13 Amendments of Nils TORVALDS related to 2022/0032(COD)
Amendment 3 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9 a) As the Chips Initiative was introduced after the adoption of the current 2021-2027 MFF, its implementation should not lead to a reduction of funding in other priority programmes, namely Horizon Europe and Digital Europe. Consequently any earmarking from those programmes to the Chips initiative should be compensated by alternative means, such as decommitments under Article 15(3) of the Financial Regulation, to full extent. Furthermore, to ensure stable funding of the initiative, the funding of the Chips Act should be prioritised in the mid-term review of the MFF.
Amendment 5 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The Horizon Europe Framework programme established by Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council51 (Horizon Europe) – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, has the objective to strengthen the European research area (ERA), encouraging it to become more competitive, including in its industry, while promoting all research and innovation (R&I) activities to deliver on the Union's strategic priorities and commitments, which ultimately aim to promote peace, the Union's values and the well-being of its peoples. As a major priority of the Union, the total financial resources allocated to the programme should not be reduced and the reduction of the financial resources of the programme, aimed to reinforce the financial envelope of the Digital Europe programme with the aim of contributing to the Chips initiative, should be fully compensated by another source. Consequently, without prejudice to the institutional prerogatives of the European Parliament and of the Council, an amount of commitment appropriations equivalent to the reduction should be made available to Horizon Europe over the period 2023- 2027, resulting from total or partial non- implementation of projects belonging to that programme or its predecessor, as provided for in Article 15(3) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council52 (the Financial Regulation). This amount will be in addition to the EUR 0.5 billion (in 2018 prices) already mentioned in the Joint Declaration by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the re- use of decommitted funds in relation to the research programme. _________________ 51 Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013. (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1). 52 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1).
Amendment 9 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9 a) As the Chips Initiative was introduced after the adoption of the current 2021-2027 MFF, its implementation should not lead to a reduction of funding in other priority programmes, namely Horizon Europe and Digital Europe. Consequently any earmarking from those programmes to the Chips initiative should be compensated by alternative means, such as decommitments under Article 15(3) of the Financial Regulation, to full extent. Furthermore, to ensure stable funding of the initiative, the funding of the Chips Act should be prioritised in the mid-term review of the MFF.
Amendment 11 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The Horizon Europe Framework programme established by Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council51 (Horizon Europe) – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, has the objective to strengthen the European research area (ERA), encouraging it to become more competitive, including in its industry, while promoting all research and innovation (R&I) activities to deliver on the Union's strategic priorities and commitments, which ultimately aim to promote peace, the Union's values and the well-being of its peoples. As a major priority of the Union, the total financial resources allocated to the programme should not be reduced and the reduction of the financial resources of the programme, aimed to reinforce the financial envelope of the Digital Europe programme with the aim of contributing to the Chips initiative, should be fully compensated by another source. Consequently, without prejudice to the institutional prerogatives of the European Parliament and of the Council, an amount of commitment appropriations equivalent to the reduction should be made available to Horizon Europe over the period 2023- 2027, resulting from total or partial non- implementation of projects belonging to that programme or its predecessor, as provided for in Article 15(3) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council52 (the Financial Regulation). This amount will be in addition to the EUR 0.5 billion (in 2018 prices) already mentioned in the Joint Declaration by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the re- use of decommitted funds in relation to the research programme. _________________ 51 Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013. (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1). 52 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1).
Amendment 15 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) In order to achieve its general objective, and address both the supply and demand side challenges of the current semiconductor ecosystem, the Initiative should include five main components. First, to reinforce Europe’s design capacity, the Initiative should support actions to build a virtual platform that is available across the Union. The platform should connect the communities of design houses, SMEs and start-ups, intellectual property and tool suppliers, with research and technology organisations to provide virtual prototype solutions based on co- development of technology. Second, in order to strengthen the security and resilience of supply and reducing the Union’s dependency on third country production, the Initiative should support development and access to pilot lines. The pilot lines should have a broad geographic coverage and provide for the industry a facility to test, experiment and validate semiconductor technologies and system design concepts at the higher technology readiness levels beyond level 3 but under level 8 while reducing environmental impacts as much as possible. Union investments along Member States investment and with the private sector in pilot lines is necessary to address the existing structural challenge and market failure where such facilities are not available in the Union hindering innovation potential and global competitiveness of the Union. Third, in order to enable investments in alternative technologies, such as quantum technologies, conducive to the development of the semiconductors sector, the Initiative should support actions including on design libraries for quantum chips, pilot lines for building quantum chips and testing and experimentation facilities for quantum components. Fourth, in order to promote the use of the semiconductor technologies, to provide access to design and pilot line facilities, and to address skills gaps across the Union, the Initiative should support establishment of the competence centres on semiconductors in each Member State. Access to publicly funded infrastructure, such as pilot and testing facilities, and to the competence network, should be open to a wide range of users and must be granted on a transparent and non-discriminatory basis and on market terms (or cost plus reasonable margin basis) for large undertakings, while SMEs can benefit from preferential access or reduced prices. Such access, including for international research and commercial partners, can lead to broader cross-fertilisation and gains in know-how and excellence, while contributing to cost recovery. Fifth, The Commission should set-up a dedicated semiconductor investment facility support (as part of the investment facilitation activities described collectively as the ‘Chips Fund’) proposing both equity and debt solutions, including a blending facility under the InvestEU Fund established by Regulation (EU) 2021/523 of the European Parliament and Council53 , in close cooperation with the European Investment Bank Group and together with other implementing partners such as national promotional banks and institutions. The ‘Chips Fund’ activities should support the development of a dynamic and resilient semiconductor ecosystem by providing opportunities for increased availability of funds to support the growth of start-ups and SMEs as well as investments across the value chain, including for other companies in the semiconductor value chains. In this context, the European Innovation Council will provide further dedicated support through grants and equity investments to high risk, market creating innovators. _________________ 53 Regulation (EU) 2021/523 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 March 2021 establishing the InvestEU Programme and amending Regulation (EU) 2015/1017 (OJ L 107, 26.3.2021, p. 30).
Amendment 25 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the Initiative is to support large-scale technological capacity building and innovation throughout the Union and the semiconductor value chain to enable development and deployment of cutting- edge and next generation semiconductor and quantum technologies that will reinforce the Union advanced design, systems integration and chips production capabilities, as well as contribute to the achievement of the twin digital and green transition, improving the sustainability, reducing the environmental impact of next generation chips and strengthening the circular economy processes, and address security needs by enabling secure and resilient designs that defend against cybersecurity threats.
Amendment 27 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point a – point 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point a – point 2
(2) upgrading the design capacity with ongoing innovative developments, such as processor architectures based on the open- source Reduced Instruction Set Computer Architectures (e.g. RISC-V) and architectures that are built on "security by design";
Amendment 28 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b – introductory part
(b) enhancing existing and developing new advanced pilot lines, ensuring broad geographical coverage. This operational objective shall be achieved through:
Amendment 29 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d – point 1
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d – point 1
(1) strengthen skills, knowledge and capacities and offer a wide range of expertise to the stakeholders, including end-user SMEs and start-ups, facilitating access to and effective use of the above capacities and facilities;
Amendment 30 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d – point 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d – point 2
(2) address the skills shortage, training, attracting and mobilising new talent and supporting the emergence of a suitably skilled workforce for strengthening the semiconductor sector, including via reskilling and upskilling of workers and by enhancing collaboration between the academia and industry.
Amendment 31 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point e – point 3
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point e – point 3
(3) accelerating investment in the field of semiconductor manufacturing technologies and chip design and to leveraging funding from both the public and the private sectors, while increasing the security of supply and protection of intellectual property for the whole semiconductor value chain.
Amendment 33 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Article 8 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall designate candidate competence centres in accordance with its national procedures, administrative and institutional structures through an open and competitive process. The Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, set the procedure for establishing competence centres, including selection criteria, and further tasks and functions of the centres with respect to the implementation of the actions under the Initiative, the procedure for establishing the network as well to adopt decisions on the selection of entities forming the network, taking into account the need to have the entire Union’s semiconductor value chain represented. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 33(2). The network shall avoid fragmentation of activities and duplication of efforts.
Amendment 34 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. The network shall have substantial overall autonomy to lay down its organisation, composition and working methods. However, the organisation, composition and working methods of the network shall represent the Union’s entire semiconductor value chain, from materials to chip design, and be in accordance with and contribute to the aims and objectives of this Regulation and the Initiative.