23 Amendments of Eva-Maria Alexandrova POPTCHEVA related to 2023/0081(COD)
Amendment 21 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2 a) In this regard and although State aid can provide financial support in a fast and targeted manner, financial support to net-zero technologies cannot solely rely on a relaxation of State aid rules, considering the heterogeneity of Member States’ budgetary capacities, which could have adverse effects on the functioning of the Single Market. To avoid a fragmentation of the Single Market, it is necessary to consider a European approach to financial support for net-zero technologies, complementing private and national public funding.
Amendment 23 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2 a) The Commission and Member States should encourage cross-border net- zero technology manufacturing projects and Net-Zero Strategic Projects. Fostering convergence and cooperation across the EU will facilitate the achievement of the net-zero objectives in a more cost-efficient manner, promoting economies of scale and avoiding fragmentation.
Amendment 43 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) For the purposes of taking into account within a public procurement procedure of the need to diversify sources of supply of net-zero technologies away from single sources of supply within the meaning of Article 19 (2), and without prejudice to the Union’s international commitments, the supply should at least be deemed insufficiently diversified where a single source supplies for more than 650% of the demand for a specific net-zero technology within the Union.
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) For the purposes of setting up schemes benefitting households or consumers which incentivise the purchase of net-zero technology final products, and without prejudice to the Union’s international commitments, the supply should be deemed insufficiently diversified where a single source supplies more than 650% of the total demand for a specific net- zero technology within the Union. To ensure a consistent application, the Commission should publish a yearly list starting on the date of application of this Regulation, of the distribution of the origin of net zero technology final products which fall under this category, broken down by the share of Union supply originating in different sources in the last year for which data is available.
Amendment 45 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
Recital 31
(31) The application of the provisions on resilience in public procurement procedures set out in Article 19 should be without prejudice to the application of Regulation 2022/1031/EU of the European Parliament and the Council, Article 25 of Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council47 , and Articles 43 and 85 of Directive 2014/25/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council48 , as according with the Commission’s guidance of 201949 . The same way, public procurement provisions should continue to apply to works, supplies and services subject to Article 19, including article 67 (4) of Directive 2014/24/EU and any implementing measures resulting from the Proposal for a Regulation establishing a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for sustainable products. __________________ 47 Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on public procurement and repealing Directive 2004/18/EC (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 65). 48 Directive 2014/25/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and repealing Directive 2004/17/EC (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 243). 49 Communication from the Commission: Guidance on the participation of third country bidders and goods in the EU procurement market, Brussels, 24.7.2019, C(2019) 5494 final.
Amendment 51 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) As indicated in the Communication on the Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age, published on 1 February 2023, the Union’s industry’s market shares are under strong pressure, due to subsidies in third countries which roll out support schemes aiming at anchoring and attracting clean tech industry. Such an approach undermines a level playing field and presents a competitive challenge for the EU to maintain and develop its own industry. This translates in a need for a rapid and ambitious reaction from the Union in modernising its legal framework.
Amendment 60 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
Recital 41
(41) Where private investment alone is not sufficient, the effective roll-out of net- zero manufacturing projects may require public support in the form of State aid. Such aid must have an incentive effect and be necesstemporary, appropriate and proportionate. The main objective of this public support should be to boost and leverage private investment and not replace it, especially considering the temporary nature of the aid. The existing State aid guidelines that have recently undergone an in-depth revision in line with the twin transition objectives provide ample possibilities to support investments for projects in the scope of this Regulation subject to certain conditions. Member States can have an important role in easing access to finance for net-zero technologies manufacturing projects by addressing market failures through targeted State aid support, provided that EU Single Market fragmentation is avoided. The Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) adopted on 9 March 2023 aims at ensuring a level playing field within the internal market, targeted to those sectors where a third- country delocalisation risk has been identified, and proportionate in terms of aid amounts. It would enable Member States to put in place measures to support new investments in production facilities in defined, strategic net-zero sectors, including via tax benefits. The permitted aid amount can be modulated with higher aid intensities and aid amount ceilings if the investment is located in assisted areas, in order to contribute to the goal of convergence between Member States and regions. Appropriate conditions are required to verify the concrete risks of diversion of the investment outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and that there is no risk of relocation within the EEA. To mobilise national resources for that purpose, Member States may use a share of the ETS revenues that Member States have to allocate for climate-related purposes.
Amendment 62 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41 a (new)
Recital 41 a (new)
(41 a) The success of the Inflation Reduction Act adopted in the United States lies in the simplicity for companies to apply for subsidies, and in the decision to use tax incentives. Tax benefits have proven to be one of the most efficient and effective measures to boost new investments in defined, strategic net-zero sectors.
Amendment 63 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41 a (new)
Recital 41 a (new)
(41 a) In order to ensure consistency between different existing tools to boost investments in net-zero technologies, the European Commission should ensure that strategic net-zero technologies as defined in the NZIA and which are not covered by the TCTF, must not be subject to risk of redeployment outside of the EU.
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
Recital 42
(42) Several Union funding programmes, such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility, InvestEU, cohesion policy programmes or the Innovation Fund are also available to fund investments in net-zero technology manufacturing projects. The current EU budget has however insufficient possibilities for supporting the objectives of the Net-Zero Industry Act and for ensuring a level- playing field between Member States. The revision of the 2021-2027 multinannual financial framework (MFF) should therefore provide for a European budget fit for purpose. In this regard, a European Sovereignty Fund should also provide fresh additional financial means partly dedicated to net-zero manufacturing projects contributing to the reduction of strategic dependencies in the EU.
Amendment 69 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
Recital 47
(47) A European Sovereignty Fund would provide a comprehensive and structural answer to the investment needs. It will help preserving a European edge on critical and emerging technologies relevant to the green and digital transitions, including net-zero technologies for reducing strategic dependencies and ensure the open strategic autonomy of the Union. While not limited to the green and digital transitions, it will notably help preserving a European edge on critical and emerging technologies, including net-zero technologies, by meeting the applicable public funding requirements associated with this Regulation. This structural instrument will build on the experience of coordinated multi-country projects under the IPCEIs and seek to enhance all Member States’ access to such projects, thereby safeguarding cohesion and the Single Market against risks caused by unequal availability of State Aids.
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
Recital 47
(47) A European Sovereignty Fund would provide a structural answer to the investment needs. The European Sovereignty Fund should not be financed through redeployments of funds from existing programs under the current Multiannual Financial Framework for the years 2021-2027, but with fresh money. It will help preserving a European edge on critical and emerging technologies relevant to the green and digital transitions, including net-zero technologies. This structural instrument will build on experience of coordinated multi-country projects under the IPCEIs and seek to enhance all Member States’ access to such projects, thereby safeguarding cohesion and the Single Market against risks caused by unequal availability of State Aids.
Amendment 72 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48
Recital 48
(48) To overcome the limitations of the current fragmented public and private investments efforts, facilitate integration and return on investment, the Commission, and Member States should better coordinate and create synergies between the existing funding programmes at Union and national level as well as ensure better coordination and collaboration with industry and key private sector stakeholders. The Net-Zero Europe Platform has a key role to play to build a comprehensive view of available and relevant funding opportunities and to discuss the individual financing needs of net-zero strategic projects.
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The Commission and the Member States may provide administrative and operational support to net-zero strategic projects to facilitate their rapid and effective implementation, including by providing:
Amendment 113 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(b a) Assistance to complete all the relevant steps of an application process to receive financial support, either national of from EU funds.
Amendment 124 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The Net-Zero Europe Platform shall, at the request of the net-zero strategic project promoter, discuss and advise on how the financing ofas well as provide and coordinate support for its project canto be completed, in particular to ensure it meets the criteria defined in Article 19(2), taking into account the funding already secured and considering at least the following elements:
Amendment 127 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) relevant Union funding and financing programmes, including a European Sovereignty Fund.
Amendment 128 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The Net-Zero Europe Platform shall, at the request of the net-zero strategic promoter, help the promoter identify further sources of financing, either at national or Union level, and provide administrative support to the promoter during the application process to be eligible for such financing.
Amendment 139 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1
Article 19 – paragraph 1
1. Contracting authorities or contracting entities shall base the award of contracts for net-zero technology listed in the Annex in a public procurement procedure on the most economically advantageous tender, which shall include the best price-quality ratio, comprising at least the sustainability and resilience contribution of the tender, in compliance with Regulation 2022/1031/EU, Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU, or 2014/25/EU and applicable sectoral legislation, as well as with the Union’s international commitments, including the GPA and other international agreements by which the Union is bound.
Amendment 141 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) the tender’s contribution to resilience, taking into account the proportion of the products originating from a single source of supply, as determined in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council72 , from which more than 650% of the supply for that specific net-zero technology within the Union originates in the last year for which data is available for when the tender takes place. __________________ 72 Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1).
Amendment 149 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 4 b (new)
Article 19 – paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Award of a supply contract in all the sectors of the net-zero technologies as listed in Articles 3 point 1 (a) and of the strategic net-zero technologies as listed in Annex 1, shall be rejected if the economic operator originates from a country whose economic operators, goods and services are the subject to an IPI measure as defined in the Regulation 2022/1031/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, especially the Articles 6 and 8.
Amendment 161 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. Without prejudice to Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty and Article 4 of Directive 2018/200173 and in line with the Union’s international commitments, when deciding to set up schemes benefitting households, companies or consumers which incentivise the purchase of net-zero technology final products listed in the Annex, Member States, regional or local authorities, bodies governed by public law or associations formed by one or more such authorities or one or more such bodies governed by public law, shall design them in such a way as to promote the purchase by beneficiaries of net-zero technology final products with a high sustainability and resilience contribution as referred in Article 19(2), by providing additional proportionate financial compensation. __________________ 73 Directive 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources
Amendment 163 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 21 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Member States shall give preference to tax breaks and other systems of tax incentives when designing the schemes and financial compensations referred to in paragraph 1. The application to benefit from such schemes and compensations shall be simple, comprehensible and shall not impose a disproportionate administrative burden on the potential recipients.