Plan to simplify EU’s state-aid exemption rule
The European Commission has asked for views on its review of a rule that exempts some forms of state aid from EU scrutiny.
The commission says that the review’s aim is to cut red tape for businesses and member states and facilitate necessary support for industry.
The General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) declares specific categories of state aid compatible with the EU’s internal market if they fulfil certain conditions and exempts them from the requirement of prior notification to, and approval by, the commission.
Providing aid quickly
The rule is designed to enable countries to provide aid quickly, where conditions limiting the distortion of competition are met.
Examples include aid for research and innovation, broadband connectivity, energy efficiency, or for SMEs and start-ups.
The EU body says that, while it has made changes to the GBER since its introduction in 2014, it is now looking at the potential to “further simplify and update” the rule.
Investments
It says feedback will help it explore the scope to reduce the administrative burden for businesses, harmonise state-aid rules, and speed up the assessment of aid measures.
“Our review of the GBER will cut red tape and promote necessary investments, while keeping a level playing field in the single market,” commissioner Teresa Ribera stated.
Interested parties can reply to a questionnaire on the rule until 6 October.