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European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 01 / 10 / 2020
Brussels, 1 October 2020
Withdrawal Agreement: European Commission sends letter of formal notice to the United
Kingdom for breach of its obligations
The European Commission has today sent the United Kingdom a letter of formal notice for breaching
its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement. This marks the beginning of a formal infringement
process against the United Kingdom. On 9 September 2020, the UK government tabled a Bill
(‘United Kingdom Internal Market Bill') that, if adopted, would flagrantly violate the Protocol on
Ireland / Northern Ireland, as it would allow the UK authorities to disregard the legal effect of the
Protocol's substantive provisions under the Withdrawal Agreement. Despite requests by the European
Union, the UK government has failed to withdraw the contentious parts of the Bill (‘United Kingdom
Internal Market Bill'). The UK has until the end of this month to submit its observations to the letter
of formal notice. After examining these observations, or if no observations have been submitted, the
Commission may, if appropriate, decide to issue a Reasoned Opinion. The press release is available
here. President von der Leyen gave a press statement this morning – read it here, and watch it
back here. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500)

Investment Plan backs up to €500 million in loans for SMEs affected by coronavirus crisis in
Germany
The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) is backing a financing operation which will
support small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Germany that have been affected by the
coronavirus crisis. The EIB Group and Commerzbank will provide new lending of up to €500 million
to SMEs and Mid-Caps in Germany under favourable terms. This is expected to mitigate the impact of
the COVID-19 crisis on smaller businesses, self-employed individuals and Mid-Caps, who are
currently experiencing shortages in liquidity. Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for
People, Valdis Dombrovskis, said: “This financing under the Investment Plan for Europe will allow
Commerzbank to provide new lending of up to €500 million to SMEs in Germany affected by the
coronavirus pandemic. SMEs will play a vital role in our economies and societies and they need extra
support at this challenging time. More broadly, we will continue to pay special attention to SMEs to
ensure they can continue to thrive.” To date, the projects and agreements approved under EFSI are
expected to mobilise around €535 billion of investments and benefit around 1.4 million SMEs
throughout the EU. The press release is available here. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek –
Tel.: +32 229 58197; Flora Matthaes – Tel.: +32 229 83951)

Investment Plan helps Dutch fund to raise close to €100 million for social entrepreneurs
Backed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the European Investment Fund
(EIF) supports Rubio Impact Ventures in the Netherlands to increase its fund size to close to €100
million. This financing will allow the Fund to invest in enterprises that are pursuing explicit social and
environmental goals. Rubio Impact Ventures follows a clear social mission, linking profit with
purpose and supporting enterprises financially, which are looking to make a measurable and positive
impact in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner
for the Economy, said: “Bright new ideas with a social mission need the right funding to get off the
ground. With support from the Investment Plan for Europe, Rubio Impact Ventures in the
Netherlands now has up to €100 million to give social enterprises a much-needed boost. A welcome
contribution to building a more sustainable and socially inclusive economic model.” The press release
is available here. The Investment Plan for Europe has so far mobilised €535 billion of investment
across the EU. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Flora Matthaes – Tel.:
+32 229 83951)

Sustainable finance: Commission announces members of the Platform on Sustainable
Finance*
The European Commission published today the list of members of the Platform on Sustainable
Finance. As required by the Taxonomy Regulation, the Platform on Sustainable Finance will advise
the Commission on the development of robust and science-based technical screening criteria for the
EU taxonomy, and policy development, amongst other things. In response to the call for applications
published in June 2020, the Commission selected 50 members and 9 special observers on the basis
of their environmental, sustainable finance or social/human rights expertise. The Commission has
also appointed Mr Nathan Fabian, as Chair of the Platform. Mr Fabian has served as rapporteur for the
taxonomy sub-group of the Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance (TEG) and he has fifteen
years of professional experience in sustainable finance in government policy, investment research
and ratings on companies, and the development of investment processes and tools. The Platform will
reach out to a wide range of stakeholders through both public consultations and targeted outreach.
In this context, it will be of critical importance to involve the scientific community, in order to
strengthen even more the level of ambition and impartiality of the EU Taxonomy. The deliverables
and the progress of their work will be published on the European Commission's dedicated webpage
on sustainable finance. As mentioned, a number of European and international institutions
contributing to the development of sustainable finance have been invited as observers to the
Platform. Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for the People,
said: “This Sustainable Finance Platform will provide valuable ideas and input in our work to drive
green finance forward and to develop the taxonomy, which will play a crucial role in channelling
investment into green economic activities. It has been heartening to see such tremendous interest
from such a wide range of experts and stakeholders to join the Platform. We have struck a very
careful balance in selecting people from a wide range of sectors including civil society, industry and
academia, and with different skills. I look forward to working closely with the Platform over the next
months.” The Commission remains committed to working on a transition towards climate neutrality,
which will be based on a broad range of energy sources and technology solutions, as well as smarter
use of our natural assets. In this context, the Commission services will continue engaging with
experts from the European Parliament and the Member States to inform them and receive feedback
about the progress in implementing the Taxonomy Regulation and on the progress of the Platform's
work. A Q&A document, the full list of members and details on their mandate, can be found here.
(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229
87624)

Un nouvel Espace européen de la recherche - la Commission met en place un nouveau plan
pour soutenir la transition écologique et numérique et la reprise de l'Union
La Commission européenne a adopté hier une communication sur un nouvel Espace européen de la
recherche et de l'innovation. Fondé sur l'excellence et les talents, le nouvel Espace européen de la
recherche sera compétitif et ouvert, renforcera le paysage européen de la recherche et de
l'innovation, accélérera la transition de l'UE vers la neutralité climatique et le leadership numérique,
soutiendra sa reprise à la suite des conséquences sociétales et économiques de la crise du
coronavirus et améliorera sa résilience en cas de nouvelles crises. La Commission a défini des
objectifs stratégiques et des actions à mettre en œuvre en étroite collaboration avec les États
membres, afin de donner la priorité aux investissements et aux réformes dans la recherche et
l'innovation, d'améliorer l'accès des chercheurs à l'excellence dans l'ensemble de l'UE et de
permettre aux résultats de la recherche d'atteindre le marché et l'économie réelle. En outre, dans sa
communication, elle continue d'encourager la mobilité des chercheurs, le développement de leurs
compétences et leurs possibilités d'évolution de carrière au sein de l'UE, l'égalité entre les hommes
et les femmes, ainsi qu'un meilleur accès à des études scientifiques évaluées par des pairs financés
par des fonds publics. De plus amples informations sont disponibles dans un communiqué de presse
et dans une fiche d'information. Vous pouvez revoir la conférence de presse de la vice-présidente
exécutive Vestager, du vice-président Schinas et de la commissaire Gabriel ici. Les propos
introductifs de la vice-présidente exécutive Vestager sont disponibles ici. (Pour plus d'informations:
Johannes Bahrke — Tél.: + 32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou — Tél.: + 32 229 83583)

Mettre en place un espace européen de l'éducation d'ici à 2025 et redéfinir l'éducation et la
formation pour l'ère du numérique
La Commission a adopté hier deux initiatives qui renforceront la contribution de l'éducation et de la
formation au redressement de l'UE après la crise du coronavirus et contribueront à l'édification d'une
Europe verte et numérique. Définissant une vision de l'espace européen de l'éducation à mettre en
place d'ici à 2025, la Commission propose de nouvelles initiatives, des investissements accrus et une

coopération renforcée des États membres afin de faire bénéficier les Européens de tous âges. La
communication décrit de quelle manière la coopération des États membres peut encore enrichir la
qualité, le caractère inclusif et la dimension numérique et écologique des systèmes éducatifs des
États membres. Les efforts visant à établir l'espace européen de l'éducation seront déployés en
synergie avec la Stratégie européenne en matière de compétences, la nouvelle politique en matière
d'enseignement et de formation professionnels et l'espace européen de la recherche. La Commission
a également adopté un nouveau plan d'action en matière d'éducation numérique, qui tient compte
des enseignements tirés de la pandémie, pour un écosystème de l'éducation numérique très
performant, aux compétences et à la connectivité renforcées pour la transformation numérique. Le
plan d'action propose également une coopération plus étroite entre les États membres, et une série
d'initiatives en faveur d'une éducation numérique de qualité élevée, inclusive et accessible en
Europe. Le communiqué de presse est disponible ici, l'enregistrement de la conférence de presse ici,
et les fiches d'information sur l'espace européen de l'éducation ici et sur le Plan d'action en matière
d'éducation numérique ici. (Pour plus d'informations: Susanne Conze - Tél : +32 229 80236; Sinéad
Meehan - van Druten - Tél : +32 229 80494)

State aid: Commission launches public consultation on availability of private short-term
export-credit insurance capacity for exports in light of economic impact of coronavirus
outbreak
The Commission has launched a public consultation to assess the availability of private short-term
export-credit insurance capacity for exports to all countries listed as “marketable risk countries” in
the 2012 Short-term export-credit Communication. Depending on the results of the consultation and
taking into account the relevant economic indicators, the Commission may decide to prolong the
removal of all countries from the list of “marketable risk countries” as a temporary measure decided
in March 2020, beyond December 2020. Export-credits enable foreign buyers of goods and/or
services to defer payment. Deferred payment implies credit risk for the seller/exporter, against which
they insure themselves, typically with the private insurers (so-called export credit insurance).
According to the 2012 Short-term export-credit Communication, which is in force since 2013, trade
within 27 EU Member States and nine OECD countries listed in its Annex with a maximum risk period
of up to two years entails marketable risks and should, in principle, not be insured by the State or
State supported insurers. On 27 March 2020, the Commission decided to temporarily remove all
countries from the list of “marketable risk" countries until 31 December 2020 with a view to make
public short-term export credit insurance more widely available in light of the crisis linked to the
coronavirus outbreak. The decision followed a public consultation that had pointed to an imminent
insufficiency of private insurance capacity for exports to all countries and an expected rise in demand
for insurance as a result of the outbreak. Based on the results of the public consultation, the
Commission will assess whether the removal of all countries from the list of “marketable risk"
countries continues to be justified and whether it should be prolonged beyond December 2020. (For
more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344;
Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €403 million scheme to reimburse costs borne by Italian
companies for reducing contagion risks at workplace
The European Commission has approved a €403 million Italian scheme to reimburse costs borne by
Italian companies for introducing protection measures at the workplace in order to reduce the risk of
contagion in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid
Temporary Framework. The measure will be open to companies of all sizes active in all sectors except
the financial sector. The scheme aims at preserving the continuity of economic activity during and
after the coronavirus outbreak, while protecting people's health and safety. The measure provides for
the reimbursement of 100% of costs borne by the beneficiaries for the purchase of devices and
equipment for individual protection, in compliance with the measures introduced by the Italian
authorities in March 2020 to limit the spread of the coronavirus in workplaces. The aid amount will be
at least of €500, with a possible maximum amount of aid of €15,000 for companies with up to 9
workers, €50,000, for companies with between 10 and 50 workers and €100,000 for companies with
more than 50 workers. The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions
set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the aid will not exceed €100,000 per company
active in the primary production of agricultural products, €120,000 per company active in the fishery
and aquaculture sector, and €800,000 per company active in other sectors; and (ii) the scheme will
run until 31 December 2020. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate
and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with
Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the

Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary
Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the
coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made
available under the case number SA.58727 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition
website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Arianna
Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229
90526)

Concentrations: La Commission autorise, sous conditions, l'acquisition d'Ingenico par
Worldline
La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement de l'UE sur les concentrations, le projet
d'acquisition d'Ingenico par Worldline. L'enquête a révélé des problèmes de concurrence sur les
marchés de la prestation de services d'acquisition de paiements en point de vente et de services de
fourniture et de gestion de terminaux de point de vente en Belgique, au Luxembourg et en Autriche.
La Commission craignait que l'opération ne crée ou ne renforce une position dominante sur ces
marchés, portant ainsi préjudice à la concurrence et entraînant une hausse des prix et une réduction
du choix. Afin d'apaiser les craintes en matière de concurrence soulevées par la Commission, les
entreprises ont proposé de céder certaines activités d'acquisition de paiements en point de vente et
de fourniture et de gestion de terminaux de point de vente. Ces engagements répondent pleinement
aux préoccupations de la Commission, étant donné qu'ils suppriment presque intégralement les
chevauchements entre les activités d'acquisition de paiements de Worldline et d'Ingenico dans les
trois pays concernés, ainsi qu'entre leurs activités de fourniture et de gestion de terminaux de point
de vente en Autriche et en Belgique. La Commission a conclu que l'opération envisagée, telle que
modifiée par les engagements, ne pose plus de problème de concurrence. La décision est
subordonnée au respect intégral des engagements. Margrethe Vestager, vice-présidente exécutive
chargée de la politique de concurrence, s'est exprimée en ces termes : « Les services de paiement
sous-tendent tous les paiements par cartes effectués chaque jour par les consommateurs européens.
La présente concentration aurait réduit la concurrence dans le secteur des services de facilitation des
paiements par cartes en magasin en Autriche, en Belgique et au Luxembourg. Les mesures
correctives proposées par les entreprises préserveront la concurrence sur ces marchés et garantiront
que ces services continueront d'être fournis à des prix compétitifs. » Le communique de presse est
disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni –
Tél.: +32 229 90526)

Concentrations: La Commission autorise la création d'une entreprise commune par Natixis
Investment Managers et La Banque Postale
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, la
création d'une entreprise commune de plein exercice, conjointement contrôlée par Natixis
Investment Managers et La Banque Postale, toutes deux basées en France. L'entreprise commune
regroupera certaines des activités de gestion d'actifs de filiales de Natixis Investment Managers et de
La Banque Postale. Natixis Investment Managers pilote les activités de gestion d'actifs de Natixis et
est détenue par BPCE, un groupe bancaire français intervenant notamment dans les secteurs de la
banque commerciale, de l'assurance, de la banque de financement et d'investissement, de la gestion
de l'épargne et des services financiers. La Banque Postale est, quant à elle, en charge des activités
bancaires et d'assurance du groupe français La Poste, lui-même détenu par la Caisse des Dépôts et
Consignations. La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de
problème de concurrence compte tenu notamment des parts de marché modérées des entreprises
concernées sur les marchés considérés, ainsi que du nombre d'acteurs demeurant sur les différents
marchés à l'issue de l'opération. La transaction a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure
normale de contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site
internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d'affaire
M.9810. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32
229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Delphi by BorgWarner
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Delphi
Technologies PLC (‘Delphi') of the UK by BorgWarner Inc. of the U.S. Both Delphi and BorgWarner are
active in the manufacture of automotive components. The Commission concluded that the proposed
acquisition would raise no competition concerns given the limited overlaps between the activities of
the companies and the presence of a number of strong players in the markets affected by the

transaction. The transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure. More
information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under
the case number M.9798. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria
Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Eurostat: communiqués de presse
*Updated on 01-10-2020, at 12:37
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