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What changed
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) and amending Directive 2003/87/EC, Regulations (EU) 2021/1058, (EU) 2021/1056, (EU) 2021/1057, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) 2021/1060, (EU) 2021/523, (EU) 2021/695, (EU) 2021/697 and (EU) 2021/241
AMENDMENTS
DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION
The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs calls on the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, as the committees responsible, to take the following into account:
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) and amending Directive 2003/87/EC, Regulations (EU) 2021/1058, (EU) 2021/1056, (EU) 2021/1057, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) 2021/1060, (EU) 2021/523, (EU) 2021/695, (EU) 2021/697 and (EU) 2021/241
(COM(2023)0335 – C90209/2023 – 2023/0199(COD))
(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2023)0335),
– having regard to Article 294(2) and Articles 177(1), 164, 173(3), 178(1), 175(3), 192(1), 182(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C90209/2023),
– having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
– having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to the joint deliberations of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy;
– having regard to the opinions of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and the Committee on Regional Development,
– having regard to the position in the form of amendments of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs,
– having regard to the letters from the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.
– having regard to the report of the of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A90000/2023),
1. Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;
2. Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;
3. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.
Amendment 1
Recital 2
Or. en
Amendment 2
Recital 3
Or. en
Justification
The STEP regulation is the financial complementary to the Union´s industrial policy. This amendment clarifies the general objective of STEP in line with Article 1 to support certain strategic technologies and thereby contributing to the implementation of the Union´s industrial policy ambitions.
Amendment 3
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 45
Or. en
Justification
As the amendments to Article 2 clearly reference and define the technologies of STEP concretely, this recital is not necessary anymore.
Amendment 4
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Or. en
Amendment 5
Recital 6
Or. en
Amendment 6
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 78
Or. en
Amendment 7
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 815
Or. en
Amendment 8
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 916
Or. en
Amendment 9
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Or. en
Amendment 10
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part
Or. en
Amendment 11
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
Or. en
Amendment 12
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Or. en
Justification
The COM adds criteria how this financial envelope can be spent, which is counterproductive to the industrial policy objective of this Regulation. Deletion of reference to GDP criteria to accommodate the fact that recipients of the financial support of the innovation fund are found across the EU and that industry policy spendings, beneficial for the whole EU, should not be restricted to certain regions but focused where it has the greatest positive impact.
Amendment 13
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Or. en
Amendment 14
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Or. en
Amendment 15
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Or. en
Justification
The Commission text makes it seem like there was some kind of limitation placed on the EIC, but this was not the case. The Commission itself limited the investments to EUR 15 million.
Amendment 16
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 6
Or. en
Justification
This AM introduces language from point 43 of EP implementation report on EIC underlining the EP's view of what the EIC should be. This new recital also reflects point 44 of EP implementation report on EIC and sets out an important conclusion the EP drew about the future of the EIC.
Amendment 17
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Or. en
Amendment 18
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Or. en
Justification
The STEP regulation is the financial complementary to the Union´s industrial policy. This amendment clarifies the general objective of STEP to support certain strategic technologies and thereby contributing to the implementation of the Union´s industrial policy ambitions.
Amendment 19
Proposal for a regulation
Article 212 – paragraph 1 – introductorypoint part1
Or. en
PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
Amendment 20
FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part
Or. en
Justification
Art. 2 is aligned to existing and future regulatory framework of European industrial policy. Therefore, technology categories are referenced to and defined with concrete legislations. A clarification of supply chains is proposed. A new objective to strengthen the efforts through the EIC is introduced with a definition of deep tech innovation. Strategic projects under NZIA and the CRMA are considered to be directly eligible for funding. STEP shall have a special focus on net zero industry valleys and Just Transition Fund territories to focus the funding resources on industrial areas.
Amendment 21
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Or. en
Justification
Art. 2 is aligned to existing and future regulatory framework of European industrial policy. Therefore, technology categories are referenced to and defined with concrete legislations. A clarification of supply chains is proposed. A new objective to strengthen the efforts through the EIC is introduced with a definition of deep tech innovation. Strategic projects under NZIA and the CRMA are considered to be directly eligible for funding. STEP shall have a special focus on net zero industry valleys and Just Transition Fund territories to focus the funding resources on industrial areas.
Amendment 22
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
Or. en
Justification
Art. 2 is aligned to existing and future regulatory framework of European industrial policy. Therefore, technology categories are referenced to and defined with concrete legislations. A clarification of supply chains is proposed. A new objective to strengthen the efforts through the EIC is introduced with a definition of deep tech innovation. Strategic projects under NZIA and the CRMA are considered to be directly eligible for funding. STEP shall have a special focus on net zero industry valleys and Just Transition Fund territories to focus the funding resources on industrial areas.
Amendment 23
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
Or. en
Justification
Art. 2 is aligned to existing and future regulatory framework of European industrial policy. Therefore, technology categories are referenced to and defined with concrete legislations. A clarification of supply chains is proposed. A new objective to strengthen the efforts through the EIC is introduced with a definition of deep tech innovation. Strategic projects under NZIA and the CRMA are considered to be directly eligible for funding. STEP shall have a special focus on net zero industry valleys and Just Transition Fund territories to focus the funding resources on industrial areas.
Amendment 24
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Or. en
Justification
Art. 2 is aligned to existing and future regulatory framework of European industrial policy. Therefore, technology categories are referenced to and defined with concrete legislations. A clarification of supply chains is proposed. A new objective to strengthen the efforts through the EIC is introduced with a definition of deep tech innovation. Strategic projects under NZIA and the CRMA are considered to be directly eligible for funding. STEP shall have a special focus on net zero industry valleys and Just Transition Fund territories to focus the funding resources on industrial areas.
Amendment 25
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Or. en
Justification
Art. 2 is aligned to existing and future regulatory framework of European industrial policy. Therefore, technology categories are referenced to and defined with concrete legislations. A clarification of supply chains is proposed. A new objective to strengthen the efforts through the EIC is introduced with a definition of deep tech innovation. Strategic projects under NZIA and the CRMA are considered to be directly eligible for funding. STEP shall have a special focus on net zero industry valleys and Just Transition Fund territories to focus the funding resources on industrial areas.
Amendment 26
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2
Or. en
Justification
Art. 2 is aligned to existing and future regulatory framework of European industrial policy. Therefore, technology categories are referenced to and defined with concrete legislations. A clarification of supply chains is proposed. A new objective to strengthen the efforts through the EIC is introduced with a definition of deep tech innovation. Strategic projects under NZIA and the CRMA are considered to be directly eligible for funding. STEP shall have a special focus on net zero industry valleys and Just Transition Fund territories to focus the funding resources on industrial areas.
Amendment 27
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 3
Or. en
Justification
Art. 2 is aligned to existing and future regulatory framework of European industrial policy. Therefore, technology categories are referenced to and defined with concrete legislations. A clarification of supply chains is proposed. A new objective to strengthen the efforts through the EIC is introduced with a definition of deep tech innovation. Strategic projects under NZIA and the CRMA are considered to be directly eligible for funding. STEP shall have a special focus on net zero industry valleys and Just Transition Fund territories to focus the funding resources on industrial areas.
Amendment 28
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4
Or. en
Justification
Art. 2 is aligned to existing and future regulatory framework of European industrial policy. Therefore, technology categories are referenced to and defined with concrete legislations. A clarification of supply chains is proposed. A new objective to strengthen the efforts through the EIC is introduced with a definition of deep tech innovation. Strategic projects under NZIA and the CRMA are considered to be directly eligible for funding. STEP shall have a special focus on net zero industry valleys and Just Transition Fund territories to focus the funding resources on industrial areas.
Amendment 29
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Or. en
Justification
Art. 2 is aligned to existing and future regulatory framework of European industrial policy. Therefore, technology categories are referenced to and defined with concrete legislations. A clarification of supply chains is proposed. A new objective to strengthen the efforts through the EIC is introduced with a definition of deep tech innovation. Strategic projects under NZIA and the CRMA are considered to be directly eligible for funding. STEP shall have a special focus on net zero industry valleys and Just Transition Fund territories to focus the funding resources on industrial areas.
Amendment 30
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 b (new)
Or. en
Justification
Art. 2 is aligned to existing and future regulatory framework of European industrial policy. Therefore, technology categories are referenced to and defined with concrete legislations. A clarification of supply chains is proposed. A new objective to strengthen the efforts through the EIC is introduced with a definition of deep tech innovation. Strategic projects under NZIA and the CRMA are considered to be directly eligible for funding. STEP shall have a special focus on net zero industry valleys and Just Transition Fund territories to focus the funding resources on industrial areas.
Amendment 31
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Or. en
Justification
This AM should stress that existing Union programmes and funds should also be used, not only the financial top-ups proposed for some of those programmes and funds.
Amendment 32
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Or. en
Justification
The amendments on the funding are aligned with the draft interim report on the MFF and will be aligned once the negotiations thereon have been concluded. With regard to the additional EUR 2bn. proposed in the draft interim report for Heading 1 of the MFF, the co-rapporteurs propose to use EUR 1.2 bn. for InvestEU, which translates to an increase of EUR 3 bn. of the EU guarantee given the 40 % provisioning rate.
Amendment 33
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
Or. en
Justification
The amendments on the funding are aligned with the draft interim report on the MFF and will be aligned once the negotiations thereon have been concluded. With regard to the additional EUR 2bn. proposed in the draft interim report for Heading 1 of the MFF, the co-rapporteurs propose to use EUR 800 million for the top-up of the EIC and reject the redeployment within Horizon Europe of the same amount proposed by the Commission.
Amendment 34
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c
Or. en
Amendment 35
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
Or. en
Justification
The amendments on the funding are aligned with the draft interim report on the MFF and will be aligned once the negotiations thereon have been concluded. With regard to the additional EUR 1 bn. proposed in the draft interim report for Heading 5 of the MFF, the co-rapporteurs propose to use this amount to top-up the European Defence Fund.
Amendment 36
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – title
Or. en
Amendment 37
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Or. en
Justification
Strategic projects under NZIA and CRMA should get the Sovereignty Seal automatically to strengthen their role and visibility for funding opportunities.
Amendment 38
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point a
Or. en
Justification
Terminology alignment
Amendment 39
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
Or. en
Justification
Terminology alignment
Amendment 40
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Or. en
Justification
Strategic projects under NZIA and CRMA should get the Sovereignty Seal automatically to strengthen their role and visibility for funding opportunities.
Amendment 41
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7
Or. en
Amendment 42
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 a (new)
Or. en
Justification
To ensure a smooth implementation of the Platform, a STEP committee should be set up to provide expertise in the granting of the Sovereignty Seal, to advise the promoters of good projects and enhance their chances to receive Union funding, and to ensure transparency of the implementation.
Amendment 43
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5
Or. en
Justification
It is proposed to merge the two articles on monitoring and reporting by deleting Article 5 and including its substance in Article 7.
Amendment 44
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Or. en
Amendment 45
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d
Or. en
Amendment 46
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – title
Or. en
Justification
It is proposed to merge Articles 5 and 7 of the Commission proposal, as they were overlapping.
Amendment 47
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Or. en
Amendment 48
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Or. en
Amendment 49
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Or. en
Amendment 50
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Or. en
Amendment 51
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point a
Or. en
Amendment 52
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Or. en
Justification
To allow the Commission to have sufficient data at its disposal for the evaluation, the co-rapporteurs propose to have an interim evaluation by 30 June 2026, which is still in time to feed into the discussions on the post-2027 MFF. Another evaluation should be drawn up when all the programmes covered by STEP have been concluded. It should be presented before 31 December 2031.
Amendment 53
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
Or. en
Amendment 54
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Or. en
Amendment 55
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Or. en
Amendment 56
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10a – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 6
Or. en
Justification
The COM adds criteria how this financial envelope can be spent, which is counterproductive to the industrial policy objective of this Regulation. Deletion of reference to GDP criteria to accommodate the fact that recipients of the financial support of the innovation fund are found across the EU and that industry policy spendings, beneficial for the whole EU, should not be restricted to certain regions but focused where it has the greatest positive impact. Strategic projects under NZIA should be directly eligible for funding under the Innovation Fund.
Amendment 57
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Regulation 2021/1058
Article 5 – paragaph 2 – point e
Or. en
Justification
The COM adds criteria how this financial envelope can be spent, which is counterproductive to the industrial policy objective of this Regulation. Deletion of reference to GDP criteria to accommodate the fact that recipients of the financial support of the innovation fund are found across the EU and that industry policy spendings, beneficial for the whole EU, should not be restricted to certain regions but focused where it has the greatest positive impact.
Amendment 58
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Or. en
Justification
The co-rapporteurs propose to use EUR 1.2 bn. of the additional EUR 2 bn. for Heading 1 of the MFF, proposed in the draft MFF interim report, for InvestEU. Given the 40 % provisioning rate, this translates to an increase of EUR 3 bn. of the EU guarantee.
Amendment 59
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Or. en
Justification
The co-rapporteurs propose to use EUR 1.2 bn. of the additional EUR 2 bn. for Heading 1 of the MFF, proposed in the draft MFF interim report, for InvestEU, which translates to an increase of EUR 3 bn. of the EU guarantee.
Amendment 60
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 13 – paragraph 4
Or. en
Amendment 61
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Article 13 – paragraph 5
Or. en
Justification
The co-rapporteurs would like to limit the possibility for the EIB group to receive more than 75 % of the EU guarantee under the EU compartment to situations in which the implementing partners do not absorb the remaining 25 %.
Amendment 62
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Annex I – point (e)
Or. en
Justification
The co-rapporteurs propose to use EUR 1.2 bn. of the additional EUR 2 bn. for Heading 1 of the MFF, proposed in the draft MFF interim report, for InvestEU, which translates to an increase of EUR 3 bn. of the EU guarantee. This EUR 3 bn. increase is added to the STEP window.
Amendment 63
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Annex II – point 16
Or. en
Justification
Alignment with terminology in article 2
Amendment 64
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 14
Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Annex III – point 9 – point 7a.1
Or. en
Justification
Alignment with terminology in article 2
Amendment 65
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point 14
Regulation (EU) 2021/523
Annex III – point 9 – 7a.2
Or. en
Justification
Alignment with terminology in article 2
Amendment 66
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point -1 (new)
Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2– points b and c
Or. en
Justification
Justification point (b): Since the start of Horizon Europe, the Commission has significantly changed the implementation mode of the EIC, including the kind of autonomy it has. This amendment clarifies why the autonomy is needed.Justification point (c): In the implementation of the EIC, too often the preference is given to bankable projects, which indicates that the EIC is following the market. However, the intervention logics of the EIC is to lead the market towards higher risk investments. This text clarifies that.
Amendment 67
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a
Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Or. en
Justification
In line with the EP position to oppose the funding of new actions from redeployments, the co-rapporteurs propose to finance the EUR 1.3 billion increase of the EIC fully with fresh money (+ EUR 800 million compared to the Commission proposal) and to increase the envelope of the European Defence Fund by EUR 1 billion.
Amendment 68
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b –
Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point c
Or. en
Amendment 69
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – introductory part
Or. en
Amendment 70
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 - point a (new)
Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 48 – paragraph 1– subparagraph 2 – point c
Or. en
Justification
This text is ambiguous and has led to the Commission interpreting it as only providing equity-only to companies which have already received a grant before. This amendment clarifies that it can go also to new applicants.
Amendment 71
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 - point b (new)
Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 48 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point d
Or. en
Amendment 72
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 - point c (new)
Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 48 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3 a (new)
Or. en
Justification
In the Implementation Report (point 43(c)i) the Parliament emphasises that the EIC Fund should be able to be the sole investor in a company. This reflects this in the legal text.
Amendment 73
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 - point d (new)
Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 48 – paragraph 3
Or. en
Amendment 74
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 - point e (new)
Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 48 – paragraph 8
Or. en
Amendment 75
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 - point f (new)
Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Article 48 – paragraph 11 – subparagraph 1
Or. en
Justification
Through its changes of the implementation of the EIC Accelerator, the Commission has created a situation in which the decision-taking process on the equity and grant parts of blended finance are completely separate. This goes against the core of blended finance and this should be clarified.
Amendment 76
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a
Regulation (EU) 2021/697
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Or. en
Justification
The amendments on the funding are aligned with the draft interim report on the MFF and will be aligned once the negotiations thereon have been concluded. With regard to the additional EUR 1bn. proposed in the draft interim report for Heading 5 of the MFF, the co-rapporteurs propose to use the resources to top up the European Defence Fund.
Amendment 77
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Regulation (EU) 2021/697
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point a
Or. en
Justification
The co-rapporteurs propose to allocate the EUR 1bn. of fresh money assigned to the EDF proportionately to research and development actions (+EUR 333m. for research, +EUR 667m. to development.
Amendment 78
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Regulation (EU) 2021/697
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
Or. en
Justification
The co-rapporteurs propose to allocate the EUR 1bn. of fresh money assigned to the EDF proportionately to research and development actions (+EUR 333m. for research, +EUR 667 m. to development.
Amendment 79
Proposal for a regulation
Annex
Or. en
Justification
Art. 2 shall be aligned to existing and future regulatory framework of European industrial policy, namely to NZIA and CRMA, the digital decade policy programme and the biotechnology sector as identified by the OECD definition. Therefore, technology categories are clearly referenced and defined. A clarification of supply chains is proposed. Article 2 is complemented by a definition of deep tech innovation as a new objective to strengthen the efforts through the EIC. Moreover, strategic projects under NZIA and the CRMA are considered to be directly eligible for funding with a special focus on net zero industry valleys and Just Transition Fund territories to focus the funding resources under STEP on certain geographical areas.