Activities of Catharina RINZEMA related to 2022/0032(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem (Chips Act)
Amendments (56)
Amendment 61 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) Semiconductors are at the core of any digital device: from smartphones and cars, through critical applications and infrastructures in health, energy, communications and automation to most other industry sectors. While semiconductors are essential to the functioning of our modern economy and society, the Union has witnessed unprecedented disruptions in their supply. The current supply shortage is a symptom of permanent and serious structural deficiencies in the Union’s semiconductor value and supply chainresult of panic purchasing, coupled with last- minute order changes or cancellations, supplier shutdowns in Asia, and political instability in parts of the world. The disruptions have exposed long-lasting vulnerabilities in this respect, notably a strong third-country dependency in manufacturing and design of chips.
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) It is necessary to take measures to build capacity and strengthen the Union’s semiconductor sector in line with Article 173(3) of the Treaty. These measures do not entail the harmonisation of national laws and regulations. In this regard, the Union should reinforce the competitiveness and resilience of the semiconductor technological and industrial base, whilst strengthening the innovation capacity of its semiconductor sector, reducing dependence on a limited number of third country companies and geographies, and strengthening its capacity to design and produce advanced componentnext generation semiconductor technologies. The Chips for Europe Initiative (the ‘Initiative’) should support these aims by bridging the gap between Europe’s advanced research and innovation capabilities and their sustainable industrial exploitation. It should promote capacity building to enable design, production, packaging, testing and systems integration in next generation semiconductor technologies, enhance collaboration among key players across the Union, strengthening Europe's semiconductor supply and value chains, serving key industrial sectors and creating new markets.
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The achievement of these objectives will be supported by a governance mechanism. At Union level, this Regulation establishes a European Semiconductor Board, composed of representatives of the Member States, the relevant semiconductor industry actors and research organisations, and chaired by the Commission. The European Semiconductor Board will provide advice to and assist the Commission on specific questions, including the consistent application of this Regulation, facilitating cooperation among Member States and exchanging information on issues relating to this Regulation. The European Semiconductor Board should hold separate meetings for its tasks under the different chapters of this Regulation. The different meetings may include different compositions of the high-level representatives and the Commission may establish subgroups.
Amendment 91 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Given the globalised nature of the semiconductor supply chain, international cooperation with third partner countries is an important element to achieve a resilience of the Union’s semiconductor ecosystem. The actions taken under this Regulation should also enable the Union to play a stronger role, as a centre of excellence, in a better functioning global, interdependent semiconductors ecosystem. The Commission, assisted by the European Semiconductor Board, should cooperate and build partnerships with third partner countries with a view to seeking solutions to address, to the extent possible, disruptions of the semiconductor supply chain.
Amendment 92 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7 a) The Commission, on behalf of the Union, shall pursue cooperation with strategic partners such as the United States, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan and other like-minded partners, with a view to strengthening the semiconductor supply chain and addressing future supply chain disruptions through a 'Chips Diplomacy Initiative'. To this end, Commission should promote international cooperation with strategic partners through future investment and trade agreements, the EU-US and EU-India Trade and Technology Councils, as well as relevant international fora, where the strengthening of the semiconductor supply chain and addressing future supply chain disruptions should be a key priority. In addition, where necessary, the Commission should enter into a dialogue, consultations or cooperation framework with relevant third countries with a view to seeking solutions to address supply chain disruptions or third country decisions that could cause such disruptions, such as those related to extraterritorial export restrictions, in line with international obligations. This may involve coordination in relevant international fora or other diplomatic measures, while ensuring robust engagement with the stakeholder community.
Amendment 107 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Integrated Production Facilities and Open EU Foundries should provide semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, or manufacturing capabilities in material and/or equipment exclusively used in semiconductor manufacturing that are “first-of-a-kind” in the Union and contribute to the security of supply and to a resilient ecosystem in the internal market. The qualifying factor for the production of a first-of-a-kind facility could be with regard to the technology node, substrate material, such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride, and other product innovation that can offer better performance, process technology or energy and environmental performance. A facility of a comparable capability on an industrial scale should not yet substantively be present or committed to be built within the Union, excluding facilities for research and development or small-scale production sites.
Amendment 108 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) Where an Open EU Foundry offers production capacity to undertakings not related to the operator of the facility, the Open EU Foundry should establish, implement and maintain adequate and effective functional separation in order to prevent the exchange of confidential information between internal and external production. This should apply to any information gained in the design and in the front-end or back-end manufacturing processes including trade secrets or content protected by intellectual property rights.
Amendment 113 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) In light of the structural deficienciescomplexity of the semiconductor supply chain and the resulting risks of future shortages, this Regulation provides instruments for a coordinated approach to monitoring and effectively tackling possible market disruptions.
Amendment 115 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) Due to the complex, quickly evolving and interlinked semiconductor value chains with various actors, a coordinated approach to regular monitoring is necessary to increase the understanding of the value chain as well as the ability to mitigate risks that may negatively affect the supply of semiconductors. The Commission and Member States should monitor the semiconductor value chain focusing on early warning indicators and the availability and integrity of the services and goods provided by key market actors, in such a way that it would not represent an excessive administrative burden for undertakings.
Amendment 119 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
Recital 31
(31) Any relevant findings, including information provided by relevant stakeholders and industry associations, shFindings that are relevant for the purpose of mitigating risks and/or signalling disruptions in the supply chain could be provided to the European Semiconductor Board to allow for a regular exchange of information between high- level representatives of Member States and for integration of the information into a monitoring overview of the semiconductor value chains.
Amendment 126 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) As part of the monitoring, national competent authorities should also do a mapping of undertakings operating in the Union along the semiconductor supply chain established in their national territory and notify this information to the Commissionthe European Semiconductor Board should do a long-term mapping of the dynamics, strengths and weaknesses of the semiconductor value chain, including a holistic understanding of the market, the barriers to entry and technology characteristics. Once complete, the mapping could be updated and revised every six months.
Amendment 128 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) In order to facilitate effective monitoring, in-depth assessment of the risks associated with different stages of the semiconductor value chain is needed, including on the origins and sources of supplies beyond the Union. Such risks may be related to critical inputs and equipment for the industry, including digital products that may be vulnerable, possible impact of counterfeit semiconductors, manufacturing capacities and other risks that may disrupt, compromise or negatively affect the supply chain. Those risks could include supply chains with a single point of failure or which are otherwise highly concentrated. Other relevant factors could include the availability of substitutes or alternative sources for critical inputs and resilient and sustainable transport. The Commission should, assisted by the European Semiconductor Board and taking also into account information received from the main user categories, develop a Union level risk assessment. Moreover, appropriate measures, procedures and remedies must be provided to ensure the availability of civil redress against the unauthorized acquisition or use of trade secrets or copyrighted works embedded in semiconductors.
Amendment 131 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37 a (new)
Recital 37 a (new)
(37 a) In order to increase the Union’s global role in the semiconductors ecosystem and its value chain, due consideration must be paid to the demand for rare earths and critical raw materials and gases. Member States and the Commission should ensure that the Union does not create a new dependency, but rather a sustainable supply chain, in line with the Statement on Critical Raw Materials Act published following the State of the European Union in September 2022.
Amendment 137 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 44
Recital 44
(44) Close cooperation between the Commission and the Member States, Member States industry and research stakeholders, and coordination of any national measures taken with regard to the semiconductor supply chain is indispensable during the crisis stage with a view to addressing disruptions with the necessary coherence, resiliency and effectiveness. To this end, the European Semiconductor Board should hold extraordinary meetings as necessary. Any measures taken should be strictly limited to the duration period of the crisis stage.
Amendment 143 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 46
Recital 46
(46) A number of sectors are critical for the proper functioning of the internal market. Those critical sectors are the sectors listed in the Annex of the Commission proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the resilience of critical entities61 . For the purposes of this Regulation, defence and other activities that are relevant for public safety and security should be additionally considered as a critical sector. Certain measures should only be enacted fur the purpose of securing supply to critical sectors in a crisis stage. The Commission mayshould limit the emergency measures to certain of these sectors or to certain parts of them when the semiconductor crisis has disturbed or is threatening to disturb their operation. _________________ 61 COM(2020) 829. 16.12.2020.
Amendment 157 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 59
Recital 59
(59) In order to ensure trustful and constructive cooperation of competent authorities at Union and national level, all parties involved in the application of this Regulation should respect the confidentiality of information and data, including trade secrets or content protected by intellectual property rights, obtained in carrying out their tasks. The Commission and the national competent authorities, their officials, servants and other persons working under the supervision of these authorities as well as officials and civil servants of other authorities of the Member States should not disclose information acquired or exchanged by them pursuant to this Regulation and of the kind covered by the obligation of professional secrecy. This should also apply to the European Semiconductor Board and the Semiconductor Committee established in this Regulation. Where appropriate, the Commission should be able to adopt implementing acts to specify the practical arrangements for the treatment of confidential information, including trade secrets or content protected by intellectual property rights, in the context of information gathering.
Amendment 158 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 59 a (new)
Recital 59 a (new)
(59 a) Innovative businesses are increasingly exposed to unlawful or anticompetitive practices aimed at misappropriating intellectual property and trade secrets, such as theft, unauthorised copying, industrial espionage or the breach of confidentiality requirements from outside the Union, particularly in high-technology fields like the semiconductor sector. Intellectual property theft or the unlawful use of trade secrets in the semiconductor sector could compromise the objectives of the Chips Act by inhibiting the ability of private holders of intellectual property to obtain legitimate first-mover returns from their innovation-related efforts and thus diminish incentives for private investment. In the absence of the effective enforcement of the existing rules for the protection of intellectual property in third countries, incentives to engage in innovation-related activity beyond the borders of the internal market could therefore be undermined. This Regulation should therefore ensure the effective enforcement of intellectual property law in the semiconductor sector, in full respect of Directives (EU) 2016/9431a and 2004/48/EC1b of the European Parliament and of the Council. Furthermore, it introduces stricter terms for beneficiaries for engaging in significant transactions in third countries with an intellectual property theft programme directed at the Union of a Member State.
Amendment 159 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 62
Recital 62
(62) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission as regards the selection of ECICs and as regards the procedure for establishing and defining the tasks of competence centres and the procedure for establishing the network, so that the objectives of the Initiative are achieved. Furthermore, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission as regards activating the crisis stage in a semiconductor crisis, to allow a rapid and coordinated response, and for specifying the practical arrangements for the treatment of confidential information, including trade secrets or content protected by intellectual property rights. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council64 of the European Parliament and of the Council. _________________ 64 Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers, (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).
Amendment 163 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
(4) ‘semiconductor supply chain’ means the system of activities, organisations, actors, technology, information, resources and services involved in the production of semiconductors, including raw materials, manufacturing equipment, design, fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, packaging, and advanced packaging, including raw materials and gases;
Amendment 165 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
(10) ‘first-of-a-kind facility’ means an industrial facility capable of semiconductor manufacturing, including front-end or back-end, or both, or capable of manufacturing materials or equipment exclusively used in semiconductor manufacturing, that is not substantively already present or committed to be built within the Union, for instance with regard to the technology node, substrate material, such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride, and other product innovation that can offer better performance, process innovation or energy and environmental performance;
Amendment 167 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 15
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 15
(15) ‘key market actors’ means undertakings in the Union semiconductor sectorupply chain, the reliable functioning of which is essential for the semiconductor supply chain;
Amendment 170 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 16
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 16
(16) ‘critical sector’ means any sector referred to in the Annex of the Commission proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the resilience of critical entities, the defence sector and other activities that are relevant for public safety and security defence sector;
Amendment 173 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 16 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 16 a (new)
(16 a) ‘crisis’ means a serious and unforeseen event which has a severe impact on the Union and substantially endangers or restricts the security, safety and the public health and alters the normal functioning of society and of the economy, and requires exceptional measures in order to supply the population with critical necessities;
Amendment 175 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 17
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 17
(17) ‘crisis-relevant product’ means semiconductors, intermediate products and critical raw materials and gases required to produce semiconductors or intermediate products, that are materially affected by the semiconductor crisis or of strategic importance to remedy the semiconductor crisis or economic effects thereof;
Amendment 191 #
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 intellectual property protection for the whole semiconductor value chain.
Amendment 207 #
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 implementingdelegated 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. Those implementingdelegated acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 33(2).
Amendment 208 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. Integrated Production Facilities are first-of-a-kind semiconductor design and manufacturing facilities, including front- end or back-end, or both, or capable of manufacturing materials or equipment exclusively used in semiconductor manufacturing in the Union that contribute to the security of supply for the internal market.
Amendment 228 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
The Commission, in cooperation with Member States, shall carry out regular monitoring of the semiconductor value chain. In particular, they shall:
Amendment 233 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 235 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission, in cooperation with Member States, shall invite the main users of semiconductors and other relevant stakeholders to provide information regarding significant fluctuations in demand and known disruptions of their supply chain. To facilitate the exchange of information, Member States shall provide for a mechanism and administrative set-up for these updates.
Amendment 237 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The Commission shall provide for standardised and secure means for the information collection and processing for the purpose of paragraph 1, with due regard to minimising the administrative burden for SMEs.
Amendment 238 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. NThe Commission, in cooperation with national competent authorities designated pursuant to Article 26(1), may request information from representative organisations of undertakings or individual undertakings operating along the semiconductor supply chain where necessary and proportionate for the purpose of paragraph 1. National competent authoritiThey will provide for standardised and secure means for the information collection and proces sin such caseg for the purpose of paragraph 1, and will pay particular attention to SMEs to minimise administrative burden resulting from the request and will privilege digital solutions for obtaining such information. Any information obtained pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated in compliance with the confidentiality obligations set out in Article 27.
Amendment 242 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 5 – point a – point 1 a (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 5 – point a – point 1 a (new)
(1 a) coordinating with stakeholders of the semiconductor value chain with a view to of identifying, preparing and operationalising preventive measures to mitigate shortages and choke points that would prevent escalation towards a crisis stage;
Amendment 244 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 5 – point b
Article 15 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) enter into consultations or cooperation, on behalf of the Union, with relevant third countries with a view to seeking cooperative solutions to address supply chain disruptions or third country decisions, such as those related to extraterritorial export restrictions, that could cause such disruptions, in compliance with international obligations. This may involve, where appropriate, coordination in relevant international fora or other diplomatic measures while ensuring robust engagement with the stakeholder community.
Amendment 251 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall, after consulting develop a list of early warning indicators in cooperation with the European Semiconductor Board, assess with a view to identifying risks that may disrupt, compromise or negatively affect the supply of semiconductors (Union risk assessment). In the Union risk assessment, the Commission shall identify early warning indicators.
Amendment 253 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall review the Union risk assessment including the early warning indicators as necessary.
Amendment 254 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3
Article 16 – paragraph 3
3. When monitoring the semiconductor value chain pursuant to Article 15, Member States shall monitor the early warning indicators identified by the Commission, and the European Semiconductor Board.
Amendment 261 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. A semiconductor crisis shall be considered to occur, as defined in article 2(1)(16a), when there are serious disruptions in the supply of semiconductors leading to significant shortages, which:
Amendment 263 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) entail significant delays or significant negative effects on one or more important economic sectorcritical sectors or essential services in the Union, or
Amendment 265 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2
Article 18 – paragraph 2
2. Where an assessment of the Commission provides concrete, serious, and reliable evidence of a semiconductor crisis, the Commission may, after consulting the European Semiconductor Board, activate the crisis stage by means of implementing acts in accordance with Article 33(2). The duration of the activation shall be specified in the implementing act. WThere, in view of the scope and gravity of the semiconductor crisis, duly justified imperative grounds of urgency so require, the procedure provided for in Article 33(3) shall apply to implementing acts adopted pursuant to this Article Commission shall report on a regular basis to the European Semiconductor Board.
Amendment 274 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
Article 20 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall, after consulting the European Semiconductor Board, request representative organisations of undertakings or, if necessary, individual undertakings operating along the semiconductor supply chain to inform the Commission about their production capabilities, production capacities, current primary disruptions and provide other existing data. The requested information shall be limited to what is the minimum necessary to assess the nature of the semiconductor crisis or to identify and assess potential mitigation or emergency measures at national or Union level. The Commission shall substantiate its targeted requests for sensitive and business confidential data and shall keep them to the minimum. The Commission shall develop the request for information in cooperation with the European Semiconductor Board. The Commission shall provide for secure means for the information collection and processing that ensures confidentiality, business secrecy and cybersecurity with due regard to minimising the administrative burden for SMEs.
Amendment 276 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2
Article 20 – paragraph 2
2. The request for information shall state its legal basis, be proportionate in terms of the granularity and volume of the data and frequency of access to the data requested, have regard for the legitimate aims of the undertaking, take into account the protection of trade secrets and business sensitive information and the cost and effort required to make the data available, and set out the time limit within which the information is to be provided. It shall also indicate the penalties provided for in Article 28.
Amendment 279 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. Where necessary and proportionate to ensure the operation of all or certain critical sectors, the Commission may oblige Integrated Production Facilities and Open EU Foundries that have received public financial support to accept and prioritise an order of crisis-relevant products (‘priority rated order’). The obligation shall take precedence over any performance obligation under private or public law.
Amendment 281 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 2
Article 21 – paragraph 2
2. The obligation under paragraph 1 can also be imposed to other semiconductor undertakings which have accepted such possibility in the context of receiving public financial support.
Amendment 284 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 4
Article 21 – paragraph 4
4. The obligations under paragraph 1, 2 and 3 shall be enacted by the Commission via decision. The decision shall be takena last resort measure taken after consulting the European Semiconductor Board, in accordance with all applicable Union legal obligations, having regard to the circumstances of the case, including the principles of necessity and proportionality. The decision shall in particular have regard foronly be made when all other measures have been exhausted and in particular have regard for the preventive measures taken by the critical sector requesting the priority order, and the legitimate aims of the undertaking concerned and the cost and effort required for any change in production sequence. In its decision, the Commission shall state the legal basis of the priority rated order, fix the time-limit within which the order is to be performed, and, where applicable, specify the product and quantity, and state the penalties provided for in Article 28 for non- compliance with the obligation. The priority rated order shall be placed at fair and reasonable price.
Amendment 290 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) discussing and preparing, with involvement of key market actors, the identification of specific sectors and technologies with potential high social impact and respective security significance in need of certification for trusted products;
Amendment 292 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(e a) creating and regularly updating the long- term mapping of the dynamics in, as well as strengths and weaknesses of the semiconductor value chain in the Union. This mapping exercise may help the Chips Act to set targets, allowing for more focused investments in capability gaps.
Amendment 293 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
(e b) providing advice and assisting the Commission with regard to developing consistent guidelines on how to best protect, in the context of this Regulation, confidential information, including trade secrets or content protected by intellectual property rights, from unlawful access that risks intellectual property theft or industrial espionage;
Amendment 297 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1
Article 24 – paragraph 1
1. The European Semiconductor Board shall be composed of representatives of the Member States, and three representatives of the Industrial Alliance on Processors and Semiconductor Technologies, and shall be chaired by a representative of the Commission.
Amendment 299 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 4
Article 24 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission may establish standing or temporary sub-groups for the purpose of examining specific questions. Where appropriate, the Commission mayshall invite organisations within the Union and from partner countries representing the interests of the semiconductor industry, including the Industrial Alliance on Processors and Semiconductor Technologies and users of semiconductors at Union level, to participate in such sub- groups in the capacity of observeras observers that enjoy speaking rights, but no voting rights. A sub-group including Union Research and Technology Organisations shall be established for the purpose of examining specific aspects on strategic technology directions and reporting on this to the European Semiconductor Board.
Amendment 302 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 4
Article 25 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall involve industry and civil society stakeholders in their respective role, meaning that the Commission may appoint observers to take part in the meetings, as appropriate. The Commission may invite experts with specific expertise, including from relevant stakeholder organisations, such as the Industrial Alliance for Processors and Semiconductor Technologies, with respect to a subject matter on the agenda to take part in the meetings of the European Semiconductor Board on an ad hoc basis. The Commission may facilitate exchanges between the European Semiconductor Board and other Union bodies, offices, agencies and advisory groups. The Commission shall invite a representative from the European Parliament as an observer to the European Semiconductor Board. The Commission shall ensure the participation of relevant other Union institutions and bodies as observers to the European Semiconductor Board with respect to meetings concerning Chapter IV on monitoring and crisis response. Observers and experts shall not have voting rights and shall notbut may be invited to participate in the formulation of opinions, recommendations or advice of the European Semiconductor Board and its sub-groups.
Amendment 304 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 5
Article 25 – paragraph 5
5. The European Semiconductor Board shall take the necessary measures to ensure the safe handling and processing of confidential information, including trade secrets or content protected by intellectual property rights.
Amendment 309 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1
Article 27 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission and the national competent authorities, their officials, servants and other persons working under the supervision of these authorities as well as officials and civil servants of other authorities of the Member States shall not disclose information acquired or exchanged by them pursuant to this Regulation and of the kind covered by the obligation of professional secrecy. They shall respect the confidentiality of information and data obtained in carrying out their tasks and activities in such a manner as to protect in particular any intellectual property rights and sensitive business information orand trade secrets. They shall take appropriate technical and organisational measures to preserve the confidentiality of sensitive business information and trade secrets. This obligation shall apply to all representatives of Member States, key market actors observers, experts and other participants attending meetings of the European Semiconductor Board pursuant to Article 23 and the members of the Committee pursuant to Article 33(1).
Amendment 311 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2
Article 27 – paragraph 2
Amendment 314 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 3
Article 27 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission may adopt implementing acts, as necessary following experience gained in information gathering, to specify the practical arrangements for the treatment of confidential information, including trade secrets or content protected by intellectual property rights, in the context of exchange of information pursuant to this Regulation. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 33(2).
Amendment 315 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 a (new)
Article 27 a (new)
Article 27 a IP-Theft Guardrails 1. Each undertaking receiving Union funds under this Regulation (beneficiary) shall enter into an agreement with the Commission that, for a duration of 10 years, precludes the beneficiary from engaging in any significant transactions, as defined in that agreement, involving the material expansion of semiconductor manufacturing or R&D capacity in a third country with an intellectual property theft programme directed at the Union or a Member State. This shall not apply to significant transactions that predominantly serves the market of a third country, or to existing facilities, equipment or R&D of a beneficiary intended for manufacturing legacy semiconductors. 2. During the term of agreement, the beneficiary shall notify the Commission of any planned significant transactions. The Commission shall decide whether this constitutes a breach of the agreement, and shall notify the beneficiary. In case of a breach, the Commission will first propose and agree on conditions with the beneficiary for the mitigation of risks concerning intellectual property theft. Im lieu of an agreement, the Commissions shall request evidence that the planned significant transaction has ceased or has been abandoned. If the beneficiary fails to cease or abandon a breach, the Commission shall recover the full amount of the Union funds provided to the beneficiary and may impose fines. Any information obtained pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated in compliance with the confidentiality obligations set out in Article 27.