COM(2011)146 - Reform of the EU State Aid Rules on Services of General Economic Interest

official title

 

Legal instrument	Communication
Decision making procedure	Own-initiative procedure (INI)
reference by COM-number95	COM(2011)146
Additional COM-numbers	COM(2011)146
procedure number97	2011/2146(INI)
CELEX number98	52011DC0146

This page is also available in a full version containing the latest state of affairs, the summary of the European Parliament Legislative Observatory, the legal context, other dossiers related to the dossier at hand, the stakeholders involved (e.g. European Commission directorates-general, European Parliament committees, Council configurations and even individual EU Commissioners and Members of the European Parliament) and finally documents of the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission.

• 1. 

  Commission decision (EC) No 842/2005 of 28 November 2005 on the application of Article 86(2) of the EC Treaty to State aid in the form of public service compensation granted to certain undertakings entrusted with the operation of services of general economic interest, OJ L 312 of 29.11.2005, p. 67.
  
   
• 2. 

  Community framework for State aid in the form of public service compensation, OJ C 297 of 29.11.2005, p. 4.
  
   
• 3. 

  Article 1 of Protocol 26 to the Treaties.
  
   
• 4. 

  For a description of social services of general interest see the Commission Communication Implementing the Community Lisbon programme: Social services of general interest in the European Union , (COM(2006) 177 final of 26 April 2006).
  
   
• 5. 

  More precisely, Article 14 TFEU is "Without prejudice to
   
• 6. 

  See below chapter 2.
  
   
• 7. 

  In the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Accompanying the Communication on 'A single market for 21st century Europe' Services of general interest, including social services of general interest: a new European commitment (COM(2007) 725 final), the Commission stated: ' Non-economic services : these services, for instance traditional state prerogatives such as police, justice and statutory social security schemes are not subject to specific EU legislation, nor are they covered by the internal market and competition rules of the Treaty. Some aspects of the organisation of these services may be subject to other rules of the Treaty, such as the principle of non-discrimination'.
  
   
• 8. 

  Case C-364/92 SAT Fluggesellschaft
   
• 9. 

  Case C-343/95 Diego Calì
   
• 10. 

  The chart below merely illustrates the different concepts and does not seek to represent the respective size of the economic and non-economic sectors.
  
   
• 11. 

  Community framework for State aid in the form of public service compensation, OJ C 297 of 29.11.2005, p. 4.
  
   
• 12. 

  Case C-280/00 Altmark Trans GmbH and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg v Nahverkehrsgesellschaft Altmark GmbH
   
• 13. 

  Commission decision (EC) No 842/2005 of 28 November 2005 on the application of Article 86(2) of the EC Treaty to State aid in the form of public service compensation granted to certain undertakings entrusted with the operation of services of general economic interest, OJ L 312 of 29.11.2005, p. 67.
  
   
• 14. 

  Community framework for State aid in the form of public service compensation, OJ C 297 of 29.11.2005, p. 4.
  
   
• 15. 

  Communication From the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Towards a Single Market Act - For a highly competitive social market economy, 50 proposals for improving our work, business and exchanges with one another , COM(2010) 608 final/2 of 11 November 2010.
  
   
• 16. 

  Article 1 of Protocol 26 to the Treaties.
  
   
• 17. 

  Article 14 TFEU applies without prejudice to these provisions.
  
   
• 18. 

  See the Annex to this Communication.
  
   
• 19. 

  Annex 1 of Commission Communication COM(2010) 623, Commission Work Programme 2011, 27.10.2010, p. 4.
  
   
• 20. 

  Press Release Memo/10/393, Letter by President Barroso to the Members of the European Parliament , 07.09.2010.
  
   
• 21. 

  See section 4.2 below.
  
   
• 22. 

  See section 4.3 below.
  
   
• 23. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 1998/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to de minimis aid, Official Journal L 379 of 28.12.2006.
  
   
• 24. 

  Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on public passenger transport services by rail and by road and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) Nos 1191/69 and 1107/70, OJ L 315, 3.12.2007, p. 1; Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community, OJ L 293, 31.10.2008, p. 3; Directive 2008/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 February 2008 amending Directive 97/67/EC with regard to the full accomplishment of the internal market of Community postal services, OJ L 52, 27.2.2008, p. 3; Directive 2002/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services.
  
   
• 25. 

  See article 5 of the SGEI Decision and section 2.4 of the SGEI Framework.
  
   
• 26. 

  SGEI providers in this sector can benefit from the exemption if they meet either the general thresholds (EUR 100m turnover, or EUR 30m compensation) or specific thresholds based on the number of passengers.
  
   
• 27. 

  Communication from the Commission of 9 December 2005, Community guidelines on financing of airports and start-up aid to airlines departing from regional airports, OJ C 312 of 9.12.2005, p. 1.
  
   
• 28. 

  Application of Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty and Article 61 of the EEA Agreement to State Aids in the aviation sector, OJ C 350 of 10.12.1994, p. 5-20.
  
   
• 29. 

  Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community, OJ L 293 of 31.10.2008, p. 3-18.
  
   
• 30. 

  Council Directive 96/67/EC of 15 October 1996 on access to the ground handling market at Community airports; OJ L 272 , 25/10/1996, p. 36.
  
   
• 31. 

  SGEI providers in this sector can benefit from the exemption if they meet either the general thresholds (EUR 100m turnover and EUR 30m compensation) or specific thresholds based on the number of passengers.
  
   
• 32. 

  Communication from the Commission providing guidance on State aid to ship management companies, OJ C 132 of 11.6.2009, p. 6.
  
   
• 33. 

  Communication from the Commission providing guidance on State aid complementary to Community funding for the launching of the motorways of the sea, OJ C 317 of 12.12.2008, p. 10.
  
   
• 34. 

  Communication from the Commission C(2004) 43, Community guidelines on State aid to maritime transport, OJ C 13 of 17.1.2004, p.3.
  
   
• 35. 

  Council Regulation EEC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage), OJ L 364, 12.12.1992, pp.
   
• 36. 

  Communication from the Commission on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting, OJ C 257, 27.10.2009, p.
   
• 37. 

  As stipulated in para. 19 of the Communication on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting, OJ C 257, 27.10.2009, p. 4.
  
   
• 38. 

  Communication from the Commission on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting, OJ C 257 of 27.10.2009, p. 1; Communication from the Commission on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting, OJ C 320 of 15.11.2001, p. 5.
  
   
• 39. 

  Communication from the Commission, Community Guidelines for the application of State aid rules in relation to rapid deployment of broadband networks, OJ C 235 of 30.9.2009, p. 7.
  
   
• 40. 

  Directive 2002/21/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services, OJ L 108, 24.04.2002, pp. 33-50
  
   
• 41. 

  Directive 2002/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services, OJ L 108, 24.04.2002, p. 51-77
  
   
• 42. 

  To be noted that pursuant to point 4 of the SGEI Framework, stricter rules contained in the sectoral Directives (which come into force in 2011) are to be respected.
  
   
• 43. 

  Directive 2008/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 February 2008 amending Directive 97/67/EC with regard to the full accomplishment of the internal market of Community postal services, OJ L 52 of 27.2.2008, p. 3.
  
   
• 44. 

  Directive 2009/72/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity and repealing Directive 2003/54/EC, OJ L 211 of 14.8.2009, p. 55.
  
   
• 45. 

  Directive 2009/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas and repealing Directive 2003/55/EC, OJ L 211 of 14.8.2009, p. 94.
  
   
• 46. 

  Article 2(b) of the SGEI Decision.
  
   
• 47. 

  Article 2(b) of the SGEI Decision
  
   
• 48. 

  Commission decision (EC) No 842/2005 of 28 November 2005 on the application of Article 86(2) of the EC Treaty to State aid in the form of public service compensation granted to certain undertakings entrusted with the operation of services of general economic interest, OJ L 312 of 29.11.2005, p. 67.
  
   
• 49. 

  Community framework for State aid in the form of public service compensation, OJ C 297 of 29.11.2005, p. 4.
  
   
• 50. 

  Article 1 of Protocol 26 to the Treaties.
  
   
• 51. 

  For a description of social services of general interest see the Commission Communication Implementing the Community Lisbon programme: Social services of general interest in the European Union , (COM(2006) 177 final of 26 April 2006).
  
   
• 52. 

  More precisely, Article 14 TFEU is "Without prejudice to
   
• 53. 

  See below chapter 2.
  
   
• 54. 

  In the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Accompanying the Communication on 'A single market for 21st century Europe' Services of general interest, including social services of general interest: a new European commitment (COM(2007) 725 final), the Commission stated: ' Non-economic services : these services, for instance traditional state prerogatives such as police, justice and statutory social security schemes are not subject to specific EU legislation, nor are they covered by the internal market and competition rules of the Treaty. Some aspects of the organisation of these services may be subject to other rules of the Treaty, such as the principle of non-discrimination'.
  
   
• 55. 

  Case C-364/92 SAT Fluggesellschaft
   
• 56. 

  Case C-343/95 Diego Calì
   
• 57. 

  The chart below merely illustrates the different concepts and does not seek to represent the respective size of the economic and non-economic sectors.
  
   
• 58. 

  Community framework for State aid in the form of public service compensation, OJ C 297 of 29.11.2005, p. 4.
  
   
• 59. 

  Case C-280/00 Altmark Trans GmbH and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg v Nahverkehrsgesellschaft Altmark GmbH
   
• 60. 

  Commission decision (EC) No 842/2005 of 28 November 2005 on the application of Article 86(2) of the EC Treaty to State aid in the form of public service compensation granted to certain undertakings entrusted with the operation of services of general economic interest, OJ L 312 of 29.11.2005, p. 67.
  
   
• 61. 

  Community framework for State aid in the form of public service compensation, OJ C 297 of 29.11.2005, p. 4.
  
   
• 62. 

  Communication From the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Towards a Single Market Act - For a highly competitive social market economy, 50 proposals for improving our work, business and exchanges with one another , COM(2010) 608 final/2 of 11 November 2010.
  
   
• 63. 

  Article 1 of Protocol 26 to the Treaties.
  
   
• 64. 

  Article 14 TFEU applies without prejudice to these provisions.
  
   
• 65. 

  See the Annex to this Communication.
  
   
• 66. 

  Annex 1 of Commission Communication COM(2010) 623, Commission Work Programme 2011, 27.10.2010, p. 4.
  
   
• 67. 

  Press Release Memo/10/393, Letter by President Barroso to the Members of the European Parliament , 07.09.2010.
  
   
• 68. 

  See section 4.2 below.
  
   
• 69. 

  See section 4.3 below.
  
   
• 70. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 1998/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to de minimis aid, Official Journal L 379 of 28.12.2006.
  
   
• 71. 

  Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on public passenger transport services by rail and by road and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) Nos 1191/69 and 1107/70, OJ L 315, 3.12.2007, p. 1; Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community, OJ L 293, 31.10.2008, p. 3; Directive 2008/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 February 2008 amending Directive 97/67/EC with regard to the full accomplishment of the internal market of Community postal services, OJ L 52, 27.2.2008, p. 3; Directive 2002/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services.
  
   
• 72. 

  See article 5 of the SGEI Decision and section 2.4 of the SGEI Framework.
  
   
• 73. 

  SGEI providers in this sector can benefit from the exemption if they meet either the general thresholds (EUR 100m turnover, or EUR 30m compensation) or specific thresholds based on the number of passengers.
  
   
• 74. 

  Communication from the Commission of 9 December 2005, Community guidelines on financing of airports and start-up aid to airlines departing from regional airports, OJ C 312 of 9.12.2005, p. 1.
  
   
• 75. 

  Application of Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty and Article 61 of the EEA Agreement to State Aids in the aviation sector, OJ C 350 of 10.12.1994, p. 5-20.
  
   
• 76. 

  Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community, OJ L 293 of 31.10.2008, p. 3-18.
  
   
• 77. 

  Council Directive 96/67/EC of 15 October 1996 on access to the ground handling market at Community airports; OJ L 272 , 25/10/1996, p. 36.
  
   
• 78. 

  SGEI providers in this sector can benefit from the exemption if they meet either the general thresholds (EUR 100m turnover and EUR 30m compensation) or specific thresholds based on the number of passengers.
  
   
• 79. 

  Communication from the Commission providing guidance on State aid to ship management companies, OJ C 132 of 11.6.2009, p. 6.
  
   
• 80. 

  Communication from the Commission providing guidance on State aid complementary to Community funding for the launching of the motorways of the sea, OJ C 317 of 12.12.2008, p. 10.
  
   
• 81. 

  Communication from the Commission C(2004) 43, Community guidelines on State aid to maritime transport, OJ C 13 of 17.1.2004, p.3.
  
   
• 82. 

  Council Regulation EEC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage), OJ L 364, 12.12.1992, pp.
   
• 83. 

  Communication from the Commission on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting, OJ C 257, 27.10.2009, p.
   
• 84. 

  As stipulated in para. 19 of the Communication on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting, OJ C 257, 27.10.2009, p. 4.
  
   
• 85. 

  Communication from the Commission on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting, OJ C 257 of 27.10.2009, p. 1; Communication from the Commission on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting, OJ C 320 of 15.11.2001, p. 5.
  
   
• 86. 

  Communication from the Commission, Community Guidelines for the application of State aid rules in relation to rapid deployment of broadband networks, OJ C 235 of 30.9.2009, p. 7.
  
   
• 87. 

  Directive 2002/21/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services, OJ L 108, 24.04.2002, pp. 33-50
  
   
• 88. 

  Directive 2002/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services, OJ L 108, 24.04.2002, p. 51-77
  
   
• 89. 

  To be noted that pursuant to point 4 of the SGEI Framework, stricter rules contained in the sectoral Directives (which come into force in 2011) are to be respected.
  
   
• 90. 

  Directive 2008/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 February 2008 amending Directive 97/67/EC with regard to the full accomplishment of the internal market of Community postal services, OJ L 52 of 27.2.2008, p. 3.
  
   
• 91. 

  Directive 2009/72/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity and repealing Directive 2003/54/EC, OJ L 211 of 14.8.2009, p. 55.
  
   
• 92. 

  Directive 2009/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas and repealing Directive 2003/55/EC, OJ L 211 of 14.8.2009, p. 94.
  
   
• 93. 

  Article 2(b) of the SGEI Decision.
  
   
• 94. 

  Article 2(b) of the SGEI
   
• 95. 

  De Europese Commissie kent nummers toe aan officiële documenten van de Europese Unie. De Commissie maakt onderscheid in een aantal typen documenten door middel van het toekennen van verschillende nummerseries. Het onderscheid is gebaseerd op het soort document en/of de instelling van de Unie van wie het document afkomstig is.
   
• 96. 

  De Raad van de Europese Unie kent aan wetgevingsdossiers een uniek toe. Dit nummer bestaat uit een vijfcijferig volgnummer gevolgd door een schuine streep met de laatste twee cijfers van het jaartal, bijvoorbeeld 12345/00 - een document met nummer 12345 uit het jaar 2000.
   
• 97. 

  Het interinstitutionele nummer is een nummerreeks die binnen de Europese Unie toegekend wordt aan voorstellen voor regelgeving van de Europese Commissie.
  Binnen de Europese Unie worden nog een aantal andere nummerseries gebruikt. Iedere instelling heeft één of meerdere sets documenten met ieder een eigen nummering. Die reeksen komen niet overeen met elkaar of het interinstitutioneel nummer.
   
• 98. 

  Deze databank van de Europese Unie biedt de mogelijkheid de actuele werkzaamheden (workflow) van de Europese instellingen (Europees Parlement, Raad, ESC, Comité van de Regio's, Europese Centrale Bank, Hof van Justitie enz.) te volgen. EURlex volgt alle voorstellen (zoals wetgevende en begrotingsdossiers) en mededelingen van de Commissie, vanaf het moment dat ze aan de Raad of het Europees Parlement worden voorgelegd.
   
• 99. 

  Als dag van bekendmaking van een Europees besluit geldt de dag waarop het besluit in het Publicatieblad wordt bekendgemaakt, en daardoor in alle officiële talen van de Europese Unie bij het Publicatiebureau beschikbaar is.