COM(2011)356 - State aid ScoreboardReport on State aid contribution to Europe 2020 Strategy - Spring 2011 Update -

official title

 

Legal instrument	Report
reference by COM-number248	COM(2011)356
Additional COM-numbers	COM(2011)356
CELEX number251	52011DC0356

This page is also available in a full version containing the latest state of affairs, 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. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p.21.
  
   
• 2. 

  Framework for State aid for Research and Development and Innovation, OJ C 323 of 30.12.2006, p. 1 .
  
   
• 3. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 of 6 August 2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Article 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General block exemption Regulation). OJ L 214, 9.8.2008, p. 3 (entry into force 29 August 2008).
  
   
• 4. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p.21.
  
   
• 5. 

  This Spring edition of the Scoreboard does not aim to be exhaustive. It does not consider all areas which may be relevant to the Europe 2020 Strategy, such as culture and media, and which might be assessed in future editions of the Scoreboard.
  
   
• 6. 

  Information on State aid granted in response to the crisis can be found in chapter 3 of the Commission's State aid Scoreboard Report on State aid granted by the EU Member States - Autumn 2010 Update (COM(2010)701). The next Autumn State aid Scoreboard will update this information.
  
   
• 7. 

  In line with the G20 commitments, the EU has continued resisting protectionism in all its forms and minimising any negative impact on trade and investment of the EU's domestic policy actions.
  
   
• 8. 

  OJ L 140, 30.4.2004, p. 1.
  
   
• 9. 

  Data on State aid expenditure presented in this Scoreboard cover all State aid measures as defined under Article 107 TFEU (former Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty) that Member States have awarded to industry and services. Agriculture, Fisheries and the transport sector are excluded as well as State aid granted in response to the crisis (aid to the financial sector and to the real economy). To show the underlying trends, and in line with the Autumn 2010 Scoreboard, data covers the period 2004-2010 (number of decisions and approved amounts). For expenditure the latest available data relate to 2009.
  
   
• 10. 

  OJ L 83, 27.3.1999, p. 1.
  
   
• 11. 

  The bulk of regional spending is reserved for Convergence regions (essentially those regions with a GDP per capita below 75 % of the Union average) to help improve their infrastructures and to develop their economic and human potential. In addition, all Member States are eligible for funding to support innovation and research, sustainable development, and job training in their less advanced regions. A smaller amount goes to cross-border and inter-regional cooperation projects.
  
   
• 12. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p. 12.
  
   
• 13. 

  See page 10 of the Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative Innovation Union, COM(2010) 546 final . The Innovation Union Scoreboard 2010 identifies the largest gap with main competitors in the 'firm activities' category which includes business
   
• 14. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p. 21.
  
   
• 15. 

  Conte, Dierx, Ilzkovitz and Schweizer, 'An analysis of the efficiency of public spending and national policies in the area of
   
• 16. 

  See as examples of general fiscal measures the Spanish scheme 'Reduction of tax from intangible assets' (case N 480/2007 ) and the Italian measure
   
• 17. 

  Communication on 'Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative Innovation Union', COM(2010) 546 final.
  
   
• 18. 

  See Council conclusions of the meeting of 4 February 2011.
  
   
• 19. 

  Communication on 'An Integrated Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era' COM(2010) 614, p. 10.
  
   
• 20. 

  Expenditure on innovation is explicitly cited as one of the categories of growth-friendly expenditure in the Annual growth survey, Annex 2: Macro-Economic Report. At the European Council of 4 February 2011, it was agreed that 'in conducting fiscal consolidation, Member States should give priority to sustainable growth-friendly expenditure in areas such as research and innovation, education and energy'.
  
   
• 21. 

  Framework for State aid for Research and Development and Innovation, OJ C 323 of 30.12.2006, p. 1. (entry into force 1 January 2007).
  
   
• 22. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 of 6 August 2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Article 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General block exemption Regulation). OJ L 214, 9.8.2008, p. 3 (entry into force 29 August 2008).
  
   
• 23. 

  Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2002.
  
   
• 24. 

  Two further measures were withdrawn, one during the preliminary examination and another after the opening of the formal investigation procedure. The 39 cases subject to detailed assessment (of which 24 were notified by France) involve a total of more than EUR 2 billion of State aid and refer to domains as diverse as advanced nanosubstrates, engine components and new composite materials for aeroplane structures, intelligent energy management, automatic processing of multimedia data, high fields magnetic resonance imaging, CMOS derivative processes for system-on-chip technologies, fuel cell power modules, new methods for the production of biofuels, and artificial hearts.
  
   
• 25. 

  Of which 256 were introduced in 2009 and 142 in 2010.
  
   
• 26. 

  Two further measures were withdrawn, one during the preliminary examination and another after the opening of the formal investigation procedure. The 39 cases subject to detailed assessment (of which 24 were notified by France) involve a total of more than EUR 2 billion of State aid and refer to domains as diverse as advanced nanosubstrates, engine components and new composite materials for aeroplane structures, intelligent energy management, automatic processing of multimedia data, high fields magnetic resonance imaging, CMOS derivative processes for system-on-chip technologies, fuel cell power modules, new methods for the production of biofuels, and artificial hearts.
  
   
• 27. 

  Prior to this,
   
• 28. 

  Of which 256 were introduced in 2009 and 142 in 2010.
  
   
• 29. 

  Commission Regulation No 2204/2002 of 12 December 2002 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid for employment, OJ L 337, 13.12.2002, pages 3-14 (in force before the introduction of the GBER).
  
   
• 30. 

  Labour market policies services cover all services and activities of the public employment service together with any other publicly funded services for jobseekers.
  
   
• 31. 

  See for instance N 284/2005 - Metropolitan Area Network Broadband Program, Ireland: EUR 170 million; N 201/2006 - Broadband access development in underserved territories, Greece: EUR 160 million; N 157/2006 - South Yorkshire Digital Region Broadband Project, United Kingdom: EUR 120 million; N 73/2008 - Public support to broadband, digital TV, mobile and infrastructures in rural areas, Spain: EUR 180 million; N 115/2008 - Broadband in rural areas of Germany, Germany: EUR 141 million; N 646/2009 - National broadband plan for rural areas in Italy, Italy: EUR 155 million; N 62/2010 - High speed broadband in Finland, Finland: EUR 131 million; N 53/2010 - Federal framework programme on duct support, Germany: EUR 600 million; N 407/2009 - Optical fibre Catalonia (Xarxa Oberta), Spain: EUR 354 million; and N 304/2010 - Programa Avanza Nuevas Infraestructuras de Telecomunicaciones, Spain: EUR 150 million.
  
   
• 32. 

  Source: Eurostat.
  
   
• 33. 

  The US spend 2.6 % and Japan 3.4 %. In comparison to some emerging economies, the EU has a strong lead but countries like China and Brazil are closing the gap with the EU. See chapter 4 of the Innovation Union Scoreboard 2010.
  
   
• 34. 

  Finland, Sweden and Denmark exceeded the EU goal of channelling 3 % of GDP into
   
• 35. 

  Germany (2.82 %), Austria (2.75 %) and France (2.21 %).
  
   
• 36. 

  Lithuania (0.84 %), Poland (0.68 %), Greece (0.58 %), Malta (0.54 %), Bulgaria (0.53 %), Slovakia (0.48 %), Romania (0.47 %), Latvia (0.46 %) and Cyprus (0.46 %).
  
   
• 37. 

  For the purposes of annual reporting for State aid, soft loans also includesrepayable advances.
  
   
• 38. 

  The comparison is static and takes into account only the levels of State aid granted in 2009.
  
   
• 39. 

  The Innovation Union's performance scoreboard for Research and Innovation (1 February 2011) classifies Member States in four categories: Innovation leaders (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Sweden), innovation followers (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Slovenia and the United Kingdom), moderate innovators (the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain), and modest innovators (Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania).
  
   
• 40. 

  As a percentage of GDP
  
   
• 41. 

  Communication on "A resource-efficient Europe
   
• 42. 

  Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 % compared to 1990 levels or by 30 % if certain conditions are met (notably an international agreement on binding emission reduction targets); increase the share of renewable energy sources in our final energy consumption to 20 %; and a 20 % increase in energy efficiency.
  
   
• 43. 

  The development of coordinated roadmaps is foreseen in the flagship initiative 'A resource-efficient Europe'.
  
   
• 44. 

  See conclusions on energy of the European Council meeting on 4/2/2011.
  
   
• 45. 

  Art. 191 of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union, OJ C 83 of 30.03.2010.
  
   
• 46. 

  Such as tradable permit schemes etc. The Commission announced in the Europe 2020 Strategy its commitment to enhance the use of MBI.
  
   
• 47. 

  Such as certain exemptions to the Energy Tax Directive.
  
   
• 48. 

  It is important to note that the Europe 2020 Strategy includes, within its 'Resource efficient Europe' flagship initiative, a call on Member States 'to phase out environmentally harmful subsidies, limiting exceptions to people with social needs'. Environmentally harmful subsidies also concern measures that do not constitute State aid, and the ongoing discussion on the phasing out of such subsidies is not limited to State aid issues.
  
   
• 49. 

  Guidelines on state aid for environmental protection OJ C 82 of 01.04.2008, p. 1.
  
   
• 50. 

  Guidelines on state aid for environmental protection OJ C 82 of 01.04.2008, p. 1.
  
   
• 51. 

  The development of coordinated roadmaps is foreseen in the flagship initiative 'A resource-efficient Europe'.
  
   
• 52. 

  Communication on "A resource-efficient Europe
   
• 53. 

  The comparison is static and takes into account only the levels of State aid granted in 2009.
  
   
• 54. 

  Of which 256 were introduced in 2009 and 142 in 2010.
  
   
• 55. 

  Art. 191 of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union, OJ C 83 of 30.03.2010.
  
   
• 56. 

  See conclusions on energy of the European Council meeting on 4/2/2011.
  
   
• 57. 

  The development of coordinated roadmaps is foreseen in the flagship initiative 'A resource-efficient Europe'.
  
   
• 58. 

  Framework for State aid for Research and Development and Innovation, OJ C 323 of 30.12.2006, p. 1. (entry into force 1 January 2007).
  
   
• 59. 

  Art. 19
   
• 60. 

  In addition, there was one negative decision without recovery concerning a Dutch case: Exemption from environmental taxes for ceramic producers (C 5/2009).
  
   
• 61. 

  'Energy tax for the manufacturing sector' (cases, N 156/2004 and N 596/2005).
  
   
• 62. 

  Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 of 11 July 2006 laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 (OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 1). See Arts 9 and 60.
  
   
• 63. 

  Art. 41 ibid.
  
   
• 64. 

  Communication from the Commission concerning the criteria for an in-depth assessment of Regional aid to large investment projects OJ C 223, 16.9.2009, p.3.
  
   
• 65. 

  The Dell Poland case (C 46/2008) was the first case where the Commission conducted the type of assessment detailed in the guidance paper.
  
   
• 66. 

  A Digital Agenda for Europe. COM/2010/0245.
  
   
• 67. 

  In addition, there was one negative decision without recovery concerning a Dutch case: Exemption from environmental taxes for ceramic producers (C 5/2009).
  
   
• 68. 

  See Council conclusions of the meeting of 4 February 2011.
  
   
• 69. 

  LIP Poland - Aid to Dell Poland (C 46/2008).
  
   
• 70. 

  In addition, there were two negative decisions.
  
   
• 71. 

  Communication from the Commission 'An Agenda for new skills and jobs', COM(2010)682 final.
  
   
• 72. 

  Guidelines on State aid to promote risk capital investments in small and medium-sized enterprises, OJ C 194, 18.8.2006, pages 2-22.
  
   
• 73. 

  Communication from the Commission 'An Integrated Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era Putting Competitiveness and Sustainability at Centre Stage', COM(2010)614.
  
   
• 74. 

  The Commission has already taken action aimed at mitigating the specific difficulties faced by SMEs. See Communication from the Commission: 'Think Small First' A 'Small Business Act' for Europe, COM(2008) 394 final,. The European Economy Recovery Plan, together with the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund, aims to enhance access to financing for SMEs. It also recalls that the Member States should, where appropriate, make full use of the recently reformed rules for granting state aid to SMEs.
  
   
• 75. 

  See section 3.2 of the flagship initiative 'An industrial policy for the globalisation era'.
  
   
• 76. 

  See Sections 3, 4, 5 and 8.
  
   
• 77. 

  Guidelines on State aid to promote risk capital investments in small and medium-sized enterprises, OJ C 194, 18.8.2006, pages 2-22.
  
   
• 78. 

  Communication from the Commission amending the Guidelines on State aid to promote risk capital investments in small and medium-sized enterprises OJ C 329, 7.12.2010, p.4.
  
   
• 79. 

  The US spend 2.6 % and Japan 3.4 %. In comparison to some emerging economies, the EU has a strong lead but countries like China and Brazil are closing the gap with the EU. See chapter 4 of the Innovation Union Scoreboard 2010.
  
   
• 80. 

  See as examples of general fiscal measures the Spanish scheme 'Reduction of tax from intangible assets' (case N 480/2007 ) and the Italian measure
   
• 81. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p. 12.
  
   
• 82. 

  In line with the G20 commitments, the EU has continued resisting protectionism in all its forms and minimising any negative impact on trade and investment of the EU's domestic policy actions.
  
   
• 83. 

  This Spring edition of the Scoreboard does not aim to be exhaustive. It does not consider all areas which may be relevant to the Europe 2020 Strategy, such as culture and media, and which might be assessed in future editions of the Scoreboard.
  
   
• 84. 

  In this regard it is important to note that the current reporting provisions, as laid down in the Commission Regulation (EC) No 794/2004 of 21 April 2004 implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty, do not enable the Commission services to obtain information on the type of beneficiary (SME or large enterprises) of aid across all objectives. The Commission services can only produce information on how much aid is exclusively earmarked for SMEs under dedicated SME schemes. State aid measures are classified according to their primary objective at the time the aid was approved and not according to the final recipients of the aid. This means that a measure which is, for example, aimed at innovation projects for all size of enterprises, will be classified as a research, development and innovation measure and expenditure will be counted in relation to that objective, even if the majority of aid was given to SMEs. Therefore, SME aid presented here is underestimated and represents only aid granted under measures directed exclusively at SMEs (with SME aid as the primary objective). In addition, the figures include risk capital aid, which under State aid rules can only be granted to SMEs.
  
   
• 85. 

  A Digital Agenda for Europe. COM/2010/0245.
  
   
• 86. 

  See Broadband Communication, available at:
  
   
• 87. 

  See Key action 8.
  
   
• 88. 

  Guidelines for the application of State aid rules in relation to rapid deployment of broadband networks OJ C 235, 30.9.2009, p.7.
  
   
• 89. 

  For instance, according to the announcements of the Member States, at the end of 2010, France will spend EUR 2 billion, Germany at least EUR 1 billion, Italy EUR 1,5 billion and the UK around EUR 1 billion, etc of public funds to foster broadband development in their countries.
  
   
• 90. 

  France supports broadband development as SGEI measures, which do not qualify as State aid and are therefore not counted in the above statistics. In the EU12 Member States, State aid is typically granted under the Regional aid Guidelines, those amounts are also not reflected in the chart.
  
   
• 91. 

  See for instance N 284/2005 - Metropolitan Area Network Broadband Program, Ireland: EUR 170 million; N 201/2006 - Broadband access development in underserved territories, Greece: EUR 160 million; N 157/2006 - South Yorkshire Digital Region Broadband Project, United Kingdom: EUR 120 million; N 73/2008 - Public support to broadband, digital TV, mobile and infrastructures in rural areas, Spain: EUR 180 million; N 115/2008 - Broadband in rural areas of Germany, Germany: EUR 141 million; N 646/2009 - National broadband plan for rural areas in Italy, Italy: EUR 155 million; N 62/2010 - High speed broadband in Finland, Finland: EUR 131 million; N 53/2010 - Federal framework programme on duct support, Germany: EUR 600 million; N 407/2009 - Optical fibre Catalonia (Xarxa Oberta), Spain: EUR 354 million; and N 304/2010 - Programa Avanza Nuevas Infraestructuras de Telecomunicaciones, Spain: EUR 150 million.
  
   
• 92. 

  Communication from the Commission 'An Agenda for new skills and jobs', COM(2010)682 final.
  
   
• 93. 

  See page 2 of the 'An Agenda for new skills and jobs' initiative.
  
   
• 94. 

  The Europe 2020 Strategy has set a target on educational attainment which aims to tackle the problem of early school leavers by reducing the drop out rate to 10 % from the current 15 %, whilst increasing the share of the population aged 30-34 having completed tertiary education from 31 % to at least 40 % by 2020.
  
   
• 95. 

  Council Decision of 21 October 2010 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States, OJ L 308, 24.11.2010, p.
   
• 96. 

  Source: Eurostat. Labour market policy measures cover activation measures for the unemployed and other target groups including the categories of training, job rotation and job sharing, employment incentives, supported employment and rehabilitation, direct job creation, and start-up incentives. The amount remained stable during recent years.
  
   
• 97. 

  Labour market policies services cover all services and activities of the public employment service together with any other publicly funded services for jobseekers.
  
   
• 98. 

  See as examples the French 'Aid to support the employment of youth in the enterprises' (N 454/2002) on grants to partially cover the cost of employment or the Spanish measure 'Incentives for engaging redundant workers from the toy sector' (N 53/2009) on reductions to the social security costs.
  
   
• 99. 

  Communication from the Commission - Criteria for the compatibility analysis of state aid to disadvantaged and disabled workers subject to individual notification, OJ C 188, 11.8.2009, p.6 and Communication from the Commission - Criteria for the compatibility analysis of training state aid cases subject to individual notification, OJ C 188, 11.8.2009, p.1.
  
   
• 100. 

  In addition, there were two negative decisions.
  
   
• 101. 

  This Spring edition of the Scoreboard does not aim to be exhaustive. It does not consider all areas which may be relevant to the Europe 2020 Strategy, such as culture and media, and which might be assessed in future editions of the Scoreboard.
  
   
• 102. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p.21.
  
   
• 103. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 of 6 August 2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Article 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General block exemption Regulation). OJ L 214, 9.8.2008, p. 3 (entry into force 29 August 2008).
  
   
• 104. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 of 6 August 2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Article 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General block exemption Regulation). OJ L 214, 9.8.2008, p. 3 (entry into force 29 August 2008).
  
   
• 105. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 of 6 August 2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Article 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General block exemption Regulation). OJ L 214, 9.8.2008, p. 3 (entry into force 29 August 2008).
  
   
• 106. 

  Framework for State aid for Research and Development and Innovation, OJ C 323 of 30.12.2006, p. 1 .
  
   
• 107. 

  GBER and the previous block exemption regulations for employment and training.
  
   
• 108. 

  Of which, 288 were introduced in 2009 and 124 in 2010.
  
   
• 109. 

  Commission Regulation No 2204/2002 of 12 December 2002 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid for employment, OJ L 337, 13.12.2002, pages 3-14 (in force before the introduction of the GBER).
  
   
• 110. 

  Commission Regulation No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid, OJ L 10, 13.01.2001, pages 20-29 (in force before the introduction of the GBER).
  
   
• 111. 

  Lithuania (0.84 %), Poland (0.68 %), Greece (0.58 %), Malta (0.54 %), Bulgaria (0.53 %), Slovakia (0.48 %), Romania (0.47 %), Latvia (0.46 %) and Cyprus (0.46 %).
  
   
• 112. 

  Communication on 'An Integrated Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era' COM(2010) 614, p. 10.
  
   
• 113. 

  See page 10 of the Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative Innovation Union, COM(2010) 546 final . The Innovation Union Scoreboard 2010 identifies the largest gap with main competitors in the 'firm activities' category which includes business
   
• 114. 

  See page 2 of the 'An Agenda for new skills and jobs' initiative.
  
   
• 115. 

  See Key action 8.
  
   
• 116. 

  See Sections 3, 4, 5 and 8.
  
   
• 117. 

  Finland, Sweden and Denmark exceeded the EU goal of channelling 3 % of GDP into
   
• 118. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p.21.
  
   
• 119. 

  Framework for State aid for Research and Development and Innovation, OJ C 323 of 30.12.2006, p. 1 .
  
   
• 120. 

  Framework for State aid for Research and Development and Innovation, OJ C 323 of 30.12.2006, p. 1 .
  
   
• 121. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p.21.
  
   
• 122. 

  Mesures sociales dans le secteur du travail (NN 10/2002).
  
   
• 123. 

  "Refundacja
   
• 124. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p.21.
  
   
• 125. 

  Framework for State aid for Research and Development and Innovation, OJ C 323 of 30.12.2006, p. 1 .
  
   
• 126. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 of 6 August 2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Article 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General block exemption Regulation). OJ L 214, 9.8.2008, p. 3 (entry into force 29 August 2008).
  
   
• 127. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p.21.
  
   
• 128. 

  This Spring edition of the Scoreboard does not aim to be exhaustive. It does not consider all areas which may be relevant to the Europe 2020 Strategy, such as culture and media, and which might be assessed in future editions of the Scoreboard.
  
   
• 129. 

  Information on State aid granted in response to the crisis can be found in chapter 3 of the Commission's State aid Scoreboard Report on State aid granted by the EU Member States - Autumn 2010 Update (COM(2010)701). The next Autumn State aid Scoreboard will update this information.
  
   
• 130. 

  In line with the G20 commitments, the EU has continued resisting protectionism in all its forms and minimising any negative impact on trade and investment of the EU's domestic policy actions.
  
   
• 131. 

  OJ L 140, 30.4.2004, p. 1.
  
   
• 132. 

  Data on State aid expenditure presented in this Scoreboard cover all State aid measures as defined under Article 107 TFEU (former Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty) that Member States have awarded to industry and services. Agriculture, Fisheries and the transport sector are excluded as well as State aid granted in response to the crisis (aid to the financial sector and to the real economy). To show the underlying trends, and in line with the Autumn 2010 Scoreboard, data covers the period 2004-2010 (number of decisions and approved amounts). For expenditure the latest available data relate to 2009.
  
   
• 133. 

  OJ L 83, 27.3.1999, p. 1.
  
   
• 134. 

  The bulk of regional spending is reserved for Convergence regions (essentially those regions with a GDP per capita below 75 % of the Union average) to help improve their infrastructures and to develop their economic and human potential. In addition, all Member States are eligible for funding to support innovation and research, sustainable development, and job training in their less advanced regions. A smaller amount goes to cross-border and inter-regional cooperation projects.
  
   
• 135. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p. 12.
  
   
• 136. 

  See page 10 of the Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative Innovation Union, COM(2010) 546 final . The Innovation Union Scoreboard 2010 identifies the largest gap with main competitors in the 'firm activities' category which includes business
   
• 137. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p. 21.
  
   
• 138. 

  Conte, Dierx, Ilzkovitz and Schweizer, 'An analysis of the efficiency of public spending and national policies in the area of
   
• 139. 

  See as examples of general fiscal measures the Spanish scheme 'Reduction of tax from intangible assets' (case N 480/2007 ) and the Italian measure
   
• 140. 

  Communication on 'Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative Innovation Union', COM(2010) 546 final.
  
   
• 141. 

  See Council conclusions of the meeting of 4 February 2011.
  
   
• 142. 

  Communication on 'An Integrated Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era' COM(2010) 614, p. 10.
  
   
• 143. 

  Expenditure on innovation is explicitly cited as one of the categories of growth-friendly expenditure in the Annual growth survey, Annex 2: Macro-Economic Report. At the European Council of 4 February 2011, it was agreed that 'in conducting fiscal consolidation, Member States should give priority to sustainable growth-friendly expenditure in areas such as research and innovation, education and energy'.
  
   
• 144. 

  Framework for State aid for Research and Development and Innovation, OJ C 323 of 30.12.2006, p. 1. (entry into force 1 January 2007).
  
   
• 145. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 of 6 August 2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Article 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General block exemption Regulation). OJ L 214, 9.8.2008, p. 3 (entry into force 29 August 2008).
  
   
• 146. 

  Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2002.
  
   
• 147. 

  Two further measures were withdrawn, one during the preliminary examination and another after the opening of the formal investigation procedure. The 39 cases subject to detailed assessment (of which 24 were notified by France) involve a total of more than EUR 2 billion of State aid and refer to domains as diverse as advanced nanosubstrates, engine components and new composite materials for aeroplane structures, intelligent energy management, automatic processing of multimedia data, high fields magnetic resonance imaging, CMOS derivative processes for system-on-chip technologies, fuel cell power modules, new methods for the production of biofuels, and artificial hearts.
  
   
• 148. 

  Of which 256 were introduced in 2009 and 142 in 2010.
  
   
• 149. 

  Two further measures were withdrawn, one during the preliminary examination and another after the opening of the formal investigation procedure. The 39 cases subject to detailed assessment (of which 24 were notified by France) involve a total of more than EUR 2 billion of State aid and refer to domains as diverse as advanced nanosubstrates, engine components and new composite materials for aeroplane structures, intelligent energy management, automatic processing of multimedia data, high fields magnetic resonance imaging, CMOS derivative processes for system-on-chip technologies, fuel cell power modules, new methods for the production of biofuels, and artificial hearts.
  
   
• 150. 

  Prior to this,
   
• 151. 

  Of which 256 were introduced in 2009 and 142 in 2010.
  
   
• 152. 

  Commission Regulation No 2204/2002 of 12 December 2002 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid for employment, OJ L 337, 13.12.2002, pages 3-14 (in force before the introduction of the GBER).
  
   
• 153. 

  Labour market policies services cover all services and activities of the public employment service together with any other publicly funded services for jobseekers.
  
   
• 154. 

  See for instance N 284/2005 - Metropolitan Area Network Broadband Program, Ireland: EUR 170 million; N 201/2006 - Broadband access development in underserved territories, Greece: EUR 160 million; N 157/2006 - South Yorkshire Digital Region Broadband Project, United Kingdom: EUR 120 million; N 73/2008 - Public support to broadband, digital TV, mobile and infrastructures in rural areas, Spain: EUR 180 million; N 115/2008 - Broadband in rural areas of Germany, Germany: EUR 141 million; N 646/2009 - National broadband plan for rural areas in Italy, Italy: EUR 155 million; N 62/2010 - High speed broadband in Finland, Finland: EUR 131 million; N 53/2010 - Federal framework programme on duct support, Germany: EUR 600 million; N 407/2009 - Optical fibre Catalonia (Xarxa Oberta), Spain: EUR 354 million; and N 304/2010 - Programa Avanza Nuevas Infraestructuras de Telecomunicaciones, Spain: EUR 150 million.
  
   
• 155. 

  Source: Eurostat.
  
   
• 156. 

  The US spend 2.6 % and Japan 3.4 %. In comparison to some emerging economies, the EU has a strong lead but countries like China and Brazil are closing the gap with the EU. See chapter 4 of the Innovation Union Scoreboard 2010.
  
   
• 157. 

  Finland, Sweden and Denmark exceeded the EU goal of channelling 3 % of GDP into
   
• 158. 

  Germany (2.82 %), Austria (2.75 %) and France (2.21 %).
  
   
• 159. 

  Lithuania (0.84 %), Poland (0.68 %), Greece (0.58 %), Malta (0.54 %), Bulgaria (0.53 %), Slovakia (0.48 %), Romania (0.47 %), Latvia (0.46 %) and Cyprus (0.46 %).
  
   
• 160. 

  For the purposes of annual reporting for State aid, soft loans also includesrepayable advances.
  
   
• 161. 

  The comparison is static and takes into account only the levels of State aid granted in 2009.
  
   
• 162. 

  The Innovation Union's performance scoreboard for Research and Innovation (1 February 2011) classifies Member States in four categories: Innovation leaders (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Sweden), innovation followers (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Slovenia and the United Kingdom), moderate innovators (the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain), and modest innovators (Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania).
  
   
• 163. 

  As a percentage of GDP
  
   
• 164. 

  Communication on "A resource-efficient Europe
   
• 165. 

  Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 % compared to 1990 levels or by 30 % if certain conditions are met (notably an international agreement on binding emission reduction targets); increase the share of renewable energy sources in our final energy consumption to 20 %; and a 20 % increase in energy efficiency.
  
   
• 166. 

  The development of coordinated roadmaps is foreseen in the flagship initiative 'A resource-efficient Europe'.
  
   
• 167. 

  See conclusions on energy of the European Council meeting on 4/2/2011.
  
   
• 168. 

  Art. 191 of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union, OJ C 83 of 30.03.2010.
  
   
• 169. 

  Such as tradable permit schemes etc. The Commission announced in the Europe 2020 Strategy its commitment to enhance the use of MBI.
  
   
• 170. 

  Such as certain exemptions to the Energy Tax Directive.
  
   
• 171. 

  It is important to note that the Europe 2020 Strategy includes, within its 'Resource efficient Europe' flagship initiative, a call on Member States 'to phase out environmentally harmful subsidies, limiting exceptions to people with social needs'. Environmentally harmful subsidies also concern measures that do not constitute State aid, and the ongoing discussion on the phasing out of such subsidies is not limited to State aid issues.
  
   
• 172. 

  Guidelines on state aid for environmental protection OJ C 82 of 01.04.2008, p. 1.
  
   
• 173. 

  Guidelines on state aid for environmental protection OJ C 82 of 01.04.2008, p. 1.
  
   
• 174. 

  The development of coordinated roadmaps is foreseen in the flagship initiative 'A resource-efficient Europe'.
  
   
• 175. 

  Communication on "A resource-efficient Europe
   
• 176. 

  The comparison is static and takes into account only the levels of State aid granted in 2009.
  
   
• 177. 

  Of which 256 were introduced in 2009 and 142 in 2010.
  
   
• 178. 

  Art. 191 of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union, OJ C 83 of 30.03.2010.
  
   
• 179. 

  See conclusions on energy of the European Council meeting on 4/2/2011.
  
   
• 180. 

  The development of coordinated roadmaps is foreseen in the flagship initiative 'A resource-efficient Europe'.
  
   
• 181. 

  Framework for State aid for Research and Development and Innovation, OJ C 323 of 30.12.2006, p. 1. (entry into force 1 January 2007).
  
   
• 182. 

  Art. 19
   
• 183. 

  In addition, there was one negative decision without recovery concerning a Dutch case: Exemption from environmental taxes for ceramic producers (C 5/2009).
  
   
• 184. 

  'Energy tax for the manufacturing sector' (cases, N 156/2004 and N 596/2005).
  
   
• 185. 

  Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 of 11 July 2006 laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 (OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p.
  
  1). See Arts 9 and 60.
  
   
• 186. 

  Art. 41 ibid.
  
   
• 187. 

  Communication from the Commission concerning the criteria for an in-depth assessment of Regional aid to large investment projects OJ C 223, 16.9.2009, p.3.
  
   
• 188. 

  The Dell Poland case (C 46/2008) was the first case where the Commission conducted the type of assessment detailed in the guidance paper.
  
   
• 189. 

  A Digital Agenda for Europe. COM/2010/0245.
  
   
• 190. 

  In addition, there was one negative decision without recovery concerning a Dutch case: Exemption from environmental taxes for ceramic producers (C 5/2009).
  
   
• 191. 

  See Council conclusions of the meeting of 4 February 2011.
  
   
• 192. 

  LIP Poland - Aid to Dell Poland (C 46/2008).
  
   
• 193. 

  In addition, there were two negative decisions.
  
   
• 194. 

  Communication from the Commission 'An Agenda for new skills and jobs', COM(2010)682 final.
  
   
• 195. 

  Guidelines on State aid to promote risk capital investments in small and medium-sized enterprises, OJ C 194, 18.8.2006, pages 2-22.
  
   
• 196. 

  Communication from the Commission 'An Integrated Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era Putting Competitiveness and Sustainability at Centre Stage', COM(2010)614.
  
   
• 197. 

  The Commission has already taken action aimed at mitigating the specific difficulties faced by SMEs. See Communication from the Commission: 'Think Small First' A 'Small Business Act' for Europe, COM(2008) 394 final,. The European Economy Recovery Plan, together with the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund, aims to enhance access to financing for SMEs. It also recalls that the Member States should, where appropriate, make full use of the recently reformed rules for granting state aid to SMEs.
  
   
• 198. 

  See section 3.2 of the flagship initiative 'An industrial policy for the globalisation era'.
  
   
• 199. 

  See Sections 3, 4, 5 and 8.
  
   
• 200. 

  Guidelines on State aid to promote risk capital investments in small and medium-sized enterprises, OJ C 194, 18.8.2006, pages 2-22.
  
   
• 201. 

  Communication from the Commission amending the Guidelines on State aid to promote risk capital investments in small and medium-sized enterprises OJ C 329, 7.12.2010, p.4.
  
   
• 202. 

  The US spend 2.6 % and Japan 3.4 %. In comparison to some emerging economies, the EU has a strong lead but countries like China and Brazil are closing the gap with the EU. See chapter 4 of the Innovation Union Scoreboard 2010.
  
   
• 203. 

  See as examples of general fiscal measures the Spanish scheme 'Reduction of tax from intangible assets' (case N 480/2007 ) and the Italian measure
   
• 204. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p. 12.
  
   
• 205. 

  In line with the G20 commitments, the EU has continued resisting protectionism in all its forms and minimising any negative impact on trade and investment of the EU's domestic policy actions.
  
   
• 206. 

  This Spring edition of the Scoreboard does not aim to be exhaustive. It does not consider all areas which may be relevant to the Europe 2020 Strategy, such as culture and media, and which might be assessed in future editions of the Scoreboard.
  
   
• 207. 

  In this regard it is important to note that the current reporting provisions, as laid down in the Commission Regulation (EC) No 794/2004 of 21 April 2004 implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty, do not enable the Commission services to obtain information on the type of beneficiary (SME or large enterprises) of aid across all objectives. The Commission services can only produce information on how much aid is exclusively earmarked for SMEs under dedicated SME schemes. State aid measures are classified according to their primary objective at the time the aid was approved and not according to the final recipients of the aid. This means that a measure which is, for example, aimed at innovation projects for all size of enterprises, will be classified as a research, development and innovation measure and expenditure will be counted in relation to that objective, even if the majority of aid was given to SMEs. Therefore, SME aid presented here is underestimated and represents only aid granted under measures directed exclusively at SMEs (with SME aid as the primary objective). In addition, the figures include risk capital aid, which under State aid rules can only be granted to SMEs.
  
   
• 208. 

  A Digital Agenda for Europe. COM/2010/0245.
  
   
• 209. 

  See Broadband Communication, available at:
  
   
• 210. 

  See Key action 8.
  
   
• 211. 

  Guidelines for the application of State aid rules in relation to rapid deployment of broadband networks OJ C 235, 30.9.2009, p.7.
  
   
• 212. 

  For instance, according to the announcements of the Member States, at the end of 2010, France will spend EUR 2 billion, Germany at least EUR 1 billion, Italy EUR 1,5 billion and the UK around EUR 1 billion, etc of public funds to foster broadband development in their countries.
  
   
• 213. 

  France supports broadband development as SGEI measures, which do not qualify as State aid and are therefore not counted in the above statistics. In the EU12 Member States, State aid is typically granted under the Regional aid Guidelines, those amounts are also not reflected in the chart.
  
   
• 214. 

  See for instance N 284/2005 - Metropolitan Area Network Broadband Program, Ireland: EUR 170 million; N 201/2006 - Broadband access development in underserved territories, Greece: EUR 160 million; N 157/2006 - South Yorkshire Digital Region Broadband Project, United Kingdom: EUR 120 million; N 73/2008 - Public support to broadband, digital TV, mobile and infrastructures in rural areas, Spain: EUR 180 million; N 115/2008 - Broadband in rural areas of Germany, Germany: EUR 141 million; N 646/2009 - National broadband plan for rural areas in Italy, Italy: EUR 155 million; N 62/2010 - High speed broadband in Finland, Finland: EUR 131 million; N 53/2010 - Federal framework programme on duct support, Germany: EUR 600 million; N 407/2009 - Optical fibre Catalonia (Xarxa Oberta), Spain: EUR 354 million; and N 304/2010 - Programa Avanza Nuevas Infraestructuras de Telecomunicaciones, Spain: EUR 150 million.
  
   
• 215. 

  Communication from the Commission 'An Agenda for new skills and jobs', COM(2010)682 final.
  
   
• 216. 

  See page 2 of the 'An Agenda for new skills and jobs' initiative.
  
   
• 217. 

  The Europe 2020 Strategy has set a target on educational attainment which aims to tackle the problem of early school leavers by reducing the drop out rate to 10 % from the current 15 %, whilst increasing the share of the population aged 30-34 having completed tertiary education from 31 % to at least 40 % by 2020.
  
   
• 218. 

  Council Decision of 21 October 2010 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States, OJ L 308, 24.11.2010, p.
   
• 219. 

  Source: Eurostat. Labour market policy measures cover activation measures for the unemployed and other target groups including the categories of training, job rotation and job sharing, employment incentives, supported employment and rehabilitation, direct job creation, and start-up incentives. The amount remained stable during recent years.
  
   
• 220. 

  Labour market policies services cover all services and activities of the public employment service together with any other publicly funded services for jobseekers.
  
   
• 221. 

  See as examples the French 'Aid to support the employment of youth in the enterprises' (N 454/2002) on grants to partially cover the cost of employment or the Spanish measure 'Incentives for engaging redundant workers from the toy sector' (N 53/2009) on reductions to the social security costs.
  
   
• 222. 

  Communication from the Commission - Criteria for the compatibility analysis of state aid to disadvantaged and disabled workers subject to individual notification, OJ C 188, 11.8.2009, p.6 and Communication from the Commission - Criteria for the compatibility analysis of training state aid cases subject to individual notification, OJ C 188, 11.8.2009, p.1.
  
   
• 223. 

  In addition, there were two negative decisions.
  
   
• 224. 

  This Spring edition of the Scoreboard does not aim to be exhaustive. It does not consider all areas which may be relevant to the Europe 2020 Strategy, such as culture and media, and which might be assessed in future editions of the Scoreboard.
  
   
• 225. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p.21.
  
   
• 226. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 of 6 August 2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Article 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General block exemption Regulation). OJ L 214, 9.8.2008, p. 3 (entry into force 29 August 2008).
  
   
• 227. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 of 6 August 2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Article 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General block exemption Regulation). OJ L 214, 9.8.2008, p. 3 (entry into force 29 August 2008).
  
   
• 228. 

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 of 6 August 2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Article 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General block exemption Regulation). OJ L 214, 9.8.2008, p. 3 (entry into force 29 August 2008).
  
   
• 229. 

  Framework for State aid for Research and Development and Innovation, OJ C 323 of 30.12.2006, p. 1 .
  
   
• 230. 

  GBER and the previous block exemption regulations for employment and training.
  
   
• 231. 

  Of which, 288 were introduced in 2009 and 124 in 2010.
  
   
• 232. 

  Commission Regulation No 2204/2002 of 12 December 2002 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid for employment, OJ L 337, 13.12.2002, pages 3-14 (in force before the introduction of the GBER).
  
   
• 233. 

  Commission Regulation No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid, OJ L 10, 13.01.2001, pages 20-29 (in force before the introduction of the GBER).
  
   
• 234. 

  Lithuania (0.84 %), Poland (0.68 %), Greece (0.58 %), Malta (0.54 %), Bulgaria (0.53 %), Slovakia (0.48 %), Romania (0.47 %), Latvia (0.46 %) and Cyprus (0.46 %).
  
   
• 235. 

  Communication on 'An Integrated Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era' COM(2010) 614, p. 10.
  
   
• 236. 

  See page 10 of the Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative Innovation Union, COM(2010) 546 final . The Innovation Union Scoreboard 2010 identifies the largest gap with main competitors in the 'firm activities' category which includes business
   
• 237. 

  See page 2 of the 'An Agenda for new skills and jobs' initiative.
  
   
• 238. 

  See Key action 8.
  
   
• 239. 

  See Sections 3, 4, 5 and 8.
  
   
• 240. 

  Finland, Sweden and Denmark exceeded the EU goal of channelling 3 % of GDP into
   
• 241. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p.21.
  
   
• 242. 

  Framework for State aid for Research and Development and Innovation, OJ C 323 of 30.12.2006, p. 1 .
  
   
• 243. 

  Framework for State aid for Research and Development and Innovation, OJ C 323 of 30.12.2006, p. 1 .
  
   
• 244. 

  'Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth', COM (2010) 2020, p.21.
  
   
• 245. 

  Mesures sociales dans le secteur du travail (NN 10/2002).
  
   
• 246. 

  "Miesi
   
• 247. 

  "Refundacja
   
• 248. 

  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.
   
• 249. 

  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.
   
• 250. 

  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.
   
• 251. 

  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.
   
• 252. 

  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.