.
   
The Sovereignty Seal shall be valid for the period of the implementation of the project, during which there shall be a commitment from the company not to relocate the project outside of the Union. If a project has not started withinfive years of the award of the Sovereignty Seal, it can be reviewed for the purpose of compatibility with STEP strategic priorities. When conducting the above-mentioned review, the Commission shall ensure that all projects comply with Union’s and national labour law, social rights and workers’ rights, as well as applicable collective agreements.








Amendment 51


Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – paragraph 1 c (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





1c.
   
The Sovereignty Seal shall not be awarded to projects managed by a legal entity established in a third country that is not associated to the Union programme concerned or, where it is established in the Union or in an associated country that has its executive management structures in a non-associated country.








Amendment 52


Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – paragraph 1 d (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





1d.
   
Projects managed by legal entities forming a consortium shall be awarded a Sovereignty Seal only if at least one independent legal entity forming that consortium is established in a Member State and at least two other independent legal entities forming that consortium are established in different Member States or associated countries.








Amendment 53


Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – paragraph 2 – introductory part








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






2.   The Sovereignty Seal 
may
 be used as a quality label, in particular for the purposes of:




2.   The Sovereignty Seal 
shall
 be used as a quality label, in particular for the purposes of:






Amendment 54


Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point a








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)


receiving support for the 
action
 under another Union fund or programme in accordance with the rules applicable to that fund or programme, or












(a)


receiving support for the 
project
 under another Union fund or programme in accordance with the rules applicable to that fund or programme, or









Amendment 55


Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)


financing the 
action
 through cumulative or combined funding with another Union instrument in line with the rules of the applicable basic acts.












(b)


financing the 
project
 through cumulative or combined funding with another Union instrument in line with the rules of the applicable basic acts.









Amendment 56


Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – paragraph 3








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






3.   When revising their recovery and resilience plans in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/241, Member States shall, without prejudice to the provisions of that Regulation, consider as a priority 
action
 which have been awarded a Sovereignty Seal in accordance with paragraph 1.




3.   When revising their recovery and resilience plans in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/241, Member States shall, without prejudice to the provisions of that Regulation, consider as a priority 
projects
, which have been awarded a Sovereignty Seal in accordance with paragraph 1.






Amendment 57


Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – paragraph 4








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






4.   When deciding on investment projects to finance from their respective shares of the Modernisation Fund in accordance with Article 10d of Directive 2003/87/EC, Member States shall consider as a priority 
project for critical clean technologies
 which have received the Sovereignty Seal in accordance with paragraph 1. In addition, Member States may decide to grant national support to projects with a Sovereignty Seal contributing to the Platform objective 
referred to in Article 2(1), point (a)
(
ii
).




4.   When deciding on investment projects to finance from their respective shares of the Modernisation Fund in accordance with Article 10d of Directive 2003/87/EC, Member States shall consider 
those projects for net-zero technologies
 as a priority 
as defined in the Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act]
 which have received the Sovereignty Seal in accordance with paragraph 1. In addition, Member States may decide to grant national support to projects with a Sovereignty Seal contributing to the Platform objective 
for net-zero technologies as defined in the Regulation Regulation
 (
EU
).
./... [Net-Zero Industry Act].








Amendment 58


Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 – paragraph 5








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






5.   Under Regulation (EU) 2021/523, the Sovereignty Seal shall be taken into account in the context of the procedure provided for in Article 19 of the European Investment Bank Statute and of the policy check as laid down in Article 23(3) of that Regulation. In addition, the implementing partners shall examine projects having been awarded the Sovereignty Seal in case they fall within their geographic and activity scope as laid down in Article 26(5) of that Regulation.




5.   Under Regulation (EU) 2021/523, the Sovereignty Seal shall be taken into account in the context of the procedure provided for in Article 19 of the European Investment Bank Statute and of the policy check as laid down in Article 23(3) of that Regulation. In addition, the implementing partners shall examine 
in a timely manner
 projects having been awarded the Sovereignty Seal in case they fall within their geographic and activity scope as laid down in Article 26(5) of that Regulation.






Amendment 59


Proposal for a regulation


Article 4 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 




Article 4a






 



STEP Committee





 





1.
   
The Commission shall set up a STEP Committee composed of Commission experts on the technologies referred to in Article 2(1) , point (a) and on the Union programmes and funds from which the Platform is financially supported.







 





2.
   
The STEP Committee shall have the following tasks:







 










(a)






to award and promote the Sovereignty Seal referred to in Article 4(1) and to liaise with managing authorities responsible for calls for proposals and calls for tender to increase the funding opportunities across programmes for projects that have been awarded the Sovereignty Seal, without interfering in the selection procedures;










 










(b)






to award the Sovereignty Seal to projects funded by the Cohesion policy funds that contribute to the Platform objectives as set out in Article 2 of this Regulation;










 










(c)






to set up and manage the Sovereignty portal in accordance with Article 6;










 










(d)






to liaise with other existing structures, especially the Net-Zero Europe Platform established in accordance with Regulation (EU) .../... [Net Zero Industry Act] and the Critical Raw Materials Board established pursuant to Regulation (EU) .../... [Critical Raw Materials Act], national competent authorities designated in accordance with Article 6(4) of this Regulation, implementing partners and the Industrial Advisory Group referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article, with a view to coordinating and exchanging information about the financial needs of, the existing bottlenecks and the best practices for projects across the Union;










 










(e)






to foster contacts across sectors referred to in Article 2, making particular use of existing industrial alliances, networks and structures, such as the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) and the Joint Undertakings.










 





3.
   
The Commission shall set up an Industrial Advisory Group on Strategic Technologies composed of representatives of Union industry to advise and assist it on the implementation of the Platform in the relevant sectors.








Amendment 60


Proposal for a regulation


Article 5








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment







Article 5






deleted







Monitoring of implementation



 







1.
   
The Commission shall monitor the implementation of the Platform and measure the achievement of the Platform objectives set out in Article 2. The monitoring of implementation shall be targeted and proportionate to the activities carried out under the Platform.





 







2.
   
The monitoring system of the Commission shall ensure that data for monitoring the implementation of the activities carried out under the Platform and the results of those activities are collected efficiently, effectively and in a timely manner.





 







3.
   
The Commission shall report on the expenditure financed by the Platform. It shall, as appropriate, report on the achievements related to each of the specific Platform objectives.





 





Amendment 61


Proposal for a regulation


Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   The Commission shall establish a dedicated publicly available website (the ‘Sovereignty portal’), providing 
investors with
 information about funding opportunities for projects linked to the Platform objectives and 
grant
 visibility to those projects, in particular by displaying the following information:




1.   The Commission shall establish a dedicated publicly available website (the ‘Sovereignty portal’), providing information about funding opportunities for projects linked to the Platform objectives and 
granting
 visibility to those projects, in particular by displaying the following information:






Amendment 62


Proposal for a regulation


Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)


ongoing and upcoming calls for proposals and calls for tender linked to the Platform objectives under the respective programmes and funds
,














(a)




information about Union programmes and funds within the scope of this Regulation and
 ongoing and upcoming calls for proposals and calls for tender linked to the Platform objectives under the respective programmes and funds;









Amendment 63


Proposal for a regulation


Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(d)




contacts to
 the national competent authorities designated in accordance with paragraph 4;












(d)




contact details of
 the national competent authorities designated in accordance with paragraph 4;









Amendment 64


Proposal for a regulation


Article 6 – paragraph 3 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





3a.
   
The Sovereignty Portal shall include a rapid simulator to provide project promoters, especially SMEs, guidance on the Union programme or fund for which their particular project may be eligible. The simulator shall not require project promoters to provide confidential business information and its results shall not be legally binding on the authorities responsible for the awarding of funding








Amendment 65


Proposal for a regulation


Article 6 – paragraph 4 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





4a.
   
For projects related to security and defence, information shall be displayed only on a case-by-case basis, if deemed necessary by the project promoter or the Commission, taking into consideration the confidentiality of security of information in defence matters.








Amendment 66


Proposal for a regulation


Article 7 – title








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





Annual 
report






Monitoring and
 annual 
reporting







Amendment 67


Proposal for a regulation


Article 7 – paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   The Commission shall 
provide an annual report to the European Parliament and the Council on
 the implementation of the Platform.




1.   The Commission shall 
monitor
 the implementation of the Platform 
and measure the achievement of the objectives of the Platform laid down in Article 2
. 
The monitoring of the implementation shall be targeted and proportionate to the activities carried out under the Platform.








Amendment 68


Proposal for a regulation


Article 7 – paragraph 1 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





1a.
   
The Commission shall design the monitoring system in such a way that data for monitoring the implementation of activities carried out under the Platform and the results of those activities is collected efficiently, effectively and in a timely manner. To that end, proportionate reporting requirements shall be imposed on the beneficiaries of funding.








Amendment 69


Proposal for a regulation


Article 7 – paragraph 1 b (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





1b.
   
The Commission shall provide an annual report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the implementation of the Platform. The annual report shall be made publicly available.








Amendment 70


Proposal for a regulation


Article 7 – paragraph 2








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






2.   The annual report shall include consolidated information on the progress made in implementing the Platform objectives under each of the programmes and funds.




2.   The annual report shall include consolidated information on the progress made in implementing the Platform objectives under each of the programmes and funds 
as well as qualitative and quantitative information on the Platform's contribution to cross-border projects and to projects per Member State
.






Amendment 71


Proposal for a regulation


Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point a








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)


overall expenditure of the STEP financed under the respective programmes;












(a)


overall expenditure of the STEP financed under the respective programmes 
and funds
;









Amendment 72


Proposal for a regulation


Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(ba)






an impact assessment determining how the accumulated projects under STEP contribute to the Union’s strategic objectives on ensuring long-term competitiveness;











Amendment 73


Proposal for a regulation


Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point b b (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(bb)






an analysis of the geographical and technological distribution of the projects that have been awarded the Sovereignty Seal.











Amendment 74


Proposal for a regulation


Article 8 – paragraph 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   By 31 December 2025, the Commission shall provide the European Parliament and the Council with an evaluation report on the implementation of the Platform.




1.   By 31 December 2025, the Commission shall provide the European Parliament and the Council with an 
interim
 evaluation report on the implementation of the Platform
, on the state of dependencies of the Union, and on the sectors of strategic importance for its sovereignty, for the purpose of informing the decision-making process on the post-2027 multiannual financial framework in a timely manner
.






Amendment 75


Proposal for a regulation


Article 8 – paragraph 2








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






2.   The evaluation report shall, in particular, assess to which extent the objectives 
have been achieved
, the efficiency of the use of the resources and the European added value. It shall also consider the continued relevance of all objectives and 
actions
, in view of their potential upscaling.




2.   The 
interim
 evaluation report shall, in particular, assess to which extent the 
STEP has contributed to the achievement of the
 objectives, the efficiency of the use of the resources and the European added value 
of the Platform
. It shall also 
provide an overview of the regions for which the programmes have been amended, including information on relevant aspects of the partnership principle,
 consider the continued relevance of all objectives and 
projects
, in view of their potential upscaling
, and assess the feasibility of combining all existing publicly available websites managed by the Commission and providing information on Union programmes and funds under direct, shared and indirect management in a single portal, to bring Union funding opportunities closer to potential beneficiaries and enhance transparency towards Union citizens
.






Amendment 76


Proposal for a regulation


Article 8 – paragraph 3








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






3.   Where appropriate, the evaluation shall be accompanied by a proposal for amendments of this Regulation.




3.   Where appropriate, the 
interim
 evaluation 
report
 shall be accompanied by a proposal for amendments of this Regulation 
or by a legislative proposal for a fully-fledged European Sovereignty Fund, with the aim of helping to shape and strengthen a European industrial policy and to reduce strategic dependencies of the Union, and which ensures the correct functioning of the single market, while avoiding market distortions and creating a level playing field in the Union and third countries
. 
Where the Commission chooses not to present a legislative proposal for a European Sovereignty Fund, it shall provide reasons for its decision in its interim evaluation report
.






Amendment 77


Proposal for a regulation


Article 8 – paragraph 3 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 





3a.
   
At the end of the implementation of the Union programmes and funds from which the Platform is financially supported, but no later than 31 December 2031, the Commission shall provide the European Parliament and the Council with a final evaluation report on implementation of the Platform. The final evaluation report shall be accompanied by a thorough assessment of differentiated territorial impacts and effects on cohesion resulting from the implementation of the Platform.








Amendment 78


Proposal for a regulation


Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 1

Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10a – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 6







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





In addition to the allowances referred to in the first to fifth subparagraphs of this paragraph, the Innovation Fund shall also implement a financial envelope for the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027 of EUR 5 000 000 000 in current prices for supporting investments contributing to the STEP objective 
referred to in Article 2, point (a)(ii) of
 Regulation .../... (63)

[STEP Regulation
]. This
 financial envelope shall be made available to support investments 
only
 in Member States whose average GDP per capita is below the 
EU average
 of the EU-27 measured in purchasing power standards (PPS) and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2015-2017


In addition to the allowances referred to in the first to fifth subparagraphs of this paragraph, the Innovation Fund shall also implement a financial envelope for the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027 of EUR 5 000 000 000 in current prices for supporting investments contributing to the STEP objective 
for net-zero technologies as defined in [Article 3, point (a)] of
 Regulation 
(EU)
 .../... 
[Net-Zero Industry Act
] 
by making this financial envelope available for Strategic Projects as defined in [Article 2, point (e)] the Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act], provided that they comply with the resilience or competitiveness criteria laid down in Article 10 (1), point (a) or (b), of Regulation (EU) …/... [Net-Zero Industry Act]. Until 31 December 2025, the
 financial envelope shall be made available 
in equal parts
 to support investments in:




 










(a)




Member States whose average GDP per capita is below the 
Union
 average of the EU-27 measured in purchasing power standards (PPS) and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2015-2017; 
and










 










(b)






all Member States.










 




From 1 January 2026, unused funds of the financial envelope shall be made available to support these investments in all Member States.







 





Amendment 79


Proposal for a regulation


Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 2

Regulation (EU) 2021/1058
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ix







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(ix)


supporting investments contributing to the STEP objective referred to in Article 
2(1), point (a)(ii)
 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]












(ix)


supporting investments contributing to the STEP objective referred to in Article 
2
 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]









Amendment 80


Proposal for a regulation


Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 3

Regulation (EU) 2021/1058
Article 3 – paragraph 1a







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(3)


In Article 3, the following paragraph 1a is inserted:












(3)


In Article 3, the following paragraph 1a is inserted:








‘The resources under the specific objective referred to in Article 3(1), 
first subparagraph,
 points (a)(vi) and (b)(ix) shall be programmed under dedicated priorities corresponding to the respective policy objective.










1a.




The resources under the specific objective referred to in Article 3(1), points (a)(vi) and (b)(ix) shall be programmed under dedicated priorities corresponding to the respective policy objective 
and shall be limited to a maximum of 20% of the initial allocation of the ERDF.










The Commission shall pay 30 % of the ERDF allocation to 
that priority
 as set out in the decision approving the programme amendment as exceptional one-off pre-financing in addition to the yearly pre-financing for the programme provided for in Article 90(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 or in Article 51(2), (3) and (4) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1059. The exceptional pre-financing shall be paid by 31 December 2024, provided the Commission has adopted the decision approving the programme amendment by 31 October 2024.


The Commission shall pay 30 % of the ERDF allocation to 
the priorities referred to in the first subparagraph
 as set out in the decision approving the programme amendment as exceptional one-off pre-financing in addition to the yearly pre-financing for the programme provided for in Article 90(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 or in Article 51(2), (3) and (4) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1059. The exceptional pre-financing shall be paid by 31 December 2024, provided the Commission has adopted the decision approving the programme amendment by 31 October 2024.




In accordance with Article 90 (5) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 and Article 51(5) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1059, the amount paid as exceptional pre-financing shall be cleared no later than with the final accounting year.


In accordance with Article 90 (5) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 and Article 51(5) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1059, the amount paid as exceptional pre-financing shall be cleared no later than with the final accounting year.




In accordance with Article 90(6) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, any interest generated by the exceptional pre-financing shall be used for the programme concerned in the same way as the ERDF and shall be included in the accounts for the final accounting year.


In accordance with Article 90(6) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, any interest generated by the exceptional pre-financing shall be used for the programme concerned in the same way as the ERDF and shall be included in the accounts for the final accounting year.




In accordance with Article 97(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the exceptional pre-financing shall not be suspended.


In accordance with Article 97(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the exceptional pre-financing shall not be suspended.




In accordance with Article 105 (1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the pre-financing to be taken into account for the purposes of calculating amounts to be de-committed shall include the exceptional pre-financing paid.


In accordance with Article 105 (1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the pre-financing to be taken into account for the purposes of calculating amounts to be de-committed shall include the exceptional pre-financing paid.




By way of derogation from Article 112 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the 
maximum
 co-financing rates for dedicated priorities established to support the STEP objectives 
shall
 be increased to 100 %.’


By way of derogation from Article 112 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the co-financing rates for dedicated priorities established to support the STEP objectives 
referred to in Article 2 of Regulation…/… [STEP Regulation] may
 all be increased 
up
 to 100 %.’





Amendment 81


Proposal for a regulation


Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 4

Regulation (EU) 2021/1058
Article 5 – paragaph 2 – point e







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(e)


when they contribute to the specific objective under PO 1 set out in Article 3(1), first subparagraph, point (a)(vi) or to the specific objective under PO 2 set out in point (b)(ix) of that subparagraph, in less developed and transition regions, as well as more developed regions in Member States whose average GDP per capita is below the EU average of the EU-27 measured in purchasing power standards (PPS) and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2015-2017.












(e)


when they contribute to the specific objective under PO 1 set out in Article 3(1), first subparagraph, point (a)(vi) or to the specific objective under PO 2 set out in point (b)(ix) of that subparagraph, in less developed and transition regions, as well as more developed regions in Member States whose average GDP per capita is below the EU average of the EU-27 measured in purchasing power standards (PPS) and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2015-2017
, while preserving a focus on SMEs and mid-caps
.








Point (e) shall apply to Interreg programmes where the geographical coverage of the programme within the Union consists exclusively of categories of regions set out in that point.


Point (e) shall apply to Interreg programmes where the geographical coverage of the programme within the Union consists exclusively of categories of regions set out in that point.





Amendment 82


Proposal for a regulation


Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 6

Regulation (EU) 2021/1058
Annex 1 – Table 1









Text proposed by the Commission











(6)


In Annex I, Table I, the following row is added under policy objective 1:








 


(vi) supporting investments contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]


Any RCO listed for specific objectives (i), (iii) and (iv)
RCO125 Firms: Enterprises supported linked primarily to deep and digital technologies productive investments
RCO126 Firms: Enterprises supported linked primarily to clean technologies productive investments
RCO127 Firms: Enterprises supported linked primarily to biotechnologies productive investments
[These indicators are to be reported as subsets of RC001-RCO04]


Any RCR listed for specific objectives (i), (iii) and (iv)
















Amendment











(6)


In Annex I, Table I, the following row is added under policy objective 1:








 


(vi) supporting investments contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]


Any RCO listed for specific objectives (i), (iii) and (iv)
RCO125 Firms: Enterprises supported linked primarily to digital technologies productive investments
RCO126 Firms: Enterprises supported linked primarily to net-zero technologies productive investments
RCO127 Firms: Enterprises supported linked primarily to biotechnologies productive investments
[These indicators are to be reported as subsets of RC001-RCO04]


Any RCR listed for specific objectives (i), (iii) and (iv)





Amendment 83


Proposal for a regulation


Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 7

Regulation (EU) 2021/1058
Annex 1 – Table 1









Text proposed by the Commission











(7)


In Annex I, Table I, the following row is added under policy objective 2:








 


(ix) supporting investments contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]


Any RCO listed for specific objectives (i), (iii), (iv) and (vi) under policy objective 1
RCO125 Firms: Enterprises supported linked primarily to deep and digital technologies productive investments
RCO126 Firms: Enterprises supported linked primarily to clean technologies productive investments
RCO127 Firms: Enterprises supported linked primarily to biotechnologies productive investments
[These indicators are to be reported as subsets of RC001-RCO04]


Any RCR listed for specific objectives (i), (iii) and (iv) under policy objective 1
















Amendment











(7)


In Annex I, Table I, the following row is added under policy objective 2:








 


(ix) supporting investments contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]


Any RCO listed for specific objectives (i), (iii), (iv) and (vi) under policy objective 1
RCO125 Firms: Enterprises supported linked primarily to digital technologies productive investments
RCO126 Firms: Enterprises supported linked primarily to net-zero technologies productive investments
RCO127 Firms: Enterprises supported linked primarily to biotechnologies productive investments
[These indicators are to be reported as subsets of RC001-RCO04]


Any RCR listed for specific objectives (i), (iii) and (iv) under policy objective 1





Amendment 84


Proposal for a regulation


Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 1

Regulation (EU) 2021/1056
Article 2







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





In accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the JTF shall contribute to the specific objective of enabling regions and people to address the social, employment, economic and environmental impacts of the transition towards the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050, based on the Paris Agreement. The JTF may also support investments contributing to the STEP objective referred to in Article 
2(1), point (a)(ii)
 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation].


In accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the JTF shall contribute to the specific objective of enabling regions and people to address the social, employment, economic and environmental impacts of the transition towards the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050, based on the Paris Agreement. The JTF may also support investments contributing to the STEP objective referred to in Article 
2
 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation].





Amendment 85


Proposal for a regulation


Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 2

Regulation (EU) 2021/1056
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – new subparagraph







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





The JTF 
may
 also support productive investments in enterprises 
other than SMEs
 contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... (65) [
STEPRegulation
]. That support may be provided irrespective of whether the gap analysis was carried out in accordance with Article 11(2)(h) and irrespective of its outcome. Such investments shall only be eligible where they do not lead to relocation as defined in point (27) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060. The provision of such support shall not require a revision of the territorial just transition plan 
where that revision would be exclusively linked to the gap analysis
.


The JTF also 
supports
 productive investments in enterprises, 
with a focus on SMEs and mid-caps
, contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... (65) [
STEP Regulation
]. That support may be provided irrespective of whether the gap analysis was carried out in accordance with Article 11(2)(h) and irrespective of its outcome. Such investments shall only be eligible where they do not lead to relocation as defined in point (27) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060. 
Apprenticeships and jobs, education or training for new skills shall be considered in the awarding decision.
 The provision of such support shall not require a revision of the territorial just transition plan.









Amendment 86


Proposal for a regulation


Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 3

Regulation (EU) 2021/1056
Article 10 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 6







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





By way of derogation from Article 112 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the maximum co-financing rates for dedicated priorities established to support the STEP objectives 
shall
 be increased to 100 %.


By way of derogation from Article 112 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the maximum co-financing rates for dedicated priorities established to support the STEP objectives 
referred to in Article 2 of Regulation …/… [STEP Regulation] may
 be increased 
up
 to 100 %.





Amendment 87


Proposal for a regulation


Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point 1

Regulation (EU) 2021/1057
Article 12a – paragraph 1







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





In addition to the pre-financing for the programme provided for in Article 90(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, where the Commission approves an amendment of a programme including one or more priorities dedicated to operations supported by the ESF+ contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... (66)[STEP Regulation], it shall make an exceptional pre-financing of 30% on the basis of the allocation to those priorities. The exceptional pre-financing shall be paid by 31 December 2024, provided the Commission has adopted the decision approving the programme amendment by 31 October 2024.


In addition to the pre-financing for the programme provided for in Article 90(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, where the Commission approves an amendment of a programme including one or more priorities dedicated to operations supported by the ESF+ contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../.. (66) [STEP Regulation], it shall make an exceptional pre-financing of 30% on the basis of the allocation to those priorities. 
This exceptional pre-financing shall also benefit operations which contribute to the deployment of the learning programmes of the European Net Zero Industry Academies as well as the training of young people and the skilling, upskilling and reskilling of workers in net-zero technologies.
 The exceptional pre-financing shall be paid by 31 December 2024, provided the Commission has adopted the decision approving the programme amendment by 31 October 2024.









Amendment 88


Proposal for a regulation


Article 12 – paragraph 1

Regulation (EU) 2021/1057
Article 12a – paragraph 6







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





By way of derogation from Article 112 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the maximum co-financing rates for dedicated priorities established to support the STEP objectives shall be increased to 100 %.


By way of derogation from Article 112 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the co-financing rates for dedicated priorities established to support the STEP objectives 
referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation] may
 be increased 
up
 to 100 %.’





Amendment 89


Proposal for a regulation


Article 13 –paragraph 1 – point 4

Regulation (EU) 2021/1057
Annex 1 – Table 1









Text proposed by the Commission











(4)


In the Annex I, Table 1, the following rows are added:








INTERVENTION FIELD


Coefficient for the calculation of support to climate change objectives


Coefficient for the calculation of support to environmental objectives




145a


Support for the development of skills or access to employment in deep and digital technologies, biotechnologies.


0%


0%




145b


Support for the development of skills or access to employment in clean technologies.


100%


40%




188


Productive investments in large enterprises linked primarily to clean technologies.


100%


40%




189


Productive investments in SMEs linked primarily to clean technologies.


100%


40%




190


Productive investments in large enterprises linked primarily to biotechnologies.


0%


0%




191


Productive investments in SMEs linked primarily to biotechnologies.


0%


0%




192


Productive investments in large enterprises linked primarily to deep and digital technologies.


0%


0%




193


Productive investments in SMEs linked primarily to deep and digital technologies.


0%


0%
















Amendment











(4)


In the Annex I, Table 1, the following rows are added:








INTERVENTION FIELD


Coefficient for the calculation of support to climate change objectives


Coefficient for the calculation of support to environmental objectives




145a


Support for the development of skills or access to employment in digital technologies. (contributing to STEP objectives in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]).



0%


0%




145b


Support for the development of skills or access to employment in net-zero technologies. (contributing to STEP objectives in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]).



100%


40%




188


Productive investments in large enterprises linked primarily to net-zero technologies. (contributing to STEP objectives in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]).



100%


40%




189


Productive investments in SMEs linked primarily to net-zero technologies. (contributing to STEP objectives in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]).



100%


40%




190


Productive investments in large enterprises linked primarily to biotechnologies. (contributing to STEP objectives in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]).



0%


0%




191


Productive investments in SMEs linked primarily to biotechnologies. (contributing to STEP objectives in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]).



0%


0%




192


Productive investments in large enterprises linked primarily to digital technologies (contributing to STEP objectives in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]).



0%


0%




193


Productive investments in SMEs linked primarily to deep and digital technologies.


0%


0%





Amendment 90


Proposal for a regulation


Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point 5

Regulation (EU) 2021/1060
Annex 1 – Table 6









Text proposed by the Commission











(5)


In Annex I, Table 6, the following row is added:








11


Contributing to skills and jobs in 
deep and
 digital technologies, 
clean
 technologies
, biotechnologies




0%


0%
















Amendment











(5)


In Annex I, Table 6, the following row is added:








11


Contributing to skills and jobs in digital technologies, 
net-zero
 technologies 
(contributing to STEP objectives in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]).




0%


0%





Amendment 91


Proposal for a regulation


Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point -1a (new)

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 2 – point 29







Present text




Amendment





 










(-1a)






In Article 2, point (29) is replaced by the following:
















(29)


'accounting year', means, for the purposes of Part Three and Part Four, the period from 1 July to 30 June, except for the first accounting year of the programming period, in respect of which it means the period from the start date for eligibility of expenditure until 30 June 2015. The final accounting year shall be from 1 July 
2023
 to 30 June 
2024
;












‘(29)


'accounting year', means, for the purposes of Part Three and Part Four, the period from 1 July to 30 June, except for the first accounting year of the programming period, in respect of which it means the period from the start date for eligibility of expenditure until 30 June 2015. The final accounting year shall be from 1 July 
2024
 to 30 June 
2025
;’









Amendment 92


Proposal for a regulation


Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point -1b (new)

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 24 – paragraph 1a(new)







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(-1b)






In Article 24 the following paragraph is inserted:










 




‘
1a.
   
By way of derogation from Article 60(1) and the first and fourth subparagraphs of Article 120(3), a co-financing rate of up to 100 % may be applied to expenditure declared in the final accounting year for one or more priority axes in a programme supported by the ERDF, the ESF or the Cohesion Fund. By way of derogation from Article 30(1) and (2) and Article 96(10), the application of the co-financing rate of up to 100 % shall not require a Commission decision approving a programme amendment. The Member State shall notify the revised financial tables to the Commission following approval by the monitoring committee. The co-financing rate of up to 100 % shall apply only if the financial tables are notified to the Commission before the submission of the final application for an interim payment for the final accounting year in accordance with Article 135(2).
’







Amendment 93


Proposal for a regulation


Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point -1c (new)

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 65 – paragraph 2







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(-1c)






In Article 65, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:










 





2.
   
Expenditure shall be eligible for a contribution from the ESI Funds if it has been incurred by a beneficiary and paid between the date of submission of the programme to the Commission or from 1 January 2014, whichever is earlier, and 31 December 2024. In addition, expenditure shall only be eligible for a contribution from the EAFRD if the relevant aid is actually paid by the paying agency between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2024.








Amendment 94


Proposal for a regulation


Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – introductory part








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment







(1)   
In
 Article 135
, the following paragraph 6 is added






(1)   Article 135 
is amended as follows
:





 










(a)






the following paragraph 6 is added:











Amendment 95


Proposal for a regulation


Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point 1 - introductory part

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 135 – paragraph 6







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment







‘6.   By way of derogation from paragraph 2, the deadline for the submission of the final application for an interim payment for the final accounting year shall be 31 July 2025. The last application for interim payment submitted by 31 July 2025 shall be deemed to be the final application for an interim payment for the final accounting year.
Amounts from resources other than REACT-EU reimbursed by the Commission as interim payments in 2025 shall not exceed 
1
 % of the total financial appropriations to the programme concerned by Fund, REACT-EU resources excluded. Amounts that would be due to be paid by the Commission in 2025 exceeding this percentage shall not be paid and shall be used exclusively for the clearing of pre-financing at closure.’






‘6.   By way of derogation from paragraph 2, the deadline for the submission of the final application for an interim payment for the final accounting year shall be 31 July 2025. The last application for interim payment submitted by 31 July 2025 shall be deemed to be the final application for an interim payment for the final accounting year.
Amounts from resources other than REACT-EU reimbursed by the Commission as interim payments in 2025 shall not exceed 
10
 % of the total financial appropriations to the programme concerned by Fund, REACT-EU resources excluded. Amounts that would be due to be paid by the Commission in 2025 exceeding this percentage shall not be paid and shall be used exclusively for the clearing of pre-financing at closure.’







Amendment 96


Proposal for a regulation


Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point b (new)

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 135 – paragraph 6 a (new)







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(b)






The following paragraph 6a is added:










 



‘
6a.
   
For the outermost regions as defined in Article 349 TFEU, by way of derogation from paragraph 2 the deadline for the submission of the final application for an interim payment for the final accounting year shall be 30 June 2025. The last application for interim payment submitted by 31 December 2025 shall be deemed to be the final application for an interim payment for the final accounting year.







 




Amounts from resources other than REACT-EU reimbursed by the Commission as interim payments in 2025 shall not exceed 15 % of the total financial appropriations to the programme concerned by Fund, REACT-EU resources excluded. Amounts that would be due to be paid by the Commission in 2025 exceeding this percentage shall not be paid and shall be used exclusively for the clearing of pre-financing at closure
’





Amendment 97


Proposal for a regulation


Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point 2

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
Article 138 – subparagraph 2







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





‘By way of derogation from the deadline set out in the first subparagraph, Member States may submit the documents referred to under points (a), (b) and (c) for the final accounting year by 15 February 2026.’


‘By way of derogation from the deadline set out in the first subparagraph, Member States may submit the 
final implementation report for the operational programme according to Article 141 and the
 documents referred to under points (a), (b) and (c) for the final accounting year by 15 February 2026.’





Amendment 98


Proposal for a regulation


Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)

Regulation (EU) No 223/2014
Article 141 – paragraph 1







Present text




Amendment





 










(2a)






In Article 141, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:











1.   In addition to the documents referred to in Article 138, for the final accounting year from 1 July 
2023
 to 30 June 
2024
, Member States shall submit a final implementation report for the operational programme or the last annual implementation report for the operational programme supported by the EMFF.





‘1.   In addition to the documents referred to in Article 138, for the final accounting year from 1 July 
2024
 to 30 June 
2025
, Member States shall submit a final implementation report for the operational programme or the last annual implementation report for the operational programme supported by the EMFF.’







Amendment 99


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





The EU guarantee for the purposes of the EU compartment referred to in Article 9(1), point (a), shall be EUR 
33 652 310 073 
 in current prices. It shall be provisioned at the rate of 40 %. The amount referred to in Article 35(3), first subparagraph, point (a), shall be also taken into account for contributing to the provisioning resulting from that provisioning rate.;


The EU guarantee for the purposes of the EU compartment referred to in Article 9(1), point (a), shall be EUR 
36 652 310 073 
 in current prices. It shall be provisioned at the rate of 40 %. The amount referred to in Article 35(3), first subparagraph, point (a), shall be also taken into account for contributing to the provisioning resulting from that provisioning rate.;





Amendment 100


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a a (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(aa)






In paragraph 1, the following fourth subparagraph is inserted:










 


‘
An additional amount of the EU guarantee may also be provided in the form of cash by Member States to the Member State compartment to support the objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation] using the proceeds of loans granted to Member States pursuant to Article 33a of Regulation (EU) 2021/241 [RRF Regulation].
’





Amendment 101


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





An amount of EUR 
18 827 310 073 
 in current prices of the amount referred to in the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 of this Article shall be allocated for the objectives referred to in Article 3(2).;


An amount of EUR 
21 827 310 073 
 in current prices of the amount referred to in the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 of this Article shall be allocated for the objectives referred to in Article 3(2).;





Amendment 102


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point b







Present text




Amendment





 










(4a)






In Article 9(1), point (b) is replaced by the following:
















(b)


the Member State compartment shall address specific market failures or suboptimal investment situations in one or several regions or Member States to deliver the policy objectives of the contributing funds under shared management or of the additional amount provided by a Member State under the third subparagraph of Article 4(1), in particular to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion in the Union by addressing imbalances between its regions.












'(b)


the Member State compartment shall address specific market failures or suboptimal investment situations in one or several regions or Member States to deliver the policy objectives of the contributing funds under shared management or of the additional amount provided by a Member State under the third subparagraph of Article 4(1), in particular to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion in the Union by addressing imbalances between its regions. 
The additional amount provided by a Member State in the form of cash under the fourth subparagraph of Article 4(1) shall be earmarked for projects contributing to the objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation].











Amendment 103


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 4 b (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – point h







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(4b)






In Article 10(3), a new point (h) is inserted:










 








'
(h)






any contribution in the form of cash to the Member State compartment made with the proceeds of Recovery and Resilience Facility loans pursuant to Article 33a of Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and the Council

 (1a)
;









 






Amendment 104


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point b – point viii







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(5a)






In Article 11(1), point (b), a new point is inserted:










 








‘
(viii)






monitoring the implementation and the consistency with the national recovery and resilience plans of the STEP projects financed with the proceeds of RRF loans.
’









Amendment 105


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 6

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 13 – paragraph 4







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(6)


Article 
13(4)
 is 
replaced by the following:














(6)


Article 
13
 is 
amended as follows:










 










(a)






paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:












‘4.   
At least
 75 % of the EU guarantee under the EU compartment as referred to in Article 4(1), first subparagraph, amounting to 
at least EUR 25 239 232 554 
, shall be granted to the EIB Group. The EIB Group shall provide an aggregate financial contribution amounting to at least EUR 
6 309 808 138 
. That contribution shall be provided in a manner and form that facilitates the implementation of the InvestEU Fund and the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 15(2).’

;



‘4.   75 % of the EU guarantee under the EU compartment as referred to in Article 4(1), first subparagraph, amounting to 
EUR 27 489 232 554 
, shall be granted to the EIB Group. The EIB Group shall provide an aggregate financial contribution amounting to at least EUR 
6 872 308 138 
. That contribution shall be provided in a manner and form that facilitates the implementation of the InvestEU Fund and the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 15(2).’

;




Amendment 106


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 6 - point b (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 13 – paragraph 5







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(6b)






paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:











5.   The remaining 25 % of the EU guarantee under the EU compartment shall be granted to other implementing partners, which shall also provide a financial contribution to be determined in the guarantee agreements.





‘5.   The remaining 25 % of the EU guarantee under the EU compartment shall be granted to other implementing partners, which shall also provide a financial contribution to be determined in the guarantee agreements. 
Where the Commission determines that national promotional banks or institutions do not make full use of the remaining 25 % of the EU guarantee under the EU compartment, the excess amount may exceptionally be granted to the EIB Group.
’


;





Amendment 107


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point c (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 13 – paragraph 5a (new)







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(c)






the following paragraph is inserted:










 




‘
5a.
   
Where applicable, the Commission shall justify its decision pursuant to paragraph 5 to grant the EIB Group more than 75% of the EU guarantee in the Annual Report to the European Parliament referred to in article 7 of Regulation.../... [STEP Regulation]. The European Commission shall also inform of any actions aiming to increase the absorption capacity of the other implementing partners.
’


;





Amendment 108


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point d (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 13 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(d)






in paragraph 7, the second subparagraph is replaced by the following:










 



‘
Contracts between the implementing partner and the final recipient or the financial intermediary or other entity referred to in point (a) of Article 16(1) under the EU guarantee referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 4(2) shall be signed at the latest two years after the approval of the relevant financing or investment operation by the implementing partner. In other cases, contracts between the implementing partner and the final recipient or the financial intermediary or other entity referred to in point (a) of Article 16(1) shall be signed by 31 December 2028.
’;







Amendment 109


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point e (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 13 – paragraph 6a (new)







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(e)






the following paragraph is inserted:










 




‘
6a.
   
The EIB Group shall aim to preserve a geographical balance, particularly with regard to cross-border projects.
’







Amendment 110


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 9

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 25 – paragraph 2 - point (j)







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











‘(j)


provide advisory support to equity fund managers active in the areas referred to in point (e) of Article 8(1).’












‘(j)


provide advisory support to equity fund managers 
and other relevant stakeholders
 active in the areas referred to in point (e) of Article 8(1)
, including, regarding the valuation of intangible assets.
’









Amendment 111


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 12

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Annex I – point (e)







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(e)


up to EUR 
7 500 000 000 
 for objectives referred to in Article 3(2), point (e).












(e)


up to EUR 
10 500 000 000 
 for objectives referred to in Article 3(2), point (e).









Amendment 112


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 13

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Annex II – point 16







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(16)




scaling up, deployment and large-scale
 manufacturing of the 
critical
 technologies referred to in Article 2(1), point (a) of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation], as well as the respective 
value
 chain referred to in Article 
2(4)
 of that Regulation.












(16)




development or
 manufacturing of the technologies referred to in Article 2(1), point (a) of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation], as well as the respective 
supply
 chain referred to in Article 
2(2)
 of that Regulation.









Amendment 113


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 14

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Annex III – point 9 – point 7a.1







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











7a.1


Investment mobilised by technology area: i) 
deep and
 digital technologies
, ii) clean
 technologies and iii) biotechnologies.













‘7a.1


Investment mobilised by technology area: i) digital technologies 
and ii) net-zero
 technologies and iii) biotechnologies.’










Amendment 114


Proposal for a regulation


Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 14

Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Annex III – point 9 – 7a.2







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











7a.2


Number of enterprises supported by technology area: i) 
deep and
 digital technologies, ii) 
clean
 technologies and iii) biotechnologies.













‘7a.2


Number of enterprises supported by technology area: i) digital technologies, ii) 
net-zero
 technologies and iii) biotechnologies.’










Amendment 115


Proposal for a regulation


Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point -1 (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 7 – paragraph 10







Present text




Amendment





 










(-1)






in Article 7, paragraph 10 is replaced by the following:











10.   As part of the general Union objective of mainstreaming climate actions into Union sectoral policies and Union funds, actions under this Programme shall contribute at least 35 % of the expenditure to climate objectives where appropriate. Climate mainstreaming shall be adequately integrated in R&I content.




’10.   As part of the general Union objective of mainstreaming climate actions into Union sectoral policies and Union funds, actions under this Programme shall contribute at least 35 % of the expenditure to climate objectives where appropriate. Climate mainstreaming shall be adequately integrated in R&I content. 
For the implementation of this objective, the Commission may rely on the 'Do No Significant Harm' principle in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852 to ensure that climate spending does not adversely affect other environmental objectives and that investments in other environmental objectives are in line with the climate objective. The use of this principle shall be limited to calls for proposals for projects which directly relate to environmental objectives, as defined in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and which aim to fund activities close to market deployment. The use of the principle shall be accompanied by detailed guidance from the Commission on how compliance with the principle shall be evaluated in the context of the specific call in which the principle is used.








Amendment 116


Proposal for a regulation


Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point -1 a (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – points b and c







Present text




Amendment





 










(-1a)






in Article 9(1), points (b) and (c) are replaced by the following:
















(b)


autonomy;










(c)


ability to take risk;












‘(b)


autonomy
, particularly for the implementation of equity support in order to ensure market-conform investment timelines as well as risk-taking as referred to in point (c);












(c)


ability to take 
more
 risk 
than the market standards, particularly by providing patient investment to non-bankable innovations.
’









Amendment 117


Proposal for a regulation


Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a

Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 12 – paragraph 1







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   The financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027 shall be EUR 
86 623 000 000 
 in current prices for the specific programme referred to in point (a) of Article 1(2) and for the EIT and EUR 
9 453 000 000 
 in current prices for the specific programme referred to in point (c) of Article 1(2).




1.   The financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027 shall be EUR 
87 423 000 000 
 in current prices for the specific programme referred to in point (a) of Article 1(2) and for the EIT and EUR 
10 453 000 000 
 in current prices for the specific programme referred to in point (c) of Article 1(2).






Amendment 118


Proposal for a regulation


Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b

Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point c







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)


in paragraph 2, 
points (b) and (c) are
 replaced by the following:












(b)


in paragraph 2, 
point (c) is
 replaced by the following:














‘
(b)






EUR 46 628 000 000  for Pillar II 'Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness' for the period 2021 to 2027, of which:














‘(c)


EUR 13 237 000 000  for Pillar III 'Innovative Europe' for the period 2021 to 2027, of which:
















(i)






EUR 6 775 000 000  for cluster 'Health';














(i)


EUR 10 052 000 000  for the EIC;
















(ii)






EUR 1 350 000 000 for cluster 'Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society';














(ii)


EUR 459 000 000  for European innovation ecosystems;
















(iii)






EUR 1 276 000 000  for cluster ‘Civil Security for Society’;














(iii)


EUR 2 726 000 000  for the EIT;’
















(iv)






EUR 13 229 000 000  for cluster 'Digital, Industry and Space';








 












(v)






EUR 13 229 000 000  for cluster 'Climate, Energy and Mobility';








 












(vi)






EUR 8 799 000 000  for cluster 'Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment';








 












(vii)






EUR 1 970 000 000  for the non-nuclear direct actions of the JRC;








 










(c)


EUR 13 237 000 000  for Pillar III 'Innovative Europe' for the period 2021 to 2027, of which:






 










(i)


EUR 10 052 000 000  for the EIC;






 










(ii)


EUR 459 000 000  for European innovation ecosystems;






 










(iii)


EUR 2 726 000 000  for the EIT;’






 





Amendment 119


Proposal for a regulation


Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – introductory part








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(3)




In
 Article 48
, the following point (d) is added in the first subparagraph
:












(3)


Article 48 
is amended as follows
:









Amendment 120


Proposal for a regulation


Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 48 – paragraph 1– subparagraph 1 – point c







Present text




Amendment





 










(a)






in paragraph 1, second subparagraph, point (c) is replaced by the following:
















(c)


equity-only support to non-bankable SMEs, including start-ups, 
which have already received a grant-only support,
 may also be provided.












‘(c)


equity-only support to non-bankable SMEs, including start-ups, 
carrying out breakthrough and disruptive non-bankable innovation
 may also be provided;’









Amendment 121


Proposal for a regulation


Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 48 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(b)






in paragraph 1, second subparagraph, point (d) is added:
















(d)


equity-only support required for scale-up to non-bankable SMEs, including start-ups, and non-bankable small mid-caps, including entities which have already received support in line with points (a) to (c), carrying out breakthrough and disruptive non-bankable innovation in the 
critical
 technologies referred to in Article 2(1)(a) of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation], financed under Article 3(b) of that Regulation.












(d)


equity-only support required for scale-up to non-bankable SMEs, including start-ups, and non-bankable small mid-caps, including entities which have already received support in line with points (a) to (c), carrying out breakthrough and disruptive non-bankable innovation in the technologies referred to in Article 2(1)(a) of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation], financed under Article 3(b) of that Regulation.









Amendment 122


Proposal for a regulation


Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point c (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 48 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3 a (new)







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(c)






in paragraph 1, the following subparagraph is added:










 


‘
When providing equity support, the EIC shall strive to crowd-in other investors. However, in order to effectively support non-bankable innovation, equity support can be provided without crowding in other investors, particularly for but not limited to breakthrough and disruptive non-bankable innovation in the technologies referred to in Article 2(1)(a) of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation].







Amendment 123


Proposal for a regulation


Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point d (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 48 – paragraph 3







Present text




Amendment





 










(d)






paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:











3.   A single award decision shall cover and provide funding for all forms of Union contribution provided under EIC blended finance.





‘3.   A single award decision
, which shall be based on the outcome of the evaluation process referred to in paragraph 4 and in accordance with paragraph 8
 shall cover and provide funding for all forms of Union contribution provided under EIC blended finance. 
The single award decision shall lead to a single contract covering all forms of Union contribution provided by the decision.
’







Amendment 124


Proposal for a regulation


Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point e (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 48 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 1







Present text




Amendment





 










(e)






in paragraph 8, the first subparagraph is replaced by the following:










For a proposal having passed the evaluation, independent external experts shall propose a corresponding Accelerator support, based on the risk incurred and the resources and time necessary to bring and deploy the innovation to the market.


‘For a proposal having passed the evaluation, 
the
 independent external experts 
referred to in paragraph 4
 shall propose a corresponding Accelerator support, based on the risk incurred and the resources and time necessary to bring and deploy the innovation to the market. 
The Commission may reject, for justified reasons, a proposal retained by independent external experts, including due to non-compliance with the objectives of Union policies. The Programme Committee shall be informed of the reasons for such a rejection.
’





Amendment 125


Proposal for a regulation


Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point f (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 48 – paragraph 11 – subparagraph 1







Present text




Amendment





 










(f)






in paragraph 11, the first subparagraph is replaced by the following:










The contract for the selected action shall establish specific measurable milestones and the corresponding 
pre-financing
 and payments by instalments of the Accelerator support.


‘The contract for the selected action
, which shall comprise a single contract in accordance with paragraph 3,
 shall establish specific measurable milestones and the corresponding 
prefinancing
 and payments by instalments of the Accelerator support.’





Amendment 126


Proposal for a regulation


Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a

Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 4 – paragraph 1







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   In accordance with Article 12(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/695, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Fund for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027 shall be EUR 
9 453 000 000 
 in current prices.




1.   In accordance with Article 12(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/695, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Fund for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027 shall be EUR 
10 453 000 000 
 in current prices.






Amendment 127


Proposal for a regulation


Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b

Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point a







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)


EUR 
3 151 000 000 
 for research actions;












(a)


EUR 
3 484 000 000 
 for research actions;









Amendment 128


Proposal for a regulation


Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b

Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)


EUR 
6 302 000 000 
 for development actions.












(b)


EUR 
6 969 000 000 
 for development actions.









Amendment 129


Proposal for a regulation


Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b

Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 4 – paragraph 5







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(c)


Paragraph 5 is added:












(b)


Paragraph 5 is added:








‘An amount of EUR 
1 500 000 
 in current prices of the amount referred to in paragraph 2 shall be allocated to calls for proposals or awards of funding supporting investments contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2(1), point (a)(i) of Regulation .../...11 [STEP Regulation].’


‘An amount of EUR 
2 500 000 
 in current prices of the amount referred to in paragraph 2 shall be allocated to calls for proposals or awards of funding supporting investments contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2(1), point (a)(i) of Regulation .../...11 [STEP Regulation].’





Amendment 130


Proposal for a regulation


Article 19 – paragraph 1 – point 1

Regulation (EU) 2021/241
Article 1 – paragraph 7







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(1)


In Article 7, the following paragraph 3 is added:












(1)


In Article 7, the following paragraph 3 is added:















‘3.


Without prejudice to paragraph 2, Member States may also propose to include in their recovery and resilience plan, as estimated costs, the amount of the cash contribution for the purpose of the Member State compartment pursuant to the relevant provisions of the InvestEU Regulation exclusively for measures supporting investment operations contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation.../... (71) [STEP Regulation]. Those costs shall not exceed 6 % of the recovery and resilience plan’s total financial allocation, and the relevant measures, as set out in the recovery and resilience plan, shall respect the requirements of this Regulation.’













3.


Without prejudice to paragraph 2, Member States may also propose to include in their recovery and resilience plan, as estimated costs, the amount of the cash contribution for the purpose of the Member State compartment pursuant to the relevant provisions of the InvestEU Regulation exclusively for measures supporting investment operations contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation.../... (71) [STEP Regulation]. Those costs shall not exceed 6 % of the recovery and resilience plan’s total financial allocation, and the relevant measures, as set out in the recovery and resilience plan, shall respect the requirements of this Regulation. 
This limitation shall not apply to the cash contributions made pursuant to Article 33a.
’













Amendment 131


Proposal for a regulation


Article 19 – paragraph 1 – point 2a

Regulation (EU) 2021/241
Article 1 – paragraph 33a







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(2a)






A new chapter is added:










 


‘
CHAPTER VIIa




EXCEPTIONAL USE OF RRF LOANS NOT REQUESTED BY MEMBER STATES




Article 33a




1.
   
The difference between the maximum amount available for loan support to Member States in accordance to article 6(1)(b) and the total amount requested by the Member States before 1 September 2023 shall be made available to all Member States for the implementation of investments contributing to the objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation] through the Member State compartment of InvestEU. The maximum allocation for each Member State shall be made in accordance to the allocation key defined in Article 11 of this Regulation.






2.
   
Until 31 December 2023, upon request from a Member State, the Commission shall grant the Member State concerned a loan for the purpose referred to in paragraph 1.






3.
   
A Member State may request loan support until 15 December 2023 for the purpose referred to in paragraph 1.






4.
   
The Member State concerned shall use the proceeds of the loan to make a cash contribution to its Member State compartment of InvestEU to support objectives of the STEP, according to article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/523 [InvestEU Regulation].









Amendment 132


Proposal for a regulation


Article 19a (new)

Regulation (EU) 2021/1755
Article 4a







Present text




Amendment





 




Article 19a






 




Amendments to Regulation (EU) 2021/1755






 




Regulation (EU) 2021/1755 is amended as follows:






 




Article 4a is replaced by the following:







Article 4a

Transfer to the Recovery and Resilience Facility


1.   By 1 March 2023, Member States may submit to the Commission a reasoned request to transfer to the Recovery and Resilience Facility established by Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European and of the Council ( 2 ) all or part of the amounts of their provisional allocation set out in the implementing act of the Commission referred to in Article 4(5). If the transfer request is approved, the Commission shall amend the implementing act in order to reflect the adjusted amounts following the transfer.





Article 4a

Transfer to the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus or the Just Transition Fund



1.   By 1 March 2023, Member States may submit to the Commission a reasoned request to transfer to the Recovery and Resilience Facility established by Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European and of the Council all or part of the amounts of their provisional allocation set out in the implementing act of the Commission referred to in Article 4(5). If the transfer request is approved, the Commission shall amend the implementing act in order to reflect the adjusted amounts following the transfer.






 





1a.
   
By 30 September 2024, Member States may submit to the Commission a reasoned request to transfer to the European Regional Development Fund established by Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 of the European and of the Council, or the European Social Fund Plus established by Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council or the Just Transition Fund established by Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 of the European Parliament and of the Council all or part of the amounts of their provisional allocation set out in the implementing act of the Commission referred to in Article 4(5) for the purposes of supporting operations contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]. If the transfer request is approved, the Commission shall amend the implementing act in order to reflect the adjusted amounts following the transfer.








2.   Where 
the
 transfer affects the instalments already paid or to be paid as pre-financing, the Commission shall amend the implementing act referred to in Article 9(1) accordingly for the Member State concerned. Where appropriate, the Commission shall recover, in accordance with the Financial Regulation, all or part of the 2021 and 2022 instalments paid to that Member State as pre-financing. In that case the recovered amounts shall be transferred to the Recovery and Resilience Facility for the exclusive benefit of the Member State concerned.




2.   Where 
a
 transfer 
under paragraphs 1 or 2
 affects the instalments already paid or to be paid as pre-financing, the Commission shall amend the implementing act referred to in Article 9(1) accordingly for the Member State concerned. Where appropriate, the Commission shall recover, in accordance with the Financial Regulation, all or part of the 2021 and 2022 instalments paid to that Member State as pre-financing. In that case the recovered amounts shall be transferred to the Recovery and Resilience Facility for the exclusive benefit of the Member State concerned.






3.   Where a Member State chooses to transfer all or part of its provisional allocation to the Recovery and Resilience Facility in accordance with this Article, the amounts to be spent for the purposes of Article 4(4), first subparagraph, shall be proportionately reduced.




3.   Where a Member State chooses to transfer all or part of its provisional allocation to the Recovery and Resilience Facility in accordance with this Article, the amounts to be spent for the purposes of Article 4(4), first subparagraph, shall be proportionately reduced.






4.   Where a Member State chooses to transfer all of its provisional allocation to the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Article 10(1) shall not apply.




4.   Where a Member State chooses to transfer all of its provisional allocation to the Recovery and Resilience Facility
, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus or the Just Transition Fund in accordance with paragraphs 1 or 2

, Article 10(1) shall not apply.






5.   Article 10(2) shall not apply to the amounts transferred to the Recovery and Resilience Facility.




5.   Article 10(2) shall not apply to the amounts transferred to the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus or the Just Transition Fund in accordance with paragraphs 1 or 2
.






Amendment 133


Proposal for a regulation


Annex








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 




Annex






 




Definition of biotechnologies






 




(Article 2(1), point (a)(iii))






 




Biotechnologies

 (1a)

means:






 




The application of science and technology to living organisms, as well as parts, products and models thereof, to alter living or non-living materials for the production of knowledge, goods and services.






 




The OECD list-based statistical definition of biotechnology contains:








□




DNA/RNA: Genomics, pharmacogenomics, gene probes, genetic engineering, DNA/RNA sequencing/synthesis/amplification, gene expression profiling, and use of antisense technology, large-scale DNA synthesis, genome- and gene-editing, gene drive.












□




Proteins and other molecules: Sequencing/synthesis/engineering of proteins and peptides (including large molecule hormones); improved delivery methods for large molecule drugs; proteomics, protein isolation and purification, signalling, identification of cell receptors.












□




Cell and tissue culture and engineering: Cell/tissue culture, tissue engineering (including tissue scaffolds and biomedical engineering), cellular fusion, vaccine/immune stimulants, embryo manipulation, marker assisted breeding technologies, metabolic engineering.












□




Process biotechnology techniques: Fermentation using bioreactors, biorefining, bioprocessing, bioleaching, biopulping, biobleaching, biodesulphurisation, bioremediation, biosensing, biofiltration and phytoremediation, molecular aquaculture.












□




Gene and RNA vectors: Gene therapy, viral vectors.












□




Bioinformatics: Construction of databases on genomes, protein sequences; modelling complex biological processes, including systems biology.












□




Nanobiotechnology: Applies the tools and processes of nano/microfabrication to build devices for studying biosystems and applications in drug delivery, diagnostics, etc.










 







(1)  The matter was referred back for interinstitutional negotiations to the committee responsible, pursuant to Rule 59(4), fourth subparagraph (A9-0290/2023).

(40)  Communication on A Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age, COM(2023) 62 final.

(41)  COM(2023) 160 final

(42)  COM(2023) 161 final

(43)  Communication on a Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for State Aid measures (OJ C 101, 17.3.2023, p. 3).

(43a)  
            
Regulation (EU) 2021/241 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17).



(44)  Regulation (EU) 2023/435 as regards REPowerEU (OJ L 63, 28.2.2023, p. 1).

(40)  Communication on A Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age, COM(2023) 62 final.

(41)  COM(2023) 160 final

(42)  COM(2023) 161 final

(43)  Communication on a Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for State Aid measures (OJ C 101, 17.3.2023, p. 3).

(44)  Regulation (EU) 2023/435 as regards REPowerEU (OJ L 63, 28.2.2023, p. 1).

(44a)  
            
Regulation (EU) 2022/123 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 January 2022 on a reinforced role for the European Medicines Agency in crisis preparedness and management for medicinal products and medical devices (OJ L 20, 31.1.2022, p. 1)



(44b)  
            
Decision (EU) 2022/2481 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 (OJ L 323, 19.12.2022, p. 4).



(44c)  
            
Commission Staff Working document on Strategic dependencies and capacities (SWD(2021)352) and Commission Staff Working Document on EU strategic dependencies and capacities: second stage of in-depth reviews (SWD(2022)41), Commission Staff Working document 2023 Annual Single Market Report: Single Market at 30 (SWD(2023)26).



(45)  Communication on a European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience, COM(2020) 274 final.

(45)  Communication on a European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience, COM(2020) 274 final.

(46)  Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32).

(47)  Regulation (EU) 2021/523 establishing the InvestEU Programme (OJ L 107, 26.3.2021, p. 30).

(48)  Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1).

(49)  Regulation (EU) 2021/697 establishing the European 
Defense
 Fund (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 149.)

(46)  Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32).

(47)  Regulation (EU) 2021/523 establishing the InvestEU Programme (OJ L 107, 26.3.2021, p. 30).

(48)  Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1).

(49)  Regulation (EU) 2021/697 establishing the European 
Defence
 Fund (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 149.)

(50)  Regulation (EU) 2021/694 establishing the Digital Europe Programme (OJ L 166, 11.5.2021, p. 1).

(51)  Regulation (EU) 2021/522 establishing a Programme for the Union’s action in the field of health, EU4Health Programme (OJ L 107, 26.3.2021, p. 1).

(50)  Regulation (EU) 2021/694 establishing the Digital Europe Programme (OJ L 166, 11.5.2021, p. 1).

(51)  Regulation (EU) 2021/522 establishing a Programme for the Union’s action in the field of health, EU4Health Programme (OJ L 107, 26.3.2021, p. 1).

(52)  Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1).

(53)  Regulation (EU) 2021/241 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17).

(52)  Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1).

(53)  Regulation (EU) 2021/241 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17).

(54)  Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32).

(54)  Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32).

(55)  Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 laying down common provisions (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159).

(56)  Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund (

OJ L 224, 24.6.2021, p. 31

).

(55)  Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 laying down common provisions (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159).

(56)  Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund (

OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 60

).

(57)  Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 establishing the Just Transition Fund (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 1).

(57)  Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 establishing the Just Transition Fund (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 1).

(59)  Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 21).

(59)  Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 21).

(61)  Regulation (EU) 1303/2013 laying down common provisions (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 320).

(62)  Regulation (EU) 223/2014 on the Fund for European Aid on the Most Deprived (OJ L 72, 12.3.2014, p. 1).

(61)  Regulation (EU) 
No
 1303/2013 laying down common provisions (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 320).

(62)  Regulation (EU) 
No
 223/2014 on the Fund for European Aid on the Most Deprived (OJ L 72, 12.3.2014, p. 1).

(1a)  
            
Decision (EU) 2022/2481 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 (OJ L 323, 19.12.2022, p. 4).



(63)  
            
Regulation …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council … [insert full title and OJ reference].



(65)  Regulation …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council … [insert full title and OJ reference].

(65)  Regulation …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council … [insert full title and OJ reference].

(66)  Regulation …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council … [insert full title and OJ reference].

(66)  Regulation …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council … [insert full title and OJ reference].

(1a)  
            
Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17).



(71)  Regulation …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council … [insert full title and OJ reference].

(71)  Regulation …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council … [insert full title and OJ reference].

(1a)  
            
OECD (2018). "Revised proposal for the revision of the statistical definitions of biotechnology and nanotechnology", p. 8, Box 1, OECD Science, Technology and Industry Working Papers, No. 2018/01, Paris.



https://doi.org/10.1787/085e0151-en





ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/2663/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)