title: EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 58/16/COL-D of 3 March 2016 to approve national measures by Norway limiting the impact of Gyrodactylus salaris and to repeal Decisions No 298/08/COL and No 299/08/COL [2016/1863]

text:
               20.10.2016

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 284/37

         EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY DECISION
   No 58/16/COL-D
   of 3 March 2016
   to approve national measures by Norway limiting the impact of Gyrodactylus salaris and to repeal Decisions No 298/08/COL and No 299/08/COL [2016/1863]
   THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,
   Having regard to the Act referred to at point 5a of Part 4.1 of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement (Council Directive 2006/88/EC of 24 October 2006 on animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals (1)), as adapted to the EEA Agreement by point 4(d) of Protocol 1 to the EEA Agreement and Articles 1(2) and 3 of Protocol 1 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement.
   Having regard to Decision No 494/13/COL of the EFTA Surveillance Authority (‘the Authority’) of 11 December 2013 empowering the College Member with special responsibility for veterinary and phytosanitary matters to take certain decisions and measures (Document No 683826),
   Whereas:

               (1)

               EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 298/08/COL (2) established disease-free zones and additional guarantees for Gyrodactylus salaris for Norway pursuant to Article 13 of Council Directive 91/67/EEC (3) and Article 5 of Commission Decision 2004/453/EC (4).

               (2)

               Pursuant to Decision No 298/08/COL, Norway may require additional guarantees for consignments of live aquaculture fish of susceptible species intended for farming, which are to be introduced to the zones affected by the Decision. Those additional guarantees consist of the requirement that those consignments must originate from an area with equivalent health status as the place of destination.

               (3)

               Directive 2006/88/EC repealed and replaced Directive 91/67/EEC. Directive 2006/88/EC also provided that Decision 2004/453/EC was to continue to apply pending the adoption of the necessary provisions in accordance with that Directive. Such provisions were adopted by Commission Decision 2010/221/EU (5) which also definitely repealed Decision 2004/453/EC (6). It is therefore appropriate to repeal and replace Decision No 298/08/COL.

               (4)

               Article 43 of Directive 2006/88/EC provides that an EEA State may take measures to prevent the introduction of, or to control diseases not listed in Part II of Annex IV thereto which constitute a significant risk for the animal health situation of aquaculture animals or wild aquatic animals in that State. Those measures are not to exceed the limits of what is appropriate and necessary to prevent the introduction of, or control of, such diseases.

               (5)

               Norway was granted the right to require additional guarantees pursuant to Decision No 298/08/COL and have provided the Authority with information on the disease situation as regards Gyrodactylus salaris. By letter of 6 October 2015 (Document No 775798, NO ref. 2015/193600), Norway provided updated information about the national measures for Gyrodactylus salaris. The information provided demonstrates the appropriateness and necessity of continuing requiring national measures in the form of placing on the market, import and transit requirements, in accordance with Article 43 of Directive 2006/88/EC.

               (6)

               Consequently, as Norway was granted the right to require additional guarantees in accordance with Decision No 298/08/COL for the introduction of aquaculture animals of susceptible species into approved disease-free areas or areas with approved control or eradication programmes, Norway should be allowed to continue to apply these measures as national measures approved in accordance with Article 43 of Directive 2006/88/EC.

               (7)

               The national measures approved by this Decision should only be applied as long as they are appropriate and necessary. Therefore, Norway should send a yearly report to the Authority on the functioning of the national measures.

               (8)

               Any suspicion of the presence of Gyrodactylus salaris in Norway, with the exception of the areas listed in the Annex to this Decision, should be investigated and during the investigation movement restrictions should be applied to protect other EEA States with approved national measures as regards Gyrodactylus salaris. In addition, to facilitate the necessary reassessment of the approved national measures, any subsequent disease confirmation should be notified to the EFTA Surveillance Authority and to the other EEA States.

               (9)

               In the interest of clarity, Decision No 298/08/COL should be expressly repealed.

               (10)

               Moreover, EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 299/08/COL (7) approved the Norwegian control and eradication programme for bacterial kidney disease (BKD). By letter of 6 October 2015 (Document No 775798), Norway informed the Authority that the control and eradication programme for BKD had been discontinued. It is therefore appropriate to repeal Decision No 299/08/COL.

               (11)

               The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the EFTA Veterinary and Phytosanitary Committee,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   Approval of certain national measures for limiting the impact of certain diseases not listed in Part II of Annex IV to Directive 2006/88/EC
   1.   Norway, with the exceptions of areas listed in the Annex to this Decision, shall be regarded as free of Gyrodactylus salaris.
   2.   Norway may require that the following consignments introduced into a disease-free area comply with the requirements set out in points (a) and (b) with respect to those areas regarded free of Gyrodactylus salaris:

               (a)

               aquaculture animals intended for farming, relaying areas, put and take fisheries, open ornamental facilities and restocking must comply with:

                           (i)

                           the placing on the market requirements laid down in Article 8a of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1251/2008 (8);

                           (ii)

                           the import requirements laid down in Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1251/2008;

                           (iii)

                           the transit and storage requirements laid down in Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1251/2008;

               (b)

               ornamental aquatic animals intended for closed ornamental facilities must comply with:

                           (i)

                           the import requirements laid down in Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 1251/2008;

                           (ii)

                           the transit and storage requirements laid down in Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1251/2008.

         Article 2
   Reporting
   1.   By 30 April each year at the latest, Norway shall submit a report to the EFTA Surveillance Authority on the approved national measures referred to in Article 1.
   2.   The reports provided for in paragraph 1 shall conform to the requirements of Article 4 of Decision 2010/221/EU.
   Article 3
   Suspicion and detection of diseases in disease-free areas
   1.   Where Norway suspects the presence of a disease in an area which is listed as a disease-free area for Gyrodactylus salaris, Norway shall take measures at least equivalent to those laid down in Article 28, Article 29(2), (3) and (4) and Article 30 of Directive 2006/88/EC.
   2.   Where the epizootic investigation confirms the detection of the disease referred to in paragraph 1, Norway shall inform the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the other EEA States thereof, and of any measures taken to contain and control that disease.
   Article 4
   Repeal
   Decisions No 298/08/COL and No 299/08/COL are repealed.
   Article 5
   Addressees
   This Decision is addressed to the Kingdom of Norway.

      Done at Brussels, 3 March 2016.

            For the EFTA Surveillance Authority

         Helga JÓNSDÓTTIR

            College Member

         Carsten ZATSCHLER

            Director

      (1)  OJ L 328, 24.11.2006, p. 14.

      (2)  EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 298/08/COL of 21 May 2008 regarding disease-free zones and additional guarantees for Gyrodactylus salaris for Norway (OJ L 268, 9.10.2008, p. 37).

      (3)  Council Directive 91/67/EEC of 28 January 1991 concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products (OJ L 46, 19.2.1991, p. 1).

      (4)  Commission Decision 2004/453/EC of 29 April 2004 implementing Council Directive 91/67/EEC as regards measures against certain diseases in aquaculture animals (OJ L 156, 30.4.2004, p. 5).

      (5)  Commission Decision 2010/221/EU of 15 April 2010 approving national measures for limiting the impact of certain diseases in aquaculture animals and wild aquatic animals in accordance with Article 43 of Council Directive 2006/88/EC (OJ L 98, 20.4.2010, p. 7).

      (6)  Act referred to at point 94 of Part 4.2 of Chapter I of Annex I to the EEA Agreement.

      (7)  EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 299/08/COL of 21 May 2008 approving the control and eradication programme for Bacterial Kidney Disease submitted by Norway (OJ L 257, 25.9.2008, p. 16).

      (8)  Commission Regulation (EC) No 1251/2008 of 12 December 2008 implementing Council Directive 2006/88/EC as regards conditions and certification requirements for the placing on the market and the import into the Community of aquaculture animals and products thereof and laying down a list of vector species (OJ L 337, 16.12.2008, p. 41).

      ANNEX

                  Infected water catchment areas

                  County

                  Skibotnelva

                  Troms

                  Signaldalselva

                  Troms

                  Kitdalselva

                  Troms

                  Ranaelva

                  Nordland

                  Leirelva

                  Nordland

                  Ranelva

                  Nordland

                  Drevja

                  Nordland

                  Fusta

                  Nordland

                  Vefsna

                  Nordland

                  Hundåla

                  Nordland

                  Halsanelva

                  Nordland

                  Hestdalselva

                  Nordland

                  Dagsvikelva

                  Nordland

                  Nylandselva

                  Nordland

                  Batnfjordselva

                  Møre og Romsdal

                  Driva

                  Møre og Romsdal

                  Litledalselva

                  Møre og Romsdal

                  Usma (Øksendalselva)

                  Møre og Romsdal

                  Henselva

                  Møre og Romsdal

                  Rauma

                  Møre og Romsdal

                  Innfjordelva

                  Møre og Romsdal

                  Skorga

                  Møre og Romsdal

                  Måna (Måndalselva)

                  Møre og Romsdal

                  Breidvikelva

                  Møre og Romsdal

                  Lærdalselva

                  Sogn og Fjordane

                  Drammenselva

                  Buskerud

                  Lierelva

                  Buskerud

                  Vesleelva (Sandeelva)

                  Vestfold


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31997D0569

97/569/EC: Commission Decision of 16 July 1997 drawing up provisional lists of third country establishments from which the Member States authorize imports of meat products (Text with EEA relevance)

Official Journal L 234 , 26/08/1997 P. 0016 - 0024

COMMISSION DECISION of 16 July 1997 drawing up provisional lists of third country establishments from which the Member States authorize imports of meat products (Text with EEA relevance) (97/569/EC)THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,Having regard to Council Decision 95/408/EC of 22 June 1995 on the conditions for drawing up, for an interim period, provisional lists of third country establishments from which Member States are authorized to import certain products of animal origin, fishery products or live bivalve molluscs (1), as last amended by Decision 97/34/EC (2), and in particular Article 2 (1) and Article 7 thereof,Whereas Council Decision 79/542/EEC (3), as last amended by Commission Decision 97/160/EC (4), draws up a list of third countries from which the Member States authorize imports of meat products;Whereas a list of third countries from which the Member States authorize imports of products prepared from poultrymeat and wild game meat has been drawn up pursuant to Council Directive 92/118/EEC (5), as last amended by Directive 96/90/EC (6);Whereas Commission Decision 94/278/EC (7), as last amended by Decision 96/344/EC (8), draws up a list of third countries from which the Member States authorize imports of products prepared from rabbit meat and farmed game meat;Whereas, for many of the countries on that list the animal health and veterinary certification requirements for importation of meat products have been laid down in Commission Decision 97/221/EC (9), on the one hand, and on the other hand by Commission Decision 97/41/EC (10);Whereas the Commission has received from certain third countries lists of establishments, with guarantees that they meet the appropriate Community health requirements and that should an establishment fail to do so its export activities to the European Community may be suspended;Whereas the Commission has been unable to ascertain in the case of all the third countries concerned the compliance of their establishments with the Community requirements and the validity of the guarantees provided by the competent authorities;Whereas, to prevent the interruption of trade in meat products from those countries, it is necessary to grant them a further period during which Member States will be able to continue to import meat products from the establishments they have recognized on the proviso that trade in these meat products will be limited to the national market; whereas during that further period the Commission will collect from those countries the guarantees needed in order to be able to add them to the list in accordance with the procedure laid down in Council Decision 95/408/EC;Whereas, in the case of the Czech Republic, a list of establishments has been drawn up by Commission Decision 97/299/EC (11);Whereas on the expiry of that period third countries which have not transmitted their lists of establishments in accordance with the Community rules will no longer be permitted to export meat products to the Community;Whereas Member States will be responsible therefore for satisfying themselves that the establishments from which they import meat products meet requirements for production and placing on the market which are no less stringent than the Community requirements;Whereas provisional lists of establishments producing meat products can thus be drawn up in respect of certain countries;Whereas, in accordance with Article 2 of Decision 95/408/EC, Mauritius has forwarded the data of one establishment authorized to export to the Community;Whereas a Community on-the-spot inspection has shown that the hygiene standards of this establishment are sufficient and it may therefore be entered on a first list of establishments from which imports of meat products may be authorized; whereas Commission Decision 97/365/EC should therefore be amended accordingly (12);Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:Article 1 1. The Member States shall authorize imports of meat products from the establishments listed in Annex I hereto.2. In the case of third countries other than those in Annex I, Member States may authorize establishments for the import of meat products up to 1 January 1998.3. Imports of meat products shall remain subject to the Community veterinary provisions adopted elsewhere.Article 2 The Annex to Commission Decision 97/365/EC is hereby amended by inserting the Republic of Mauritius in accordance with Annex II to this Decision.Article 3 This Decision shall apply from 1 July 1997.Article 4 This Decision is addressed to the Member States.Done at Brussels, 16 July 1997.For the CommissionFranz FISCHLERMember of the Commission(1) OJ No L 243, 11. 10. 1995, p. 17.(2) OJ No L 13, 16. 1. 1997, p. 33.(3) OJ No L 146, 14. 6. 1979, p. 15.(4) OJ No L 62, 4. 3. 1997, p. 39.(5) OJ No L 62, 15. 3. 1993, p. 49.(6) OJ No L 13, 16. 1. 1997, p. 24.(7) OJ No L 120, 11. 5. 1994, p. 44.(8) OJ No L 133, 4. 6. 1996, p. 28.(9) OJ No L 89, 4. 4. 1997, p. 32.(10) OJ No L 17, 21. 1. 1997, p. 34.(11) OJ No L 124, 16. 5. 1997, p. 50.(12) OJ No L 154, 12. 6. 1997, p. 41.ANEXO I / BILAG I / ANHANG I / ÐÁÑÁÑÔÇÌÁ É / ANNEX I / ANNEXE I / ALLEGATO I / BIJLAGE I / ANEXO I / LIITE I / BILAGA I LISTA DE LOS ESTABLECIMIENTOS / LISTE OVER VIRKSOMHEDER / VERZEICHNIS DER BETRIEBE / ÐÉÍÁÊÁÓ ÔÙÍ ÅÃÊÁÔÁÓÔÁÓÅÙÍ / LIST OF ESTABLISHMENTS / LISTE DES ÉTABLISSEMENTS / ELENCO DEGLI STABILIMENTI / LIJST VAN BEDRIJVEN / LISTA DOS ESTABELECIMENTOS / LUETTELO LAITOKSISTA / FÖRTECKNING ÖVER ANLÄGGNINGAR Producto: productos cárnicos / Produkt: kødprodukter / Erzeugnis: Fleischerzeugnisse / Ðñïúüí: íùðü êñÝáò ðïõëåñéêþí / Product: meat products / Produit: Produits à base de viandes / Prodotto: prodotti a base di carne / Product: vleesproducten / Produto: produtos à base de carne / Tuote: lihatuotteet / Varuslag: köttvaror 1 = Referencia nacional / National reference / Nationaler Code / Åèíéêüò áñéèìüò Ýãêñéóçò / National reference / Référence nationale / Riferimento nazionale / Nationale code / Referência nacional / Kansallinen referenssi / Nationell referens2 = Nombre / Navn / Name / Ôßôëïò åãêáôÜóôáóçò / Name / Nom / Nome / Naam / Nome / Nimi / Namn3 = Ciudad / By / Stadt / Ðüëç / Town / Ville / Città / Stad / Cidade / Kaupunki / Stad4 = Región / Region / Region / Ðåñéï÷Þ / Region / Région / Regione / Regio / Região / Alue / Region5 = Menciones especiales / Særlige bemærkninger / Besondere Bemerkungen / ÅéäéêÝò ðáñáôçñÞóåéò / Special remarks / Mentions spéciales / Note particolari / Bijzondere opmerkingen / Menções especiais / Erikoismainintoja / Anmärkningar6 = * Países y establecimientos que cumplen todos los requisitos del apartado 1 del artículo 2 de la Decisión 95/408/CE del Consejo.* Lande og virksomheder, der opfylder alle betingelserne i artikel 2, stk. 1, i Rådets beslutning 95/408/EF.* Länder und Betriebe, die alle Anforderungen des Artikels 2 Absatz 1 der Entscheidung 95/408/EG des Rates erfüllen.* ×þñåò êáé åãêáôáóôÜóåéò ðïõ ðëçñïýí ôéò ðñïûðïèÝóåéò ôïõ Üñèñïõ 2 ðáñÜãñáöïò 1 ôçò áðüöáóçò 95/408/ÅÊ ôïõ Óõìâïõëßïõ.* Countries and establishments complying with all requirements of Article 2 (1) of Council Decision 95/408/EC.* Pays et établissements remplissant l'ensemble des dispositions de l'article 2 paragraphe 1 de la décision 95/408/CE du Conseil.* Paese e stabilimenti che ottemperano a tutte le disposizioni dell'articolo 2 paragrafo 1 della decisione 95/408/CE del Consiglio.* Landen en inrichtingen die voldoen aan al de voorwaarden van artikel 2, lid 1, van Beschikking 95/408/EG van de Raad.* Países e estabelecimentos que respeitam todas as exigências do nº 1 do artigo 2º da Decisão 95/408/CE do Conselho.* Neuvoston päätöksen 95/408/EY 2 artiklan 1 kohdan kaikki vaatimukset täyttävät maat ja laitokset.* Länder och anläggningar som uppfyller alla krav i artikel 2.1 i rådets beslut 95/408/EG.>TABLE>>TABLE>>TABLE>>TABLE>>TABLE>>TABLE>>TABLE>>TABLE>ANEXO II / BILAG II / ANHANG II / ÐÁÑÁÑÔÇÌÁ ÉÉ / ANNEX II / ANNEXE II / ALLEGATO II / BIJLAGE II / ANEXO II / LIITE II / BILAGA II LISTA DE LOS ESTABLECIMIENTOS / LISTE OVER VIRKSOMHEDER / VERZEICHNIS DER BETRIEBE / ÐÉÍÁÊÁÓ ÔÙÍ ÅÃÊÁÔÁÓÔÁÓÅÙÍ / LIST OF ESTABLISHMENTS / LISTE DES ÉTABLISSEMENTS / ELENCO DEGLI STABILIMENTI / LIJST VAN BEDRIJVEN / LISTA DOS ESTABELECIMENTOS / LUETTELO LAITOKSISTA / FÖRTECKNING ÖVER ANLÄGGNINGAR Producto: productos cárnicos / Produkt: kødprodukter / Erzeugnis: Fleischerzeugnisse / Ðñïúüí: íùðü êñÝáò ðïõëåñéêþí / Product: meat products / Produit: Produits à base de viandes / Prodotto: prodotti a base di carne / Product: vleesproducten / Produto: produtos à base de carne / Tuote: lihatuotteet / Varuslag: köttvaror 1 = Referencia nacional / National reference / Nationaler Code / Åèíéêüò áñéèìüò Ýãêñéóçò / National reference / Référence nationale / Riferimento nazionale / Nationale code / Referência nacional / Kansallinen referenssi / Nationell referens2 = Nombre / Navn / Name / Ôßôëïò åãêáôÜóôáóçò / Name / Nom / Nome / Naam / Nome / Nimi / Namn3 = Ciudad / By / Stadt / Ðüëç / Town / Ville / Città / Stad / Cidade / Kaupunki / Stad4 = Región / Region / Region / Ðåñéï÷Þ / Region / Région / Regione / Regio / Região / Alue / Region5 = Menciones especiales / Særlige bemærkninger / Besondere Bemerkungen / ÅéäéêÝò ðáñáôçñÞóåéò / Special remarks / Mentions spéciales / Note particolari / Bijzondere opmerkingen / Menções especiais / Erikoismainintoja / Anmärkningar6 = * Países y establecimientos que cumplen todos los requisitos del apartado 1 del artículo 2 de la Decisión 95/408/CE del Consejo.* Lande og virksomheder, der opfylder alle betingelserne i artikel 2, stk. 1, i Rådets beslutning 95/408/EF.* Länder und Betriebe, die alle Anforderungen des Artikels 2 Absatz 1 der Entscheidung 95/408/EG des Rates erfüllen.* ×þñåò êáé åãêáôáóôÜóåéò ðïõ ðëçñïýí ôéò ðñïûðïèÝóåéò ôïõ Üñèñïõ 2 ðáñÜãñáöïò 1 ôçò áðüöáóçò 95/408/ÅÊ ôïõ Óõìâïõëßïõ.* Countries and establishments complying with all requirements of Article 2 (1) of Council Decision 95/408/EC.* Pays et établissements remplissant l'ensemble des dispositions de l'article 2 paragraphe 1 de la décision 95/408/CE du Conseil.* Paese e stabilimenti che ottemperano a tutte le disposizioni dell'articolo 2 paragrafo 1 della decisione 95/408/CE del Consiglio.* Landen en inrichtingen die voldoen aan al de voorwaarden van artikel 2, lid 1, van Beschikking 95/408/EG van de Raad.* Países e estabelecimentos que respeitam todas as exigências do nº 1 do artigo 2º da Decisão 95/408/CE do Conselho.* Neuvoston päätöksen 95/408/EY 2 artiklan 1 kohdan kaikki vaatimukset täyttävät maat ja laitokset.* Länder och anläggningar som uppfyller alla krav i artikel 2.1 i rådets beslut 95/408/EG.>TABLE>


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31982D0268

82/268/EEC: Council Decision of 26 April 1982 applying Decision 82/169/EEC empowering the Commission to contract loans for the purpose of promoting investment within the Community

Official Journal L 116 , 30/04/1982 P. 0016 - 0017 Finnish special edition: Chapter 10 Volume 1 P. 0028  Swedish special edition: Chapter 10 Volume 1 P. 0028

*****COUNCIL  DECISION  of 26 April 1982  applying Decision 82/169/EEC empowering the Commission to contract loans for the purpose of promoting investment within the Community  (82/268/EEC)  THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,  Having regard to Council Decision 82/169/EEC of 15 March 1982 empowering the Commission to contract loans for the purpose of promoting investment within the Community (1), and in particular Article 2 thereof,  Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (2),  Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (3),  Whereas the purpose of the Community's action is to implement structural investment projects that help attain Community priority objectives in the energy industry and infrastructure sectors;  Whereas the Community has set itself the objective of stimulating the recovery of economic activity and of supporting common policies by Community measures - in particular by making optimum use of the Community's financial instruments - which aim to realise investment projects contributing to greater convergence of the economic policies of the Member States, an objective reaffirmed by the European Council in Luxembourg on 30 June 1981;  Whereas particular attention should be directed to investment which contributes to the more efficient use of energy, to investment which contributes to the development of regional infrastructures and/or which is of Community interest, and to investment by small and medium-sized undertakings;  Whereas the new Community instrument is designed to facilitate investment by providing access to the Community's financial sources in specific high priority sectors;  Whereas Community action in those areas will, in particular, serve the Community's objectives of reducing unemployment and regional disparities,  HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:  Article 1  A single tranche of borrowings is hereby authorized for an amount which shall not exceed the equivalent of 1 000 million ECU in principle.  Article 2  The proceeds of these borrowings shall be lent to finance investment projects which are carried out on Community territory and which help attain the priority Community's objectives in the energy and infrastructure sectors and for the promotion of small and medium-sized undertakings.  For the purposes of this tranche the investment shall cover:  (a) the efficient use of energy, the replacement of oil by other sources of energy in all sectors and infrastructure projects facilitating such replacement;  (b) infrastructure projects contributing to regional development and/or of Community interest, including transport, telecommunications and information technology, the transmission of energy, water supply infrastructure and environmental protection;  (c) productive investment projects of small and medium-sized undertakings.  Article 3  The Commission shall decide whether or not projects are eligible in accordance with the following guidelines:  - the provisions of Article 2 in order to meet the Community's principal economic problems,  - the provisions of the Treaty and secondary legislation, in particular those relating to competition, and Community rules and policies applicable in the fields in question.  Done at Luxembourg, 26 April 1982.  For the Council  The President  W. DE CLERCQ  (1) OJ No L 78, 24. 3. 1982, p. 19.  (2) OJ No C 29, 6. 2. 1982, p. 5.  (3) Opinion delivered on 23 April 1982 (not yet published in the Official Journal).


title: 2008/325/EC,Euratom: Council Decision of 18 April 2008 appointing a Belgian member of the European Economic and Social Committee

text:
               24.4.2008

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 112/25

      COUNCIL DECISION

   of 18 April 2008
   appointing a Belgian member of the European Economic and Social Committee
   (2008/325/EC, Euratom)
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 259 thereof,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 167 thereof,
   Having regard to Decision 2006/651/EC, Euratom of 15 September 2006 appointing Belgian, Greek, Irish, Cypriot, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Finnish, Swedish and British members and two Italian members of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),
   Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Belgian Government,
   Having obtained the opinion of the Commission,
   Whereas:
   A member’s seat on the European Economic and Social Committee has fallen vacant following the appointment of Mr PIETTE as a Minister in the Belgian Federal Government and as a result of the incompatibility of that office with being a member of the European Economic and Social Committee. This incompatibility no longer exists following Mr PIETTE’s resignation as a Minister,
   HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Article 1
   Mr Josly PIETTE, honorary General Secretary of the CSC, is hereby appointed a member of the European Economic and Social Committee for the remainder of the term of office, which runs until 20 September 2010.
   Article 2
   This Decision shall take effect on the date of its adoption.

      Done at Luxembourg, 18 April 2008.

            For the Council

            The President

         D. MATE

      (1)  OJ L 269, 28.9.2006, p. 13. Decision as amended by Decision 2007/622/EC, Euratom (OJ L 253, 28.9.2007, p. 39).


title: Council Decision (EU) 2015/772 of 11 May 2015 establishing the Employment Committee and repealing Decision 2000/98/EC

text:
               14.5.2015

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 121/12

         COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2015/772
   of 11 May 2015
   establishing the Employment Committee and repealing Decision 2000/98/EC
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 150 thereof,
   Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Article 5 of the Treaty states that the Union is to take measures to ensure coordination of the employment policies of the Member States with a view to enhancing their effectiveness by developing a coordinated strategy for employment.

               (2)

               Title IX of Part Three of the Treaty establishes the procedures by which Member States and the Union should work towards developing a coordinated strategy for employment and particularly for promoting a skilled, trained and adaptable workforce and labour markets responsive to economic change.

               (3)

               In fulfilling its tasks, which include advising and contributing to the work of the Council and the Commission, the Employment Committee (‘the Committee’) should contribute to ensuring that the European Employment Strategy, macroeconomic policy coordination and the process of economic reform are formulated and implemented in a consistent and mutually supportive way.

               (4)

               The Committee should collaborate closely with the social partners, in particular with those represented at the Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment established by Council Decision 2003/174/EC (1).

               (5)

               In its conclusions of 27 and 28 June 2013, the European Council stated that the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union should be strengthened. As a first step, it is important to better monitor and take into account the social and labour market situation within the Economic and Monetary Union, notably by using appropriate social and employment indicators within the European Semester. It is also important to ensure better coordination of employment and social policies, while fully respecting national competences.

               (6)

               In its conclusions of 24 and 25 October 2013, the European Council stated that the coordination of economic, employment and social policies will be further enhanced in line with existing procedures while fully respecting national competences. The European Council considered that this requires more work to strengthen cooperation between the various Council configurations in order to ensure consistency of those policies in line with the common objectives.

               (7)

               This Decision should reflect the development of the European Semester and the role of the Committee in this process. In particular, Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 (2) provides that the Economic and Financial Committee, the Economic Policy Committee, the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee are to be consulted within the framework of the European Semester, where appropriate. Moreover, Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) provides that the in-depth reviews are to take into account, where appropriate, Council recommendations or invitations addressed to Member States. It also provides that a corrective action plan for any Member States for which an excessive imbalance procedure is opened is to take into account the economic and social impact of the policy actions and is to be consistent with the broad economic policy guidelines and the employment guidelines.

               (8)

               The Committee and the Union bodies involved in the coordination of economic and social policies, in particular the Economic and Financial Committee, the Economic Policy Committee and the Social Protection Committee, should work closely together. Where appropriate and mutually agreed between the involved Committees, the Committee's cooperation with the Social Protection Committee, the Economic and Financial Committee and the Economic Policy Committee may include the organisation of joint meetings, in particular in the context of the Committees' respective roles within the European Semester.

               (9)

               In order to effectively deliver on its Treaty mandate and to allow for the necessary flexibility to adapt to the timetable of the activities of the Committee, in particular within the framework of the European Semester cycle, the governance provisions relating to the functioning of the Committee should be revised with a view to ensuring efficiency and continuity.

               (10)

               Council Decision 2000/98/EC (4) should be repealed,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   Establishment
   An Employment Committee (‘the Committee’) with advisory status is hereby established to promote coordination between Member States on employment and labour market policies, in full compliance with the Treaty and with due regard for the powers of the Union institutions and bodies.
   Article 2
   Tasks
   1.   The tasks of the Committee shall be:

               (a)

               to monitor the employment situation and employment policies in the Member States and the Union;

               (b)

               without prejudice to Article 240 of the Treaty, to formulate opinions at the request of either the Council or the Commission or on its own initiative, and to contribute to the preparation of the Council proceedings referred to in Article 148 of the Treaty.

         2.   For the purposes of paragraph 1, the Committee shall, in particular, endeavour:

               (a)

               to promote the consideration of the objective of a high level of employment in the formulation and implementation of Union policies and activities;

               (b)

               to contribute to the procedure leading to the adoption of the broad economic guidelines in order to ensure consistency between the employment guidelines and those guidelines and contribute to the synergy between the European Employment Strategy, macroeconomic policy coordination and the process of economic reform in a mutually supportive way;

               (c)

               to participate actively in the macroeconomic dialogue at Union level;

               (d)

               to contribute to all aspects of the European Semester within its mandate and report on them to the Council;

               (e)

               to promote exchanges of information and experience between Member States and with the Commission.

         3.   Each year, the Committee shall adopt a work programme, taking into account the policy priorities of the Council and the Commission. The work programme shall be transmitted to the Council.
   4.   The Committee may call on external experts where appropriate to its agenda.
   Article 3
   Membership
   1.   Each Member State and the Commission shall appoint two members of the Committee. They may also appoint two alternate members.
   2.   The members of the Committee and the alternate members shall be selected from among senior officials or experts possessing outstanding competence in the field of employment and labour market policy in the Member States.
   3.   Member States and the Commission shall use their best endeavours to achieve a gender balance in the composition of the Committee.
   Article 4
   Operation
   1.   The Committee shall elect its Chairperson from among the members appointed by the Member States for a term of two years. The Chairperson may be re-elected once for a further term of two years. The Committee may decide to extend the Chairperson's term by up to eight months in duly justified cases, to ensure the efficiency and continuity of its work. The Chairperson may serve up to a total of four years and eight months.
   2.   The Chairperson shall be assisted by four Vice-Chairpersons, of whom two shall be elected by the Committee from among its members for a term of two years, which shall be renewable once. The third Vice-Chairperson shall be a representative from the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council. The fourth Vice-Chairperson shall be a representative from the Member State which will hold the next Presidency.
   3.   The Chairperson shall delegate his voting right to his alternate.
   4.   Meetings of the Committee shall be convened by the Chairperson, either on his own initiative or at the request of a majority of the members of the Committee.
   5.   The Committee shall establish its own rules of procedure.
   6.   Expenses shall be reimbursed in accordance with the administrative rules in force.
   7.   The Commission shall provide adequate analytical and organisational support for the Committee. The Commission shall designate a member of its staff as Secretary. The Secretary and the staff assisting him shall act on the instructions of the Committee when assisting the Committee in carrying out its tasks. The Secretary shall liaise with the General Secretariat of the Council with regard to the holding of meetings.
   8.   The Committee shall work, as appropriate, in cooperation with other relevant bodies and committees dealing with social and economic policy matters, such as the Social Protection Committee, the Economic and Financial Committee, the Economic Policy Committee, the Education Committee and the governing board of the European Network of Public Employment Services.
   Article 5
   Working groups
   1.   The Committee may entrust the study of specific questions to its alternate members or may establish working groups to this end. The Chair of such a working group shall be taken by either a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee, a member or an alternate member of the Committee, a Commission official, or a member of the working group itself appointed by the Committee.
   2.   The Commission shall provide adequate analytical and organisational support for the workings groups.
   3.   The working groups may call upon experts to assist them.
   4.   The Committee may equally establish joint working groups with other committees or bodies, the governing rules of which shall be determined jointly.
   Article 6
   Consultation of the social partners
   In fulfilling its mandate, the Committee shall consult the social partners. It shall, in this context, establish contacts with the social partners represented at the Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment.
   Article 7
   Transitional provisions
   The term of any member elected in accordance with Article 3 of Decision 2000/98/EC shall continue until the end of that term as determined in accordance with Article 4 of this Decision. The date of the beginning of such a term shall be considered to be the date of the election having taken place in accordance with Article 3 of Decision 2000/98/EC.
   Article 8
   Repeal
   Decision 2000/98/EC shall be repealed as from the date of the first meeting of the Committee following the entry into force of this Decision. That meeting shall take place no later than four months after the date of adoption of this Decision.
   Article 9
   Entry into force
   This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

      Done at Brussels, 11 May 2015.

            For the Council

            The President

         J. DŪKLAVS

      (1)  Council Decision 2003/174/EC of 6 March 2003 establishing a Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment (OJ L 70, 14.3.2003, p. 31).

      (2)  Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies (OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 1).

      (3)  Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances (OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 25).

      (4)  Council Decision 2000/98/EC of 24 January 2000 establishing the Employment Committee (OJ L 29, 4.2.2000, p. 21).


Avis juridique important

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32002D0758

2002/758/EC,Euratom: Council Decision of 17 September 2002 appointing the members of the Economic and Social Committee for the period from 21 September 2002 to 20 September 2006

Official Journal L 253 , 21/09/2002 P. 0009 - 0020

Council Decisionof 17 September 2002appointing the members of the Economic and Social Committee for the period from 21 September 2002 to 20 September 2006(2002/758/EC, Euratom)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 259 thereof,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 166 thereof,After consulting the Commission,Whereas:(1) The terms of office of the present members of the Economic and Social Committee expire on 20 September 2002(1). The members of that Committee should therefore be appointed for a further period of four years as from 21 September 2002.(2) Each Member State has submitted a list of twice as many candidates as there are seats allotted to its nationals.(3) The composition of the Committee must take account of the need to ensure adequate representation of the various categories of economic and social activity,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1The persons listed in the Annex to this Decision are hereby appointed members of the Economic and Social Committee for the period from 21 September 2002 to 20 September 2006.Article 2This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.It shall take effect on the date of its adoption.Done at Brussels, 17 September 2002.For the CouncilThe PresidentP. S. Møller(1) OJ L 257, 19.9.1998, p. 37.ANEXO/BILAG/ANHANG/ΠΑΡΑΡΤΗΜΑ/ANNEX/ANNEXE/ALLEGATO/BIJLAGE/ANEXO/LIITE/BILAGALISTA DE LOS MIEMBROS DEL COMITÉ ECONÓMICO Y SOCIAL/LISTE OVER MEDLEMMERNE AF DET ØKONOMISKE OG SOCIALE UDVALG/LISTE DER MITGLIEDER DES WIRSCHAFTS- UND SOZIALAUSSCHUSSES/ΚΑΤΑΛΟΓΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΜΕΛΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΚΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΗΣ ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΗΣ/LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE/LISTE DES MEMBRES DU COMITÉ ÉCONOMIQUE ET SOCIAL/ELENCO DEI MEMBRI DEL COMITATO ECONOMICO E SOCIALE/LIJST VAN LEDEN VAN HET ECONOMISCH EN SOCIAAL COMITÉ/LISTA DOS MEMBROS DO COMITÉ ECONÓMICO E SOCIAL/TALOUS- JA SOSIAALIKOMITEAN JÄSENTEN LUETTELO/FÖRTECKNING ÖVER LEDAMÖTER I EKONOMISKA OCH SOCIALA KOMMITTÉNBELGIË/BELGIQUE/BELGIENBEIRNAERT WilfriedEre-bestuurder-directeur-generaal van het VBODESTIN RaymondDirecteur général de la Confédération des industries agroalimentaires de l'UE (CIAA)DE VADDER AlfonsDirecteur-generaal van de Federatie van Belgische DistributieondernemingenRAVOET GuidoDirecteur-generaal van de Belgische Vereniging van BankenSOMVILLE YvesDirecteur du service d'études de la Fédération wallonne de l'agricultureFAES ChristineDirecteur UNIZO InternationaalHAAZE GuyNationaal voorzitter van de Algemene Centrale der Liberale Vakbonden van BelgiëPIETTE JoslySecrétaire général de la Confédération des syndicats chrétiens de BelgiqueDERRUINE OlivierCollaborateur au service d'études CSC de BelgiqueNOLLET MichelFGTBLADRILLE ArthurFGTBHOFFELT Jean-FrançoisSecrétaire général de la Fédération belge des coopératives "Febecoop"DANMARKCand. oecon Anita VIUMArbejderbevægelsens ErhvervsrådAfdelingschef Elly Kjems HOVE, PDDansk IndustriKonsulent Dorthe ANDERSENDansk ArbejdsgiverforeningInternational sekretær Søren KARGAARDFunktionærernes og Tjenestemændenes Fællesråd (FTF)Rådsmedlem i Forbrugerrådet, økonom Lisbeth BAASTRUPFunktionærernes og Tjenestemændenes Fællesråd (FTF)Afdelingschef Bo GREENHandelskammeretSekretariatschef Leif Erland NIELSENDanske AndelsselskaberSekretær Ib WISTISENLOKonsulent Preben KARLSENLO-Denmark, Bruxelles OfficeDEUTSCHLANDDaubertshäuser, KlausVorstandsmitglied der Deutschen Bahn AGDr. Frerichs, GökePräsidiumsmitglied des Bundesverbandes des Deutschen Groß- und AußenhandelsDr. Boving, DagmarReferatsleiterin für Europa/Europapolitik beim Deutschen Industrie- und HandelskammertagDr. Kienle, AdalbertStellvertretender Generalsekretär des Deutschen BauernverbandesVoß, BerndStellvertretender Bundesvorsitzender der Arbeitsgemeinschaft bäuerliche LandwirtschaftDr. Freihr. Frank von Fürstenwerth, JörgHauptgeschäftsführer und geschäftsführendes Präsidiumsmitglied des Gesamtverbandes der Deutschen VersicherungswirtschaftDipl.-Vw. Hornung-Draus, RenateGeschäftsführerin und Abteilungsleiterin bei der Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen ArbeitgeberverbändeDipl.-Vw. Welschke, BernhardAbteilungsleiter für Europapolitik im Bundesverband der Deutschen IndustrieDr. Engelen-Kefer, UrsulaStellvertretende Vorsitzende des Deutschen GewerkschaftsbundesPutzhammer, HeinzMitglied des Geschäftsführenden Bundesvorstandes des Deutschen GewerkschaftsbundesDr. Benz-Overhage, KarinGeschäftsführendes Vorstandsmitglied der IG MetallFreese, UlrichMitglied des Geschäftsführenden Bundesvorstandes der IG BCEOtt, ErhardMitglied des Bundesvorstandes von ver.diWilms, Hans-JoachimStellvertretender Bundesvorsitzender der IG BAUAlleweldt, KarinReferatsleiterin in der Abteilung für internationale und europäische Gewerkschaftspolitik beim Bundesvorstand des Deutschen GewerkschaftsbundesGraf von Schwerin, AlexanderVertreter der Christlich-Demokratischen Arbeitnehmerschaft Deutschlands (CDA)Ribbe, LutzDirektor bei EURONATUR und Mitglied des Bundesvorstandes des BUNDProf. Dr. Wolf, GerdDirektor a. D. am Institut für Plasmaphysik des Forschungszentrums Jülich und Prof. an der Universität DüsseldorfRA Metzler, ArnoHauptgeschäftsführer im Bundesverband der Freien Berufe und Leiter des Brüsseler BürosProf. Dr. Steffens, HeikoStellvertretender Vorsitzender der Verbraucherzentrale Berlin und Professor an der TU BerlinStöhr, FrankMitglied der Bundesleitung im Deutschen BeamtenbundSchleyer, Hanns-EberhardGeneralsekretär des Zentralverbandes des Deutschen HandwerksGräfin zu Eulenburg, SoschaVizepräsidentin der Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Freien Wohlfahrtspflege und Vizepräsidentin des Deutschen Roten KreuzesDr. Heinisch, RenateRepräsentantin der Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Senioren-Organisationen/Kontaktstelle BrüsselΕΛΛΑΔΑΕιρ. ΠΑΡΗΜόνιμος Εκπρόσωπος του Γραφείου του ΣΕΒ στις ΒρυξέλλεςΣύνδεσμος Ελληνικών ΒιομηχανιώνΑ. ΜΠΡΕΔΗΜΑ-ΣΑΒΒΟΠΟΥΛΟΥΔιευθύντρια Τμήματος Διεθνών/Ευρωπαϊκών Θεμάτων της ΕΕΕΈνωση Ελλήνων ΕφοπλιστώνΓ. ΜΟΤΣΟΣΠρόεδρος ΓΣΕΒΕΕΓενική Συνομοσπονδία Επαγγελματιών Βιοτεχνών Εμπόρων ΕλλάδαςΓ. ΚΑΛΛΙΓΕΡΟΣΓενικός Γραμμάτεας ΠΟΞΠΟΞΙ. ΜΑΝΩΛΗΣΓενικός Γραμμάτεας ΓΣΕΕΓενική Συνομοσπονδία Εργατών ΕλλάδαςΙ. ΠΑΝΑΓΟΠΟΥΛΟΣΓενική Συνομοσπονδία Εργατών ΕλλάδαςΓ. ΝΤΑΣΗΣΓενική Συνομοσπονδία Εργατών ΕλλάδαςΧ. ΚΟΡΥΦΙΔΗΣΠρόεδρος Γενικού Συμβουλίου ΑΔΕΔΥΑνώτατη Διοίκηση Ενώσεων Δημοσίων ΥπαλλήλωνΧ. ΦΑΚΑΣΜέλος Δ.Σ. ΓΕΣΑΣΕΓενική Συνομοσπονδία Αγροτικών Συλλόγων ΕλλάδαςΝ. ΛΙΟΛΙΟΣΜέλος Δ.Σ. ΠΑΣΕΓΕΣΠανελλήνια Συνομοσπονδία Ενώσεων Γεωργικών ΣυνεταιρισμώνΓ. ΤΖΑΝΑΚΑΚΗΣΑ Αντιπρόεδρος ΚΕΔΚΕΚΕΔΚΕΔ. ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΑΔΗΣΠρόεδρος Ε.Σ. ΘεσσαλονίκηςΔΣΑESPAÑASr. José María ESPUNY MOYANOPresidente de la Federación de Industrias Oleícolas de España (FIODE)Sr. Jorge HAY GUAJARDO-FAJARDOConsultor, Batt &  PartnersSr. Ángel PANERO LÓPEZVocal de la Junta Directiva de CEOE y CEPYMESr. José SARTORIUS ÁLVAREZ DE BOHORQUESDirector General Adjunto y Director General del Área Internacional del Banco Popular EspañolSr. José Isaías RODRÍGUEZ GARCÍA-CARODelegado de la CEOE ante la Unión EuropeaSra. Margarita LÓPEZ ALMENDÁRIZVocal de la Junta Directiva de la CEOE y Presidenta de la Confederación de Empresarios de MelillaSr. Rafael BARBADILLO LÓPEZSubdirector General de la Federación Española Empresarial de Transportes de Viajeros (Asintra)Sr. José María ZUFIAUR NARVAIZADirector Técnico del Departamento de Relaciones Laborales Internacionales del OCEI de la Universidad ComplutenseSr. Sergio SANTILLÁN CABEZAAbogadoUnión General de Trabajadores (UGT)Sr. Juan MENDOZA CASTROColaborador de UGT para asuntos internacionalesSra. María Candelas SÁNCHEZ MIGUELSecretaria Confederal de Política InternacionalSr. Luis Miguel PARIZA CASTAÑOSSr. Juan MORENO PRECIADOSResponsable de la Oficina de CC.OO. en BruselasSra. Laura GONZÁLEZ DE TXABARRI ETXANIZResponsable del Departamento InternacionalSr. Miguel Ángel CABRA DE LUNAVocal de Relaciones Internacionales de la Junta Directiva de la Confederación Empresarial Española de la Economía Social (CEPES)Sr. Bernardo HERNÁNDEZ BATALLERAsociación de Usuarios de la Comunicación (AUC)Sr. Francisco CEBALLO HERREROAsociación General de Consumidores (Asgeco)Sr. Gabriel SARRÓ IPARRAGUIRREVicepresidente de la Federación Española de Organizaciones Pesqueras (FEOPE)Sr. Fernando MORALEDA QUÍLEZSecretario General de la Unión de Pequeños Agricultores y GanaderosSr. Pedro BARATO TRIGUEROPresidente Nacional de ASAJASr. Joan CABALL i SUBIRANAMiembro de la Comisión Ejecutiva de COAG, Responsable de Relaciones Internacionales, Estructuras Agrarias y Desarrollo RuralFRANCEGroupe I - EmployeursMonsieur Bruno VEVERMEDEF (Mouvement des entreprises de France)Directeur chargé de la coordination des affaires européennesMonsieur Philippe LEVAUXMEDEF (Mouvement des entreprises de France)Vice-président de la Fédération de l'industrie européenne de la construction (FIEC)Président de la commission économique de la FIECMonsieur Stéphane BUFFETAUTUTP (Union des transports publics)Chargé de mission Europe auprès du président de Vivendi environnementMonsieur Henri MALOSSEACFCI (Assemblée des chambres françaises de commerce et de l'industrie)Directeur à l'ACFCIMonsieur Hubert GHIGONISCGPME (Confédération générale des petites et moyennes entreprises)Vice-président de la CGPMEMonsieur Pierre SIMONAFECEI (Association française des établissements de crédit et des entreprises d'investissement)Directeur général de l'Association française des établissements de crédit et des entreprises d'investissementGroupe II - TravailleursMonsieur Claude CAMBUSCGC (Confédération française de l'encadrement)Vice-président de la CGCMonsieur Jean-Jacques CARMENTRANFO (Force ouvrière)Membre de la commission exécutive confédéraleMonsieur Jean-Marc BILQUEZFO (Force ouvrière)Secrétaire confédéralMonsieur Jacques VOISINCFTC (Confédération française des travailleurs chrétiens)Vice-président confédéralMonsieur Roger BRIESCHCFDT (Confédération française démocratique du travail)Chargé de missionMonsieur Gérard DANTINCFDT (Confédération française démocratique du travail)Chargé de missionMadame An LE NOUAIL-MARLIÈRECGT (Confédération générale du travail)Membre de la Confédération exécutive confédérale, conseiller à l'espace confédéral Europe-InternationalMonsieur Daniel RETUREAUCGT (Confédération générale du travail)Conseiller à l'espace confédéral Europe-InternationalGroupe III - Activités diversesMonsieur Jean LARDINAPCM (Assemblée permanente des chambres de métiers)Président de la CAPEB (Confédération de l'artisanat et des petites entreprises du bâtiment)Monsieur Jean-Paul BASTIANFNSEA (Fédération nationale des syndicats d'exploitants agricoles)Vice-président de la FNSEAMonsieur Thierry UHLMANNCNJA (Centre des jeunes agriculteurs)Trésorier adjoint du CNJAMonsieur Gilbert BROSAPCA (Assemblée permanente des chambres d'agriculture)Vice-président de l'APCA et président de la chambre d'agriculture de Haute-LoireMonsieur Noël DUPUYCNMCCA(Confédération nationale de la mutualité, de la coopération et du crédit agricoles)Vice-président de la fédération nationale du crédit agricole et président de la caisse régionale du crédit agricole de Touraine-PoitouMadame Évelyne PICHENOTCES (Conseil économique et social)Présidente de la délégation pour l'Union européenne du Conseil économique et socialMembre du groupe de la CFDT au Conseil économique et socialMonsieur Lucien BOUISUNAF (Union nationale des associations familiales)Directeur du Bureau de vérification de la publicitéMonsieur Daniel LE SCORNETFNMF (Fédération nationale de la mutualité française)Administrateur de la Fédération des mutuelles de FranceMonsieur Adrien BEDOSSAUNAPL (Union nationale des professions libérales)Vice président de l'UNAPLMonsieur Jean-Michel BLOCH-LAINEUNIOPSS(Union nationale interfédérale des oeuvres et organismes privés sanitaires et sociaux)Président de l'UNIOPSSIRELANDEmployer PillarMs Claire CarrollIBECHolly CottageTempleluskAvocaCounty WicklowMr Harry ByrneIBEC17 Park DriveRanelaghDublin 6Mr Thomas McDonaghChambers of CommerceMcDonagh HouseGalway Technology ParkParkmoreGalwayTrade Union PillarMr Jim McCuskerGeneral SecretaryNIPSAHarkin House54 Wellington ParkBelfast BT96DPMr William A AttleySIPTU41 Beachwood LawnsRathcooleCounty DublinMs Joan CarmichaelICTUAssistant General SecretaryICTU31-32 Parnell SquareDublin 2Farming PillarMr John DonnellyIFAConicareAbbeyLoughreaCounty GalwayMr Frank AllenICMSAICMSAJohn Feely HouseDublin RoadLimerickCommunity and Voluntary PillarMs Jillian van TurnhoutNYCIO &  E GroupSandyford Industrial EstateDublin 18ITALIAPESCI PatrizioConfindustriaRanocchiari VirgilioConfindustriaBRAGHIN PaoloConfindustriaBURANI UmbertoABIPETRINGA FrancescoCONFAPIREGALDO GiacomoConfcommercioPEZZINI AntonelloConfartigianatoMASCIA SandroConfagricolturaCHIRIACO FrancoCGILFLORIO SusannaCGILCASSINA Giacomina Enrica MariaCISLSEPI MarioCISLDI ODOARDO BrunoUILKIRSCHEN EnricoUILPOLVERINI RenataUGLMAURO Rosa Angela detta RosiSINPABEDONI PaoloColdirettiSCALVINI FeliceConfcooperativeFUSCO LuciaLega Nazionale Cooperative e MutueANGELO MaurizioCIDACONFALONIERI RobertoConfedirROSSITTO CorradoUnionquadriCARBONI GiuseppeCISALJAHIER LucaACLILUXEMBOURGM. Ted MathgenDirecteur adjoint de la Chambre des métiersM. Jos EwertDirecteur général du groupe de la Centrale paysanneM. Paul JunckSecrétaire général ArcelorM. Robert SchadeckCoordinateur des mesures sociales de réinsertion (LCGB)M. Jean-Claude RedingSecrétaire général (CGT)M. Raymond HencksMembre du comité exécutif de la Confédération générale de la fonction publique (CGFP)NEDERLANDDe heer J.P. van IERSELOud-voorzitter Kamer van Koophandel VNO-NCWDe heer A.M. HUNTJENSSecretaris Internationale Zaken VNO-NCWDe heer K.B. van POPTADirecteur Internationale Zaken MKB-NederlandDe heer P.L.H. GERAADSBeleidsmedewerker Internationale tuinbouw LTO-NederlandDe heer J.G.W. SIMONSVoorzitter NVOMevrouw M. BULKBeleidsmedewerker Europese Zaken FNVDe heer T. ETTYBeleidsmedewerker Internationale Zaken FNVDe heer W.W. MULLERVice-voorzitter Unie MHPDe heer M. SIECKERBestuurder FNV BondgenotenDe heer E. van VELSENBeleidsadviseur Christelijke Nationaal VakverbondDe heer D.M. WESTENDORPVoormalig algemeen directeur ConsumentenbondDe heer L.F. van MUISWINKELHoogleraar Algemene en OntwikkelingseconomieÖSTERREICHHerr Mag. Dipl.-Ing. Johann KÖLTRINGERHauptabteilungsleiter des Österreichischen RaiffeisenverbandesHerr Dr. Johannes KLEEMANNMitglied des Vorstandes der IndustriellenvereinigungHerr Dr. Klaus STÖLLNBERGERVorstand der Firma "Gallia Mineralölprodukte-Vertriebsgesellschaft AG"Frau Mag. Christa SCHWENGWirtschaftskammer Österreich, Abteilung für Sozialpolitik und GesundheitHerr Mag. Wolfgang GREIFInternationaler Sekretär der Gewerkschaft der PrivatangestelltenFrau Mag. Angela ORSOLITSMitarbeiterin des Volkswirtschaftlichen Referates des ÖGB-Schwerpunkt EUHerr Gustav ZÖHRERInternationaler Sekretär der Gewerkschaft Metall-TextilHerr Thomas DELAPINAArbeiterkammer WienFrau Mag. Eva BELABEDArbeiterkammer OberösterreichHerr Dipl.-Ing. Rudolf STRASSERGeneralsekretär-Stellvertreter der Präsidentenkonferenz der Landwirtschaftskammern ÖsterreichsFrau Dr. Anne-Marie SIGMUNDEuropabeauftragte des Bundeskomitees der freien Berufe ÖsterreichsHerr Friedrich DINKHAUSERPräsident der Arbeiterkammer TirolPORTUGALGrupo ICIP - CONFEDERAÇÃO DA INDÚSTRIA PORTUGUESADr. Manuel Eugénio Pimentel Cavaleiro BrandãoCAP - CONFEDERAÇÃO DOS AGRICULTORES DE PORTUGALEng.a Maria Luísa Freire de Andrade SantiagoCCP - CONFEDERAÇÃO DO COMÉRCIO E SERVIÇOS DE PORTUGALDr. Paulo Jorge Baptista de AndradeAIP - ASSOCIAÇÃO INDUSTRIAL PORTUENSEDr. Paulo Manuel Gonçalves Pinto de Barros ValeGrupo IICGTP - CONFEDERAÇÃO GERAL DOS TRABALHADORES PORTUGUESESSr. Mário David Ferreirinha SoaresSr. Eduardo Manuel Nogueira ChagasUGT - UNIÃO GERAL DOS TRABALHADORESSr. Alfredo Manuel Vieira CorreiaSr. Vítor Hugo de Jesus SequeiraGrupo IIIDECO - ASSOCIAÇÃO PORTUGUESA PARA A DEFESA DO CONSUMIDORDr. Jorge Pegado LizCONSELHO NACIONAL DAS PROFISSÕES LIBERAISProf. Dr. Carlos Soares RibeiroCONFAGRI - CONFEDERAÇÃO NACIONAL DAS COOPERATIVAS AGRÍCOLAS E DO CRÉDITO AGRÍCOLA DE PORTUGAL, CCRLEng.o Francisco João Bernardino da SilvaUIPSS - UNIÃO DAS INSTITUIÇÕES PRIVADAS DE SOLIDARIEDADE SOCIALDr. José Custódio LeiriãoSUOMI/FINLANDUlla SirkeinenDirectorConfederation of Finnish Industry and EmployersFilip Hamro-DrotzSecretary of Trade PolicyConfederation of Finnish Industry and EmployersHarri KoulumiesDirectorEmployers' Confederation of Service IndustriesMarkus PenttinenHead of Unit for International AffairsThe Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in FinlandMartti ReunaHead of Unit for International AffairsFinnish Confederation of Salaried EmployeesPeter J. BoldtEconomistCentral Organisation of Finnish Trade UnionsPertti RauhioPlanning ChiefThe Finnish EntrepreneursSeppo KallioDirectorCentral Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest OwnersMarja-Liisa PeltolaHead of DepartmentThe Central Chamber of Commerce of FinlandSVERIGEGöran Valentin LAGERHOLMDirector/Ansvarsområde: European AffairsRepresenterar: Svenskt NäringslivIngrid Margareta JERNECKDeputy Director/Ansvarsområde: Brussels OfficeRepresenterar: Svenskt NäringslivBritt Inger Margareta SOLDÉUSDirector of Environmental Issues/Ansvarsområde: Commercial AffairsRepresenterar: Svensk HandelErik August Christopher HAHRAvdelningschef/Ansvarsområde: EU-frågorRepresenterar: TransportGruppenLars Allan NYBERGUtredare/Ansvarsområde: Samordnar och utreder EU-frågor gentemot förbunden ESK och EUMaud Barbro JANSSONOmbudsman/Ansvarsområde: Jämställdhets-, diskriminerings- och arbetsrättsfrågorErnst-Erik J EHNMARKRepresenterar: SACOUno WESTERLUNDPh.D./Ansvarsområde: Internationell sekreterare TCORepresenterar: TCOChristina Britta WAHROLINRepresenterar: Handikappförbundens samarbetsorganInger PERSSONOrdförande/Ansvarsområde: Ordförande i Sveriges konsumentrådRepresenterar: Sveriges konsumentrådStaffan Mats Wilhelm NILSSONRepresenterar: Lantbrukarnas Riksförbund, 105 33 StockholmJan Erik Anders OLSSONSenior rådgivare/Ansvarsområde: Utveckling av kooperativt företagande och social ekonomiRepresenterar: Kooperativa InstitutetUNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELANDGroup IBryan CassidyCassidy and Asociates International,Consultant, ex-MEPDavid SearsDeputy Director General, British Chamber of CommerceBen ButtersDirector Smallbusiness/EuropeDonna St HillInternational Consultant on Equality and Macro Economic Policy ReformFederation of Black Women Business OwnersSheila RitchieSolicitor, the Grant Smith Law PracticeBrenda KingConsultant/ConsigniaProfessor Robert BairdEconomist, adviser to Career Associates LtdClive WilkinsonConsultant, Gin and Vodka Association,President d'honneur to Confederation of European Spirit ProducersGroup IIDavid FeickartEuropean Office, TUCSir Ken JacksonAmicus Trade UnionAlison ShepherdVice-President UnisonMonica TaylorTGWU Executive Council MemberJudy McKnightGeneral Secretary, National Association of Probation OfficersDerek HunterRegional Secretary GMB Southern RegionSandy BoyleDeputy General Secretary, UNIFIBrian CurtisRMT Regional Organiser, Wales and the West of EnglandGroup IIIAnn DavisonExecutive Director, European Research into Consumer AffairsRose D'SaLaw professor, University of GlamorganSukhdev SharmaCommission for Racial EqualityRichard AdamsDirector of Contraflow - Executive Director of Warm Zones LtdJohn SimpsonConsultant economistMadi SharmaManaging Director, Original Eastern Foods LtdMaureen O'NeilDirector, Age Concern, ScotlandClaire WhittenExecutive Director, Northern Ireland Centre in Europe


Avis juridique important

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31997D0131

97/131/EC: Council Decision of 17 December 1996 on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Agreement between the European Community and New Zealand on sanitary measures applicable to trade in live animals and animal products

Official Journal L 057 , 26/02/1997 P. 0001 - 0001

COUNCIL DECISION of 17 December 1996 on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Agreement between the European Community and New Zealand on sanitary measures applicable to trade in live animals and animal products (97/131/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,Whereas, the Community and New Zealand entered into negotiations to determine the sanitary measures applicable to trade in live animals and animal products;Whereas, as a result of these negotiations an Agreement was signed on 17 December 1996;Whereas, in order to avoid an interruption in trade and until such time as the two Parties notify each other of the completion of their respective procedures for ratification of the said Agreement as provided for in the second subparagraph of Article 18 (1) thereof, the two Parties have agreed to apply the Agreement provisionally as from 1 January 1997 in accordance with an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters;Whereas that agreement should be approved,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Agreement between the European Community and New Zealand on sanitary measures applicable to trade in live animals and animal products is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.The text of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters is attached to this Decision.Article 2The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate the person empowered to sign the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters in order to bind the Community.Article 3This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.Done at Brussels, 17 December 1996.For the CouncilThe PresidentI. YATES


Important legal notice

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E1999C0113

EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 113/99/COL of 4 June 1999 introducing guidelines on State aid for training and amending for the 18th time the Procedural and Substantive Rules in the field of State aid

Official Journal L 137 , 08/06/2000 P. 0011 - 0019

EFTA Surveillance Authority DecisionNo 113/99/COLof 4 June 1999introducing guidelines on State aid for training and amending for the 18th time the Procedural and Substantive Rules in the field of State aidTHE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area(1), in particular to Articles 61 to 63,Having regard to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice(2), in particular Article 1 of Protocol 3 thereof,Whereas under Article 24 of the Surveillance and Court Agreement the EFTA Surveillance Authority shall give effect to the provisions concerning State aid;Whereas under Article 5(2)(b) of the Surveillance and Court Agreement the EFTA Surveillance Authority shall issue notices and guidelines on matters dealt with in the EEA Agreement, if that Agreement or the Surveillance and Court Agreement expressly so provides or if the EFTA Surveillance Authority considers it necessary;Recalling the Procedural and Substantive Rules in the field of State aid(3) adopted on 19 January 1994 by the EFTA Surveillance Authority(4);Whereas on 22 July 1998, the European Commission adopted a framework on training aid (OJ C 343, 11.11.1998), including at point 36 of that document a proposal for appropriate measures under Article 93(1) of the EC Treaty;Whereas according to point II under the heading "GENERAL" at the end of Annex XV to the EEA Agreement, the EFTA Surveillance Authority is to adopt, after consultation with the European Commission, acts corresponding to those adopted by the Commission, in order to maintain equal conditions of competition;Having consulted the European Commission;Whereas the EFTA Surveillance Authority has, in a multicultural meeting on State aid held on 19 November 1997, consulted the EFTA States on the introduction of the new guidelines;Whereas paragraph 18A.5(2) of the new guidelines includes a proposal for appropriate measures under Article 1(1) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement and requires the agreement of the EFTA States concerned,HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:1. The State Aid Guidelines are amended by introducing as a new Chapter 18A, the guidelines on training aid set out in Annex I to this Decision.2. The EFTA States shall be informed of this Decision by means of a letter, together with a copy of the Decision, including Annex I, requesting them to signify their agreement within two months to the proposed appropriate measures set out in paragraph 18A.5(2) of the guidelines.3. The Decision, including Annex I, shall be published in the EEA Section of and the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Communities.4. The Decision shall be authentic in the English language.Done at Brussels, 4 June 1999.For the EFTA Surveillance AuthorityKnut AlmestadPresident(1) Hereinafter referred to as the EEA Agreement.(2) Hereinafter referred to as the Surveillance and Court Agreement.(3) Also referred to as the State Aid Guidelines.(4) Initially published in OJ L 240, 15.9.1994 and the EEA supplement No 34 of the same date, last amendment (17th) adopted by Decision No 112/99/COL of 4 June 1999 (OJ L 112, 11.5.2000, p. 75).ANNEX I18A. TRAINING AID(1)18A.1. Introduction(1) Although at present unemployment rates in the EFTA States are relatively moderate, finding ways of improving the employment situation is a major challenge continually facing all Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement. It is clear from the preamble of the EEA Agreement and subsequent political declarations(2) that the Contracting Parties regard it as being among their most important common objectives to foster harmonious economic development, promote conditions of high employment and avoid economic and social disparities.(2) The important part played by training, both in enhancing the competitiveness of EEA industry and in creating and maintaining jobs, has been stressed on many occasions. The Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement have been in agreement on the importance of promoting investment in training as a significant competitiveness factor and as a catalyst of renewed growth and the re-establishment of a socially acceptable level of employment(3). Within the framework of cooperation under the EEA Agreement, albeit a framework somewhat less comprehensive in scope than is currently the case within the European Union, the EFTA States have associated themselves with similar common objectives as pursued within the European Union concerning promotion of a skilled, trained and adaptable workforce and labour markets responsive to economic change. These common objectives, with the ultimate goal of a high level of employment, must also be taken into account in the application of competition rules in the context of the EEA Agreement.(3) Numerous studies have shown that the existence of a skilled workforce is a major factor in firms' location decisions. Training is therefore important, not only to the worker, who becomes more employable and less likely to be made redundant, and to the firm, for which it is a performance-enhancing factor, but also to the economy of the region, a highly skilled workforce being an undeniable asset when it comes to attracting new investment.(4) The work to be done to improve the functioning of the labour market and to reduce the skills gap would appear to call for a proactive approach by all concerned: the States concerned, firms, individuals and the two sides of industry. A number of initiatives are currently in action in the training field, both at national level and at the level of the European Union, in many instances with active participation from EFTA States on the basis of the modalities established in Part VI of the EEA Agreement. The Authority will endeavour to ensure that the control of State aid does not become an unjustified obstacle to EFTA States' labour market policy measures compatible with the EEA Agreement.(5) There appears to be a general agreement that the measures taken by EEA States cannot be confined to improving initial training, vocational training and the training of the unemployed. Businesses cannot adapt to structural and technological change simply by making people redundant and recruiting more skilled labour from elsewhere. Preventive policies are also needed to encourage workers to improve their skills and adaptability and induce firms to invest in training their workforce. Such policies seek to prevent the least skilled from sliding into unemployment by ensuring, on the contrary, that they are retrained and acquire transferable skills. The financial resources needed are considerable and government support may constitute a necessary incentive in the common interest of the Contracting Parties.(6) Most public financing in the training sphere does not fall within the scope of the competition rules. However, where EFTA States introduce financial and tax incentives to encourage firms to invest in training their workforce, steps must be taken to make sure that those incentives do not run counter to the objectives of competition policy, seeking as it does to ensure the competitiveness of businesses. It is for the Authority, in pursuance of the State aid rules in Articles 61 and 62 of the Agreement, to examine training measures which are liable to constitute aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the Agreement and to ensure that they are compatible with the functioning of the Agreement.(7) Training costs are increasingly forming part of the costs that have to be borne by firms if they are to remain competitive. Technical progress, the introduction of new technologies and the pace of change in the research and technological development field mean that firms have to train their staff continuously. A training aid measure which is intended to reduce, for certain firms, the costs they normally have to bear, in their own interest, in order to improve their employees' skills, confers on them an advantage over their competitors and is therefore liable to distort competition.(8) Where a measure constitutes State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1), it must be notified in good time to, and be approved by, the Authority before being implemented. The sole purpose of this system is to ensure that aid is vetted by the Authority so that measures which cause distortions of competition contrary to the common interest are not implemented. When assessing a measure's compatibility with the functioning of the Agreement, the Authority will take account of any beneficial effects of the aid which may justify a distortion of competition.(9) Training usually has positive external effects for society as a whole. One firm's expenditure on training is not only of benefit to the workers who are trained but increases the pool of skilled workers from which other firms may draw. Overall, investment in training increases the competitiveness of EEA industry and the attractiveness of the EEA as a place in which to set up in business. A firm will not take these secondary effects into account when deciding whether to invest in training, and it is possible that the local outlay of firms on training is lower than the socially optimum level, especially since, from the firm's point of view, investment in training involves the risk that, once trained, its workers might leave for another firm. The smaller the firm, the greater this risk tends to be, and this is one of the reasons why such firms are unwilling to invest in training. The risk is also proportionate to the transferability of the skills acquired. It may be concluded from this that most training aid measures are not simply operating aid, and the Authority is favourably disposed towards them to the extent that the distortions of competition to which they may give rise are justified or counterbalanced by their contribution to common objectives which market forces alone would not make it possible to attain. Thus, in its State aid policy, the Authority generally gives sympathetic consideration to training aid.(10) In order to render the control of training aid more transparent and ensure equality of treatment, these guidelines have been drawn up indicating how the Authority will assess the compatibility of such aid with the functioning of the EEA Agreement. The criteria set out herein seek to ensure that only training aid which contributes to the achievement of common objectives is approved, that such aid does not exceed the necessary incentive level, and that it does not amount to disguised operating aid.(11) These guidelines therefore pursue a number of objectives:- to clarify the interpretation of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement with regard to the notion of training aid in order to ensure greater legal certainty and transparency in the light of the prior notification requirement in Article 1(3) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement,- to ensure consistency between the rules on training aid and those laid down for other types of aid (notably in other guidelines or frameworks),- to increase the transparency of the approach which the Authority will follow in assessing the compatibility of training aid.(12) Section 18A(2) describes the types of measures which may constitute aid as covered by the competition rules of the EEA Agreement. Section 18A(3) defines the scope of the guidelines. Section 18A(4) sets out the principles on which the Authority will base its assessment of the compatibility of measures constituting aid. In the light of these principles, which make it possible to reconcile the objectives of an active employment policy with a level playing field for all businesses, the Authority lays down a series of thresholds of intensity below which aid may be considered to be compatible with the functioning of the Agreement. The differences between the thresholds proposed reflect the different degrees of externality and necessity of the aid according to the transferability of the training, the size of the firm and the area in which it is situated.18A.2. Scope of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement(1) These guidelines concern only measures falling within the scope of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement, which provides that "any aid granted by EC Member States, EFTA States or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, in so far as it affects trade between Contracting Parties, be incompatible with the functioning of this Agreement". The aid covered by these guidelines is that which favours one or more firms or sectors of industry by reducing the costs they would normally have to bear when they want their employees to acquire new skills or when they afford their employees the opportunity to acquire such skills.(2) Being general measures, many training measures are not caught by Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement. Most training forms part of the tasks traditionally carried out by the State and by and large benefits people and workers everywhere. The financing by the State of this sort of training does not favour certain undertakings or the production of certain goods within the meaning of Article 61(1). The decision-making practice of the competent surveillance authorities and the case-law of the competent courts of justice illustrate in what circumstances a measure is in the nature of a "general measure" and is accordingly excluded from the scope of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement. Examples are:- schooling and initial training (such as apprenticeships and day release schemes),- the training or retraining of unemployed people, including traineeships in enterprises,- measures directly targeted at workers or even at certain categories of workers, affording them the opportunity of receiving training unconnected with the firm or industry in which they work (e.g. the "learning account" system),- general tax incentive schemes (e.g. tax credits) which are open to all firms investing in employee training and apply automatically.(3) In this connection it must be pointed out, however, that a measure which, while being theoretically general in scope, in practice favours one or more firms or sectors, is in fact specific. This is the case, for example, where the authorities enjoy, when applying a general measure, a discretionary power which allows them to vary the amount of financial assistance according to the circumstances(4). Such measures are liable to constitute aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) and must be notified pursuant to Article 1(3) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement.(4) Aid falls within the scope of Article 61(1) only in so far as it affects trade between Contracting Parties. Training aid granted to firms or sectors whose activities do not or are not likely to form the subject matter of trade between Contracting Parties (for example, certain local services) thus does not come under Article 61(1). Aid which satisfies the requirements of the de minimis rule as laid down in Chapter 12 of the present State aid guidelines is also deemed not to affect intra-EEA trade. Consequently, it does not come under Article 61(1) and does not need to be notified pursuant to Article 1(3) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement.18A.3. Scope of these guidelinesA. Principles(1) These guidelines apply to all training aid measures, notified or put into effect during its period of application, with the exception of those taken, for example to reskill workers, as part of the rescuing and restructuring of firms in difficulty, which will be assessed in accordance with the relevant guidelines in Chapter 16. As regards small and medium-sized enterprises, these guidelines shall accordingly prevail over the provisions on training aid contained in the guidelines in Chapter 10 on State aid for small and medium-sized enterprises.(2) In principle, these guidelines cover all sectors of industry. However, for sectors considered sensitive for which there are special rules on aid(5), these guidelines apply only in so far as there is no conflict between the two. They nonetheless apply fully to the air transport sector.(3) These guidelines apply to training aid whether the training be provided by firms themselves or by public or private training centres.B. Connection with employment aid(4) Training aid as referred to in these guidelines must be distinguished from employment aid, the compatibility of which with the functioning of the Agreement must be assessed in the light of the pertinent guidelines(6). Some employment aid measures may be justified to some extent by the fact that, when it takes on certain workers, the assisted firm has to bear additional training costs. This is the case, for example, with aid designed to encourage the hiring of certain categories of unemployed people who experience particular difficulty in entering the labour market. Where the purpose and direct effect of such aid is to stimulate employment by giving the employer a financial incentive to recruit people he would not otherwise have recruited, the aid is to be considered purely as employment aid. Training is a secondary consideration here, just one aspect of the recruitment process that is being assisted. In such a case, moreover, it is often impossible to say which part of the total aid package has been earmarked for training and separate it from the rest. Even if it includes a training component, employment aid will therefore be examined as such.(5) Only aid which is not linked to investment falls within the scope of the employment aid guidelines. Consequently, where investment-linked employment aid contains a training component, that component will be examined separately on the basis of the present guidelines.18A.4. Assessment criteria for training aidA. General principles(1) In certain circumstances, training aid prohibited under Article 61(1) may qualify for one of the exemptions provided for in Article 61(3).(2) The main ground for exemption is that provided for in Article 61(3)(c), by virtue of which the Authority may authorise aid to facilitate the development of certain activities where it does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. Measures to improve the skills of a firm's workforce help to increase that firm's competitiveness and in so doing facilitate the development of certain activities. Training plays an essential part in introducing new technologies and stimulating innovation and investment. It may also help to create and maintain jobs. Training aid may thus fall within the exemption provided for in Article 61(3)(c).(3) The main argument in favour of training aid is that it helps to correct certain imperfections in the market. This is particularly the case with vocational training as it has numerous external effects. The importance of the externalities of training is linked primarily to the transferability of the skills and qualifications training imparts. The Authority accordingly considers that a more favourable attitude is justified vis-à-vis continuing vocational training schemes which to a substantial extent actually benefit workers more than is strictly necessary for the purpose of their jobs and do not simply meet the specific needs of the firm.(4) In this connection, the Authority will draw a distinction between specific training and general training actions:- specific training involves theoretical and practical tuition directly and principally applicable to the employee's present or future position in the assisted firm. It is linked to a specific activity of the firm. Part of the training is normally given at the employee's work place. Its transferability to other firms or other fields of work is very limited,- general training includes tuition which is not applicable only or principally to the employee's present or future position in the assisted firm. It is linked to the overall activities of the firm and provides qualifications which are largely transferable to other firms or other fields of work.The latter equips the workers concerned with additional skills directly transferable to other firms. It therefore effectively improves such workers' skills level, employability and adaptability and thus makes a bigger contribution to promoting employment and human resource development.(5) Among the criteria to determine the transferability of the skills acquired through the training, the following can be mentioned as examples:- recognition, certification or validation of qualifications and skills by public authorities or bodies or by other bodies or institutions on which an EFTA State has conferred the necessary powers. Training leading to a diploma, certificate, etc., recognised by an EFTA State or within the framework of systems for the certification and validation of work experience is presumed to be of a general nature,- the fact that employees of different firms may avail themselves of the training or that it is organised jointly by a number of independent firms.In this regard, it should be noted that in-company training, even if it directly responds to the contemporary needs of the company, can have a transferable character, if the skills it provides are largely transferable.(6) To approve an aid under Article 61(3)(c) of the Agreement, the Authority must ensure that the aid does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. To qualify for exemption under this provision, a State aid must therefore have an incentive character and be proportionate to the objectives of common interest it aims to achieve. The latter condition is considered to be fulfilled if the intensity of the aid does not exceed the thresholds defined in paragraph 18A(4)(11).(7) To determine the incentive effect, the Authority will consider whether training aid has the effect of encouraging firms to do more in the way of training than they would normally do or to spend more than they would normally spend on training. An aid measure which relates to a firm's normal operating costs (standard induction courses for new recruits and so forth), being intended solely to reduce either continuously or periodically the costs which the firm normally has to bear, is not an incentive and cannot as a rule be approved. The incentive effect will have to be demonstrated if aid for specific training is awarded to big enterprises outside areas assisted under Article 61(3)(a) or (c). In all other cases, the incentive effect will be presumed for the reasons set out in the following paragraph.(8) Statistics show that there is a direct link between a firm's size and the probability that its employees receive training(7). In general, the percentage of workers attending a training course increases with the size of the firm. In view of the substantial underinvestment in training in small and medium-sized enterprises(8), the Authority considers that in this case training aid always has an incentive effect and that higher intensities are authorisable. In those areas where the standard of living is abnormally low or where there is serious underemployment (Article 61(3)(a)), the incentive effect will also be presumed, even for large enterprises, owing to the relatively greater external impact training may have there. It is in such areas that expenditure on training and the level of skills are the lowest(9) and that the common interest in raising that level with a view to improving the employment situation and attracting new investment is the strongest. An increase in allowable intensities is therefore also justified. Inasmuch as the training and retraining of workers also plays an important part in industrial adjustment, the same approach is justified for the areas falling within Article 61(3)(c). Finally, as far as general training is concerned, the incentive effect can always be presumed, given the important externalities of this type of training. On the other hand, where the worker being trained is required by contract to compensate his employer if he leaves the firm before a certain period has elapsed, the positive externalities will be reduced and the Authority will consider that a training aid measure is in principle unjustified.B. Eligible costs(9) Eligible costs in the context of a training aid project are:1. trainers' personnel costs;2. trainers' and trainees' travel expenses;3. other current expenses (materials, supplies, etc.);4. depreciation of tools and equipment, to the extent that they are used exclusively for the training scheme in question;5. cost of guidance and counselling services with regard to the training project;6. trainees' personnel costs up to the amount of the total of the other eligible costs referred to in points 1 to 5.The eligible costs must be supported by documentary evidence, transparent and itemised. Under trainees' personnel costs referred to in point 6 only the hours during which the trainees effectively participated in the training, after deduction of any productive hours or of their equivalent, may be taken into account.C. Authorised intensities(10) Training aid is authorisable under Article 61(3) of the Agreement if it complies with the following permissible intensities in relation to eligible costs as defined in the preceding paragraph.(11)>TABLE>>TABLE>(12) The intensities mentioned above can be increased by 10 points when the beneficiaries of the training are categories of disadvantaged workers (low skilled workers, handicapped persons, older workers, women returning to the labour market and so forth).(13) Training aid measures may be cumulated only within the limits of the intensities indicated in paragraphs 18A.4.(11) to (12).18A.5. Notification and existing schemes(1) Measures identified in this document as not constituting State aid caught by Article 61(1) of the Agreement do not need to be notified to the Authority. However, all training aid schemes and all ad hoc training aid cases which fall outside authorised schemes and do not fulfil the conditions of the de minimis rule must be notified to the Authority, pursuant to Article 1(3) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, in sufficient time to enable it to submit its comments on their compatibility with the functioning of the Agreement.(2) These guidelines are without prejudice to schemes already authorised by the Authority when the guidelines are published. The Authority will, however, review such schemes pursuant to Article 1(1) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement. In this connection the Authority proposes to the EFTA States as an appropriate measure within the meaning of Article 1(1) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement:- that they should notify to it as from 1 July 1999 any plan to grant aid under an approved scheme where the amount of aid to any one firm exceeds EUR 2,5 millions gross grant equivalent over a period of three years, and- that they should notify to it all existing schemes on aid for training which do not expire before 31 December 1999.(3) If an EFTA State does not accept the appropriate measures proposed, the Authority will be obliged to initiate proceedings under Article 1(2) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement.18A.6. Duration and review(1) The Authority will use these guidelines as a basis for assessing training aid for a period of up to five years from the date of their publication. Before that period expires, the provisions of these guidelines will be evaluated and, if necessary, revised.(1) This chapter corresponds to the framework on training aid (OJ C 343, 11.11.1998).(2) Reference can be made here in particular to joint meetings of EU and EFTA Ministers of Finance and Economy, which have been held annually since 1993, and the joint statements from those meetings. In these meetings, broad issues of economic policy have been addressed, including growth, competitiveness, employment, training and labour market flexibility. See e.g. the joint communiqué and the joint EU/EFTA Paper from the meeting of the Ministers on 12 October 1998.(3) See the guidelines and recommendations relating to the White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment adopted at the European Council meeting in Essen in 1994 as well as the joint communiqué of the meeting of EU and EFTA Ministers of Finance and Economy on 18 September 1995 and statements from subsequent meetings of the same kind.(4) See the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Communities in Case C-241/94 France v Commission ("Kimberly Clark") [1996] ECR I-4551.(5) This is currently the case with shipbuilding, synthetic fibres, the motor industry, the steel industry and transport.(6) See Chapter 18 "Aid to employment".(7) Eurostat, Statistics in focus, population and social conditions, 1996, No 7, Table 2.(8) See Chapter 10.2 of the present State aid guidelines, concerning the definition of SMEs.(9) Eurostat, Statistics in focus, population and social conditions, 1996, No 7, Table 1.