18.9.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
L 229/3
(8)
Given the globalised nature of the semiconductor supply chain, international cooperation with third countries is an important element to achieve resilience of the Union’s semiconductor ecosystem.
The actions taken under this Regulation should also enable the Union to play a stronger role, as a centre of excellence, in a better functioning global, interdependent semiconductor ecosystem.
To that end, the European Semiconductor Board should advise the Commission on matters concerning coordinating those efforts and enhancing cooperation along the global semiconductor value chain between the Union and third countries, consider, where relevant, the views of the Industrial Alliance on Processors and Semiconductor Technologies and of other stakeholders.
(9)
In accordance with international obligations and applicable procedural requirements the Union and Member States could engage, including diplomatically, with international strategic partners that have advantages in the semiconductor industry, with a view to seeking solutions to strengthen the security of supply and to address future supply-chain disruptions of semiconductors, such as those resulting from third-country export restrictions, and to identify the availability of raw materials and intermediate products.
This may involve, where appropriate, coordination in relevant international fora, concluding investment and trade agreements or other diplomatic efforts in accordance with the applicable procedural requirements or engagement with relevant stakeholders.
(10)
In order to build upon the commitment of meeting workforce needs across the semiconductor supply chain, the Commission should ensure synergies with existing Union programmes and it should support and encourage Member States in setting up initiatives which contribute to the exchange of academic knowledge, with international strategic partners.
(11)
It is a clear objective of the Union to promote international cooperation and knowledge exchange on the basis of the Union’s interests, mutual benefits, international commitments, and, to the extent possible, reciprocity.
Nevertheless, the infringement of intellectual property (IP) rights, the unauthorised disclosure of trade secrets, or the leakage of sensitive emerging technologies in the semiconductor sector could compromise the interests of the security of the Union.
Against this background, the Commission is exploring concrete proposals to strengthen the Union’s investment and export control frameworks.
In addition, the Union and the Member States should cooperate with strategic partners to strengthen the joint technological and industrial leadership in accordance with applicable procedural requirements.
(12)
The semiconductor sector is characterised by very high development and innovation costs and very high costs for building state-of-the-art facilities for testing and validating to support the industrial production.
This has direct impact on the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the Union industry, as well as on the security of the supply and the resilience of the Union’s semiconductor ecosystem.
In light of the lessons learnt from recent shortages in the Union and worldwide and the rapid evolution of technology challenges and innovation cycles affecting the semiconductor value chain, it is necessary to reinforce the Union’s existing strengths, thus increasing its competitiveness, resilience, research and innovation capacity by setting up the Initiative.
(13)
Member States are primarily responsible for sustaining a strong Union industrial, competitive, sustainable and innovative base.
However, the nature and scale of the research and innovation challenges in semiconductors requires action to be taken collaboratively at Union level.
(14)
In order to equip the Union with the semiconductor technology research and innovation capacities needed to maintain the leading role of its research and industrial investments at a leading edge, and bridge the current gap between research and development (R & D) and manufacturing, the Union and Member States should coordinate their efforts better and co-invest.
The current challenges of the Union’s semiconductor ecosystem call for the achievement of large-scale capacity and require a collective effort by Member States, with the Union supporting the development and deployment of large-scale capacity.
That collective effort includes providing financial resources in line with the ambition of the Initiative to support the development and widespread availability of innovative capacities and extensive digital infrastructures, comprising a virtual design platform, pilot lines, including for quantum chips, and the diffusion of knowledge, skills and competences for the benefit of the entire semiconductor ecosystem.
To achieve this, the Union and Member States should take into consideration the twin green and digital transition goals.
In this regard, semiconductor devices and manufacturing processes offer significant opportunities for decreasing the environmental, and, in particular, the carbon impact of industries, thereby contributing to the ambitions of, for instance, the Commission communication of 14 July 2021 entitled ‘Fit for 55’: delivering the EU’s