natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
In view of the amount of eligible investment (EUR 3,5 million and EUR 4 million over three years for small and medium-sized enterprises respectively) and the maximum intensity provided for in Resolution 4607/2001 (25 % and 22,5 %, of which 12 and 16,5 percentage points under the de minimis rule for small and medium-sized enterprises respectively), the Commission doubted whether the EUR 100000 threshold over three years laid down in the de minimis Regulation was adhered to.
Ob upoštevanju zneska upravičenih naložb (3,5 in 4 milijone EUR na tri leta za majhna in srednje velika podjetja) in največje intenzivnosti, določene z Odlokom 4607 (25 % in 22,5 %, od katerih je 12 in 16,5 odstotnih točk določenih po pravilu de minimis za majhna in srednje velika podjetja), je Komisija podvomila o dejanskem upoštevanju praga 100000 EUR v treh letih, kar določa pravilo de minimis.
In a broader perspective the Commission had doubts about Resolution 4607/2001's provision for very extensive use of the de minimis rule with the aim of systematically exceeding maximum permissible intensities for SMEs and the granting of a maximum aid intensity of 22,5 % to large enterprises outside assisted areas, also given the high level of eligible investment.
Na splošno je Komisija izrazila dvom glede izjemno razširjene uporabe pravila de minimis, ki jo predvideva Odlok 4607/2001, z namenom sistematskega preseganja najvišjih dopustnih intenzivnosti za MSP, kakor tudi dodeljevanja pomoči najvišje intenzivnosti pomoči v višini 22,5 % velikim podjetjem zunaj območij za dodeljevanje pomoči, ob hkratnem upoštevanju visokih zneskov upravičenih naložb.
COMMENTS FROM INTERESTED THIRD PARTIES
PRIPOMBE TRETJIH ZAINTERESIRANIH STRANK
No comment has been submitted by either interested third parties or the complainant, who was notified by letter D/51908 of 24 March 2003 of the opening of the procedure and the possibility of supplementing the comments made in the original complaint in response to the letter.
Niti tretje zainteresirane stranke niti pritožnik, ki je bil z dopisom D/51908 z dne 24. marca 2003 obveščen o sprožitvi postopka, in kljub možnosti, da se lahko v okviru navedenega postopka predložijo pripombe, ki se razlikujejo od pripomb iz prvotne pritožbe, niso dali nobene pripombe.
Following two meetings between representatives of the Province of Bolzano and DG COMP, Italy's comments were set out in letter A/34747 of 25 June 2004.
Po treh srečanjih predstavnikov pokrajine Bolzano in služb Generalnega direktorata za konkurenco, je Italija poslala svoje pripombe z dopisom A/34747 z dne 25. junija 2004.
In this letter the Italian authorities made the following points.
V dopisu so italijanski organi dali pripombe glede naslednjega:
Resolution 4607/2001 did not explicitly exclude large tourism enterprises, as it did enterprises in the distributive sector, because of a clerical error.
Zaradi vsebinske napake v Odloku 4607/2001 ni bilo izrecno predvideno izvzetje za velika podjetja v turističnem sektorju, izvzetje pa je bilo predvideno za podjetja v trgovinskem sektorju.
However, no large enterprise in the tourism sector had received aid either under scheme N192/1997 (Provincial Law 4/97) or scheme NN69/1995 (Provincial Law 9/91).
Nobeno veliko podjetje iz turističnega sektorja kljub temu ni prejelo pomoči niti na podlagi sheme N192/1997 (Pokrajinski zakon 4/97) niti sheme NN69/1995 (Pokrajinski zakon 9/91).
In the distributive sector large enterprises were already excluded from aid other than de minimis aid under Resolution 4607/01.
Kar zadeva trgovinski sektor, so bila velika podjetja že izvzeta iz upravičenosti do pomoči, razen po pravilu de minimis, v smislu Odloka 4607/01.
The Italian authorities undertook to exclude large enterprises more explicitly from aid in the form of loans on favourable terms under scheme NN69/95, even though none had received any such aid other than de minimis.
V zvezi s pomočmi, dodeljenimi v obliki posojil s subvencioniranimi obrestmi, v smislu sheme NN69/95, so italijanski organi poskrbeli, da so bila izrecno izvzeta velika podjetja, čeprav nobeno takšno podjetje ni izpolnjevalo pogojev zanjo, razen po pravilu de minimis.
Subsequently, in answer to a specific question from the Commission, it was explained in a letter of 2 June 2005 that no aid had been granted to large enterprises in any sector, and also that enterprises whose main activity was in the transport sector were excluded from aid.
Naknadno je v dopisu z dne 2. junija 2005, ki je bil predložen na izrecno zahtevo Komisije, pojasnjeno, da se pomoč ni dodelila velikim podjetjem v nobenem sektorju, in da so bila poleg tega izvzeta iz upravičenosti do pomoči podjetja, katerih glavna dejavnost se izvaja v transportnem sektorju.
Furthermore, the draft new implementation criteria explicitly excluded all large enterprises from aid other than de minimis aid, in accordance with Regulation 69/2001.
Projekt novih meril uporabe poleg tega izrecno izvzema vsa velika podjetja, z izjemo pravila de minimis, ob upoštevanju vseh pogojev iz Uredbe 69/2001.
Aid for SMEs
Pomoči za MSP
Failure to exclude replacement investment from eligible costs
Neizvzetje nadomestnih naložb samih iz skupine upravičenih stroškov.
Although not explicitly excluded from the implementation criteria, the Italian authorities said no aid had been granted for replacement investment.
Čeprav ni bila nobena pomoč izrecno izvzeta iz meril uporabe, italijanski organi trdijo, da ni bila dodeljena nobena pomoč v zvezi z nadomestnimi naložbami samimi.
Specifically, what was eligible for aid was investment in tangible assets complying with the definition in Article 2(c) of Regulation 70/2001, namely the creation of a new establishment and investment in diversification or modernisation that involved a fundamental change in the product or production process of an existing establishment.
Kot upravičena se je štela pomoč za naložbe v materialna sredstva, ob upoštevanju opredelitve iz člena 2(c) Uredbe 70/2001, predvsem za postavitev novih obratov ali razširitev obstoječih in naložbe za posodobitev ali spremembo dejavnosti, ki bi imele za posledico bistveno spremembo proizvodov ali proizvodnih postopkov obrata.
Relatively high minimum investment thresholds had been set in relation to the average size of the enterprises concerned.
Za ta namen so bili določeni minimalni pragi naložb, ki so bili relativno visoki glede na povprečno velikost zadevnih podjetij.
The new criteria explicitly excluded both replacement investment and maintenance costs, and the description of eligible investments was fully in compliance with Regulation 70/2001.
V predloženem besedilu novih meril so nadomestne naložbe same ter stroški vzdrževanja izrecno izvzeti in opis upravičenih naložb v celoti usklajen z opisom iz Uredbe 70/2001.
The condition laid down in the old criteria that in order to have access to aid firms should have a registered office in the Province of Bolzano was not rigorously applied even in the past.
Pogoj, da mora biti uradni sedež registriran v pokrajini Bolzano, ki je bil določen v prejšnjih merilih za pridobitev pomoči, se niti v preteklosti ni dosledno uporabljal.
In support of this argument a list was supplied of 16 recipients of investment aid under the scheme whose registered office was outside the Province of Bolzano (and in one case even outside Italy).
V podporo tej trditvi je bil predložen seznam 16 upravičencev do pomoči za naložbe na podlagi zadevne sheme, katerih sedež je registriran zunaj pokrajine Bolzano (v enem primeru pa celo zunaj italijanskega ozemlja).
In many cases (six of the 16) the aid dated back to 1998, i.e. well before the Commission opened this case.
Takšne pomoči segajo v več primerih (natančneje v 6 primerih od 16) v leto 1998, tj. preden se je Komisija začela ukvarjati s tem primerom.
Moreover, enterprises that possess only an operating unit in the Province of Bolzano can now benefit from the scheme in question.
Tudi podjetja, ki imajo le poslovno enoto v pokrajini Bolzano, so zdaj upravičena do pomoči iz zadevne sheme.
The necessity of aid principle
Upoštevanje načela nujnosti pomoči
This principle was already applied in accordance with the second indent of Article 7 of Regulation 70/2001 in that the conditions for granting aid were so objective that the Province had no possibility of using discretionary powers.
To načelo je bilo že upoštevano v drugem pododstavku člena 7 Uredbe 70/2001, ker so bili pogoji za dodelitev pomoči tako objektivni, da so popolnoma izključili možnost, da bi se lahko pokrajina na podlagi pravice do odločanja po lastnem preudarku kakor koli okoristila.
However, the Italian authorities have undertaken to require that the request be introduced before the start of work on the project for which the aid is granted.
Italijanski organi so kljub temu določili, da je treba vlogo obvezno predložiti pred začetkom izvedbenih del na projektu, na katerega se pomoč nanaša.
Aid for microenterprises
Pomoči za mikro podjetja
Henceforth, the only provision for any increase of more than 15 % in the intensity of investment aid for microenterprises in general is under the de minimis rule
Vsako povečanje intenzivnosti pomoči za naložbe za mikro podjetja na splošno nad višino 15 % je odslej predvideno le po pravilu de minimis.
Aid of an intensity of 40 % not falling within the scope of Article 87(1) of the Treaty and not even classed de minimis, is now reserved exclusively for some local activities, notably small-scale traditional trades threatened with extinction and small distributive businesses, which are listed exhaustively in the new criteria.
Pomoči z intenzivnostjo 40 %, ki ne sodijo na področje uporabe člena 87(1) Pogodbe in jih tudi ni mogoče obravnavati po pravilu de minimis, so zdaj omejene izključno na nekatere lokalne dejavnosti, zlasti na tipične male obrti, pri katerih obstaja tveganje, da bodo izginile iz obrtnega sektorja, ter na male trgovinske dejavnosti, ki so v novih merilih izčrpno naštete.
In any case, a survey carried out by the Italian authorities revealed that no aid exceeding both the 15 % intensity and the de minimis threshold had been granted so far.
Anketa, ki so jo izvedli italijanski organi, je pokazala, da doslej ni bila dodeljena nobena pomoč, ki bi hkrati presegala intenzivnost v višini 15 % in prag de minimis.
The only aid intensities authorised are those of 15 % for transitional investment aid granted to SMEs to help them adapt to new Community rules and 30 % for aid for improving on Community standards or for investment carried out in the absence of mandatory Community standards.
Zdaj so predvidene le intenzivnosti pomoči v višini 15 % in 30 %, ki se nanašajo na prehodne pomoči za naložbe, dodeljene MSP v skladu z novimi pravili Skupnosti, oziroma pomoči, s katerimi se dosežejo standardi Skupnosti ali podpira izvajanje naložb, kadar ni obveznih standardov Skupnosti.
Aid for environmental audits is currently confined to SMEs, by Article 5(a) of Regulation 70/2001, while large enterprises are eligible only for de minimis aid.
Pomoč za presojo okolja je zdaj omejena le na MSP na podlagi člena 5(a) Uredbe 70/2001, medtem ko je za velika podjetja dopustna le po pravilu de minimis.
The provision of Article 12(4) of Law 4/97 making large enterprises eligible would be repealed as soon as possible; in the meantime the Italian authorities have pledged not to grant it anymore.
Določba iz člena 12(4) Zakona 4/97, v skladu s katerim so bila tudi velika podjetja upravičena do navedenega ukrepa, bo odpravljena, kakor hitro bo mogoče; poleg tega so se italijanski organi obvezali, da med tem tega pravila ne bodo več uporabljali.
Finally, the Italian authorities undertook to comply with the conditions set out in points 36 and 37 of the guidelines concerning investments to be taken into account and methods of calculating eligible costs.
Italijanski organi so se tudi obvezali, da bodo izpolnjevali pogoje iz točk 36 in 37 smernic, ki zadevajo naložbe, ki jih je treba upoštevati, in metode izračuna upravičenih stroškov.
Only one request — in the craft sector — had been received on the basis of the existing criteria for the scheme in question; the aid amounted to EUR 14719,02, which was over the authorised intensity of EUR 7359,51. So this amount was classed as de minimis.
V skladu s prej veljavnimi merili je bila na podlagi obravnavanega ukrepa sprejeta le ena vloga v obrtnem sektorju za znesek pomoči v višini 14719,02 EUR, ki presega znesek dopustne intenzivnosti 7359,51 EUR. Zato je bil ta znesek evidentiran pod naslovom de minimis.
Contributions classed as ‘employment aid’
Prispevki, imenovani „pomoči za zaposlovanje“
According to the Italian authorities such aid is linked to the start-up phase of new enterprises (the first 24 months after their establishment) and, even though it takes the form of support for consultancy services and research into and/or registration of trademarks and business products, is designed to create jobs and is therefore compatible.
Ker so te pomoči povezane z začetno fazo delovanja novih podjetij (prvih 24 mesecev njihovega nastajanja), čeprav so sestavljene iz oblik pomoči za storitve svetovanja in za raziskave in/ali prijavljanje in pridobivanje patentov ter registracijo blagovnih znamk, ter tako po mnenju italijanskih organov namenjene ustvarjanju delovnih mest, so zato združljive.
In any case it has not been granted to any large enterprise.
V vsakem primeru do njih ni bilo upravičeno nobeno veliko podjetje.
However, in compliance with Chapter V of Law 4/97, the only provision now is in the form of loans on favourable terms as laid down in Chapter VI of the same law for the purpose of increasing the availability of funds on the basis, and within the limits, of the de minimis criterion.
Pomoči so kljub temu zdaj določene v Naslovu V Zakona 4/97 le v obliki posojila s subvencioniranimi obrestmi, kakor določa Naslov VI navedenega zakona, za povečanje razpoložljivih finančnih sredstev na podlagi in v okviru pravila de minimis.
Up to now only negligible amounts of such aid have been granted.
Za ta namen je bilo doslej dodeljenih le nekaj pomoči v zanemarljivem znesku.
Some SMEs had been accorded an aid intensity of 25 % for participation in fairs and exhibitions, plus an intensity of up to 50 % without verification whether it was their first participation in a given event; only two aid grants in the form of a contribution (50 %) to the insurance cost of export credits — for EUR 3500 and LIT 7 million — have been accorded for countries outside the EU.
Kar zadeva udeležbo na sejmih in razstavah, je bila nekaterim MSP dodeljena intenzivnost pomoči v višini 25 % in tudi intenzivnost pomoči v višini 50 %, ne da bi bilo preverjeno, ali gre za prvo udeležbo na določeni prireditvi ali ne, medtem ko sta bili dodeljeni le dve pomoči v obliki prispevka (50 %) za stroške zavarovanja izvoznih kreditov v države zunaj EU v višini 3500 EUR in 7 milijonov LIT.
The new implementation criteria provide for aid of an intensity of 50 % only to SMEs for the cost of consultancy services supplied by external consultants and the cost of their first participation in a fair or exhibition inside or outside the Community.
V novih merilih uporabe je določena intenzivnost pomoči v višini 50 % za stroške storitev zunanjih svetovalcev in stroške prve udeležbe na sejmu ali razstavi tako znotraj kakor zunaj Skupnosti le za MSP.
Aid for the insurance of export credits is authorised only for the premium to cover risks which are not insurable on the market and which arise out of dealings with non-Community countries, excluding a number of OECD countries where such risks are marketable (‘marketable countries’ currently being Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United States).
Kar zadeva pomoči v obliki zavarovanja izvoznih kreditov, je odslej upravičena le premija, s katero se zavarujejo tveganja, ki jih na trgu ni mogoče zavarovati, za posle s tretjimi državami, z izjemo nekaterih držav članic Organizacije za gospodarsko sodelovanje in razvoj, v katerih je taka tveganja mogoče zavarovati na trgu (to so tako imenovane „marketable countries“, trenutno so to: Avstralija, Kanada, Islandija, Japonska, Nova Zelandija, Norveška, Švica in ZDA).
Aid provided for under Community programmes
Predvidene pomoči v okviru programov Skupnosti
Aid intensity of 80 %, previously offered to some joint projects carried out under the Community programmes LEADER and INTERREG, in which enterprises also take part, is not granted anymore.
Intenzivnost pomoči v višini 80 %, ki je bila prej predvidena za nekatere skupne projekte v okviru programov Skupnosti Leader in Interreg, pri katerih sodelujejo tudi podjetja, se ne dodeljuje več.
According to the Italian authorities, the de minimis rule is adhered to.
Po mnenju italijanskih organov je spoštovanje pravil de minimis zagotovljeno.
First, the relevant departments of the Bolzano provincial authorities are interconnected thanks to an intranet system.
Za ta namen so v prvi vrsti pristojne službe pokrajine Bolzano, ki so med seboj povezane preko intraneta.
Moreover, before applicants can obtain any aid under such a scheme they must submit a declaration concerning any other such aid received over the relevant three-year period.
Preden lahko prosilci dobijo kakršno koli pomoč na podlagi tega pravila, morajo predložiti izjavo o vsaki drugi pomoči, ki so jo že prejeli na tej podlagi v ustreznem obdobju treh let.
Another system for automatically controlling all aid, not just that granted by the Province, is being set up; this system in turn will be connected to the national network currently being established.
Pravkar poteka tudi uvajanje še enega avtomatskega sistema obdelave podatkov za nadzor nad vsemi pomočmi, poleg pomoči, ki jih je dodelila ta pokrajina, ki bo nato povezan v nacionalno omrežje, ki pravkar nastaja.
ASSESSMENT OF THE MEASURES
PRESOJA UKREPA
Assessment of the nature of the aid measures in question
Ocena značilnosti zadevnih ukrepov pomoči
A measure may be considered aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the Treaty only if it satisfies all four of the following conditions: its being granted through state resources, selectivity, likelihood of distorting competition, and effect on trade.
Ukrep se lahko obravnava kot pomoč v smislu člena 87(1) Pogodbe le, če hkrati izpolnjuje naslednje štiri pogoje: odobren je z državnimi sredstvi, je selektiven, obstaja možnost, da bi prišlo do izkrivljanja konkurence, ter vpliva na trgovino.
Furthermore, the measures which are the subject of this procedure were deemed state aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the Treaty when the Commission examined the dossiers for state aid measures N192/97 and NN69/95.
Ukrepi, ki so predmet tega postopka, so bili poleg tega že obravnavani kot državne pomoči v smislu člena 87(1) Pogodbe v času, ko je Komisija preverjala dokumentacijo o državnih pomočeh N192/97 in NN69/95.
Legality of the measures
Zakonitost ukrepa
Since the measures were not notified to the Commission in advance in accordance with Article 88(3) of the Treaty they are illegal on the grounds of lack of notification.
Ker ukrepi niso bili vnaprej priglašeni Komisiji v skladu s členom 88(3) Pogodbe, so nezakoniti, ker priglasitve ni bilo.
Since they are implementation criteria for scheme N192/97 (and, indirectly, for NN69/95), they constitute misuse of these schemes.
Ker so v dani zadevi sestavni del meril za uporabo sheme N192/97 (in, posredno, sheme NN69/95), so povzročili zlorabo teh shem.
Compatibility of the aid measures taken under Resolution 4607/2001
Združljivost ukrepov pomoči na podlagi uporabe Odloka 4607/2001
Given that the Province of Bolzano was not eligible for regional aid throughout all the period in which the measures in question were in force, no exemption can be granted for investment aid to large enterprises in the province.
Ker pokrajina Bolzano ni izpolnjevala pogojev za pomoči, namenjene pokrajinam, v celotnem obdobju, ko so veljali zadevni ukrepi, se ne more odobriti nobeno izvzetje za pomoči za naložbe za velika podjetja na njenem ozemlju.
The Commission's decision on case N192/97 had already explicitly excluded large enterprises from any aid under the scheme other than de minimis.
Z odločitvijo Komisije o zadevi N192/97 so bila tudi sicer iz upravičenosti do sheme izrecno že izvzeta velika podjetja, razen po pravilu de minimis.
Aid granted in the form of loans on favourable terms under Law 9/91 also comes under scheme NN69/95.
Če so bile pomoči poleg tega dodeljene v obliki posojil s subvencioniranimi obrestmi na podlagi Zakona št. 9/91, se nanašajo tudi na pomoči iz sheme NN69/95.
The Commission approved that scheme on condition that only SMEs were eligible and following the undertaking given by the Italian authorities to comply with all the rules on SMEs and to communicate these rules to the provincial administration to ensure that the scheme was implemented correctly.
Komisija je odobrila to drugo shemo pod pogojem, da so do nje upravičena le MSP, in da italijanski organi sprejmejo obveznost, da bodo spoštovali vse določbe smernic za MSP ter jih posredovali službam pokrajinske uprave in tako zagotovili pravilno uporabo sheme.
But the implementation criteria set out in Resolution 4607/2001 for scheme N192/97 (and for NN69/95 where aid is accorded in the form of soft loans under Law 9/91) are incompatible with the common market since they provide for investment aid for large enterprises as well.
Določbe Odloka 4607/2001 – o merilih za uporabo sheme N192/97 (in sheme NN69/95, če se pomoči odobrijo v obliki posojil s subvencioniranimi obrestmi na podlagi Zakona 9/91) – so nezdružljive s skupnim trgom zato, ker določajo dodelitev pomoči za naložbe tudi za velika podjetja.
The Commission notes that, according to the information supplied by the Italian authorities, no large enterprise has in fact received such aid.
Komisija na podlagi informacij, ki so jih predložili italijanski organi, tudi ugotavlja, da dejansko nobeno veliko podjetje ni prejelo pomoči na podlagi takšnega ukrepa.
First, the Commission confirms that any aid granted for replacement investment must be considered incompatible, while noting that the Italian authorities have informed it that no aid for this type of investment has been granted under the scheme in question.
Komisija predvsem poudarja, da je treba vsako pomoč, dodeljeno za nadomestne naložbe, obravnavati kot nezdružljivo, in ob tem navaja, da so italijanski organi sporočili, da v okviru zadevne sheme niso dodelili nobene pomoči za tako vrsto naložb.
Investment aid that exceeds the threshold of 15 % for small enterprises and 7,5 % for medium-sized enterprises is also incompatible.
Pomoči za naložbe, ki presegajo prag 15 % za majhna podjetja in 7,5 % za srednje velika podjetja, so prav tako nezdružljive.
Microenterprises
Mikro podjetja
The Commission confirms that, on the basis of both Recommendation 96/280/EC and the new definition in force since 1 January 2005, microenterprises as a category of SME are not excluded as such from the application of Article 87(1) of the Treaty.
Komisija potrjuje, da kategorija mikro podjetij, ki so sestavni del MSP, na podlagi Priporočila 96/280/EE kakor tudi nove opredelitve, ki je začela veljati 1. januarja 2005, ni sama po sebi izvzeta iz uporabe člena 87(1) Pogodbe.
It follows that investment aid granted for such enterprises, where it exceeds an intensity of 15 % and cannot be considered de minimis, must be deemed incompatible with the common market.
Iz tega sledi, da je treba pomoči za naložbe, dodeljene takim podjetjem, kadar presežejo intenzivnost v višini15 % in jih ni mogoče obravnavati po pravilu de minimis, obravnavati kot nezdružljive s skupnim trgom.
The Commission takes note of the information supplied by the Italian authorities that no aid granted to microenterprises has exceeded both the 15 % intensity and the de minimis threshold.
Komisija upošteva natančno obrazložitev, ki so jo predložili italijanski organi in iz katere izhaja, da za mikro podjetja ni bila dodeljena nobena pomoč, ki bi hkrati presegala intenzivnost v višini15 % in prag de minimis.
Environmental aid
Pomoči za okolje