Changes from adopted text to adopted text

RemovedRecital 7: (7) The STEP should identify available resources within existing Union programmes and funds, namely InvestEU, Horizon Europe, EU4Health, Digital Europe, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund (JTF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the European Defence Fund, and the Innovation Fund, for projects contributing to the STEP objectives. This should be accompanied by providing additional Union funding of EUR 13 billion. Of this, EUR 5 billion should be used to increase the endowment of the Innovation Fund46 and EUR 4,2 billion to increase the total amount of the EU guarantee available for the EU compartment under the InvestEU Regulation47 to EUR 10,5 billion, taking into account the relevant provisioning rate. EUR 1,3 billion should be made available to increase the financial envelope under the Horizon Europe Regulation,48 which should be amended accordingly; and EUR 2,5 billion to the European Defence Fund.49 / 49 Regulation (EU) 2021/697 establishing the European Defence Fund (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 149.)

RemovedRecital 8: (8) A Sovereignty Seal should be awarded to projects contributing to the STEP objectives, taking into account the contribution of the projects to the strengthening and structuring of local industrial networks and their contribution to jobs, provided that the project has been assessed and complies with the minimum quality requirements, in particular eligibility, exclusion and award criteria, provided by a call for proposals under Horizon Europe, the Digital Europe programme,50 the EU4Health programme,51 the European Defence Fund, the Innovation Fund, or the cohesion policy funds, and regardless of whether the project has received funding under those instruments. These minimum quality requirements will be established with a view to identify high quality projects. Strategic projects as identified under Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act] that comply with the resilience or competitiveness criteria of the Net-Zero Industry Act are considered to contribute to the objectives of this Regulation, by either reducing or preventing strategic dependencies or bringing an innovative, cutting-edge element to the Single Market. Therefore, these Strategic Projects under the Regulation (EU).../... [Net-Zero Industry Act] should be awarded a Sovereignty Seal. Equally, as all Strategic Projects identified under the Regulation (EU) .../... [Critical Raw Materials Act] aim at fulfilling the objectives of this Platform, and should be awarded a Sovereignty Seal as well. To promote project…

RemovedRecital 9: (9) To that end, it should be possible to rely on assessments made for the purposes of other Union programmes in accordance with Articles 126 and 127 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 ,52 in order to reduce administrative burden for beneficiaries of Union funds and encourage investment in priority technologies. Provided they comply with the provisions of the RRF Regulation,53 Member States should consider including projects awarded the Sovereignty Seal when revising their recovery and resilience plans and when deciding on investment projects to be financed from their share of the Modernisation Fund. The Sovereignty Seal should also be taken into account by the Commission in the context of the procedure provided for in Article 19 of the EIB Statute and of the policy check laid down in Article 23 of the InvestEU Regulation. In addition, the implementing partners should be required to examine projects having been awarded the Sovereignty Seal in case they fall within their geographic and activity scope in accordance with Article 26(5) of that Regulation. Authorities in charge of programmes falling under STEP should consider to support for strategic projects identified in accordance with Regulation (EU) .../... [Net Zero Industry Act] and Regulation .../... [Critical Raw Materials Act] that are within the scope of Article 2 of this Regulation and for which rules on cumulative funding may apply.

RemovedRecital 9a (new): (9a) To ensure open strategic autonomy and enhance the market valorisation of R&I results in critical technologies, the Union must act as a standards-setter as outlined in the Commission communication of 2 February 2022 entitled “An EU Strategy on Standardisation Setting global standards in support of a resilient, green and digital EU single market”. Therefore, projects that include standardisation efforts in their proposal should be favoured in all the Union programmes providing funding under STEP. Moreover, it is imperative that projects under STEP consider standardisation in their implementation, in order to accelerate and scale upthe deployment of a particular technology across the Single Market. Additionally, aligning international standards with European interests can ensure technological leadership and a level playing field globally. The Commission and Member States should undertake specific efforts to support projects under STEP to actively engage in the development of standards and within national, European and, where appropriate, international standardisation.

RemovedRecital 9b (new): (9b) Since trust is crucial element for investments, a governance structure should be put in place to ensure that STEP is implemented in an effective, efficient, fair and transparent manner. To that end, the Commission should set up a STEP Committee composed of experts on the various technologies covered by this Regulation as well as on the Union programmes and funds which provide financial support for the Platform. The STEP Committee should be charged with the awarding and promotion of the Sovereignty Seal and the management of the Sovereignty Portal and take on a coordinating role between the various networks and stakeholders that are relevant to achieve the objectives of the platform. Given that the technologies covered by this Regulation are constantly evolving, an Industrial Advisory Group on Strategic Technologies should be set up to assist the Commission by offering advice on latest technological developments and challenges faced by the sectors concerned. This Group should be composed of representatives of Union industry of the sectors covered by this Regulation. Geographical balance within the Industrial Advisory Group should be taken into account.

RemovedRecital 10: (10) A new publicly available website (the ‘Sovereignty Portal’) should be set up by the Commission to provide information on available support for projects contributing to the STEP objectives. To address the needs of companies and project promoters seeking funds for STEP projects under Union funding programmes, the Sovereignty Portal should display in an accessible and user-friendly manner the funding opportunities for STEP investments available under the EU budget. This should include information about the directly managed Union programmes Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, EU4Health, the European Defence Fund and the Innovation Fund, and other Union funding sources, that is InvestEU, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and cohesion policy funds. In order to increase the usefulness of the Sovereignty Portal for project promoters, the Portal should include a rapid simulator to give guidance on which Union programme or fund an individual project may be eligible for, without disclosing confidential business information and being legally binding. Moreover, the Sovereignty Portal should help increase the visibility for STEP investments towards investors, by listing the projects that have been awarded a Sovereignty Seal. The publication of information as regards projects related to security and defence should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and be limited to projects where the publication is deemed necessary by the project promoter or the Commission. Due attention should be pa…

RemovedRecital 10a (new): (10a) The Commission should monitor the implementation of the Platform objectives to track progress towards the Union’s policy objectives. The monitoring should be conducted in a manner that is targeted and proportionate to the activities carried out under the Platform to avoid overregulation and administrative burden, in particular for the beneficiaries of funding. In order to ensure accountability to Union citizens, the Commission should report annually to the European Parliament and to the Council on the progress of the implementation of the Platform objectives under each of the programmes and funds, on the overall expenditure of the STEP financed under the respective programmes and funds, and on the performance of the STEP based on the performance indicators provided for by those programmes. Furthermore, information should be provided on the Platform's qualitative and quantitative contribution to cross-border projects and to projects per Member State.

RemovedRecital 11: (11) While the STEP relies on the reprogramming and reinforcement of existing programmes for supporting strategic investments, and reducing the Union dependencies, it is also an important element for testing the feasibility and preparation of new interventions providing the necessary structural answer to the Union’s investment needs. In particular, it can be considered as a step towards the establishment of a European Sovereignty Fund that could contribute to shaping and strengthening a European industrial policy by providing increased funding to European industry in the Multiannual Financial Framework post 2027. The interim evaluation in 2025 will assess the relevance of the actions undertaken and provide an update on the state of the dependencies of the Union and the most strategic sectors to strengthen its autonomy in a comprehensive way. In the interim evaluation, the Commission should also assess the feasibility of expanding the Sovereignty Portal to combine all existing publically available websites and provide information on Union programmes and funds under direct, shared and indirect management in one single Portal. It should serve as a basis for assessing the need for an upscaling of the support towards strategic sectors in the post-2027 multiannual financial framework, with a view to better addressing the identified challenges and meeting the policy objectives of the Union in this field.

RemovedRecital 12: (12) Directive 2003/87/EC54 should be amended to allow for additional financing with a financial envelope for the period 2024-2027 of EUR 5 billion to be provided from the European Union’s general budget. The Innovation Fund supports investments in innovative low-carbon technologies, which is a scope that is to be covered by the STEP. The increase in volume of the Innovation Fund should therefore allow to provide financing responding to the objective of supporting the development or manufacturing in the Union of net-zero technologies. In line with the objectives of ensuring economic, social and territorial cohesion and promoting the Single Market, and in order to support the green transition and the development of net-zero technologies throughout the Union, the additional financial envelope should be made available through calls for proposals for Strategic Projects as defined in Regulation EU (.../...) [Net-Zero Industry Act], provided they either comply with the resilience or competitiveness criteria in the selection process of strategic projects. Until 31 December 2025, the financial envelope should be available in equal parts to entities from Member States whose average GDP per capita is below the EU average of the EU-27 measured in purchasing power standards (PPS) and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2015-2017 and to entities from all Member States. Technical assistance to Member States with a low level of participation as provided for in the latest…

AddedP9_TC1-COD(2023)0199

RemovedRecital 13: (13) In order to extend support possibilities for investments aimed at strengthening industrial development and reinforcement of value chains in strategic sectors, the scope of support from the ERDF should be extended by providing for new specific objectives under the ERDF, without prejudice to the rules on eligibility of expenditure and climate spending as set out in Regulation (EU) 2021/106055 and Regulation (EU) 2021/105856 . In strategic sectors, it should also be possible to support productive investments in enterprises with a focus on SMEs and midcaps and which can make a significant contribution to the development of less developed and transition regions, as well as in more developed regions of Member States with a GDP per capita below the EU average. Managing authorities are encouraged to promote the collaboration between large enterprises and local SMEs, supply chains, innovation and technology ecosystems. This would allow reinforcing Europe’s overall capacity to strengthen its position in those sectors through providing access to all Member States for such investments, thus counteracting the risk of increasing disparities. The resources programmed for these new specific objectives should be limited to a maximum of 20% of the initial allocation of the ERDF in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/1058. / 56 Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 60).

AddedPosition of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 27 February 2024 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2024/… of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), and amending Directive 2003/87/EC and 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

RemovedRecital 14: (14) The scope of support of the JTF, laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/1056,57 should also be extended to cover investments in net-zero technologies and addressing shortages of labour and skills in support of these investments, contributing to the objectives of the STEP by enterprises with focus on SMEs and mid-caps, provided that they are compatible with the expected contribution to the transition to climate neutrality as set out in the territorial just transition plans. In the context of support for enterprises other than SMEs, consideration should also be given to investments contributing to the creation of apprenticeships and jobs or providing education or training for new skills. The support provided for such investments should not require a revision of the territorial just transition plan.

Added(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Regulation (EU) 2024/795.)

RemovedRecital 14a: (14a) Member States should have the possibility to transfer all or part of their provisional allocation from the resources of the BAR to the ERDF or ESF+, provided that they are to support productive investments, which can make a significant contribution to the development of less developed and transition regions, as well as in more developed regions of Member States with a GDP per capita below the EU average, including in those regions and local communities that are most adversely affected by the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union. The investments contributing to the objectives of the STEP to be funded under the ERDF and ESF+ and the BAR can serve similar purposes and have similar content since both aim ultimately to allow reinforcing Europe’s overall capacity to strengthen its position in certain sectors through providing access to Member States for such investments, thus counteracting the risk of increasing disparities and mitigating negative impacts on economic, social and territorial cohesion.

RemovedRecital 14b: (14b) Member States should also have the possibility to transfer all or part of their provisional allocation from the resources of the BAR to the JTF, provided that these resources are to support actions that are compliant with approved Territorial Just Transition Plans, including in the just transition regions that are - directly or indirectly - most affected by the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union. Both JTF and the BAR can contribute to the objectives of STEP since both aim to ultimately allow regional economic diversification and reinforce Europe’s overall capacity to strengthen its position in certain sectors through providing access to Member States to investments, thus counteracting the risk of increasing disparities and mitigating negative impacts on economic, social and territorial cohesion.

RemovedRecital 16: (16) In order to help accelerate investments and provide immediate liquidity for investments supporting the STEP objectives under the ERDF, the ESF+59 and the JTF, an additional amount of exceptional pre-financing should be provided in the form of a one-off payment with respect to the priorities dedicated to investments supporting the STEP objectives. The additional pre-financing should apply to the whole of the JTF allocation given the need to accelerate its implementation and the strong links of the JTF to support Member States towards the STEP objectives. The rules applying for those amounts of exceptional pre-financing should be consistent with the rules applicable to pre-financing set out in Regulation (EU) 2021/1060. Moreover, to further incentivise the uptake of such investments and ensure its faster implementation, the possibility for an increased EU financing rate of up to 100% for the STEP priorities should be available. When implementing the new STEP objectives, managing authorities are encouraged to apply certain social criteria and promote social positive outcomes, such as creating apprenticeships and quality jobs for young disadvantaged persons, in particular young persons not in employment, education or training, applying the social award criteria in the Directives on public procurement when a project is implemented by a body subject to public procurement, and paying the applicable wages as agreed through collective bargaining.

RemovedRecital 18: (18) The regulatory framework for the implementation of the 2014-2020 programmes has been adapted over the past years to provide Member States and regions with additional flexibility in terms of implementation rules and more liquidity to tackle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war or aggression against Ukraine. These measures require sufficient time and administrative resources to be fully exploited and implemented; also at a time where Member States will focus resources on revising the 2021-2027 operational programmes linked to the STEP objectives. With a view to alleviate the administrative burden on programme authorities and to prevent possible loss of funds at closure for purely administrative reasons, the deadlines for the administrative closure of the programmes under the 2014-2020 period should be extended in Regulation (EU) No 1303/201361 and Regulation (EU) No 223/201462 . More specifically, the deadline for the submission of that final payment application should be extended by 12 months. Furthermore, the deadline for the submission of the closure documents should also be extended by 12 months. Consequently, Member States should be able to submit the final payment application by 30 June 2025 and the documents referred to in Article 138 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 by 15 February 2026, in order to give Member States sufficient time to finalise the process linked to the closure of projects. In the context of this amendment, it is appropriate to clarify t…

RemovedRecital 19: (19) InvestEU is the EU flagship programme to boost investment, especially the green and digital transition, by providing demand-driven financing, including through blending mechanisms, and technical assistance. Such approach contributes to crowd in additional public and private capital. Given the high market demand of InvestEU guarantee, the EU compartment of InvestEU should be reinforced to correspond to the objectives of the STEP. This will, among other things, reinforce InvestEU’s existing possibility to invest in projects forming part of an IPCEI, within the identified relevant technology sectors. To ensure a full absorption of available funds and provided that implementing partners do not have sufficient capacity to absorb the 25 % of the EU guarantee that is earmarked for them, the Commission may exceptionally grant more than 75 % of the EU guarantee to the EIB Group. In this context, the Commission should encourage and assist the implementing partners other than the EIB Group to absorb in full the funding that is available to them. In addition, Member States are encouraged to contribute to the InvestEU Member State compartment to support financial products in line with the STEP objectives, without prejudice to applicable State aid rules. It should be possible for Member States to include as a measure in their recovery and resilience plans a cash contribution for the purpose of the Member State compartment of InvestEU to support objectives of the STEP. That additional …

RemovedRecital 20: (20) Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation, and its European Innovation Council (EIC) provides for support, in particular for innovations with potential breakthrough and disruptive nature with scale-up potential that may be too risky for private investors. Additional flexibility should be provided for under Horizon Europe, so that the EIC Accelerator can provide equity-only support to non-bankable SMEs, including start-ups, and non-bankable SMEs and small mid-caps, carrying out innovation, in particular to those working on the technologies supported by the STEP, and regardless of whether they previously received other types of support from the EIC Accelerator. In the implementation of the EIC Fund the Commission limited the investments of the Fund to a maximum investment amount of EUR 15 million except in exceptional cases and this limited the Fund from effectively accommodating follow-on financing rounds or larger investment amounts. Allowing for equity-only support for non-bankable SMEs and small mid-caps would address the existing market gap, in particular for investments needs in the range of EUR 15 to 50 million. Moreover, experience has shown that the amounts committed for the EIC Pilot under Horizon2020 are not fully used. In accordance with Article 15(3) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1046, those unused funds should be made available for the purposes of the EIC Accelerator under Horizon Europe. The Horizon Europe Regulation should also …

RemovedRecital 20a (new): (20a) The EIC plays a pivotal role in offering initial funding to fast growing startups and small mid-caps. With its specialised knowledge, the EIC is ideally positioned to enhance funding opportunities for companies seeking capital for scaling up beyond the initial innovation stage. However, the implementation of the EIC Accelerator so far has shown that the ambitious and transformative nature of the EIC as the investor of reference for breakthrough innovation in Europe through the EIC Fund, has created implementation challenges and legal uncertainty for the implementing entities, in particular regarding the role of the EIC and the SME Executive Agency. Considering the central role of the EIC Fund in the success of STEP, the relevant legislative provisions on the functioning of the EIC should be clarified. In the process of further improving the functioning of the EIC, establishment of an independent Union body pursuant to Article 187 TFEU as the main entity responsible for implementing the EIC should be considered.

RemovedRecital 21: (21) The European Defence Fund is the leading programme for enhancing the competitiveness, innovation, efficiency and technological autonomy of the Union’s defence industry, thereby contributing to the Union’s open strategic autonomy. The development of defence capabilities is crucial, as it underpins the capacity and the autonomy of the European industry to develop defence products and the independence of Member States as the end-users of such products. The additional envelope should therefore be made available to support projects in the field of deep and digital technologies contributing to the development of defence applications.

RemovedRecital 21a: (21a) To maximise the impact of the loan support available under Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council [RRF] in pursuit of the objectives laid down in Article 4 of that Regulation, Member States should be able to request additional funding in the form of loans, drawn from the loan support remaining available under that Regulation after 1 September 2023, with a view to contributing the proceeds of those loans in the form of cash to the Member State compartment of InvestEU to support objectives of the STEP. Member States should be able to request such loan support until 15 December 2023.

RemovedArticle 1 – paragraph 1: This Regulation establishes a Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’ or ‘the Platform’) to support strategic technologies and their respective supply chains in relevant sectors, thereby supporting the implementation of the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 established by Decision (EU) 2022/2481 of the European Parliament and of the Council1a, Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act ] and Regulation (EU) .../... [Critical Raw Materials Act]. / 1a Decision (EU) 2022/2481 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 (OJ L 323, 19.12.2022, p. 4).

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part: 1. To strengthen European industrial sovereignty and security, reduce the Union’s strategic dependencies, accelerate the Union’s green and digital transitions and enhance its competitiveness, favour a level playing field in the Single Market for investments throughout the Union, foster cross-border participation, including of SMEs, strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion and solidarity among Member States and regions, promote inclusive access to attractive, quality jobs and to facilitate access to finance for project promoters, streamlining the procedures and reducing the administration burden thereof, the Platform shall pursue the following objectives:

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part: (a) supporting the development or manufacturing throughout the Union, or safeguarding and strengthening the respective supply chains as referred to in paragraph 4 of technologies in the following sectors:

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i: (i) digital technologies, including multi-country projects as defined in Article 2, point (2) of Decision (EU) 2022/2481 of the European Parliament and of the Council and contributing to the targets and objectives of the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 established by that Decision;

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii: (ii) net-zero technologies as defined in Article 3, point (...) of Regulation (EU) .../...[Net-Zero Industry Act];

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii: (iii) biotechnologies, as defined in the Annex to this Regulation and life science, including medicinal products on the Union List of Critical Medicinal Products and their components;

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) addressing shortages of labour and skills critical to all kinds of quality jobs in support of the objective set out in point (a), in particular through lifelong learning and in close cooperation with social partners and education and training initiatives already in place, including the European Net Zero Industry Academies established pursuant to Article 23 of Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act];

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point ba (new): (ba) fostering deep-tech innovation, in support of the objective set out in point (a), which has the potential to deliver transformative solutions, rooted in cutting edge science, technology and engineering, including innovation combining advances in the physical, biological and digital spheres.

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 2: 2. The technologies, including their supply chains, referred to in point (a) of the first paragraph, shall be deemed to be critical where they meet at least one of the following conditions:

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2(new): By ... [two months after the entry into force of this Regulation], the Commission shall adopt a delegated act, to supplement this Regulation by defining how the technologies, including their supply chains, referred to in paragraph 1, point (a), of this Article can meet the conditions of this paragraph. The delegated act shall be reviewed in light of the interim evaluation report referred to in Article 8.

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 3: deleted

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 4: 4. The supply chain for the manufacturing of technologies referred to in paragraph 1 relates to final products, as well as components, machinery and critical raw materials as set out in Annex II to Regulation (EU) .../... [Critical Raw Materials Act] which are indispensable for the production and functioning of those products.

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 4a (new): 4a. Strategic projects as identified under Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act], that comply with either the resilience criteria as defined in Article 10(1)(a) of that Regulation or with the competitiveness criteria as defined in Article 10(1)(b) of that Regulation in the selection process of net-zero strategic projects, and and (EU) .... [Critical Raw Materials Act]) shall be considered to fulfil the objectives of the STEP Platform as referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 4b (new): 4b. When implementing programmes and activities to achieve the objectives under this Regulation, the Commission and Member States shall put specific emphasis on supporting Net-Zero Industry Valleys as defined in Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act] projects in territories included in the Territorial just transition plans as referred to in Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1056. and in less developed and transition regions, as well as more developed regions in Member States whose average GDP per capita is below the EU average of the EU-27 measured in purchasing power standards (PPS) and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2015-2017.

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part: 1. Financial support for the implementation of the Platform shall be provided from existing Union programmes and funds. To reinforce their ability to deliver on the STEP objectives, additional funding shall be provided to the following Union programmes and funds:

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) a Union guarantee referred to in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/523 with the indicative amount of EUR 10 500 000 000, which shall be implemented in accordance with that Regulation;

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) an amount of EUR 1 300 000 000 in current prices of the financial envelope referred to in point (i) of Article 12(2)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2021/695, which shall be implemented in accordance with that Regulation;

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point c: (c) an amount of EUR 5 000 000 000 in current prices of the financial envelope referred to in the sixth subparagraph of Article 10a(8) of Directive 2003/87/EC, which shall be implemented within the Innovation Fund in accordance with the rules of Article 10a(8) of Directive 2003/87/EC and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/856.

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point d: (d) An amount of EUR 2 500 000 000 in current prices of the financial envelope referred to in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/697, which shall be implemented in accordance with that Regulation.

RemovedArticle 4 – title: Sovereignty Seal, combined and cumulative funding

RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 1: 1. The Commission shall award a Sovereignty Seal to any project contributing to any of the Platform objectives, provided that the project has been assessed and complies with the minimum quality requirements, in particular eligibility, exclusion and award criteria, provided by a call for proposals under Regulation (EU) 2021/695, Regulation (EU) 2021/694, Regulation (EU) 2021/697, Regulation (EU) 2021/522, Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 or Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/856, or has been identified as a strategic project as defined in Regulation (EU) .../... ('Net Zero Industry Act'), if that project complies with either the resilience criteria as defined in Article 10(1), point (a), of that Regulation or with the competitiveness criteria as defined in Article 10(1)(b) of the NZIA Regulation in the selection process of net-zero strategic projects, or as defined in Regulation (EU) .../... ('Critical Raw Materials Act'). Those calls for proposals shall be continuously open.

RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 1 a (new): 1a. When assessing whether a project contributes to any of the Platform objectives in accordance with paragraph 1, the Commission shall take into account the contribution of the project to the strengthening and structuring of local networks of industrial actors and its contribution to the creation of jobs.

RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 1 b (new): 1b. The Sovereignty Seal shall be valid for the period of the implementation of the project, during which there shall be a commitment from the company not to relocate the project outside of the Union. If a project has not started withinfive years of the award of the Sovereignty Seal, it can be reviewed for the purpose of compatibility with STEP strategic priorities. When conducting the above-mentioned review, the Commission shall ensure that all projects comply with Union’s and national labour law, social rights and workers’ rights, as well as applicable collective agreements.

RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 1 c (new): 1c. The Sovereignty Seal shall not be awarded to projects managed by a legal entity established in a third country that is not associated to the Union programme concerned or, where it is established in the Union or in an associated country that has its executive management structures in a non-associated country.

RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 1 d (new): 1d. Projects managed by legal entities forming a consortium shall be awarded a Sovereignty Seal only if at least one independent legal entity forming that consortium is established in a Member State and at least two other independent legal entities forming that consortium are established in different Member States or associated countries.

RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 2 – introductory part: 2. The Sovereignty Seal shall be used as a quality label, in particular for the purposes of:

RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 2 – point a: (a) receiving support for the project under another Union fund or programme in accordance with the rules applicable to that fund or programme, or

RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 2 – point b: (b) financing the project through cumulative or combined funding with another Union instrument in line with the rules of the applicable basic acts.

RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 3: 3. When revising their recovery and resilience plans in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/241, Member States shall, without prejudice to the provisions of that Regulation, consider as a priority projects, which have been awarded a Sovereignty Seal in accordance with paragraph 1.

RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 4: 4. When deciding on investment projects to finance from their respective shares of the Modernisation Fund in accordance with Article 10d of Directive 2003/87/EC, Member States shall consider those projects for net-zero technologies as a priority as defined in the Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act] which have received the Sovereignty Seal in accordance with paragraph 1. In addition, Member States may decide to grant national support to projects with a Sovereignty Seal contributing to the Platform objective for net-zero technologies as defined in the Regulation Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act].

RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 5: 5. Under Regulation (EU) 2021/523, the Sovereignty Seal shall be taken into account in the context of the procedure provided for in Article 19 of the European Investment Bank Statute and of the policy check as laid down in Article 23(3) of that Regulation. In addition, the implementing partners shall examine in a timely manner projects having been awarded the Sovereignty Seal in case they fall within their geographic and activity scope as laid down in Article 26(5) of that Regulation.

RemovedArticle 4 a (new): Article 4a / STEP Committee / 1. The Commission shall set up a STEP Committee composed of Commission experts on the technologies referred to in Article 2(1) , point (a) and on the Union programmes and funds from which the Platform is financially supported. / 2. The STEP Committee shall have the following tasks: / (a) to award and promote the Sovereignty Seal referred to in Article 4(1) and to liaise with managing authorities responsible for calls for proposals and calls for tender to increase the funding opportunities across programmes for projects that have been awarded the Sovereignty Seal, without interfering in the selection procedures; / (b) to award the Sovereignty Seal to projects funded by the Cohesion policy funds that contribute to the Platform objectives as set out in Article 2 of this Regulation; / (c) to set up and manage the Sovereignty portal in accordance with Article 6; / (d) to liaise with other existing structures, especially the Net-Zero Europe Platform established in accordance with Regulation (EU) .../... [Net Zero Industry Act] and the Critical Raw Materials Board established pursuant to Regulation (EU) .../... [Critical Raw Materials Act], national competent authorities designated in accordance with Article 6(4) of this Regulation, implementing partners and the Industrial Advisory Group referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article, with a view to coordinating and exchanging information about the financial needs of, the existing bottlenecks and the best p…

RemovedArticle 5: deleted / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted)

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part: 1. The Commission shall establish a dedicated publicly available website (the ‘Sovereignty portal’), providing information about funding opportunities for projects linked to the Platform objectives and granting visibility to those projects, in particular by displaying the following information:

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) information about Union programmes and funds within the scope of this Regulation and ongoing and upcoming calls for proposals and calls for tender linked to the Platform objectives under the respective programmes and funds;

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point d: (d) contact details of the national competent authorities designated in accordance with paragraph 4;

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 3 a (new): 3a. The Sovereignty Portal shall include a rapid simulator to provide project promoters, especially SMEs, guidance on the Union programme or fund for which their particular project may be eligible. The simulator shall not require project promoters to provide confidential business information and its results shall not be legally binding on the authorities responsible for the awarding of funding

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 4 a (new): 4a. For projects related to security and defence, information shall be displayed only on a case-by-case basis, if deemed necessary by the project promoter or the Commission, taking into consideration the confidentiality of security of information in defence matters.

RemovedArticle 7 – title: Monitoring and annual reporting

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 1: 1. The Commission shall monitor the implementation of the Platform and measure the achievement of the objectives of the Platform laid down in Article 2. The monitoring of the implementation shall be targeted and proportionate to the activities carried out under the Platform.

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 1 a (new): 1a. The Commission shall design the monitoring system in such a way that data for monitoring the implementation of activities carried out under the Platform and the results of those activities is collected efficiently, effectively and in a timely manner. To that end, proportionate reporting requirements shall be imposed on the beneficiaries of funding.

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 1 b (new): 1b. The Commission shall provide an annual report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the implementation of the Platform. The annual report shall be made publicly available.

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 2: 2. The annual report shall include consolidated information on the progress made in implementing the Platform objectives under each of the programmes and funds as well as qualitative and quantitative information on the Platform's contribution to cross-border projects and to projects per Member State.

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 3 – point a: (a) overall expenditure of the STEP financed under the respective programmes and funds;

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new): (ba) an impact assessment determining how the accumulated projects under STEP contribute to the Union’s strategic objectives on ensuring long-term competitiveness;

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 3 – point b b (new): (bb) an analysis of the geographical and technological distribution of the projects that have been awarded the Sovereignty Seal.

RemovedArticle 8 – paragraph 1: 1. By 31 December 2025, the Commission shall provide the European Parliament and the Council with an interim evaluation report on the implementation of the Platform, on the state of dependencies of the Union, and on the sectors of strategic importance for its sovereignty, for the purpose of informing the decision-making process on the post-2027 multiannual financial framework in a timely manner.

RemovedArticle 8 – paragraph 2: 2. The interim evaluation report shall, in particular, assess to which extent the STEP has contributed to the achievement of the objectives, the efficiency of the use of the resources and the European added value of the Platform. It shall also provide an overview of the regions for which the programmes have been amended, including information on relevant aspects of the partnership principle, consider the continued relevance of all objectives and projects, in view of their potential upscaling, and assess the feasibility of combining all existing publicly available websites managed by the Commission and providing information on Union programmes and funds under direct, shared and indirect management in a single portal, to bring Union funding opportunities closer to potential beneficiaries and enhance transparency towards Union citizens.

RemovedArticle 8 – paragraph 3: 3. Where appropriate, the interim evaluation report shall be accompanied by a proposal for amendments of this Regulation or by a legislative proposal for a fully-fledged European Sovereignty Fund, with the aim of helping to shape and strengthen a European industrial policy and to reduce strategic dependencies of the Union, and which ensures the correct functioning of the single market, while avoiding market distortions and creating a level playing field in the Union and third countries. Where the Commission chooses not to present a legislative proposal for a European Sovereignty Fund, it shall provide reasons for its decision in its interim evaluation report.

RemovedArticle 8 – paragraph 3 a (new): 3a. At the end of the implementation of the Union programmes and funds from which the Platform is financially supported, but no later than 31 December 2031, the Commission shall provide the European Parliament and the Council with a final evaluation report on implementation of the Platform. The final evaluation report shall be accompanied by a thorough assessment of differentiated territorial impacts and effects on cohesion resulting from the implementation of the Platform.

RemovedDirective 2003/87/EC

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 1 – point 1, Article 10a – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 6: In addition to the allowances referred to in the first to fifth subparagraphs of this paragraph, the Innovation Fund shall also implement a financial envelope for the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027 of EUR 5 000 000 000 in current prices for supporting investments contributing to the STEP objective for net-zero technologies as defined in [Article 3, point (a)] of Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act] by making this financial envelope available for Strategic Projects as defined in [Article 2, point (e)] the Regulation (EU) .../... [Net-Zero Industry Act], provided that they comply with the resilience or competitiveness criteria laid down in Article 10 (1), point (a) or (b), of Regulation (EU) …/... [Net-Zero Industry Act]. Until 31 December 2025, the financial envelope shall be made available in equal parts to support investments in: / (a) Member States whose average GDP per capita is below the Union average of the EU-27 measured in purchasing power standards (PPS) and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2015-2017; and / (b) all Member States. / From 1 January 2026, unused funds of the financial envelope shall be made available to support these investments in all Member States. / 62a Regulation (EU) .../... of the European Parliament and the Council of .... 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 1303/2…

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/1058

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 1 – point 2, Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ix: (ix) supporting investments contributing to the STEP objective referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation]

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/1058

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 1 – point 3, Article 3 – paragraph 1a: 1a. The resources under the specific objective referred to in Article 3(1), points (a)(vi) and (b)(ix) shall be programmed under dedicated priorities corresponding to the respective policy objective and shall be limited to a maximum of 20% of the initial allocation of the ERDF. / The Commission shall pay 30 % of the ERDF allocation to the priorities referred to in the first subparagraph as set out in the decision approving the programme amendment as exceptional one-off pre-financing in addition to the yearly pre-financing for the programme provided for in Article 90(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 or in Article 51(2), (3) and (4) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1059. The exceptional pre-financing shall be paid by 31 December 2024, provided the Commission has adopted the decision approving the programme amendment by 31 October 2024. / By way of derogation from Article 112 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the co-financing rates for dedicated priorities established to support the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation…/… [STEP Regulation] may all be increased up to 100 %.’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/1058

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 1 – point 4, Article 5 – paragaph 2 – point e: (e) when they contribute to the specific objective under PO 1 set out in Article 3(1), first subparagraph, point (a)(vi) or to the specific objective under PO 2 set out in point (b)(ix) of that subparagraph, in less developed and transition regions, as well as more developed regions in Member States whose average GDP per capita is below the EU average of the EU-27 measured in purchasing power standards (PPS) and calculated on the basis of Union figures for the period 2015-2017, while preserving a focus on SMEs and mid-caps.

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/1058

Removed(6) In Annex I, Table I, the following row is added under policy objective 1:

Removed(6) In Annex I, Table I, the following row is added under policy objective 1:

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/1058

Removed(7) In Annex I, Table I, the following row is added under policy objective 2:

Removed(7) In Annex I, Table I, the following row is added under policy objective 2:

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/1056

RemovedArticle 11 – paragraph 1 – point 1, Article 2: In accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the JTF shall contribute to the specific objective of enabling regions and people to address the social, employment, economic and environmental impacts of the transition towards the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050, based on the Paris Agreement. The JTF may also support investments contributing to the STEP objective referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation].

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/1056

RemovedArticle 11 – paragraph 1 – point 2, Article 8 – paragraph 2 – new subparagraph: The JTF also supports productive investments in enterprises, with a focus on SMEs and mid-caps, contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../...65 [STEP Regulation]. That support may be provided irrespective of whether the gap analysis was carried out in accordance with Article 11(2)(h) and irrespective of its outcome. Such investments shall only be eligible where they do not lead to relocation as defined in point (27) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060. Apprenticeships and jobs, education or training for new skills shall be considered in the awarding decision. The provision of such support shall not require a revision of the territorial just transition plan.

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/1056

RemovedArticle 11 – paragraph 1 – point 3, Article 10 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 6: By way of derogation from Article 112 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the maximum co-financing rates for dedicated priorities established to support the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation …/… [STEP Regulation] may be increased up to 100 %.

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/1057

RemovedArticle 12 – paragraph 1 – point 1, Article 12a – paragraph 1: In addition to the pre-financing for the programme provided for in Article 90(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, where the Commission approves an amendment of a programme including one or more priorities dedicated to operations supported by the ESF+ contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../..66 [STEP Regulation], it shall make an exceptional pre-financing of 30% on the basis of the allocation to those priorities. This exceptional pre-financing shall also benefit operations which contribute to the deployment of the learning programmes of the European Net Zero Industry Academies as well as the training of young people and the skilling, upskilling and reskilling of workers in net-zero technologies. The exceptional pre-financing shall be paid by 31 December 2024, provided the Commission has adopted the decision approving the programme amendment by 31 October 2024.

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/1057

RemovedArticle 12 – paragraph 1, Article 12a – paragraph 6: By way of derogation from Article 112 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the co-financing rates for dedicated priorities established to support the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation] may be increased up to 100 %.’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/1057

Removed(4) In the Annex I, Table 1, the following rows are added:

Removed(4) In the Annex I, Table 1, the following rows are added:

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/1060

Removed(5) In Annex I, Table 6, the following row is added:

Removed(5) In Annex I, Table 6, the following row is added:

RemovedRegulation (EU) No 1303/2013

RemovedArticle 14 – paragraph 1 – point -1a (new), Article 2 – point 29: (-1a) In Article 2, point (29) is replaced by the following: / ‘(29) 'accounting year', means, for the purposes of Part Three and Part Four, the period from 1 July to 30 June, except for the first accounting year of the programming period, in respect of which it means the period from the start date for eligibility of expenditure until 30 June 2015. The final accounting year shall be from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025;’

RemovedRegulation (EU) No 1303/2013

RemovedArticle 14 – paragraph 1 – point -1b (new), Article 24 – paragraph 1a(new): (-1b) In Article 24 the following paragraph is inserted: / ‘1a. By way of derogation from Article 60(1) and the first and fourth subparagraphs of Article 120(3), a co-financing rate of up to 100 % may be applied to expenditure declared in the final accounting year for one or more priority axes in a programme supported by the ERDF, the ESF or the Cohesion Fund. By way of derogation from Article 30(1) and (2) and Article 96(10), the application of the co-financing rate of up to 100 % shall not require a Commission decision approving a programme amendment. The Member State shall notify the revised financial tables to the Commission following approval by the monitoring committee. The co-financing rate of up to 100 % shall apply only if the financial tables are notified to the Commission before the submission of the final application for an interim payment for the final accounting year in accordance with Article 135(2).’

RemovedRegulation (EU) No 1303/2013

RemovedArticle 14 – paragraph 1 – point -1c (new), Article 65 – paragraph 2: (-1c) In Article 65, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following: / '2. Expenditure shall be eligible for a contribution from the ESI Funds if it has been incurred by a beneficiary and paid between the date of submission of the programme to the Commission or from 1 January 2014, whichever is earlier, and 31 December 2024. In addition, expenditure shall only be eligible for a contribution from the EAFRD if the relevant aid is actually paid by the paying agency between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2024.

RemovedArticle 14 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – introductory part: (1) Article 135 is amended as follows: / (a) the following paragraph 6 is added:

RemovedRegulation (EU) No 1303/2013

RemovedArticle 14 – paragraph 1 – point 1 - introductory part, Article 135 – paragraph 6: Amounts from resources other than REACT-EU reimbursed by the Commission as interim payments in 2025 shall not exceed 10 % of the total financial appropriations to the programme concerned by Fund, REACT-EU resources excluded. Amounts that would be due to be paid by the Commission in 2025 exceeding this percentage shall not be paid and shall be used exclusively for the clearing of pre-financing at closure.’

RemovedRegulation (EU) No 1303/2013

RemovedArticle 14 – paragraph 1 – point b (new), Article 135 – paragraph 6 a (new): (b) The following paragraph 6a is added: / ‘6a. For the outermost regions as defined in Article 349 TFEU, by way of derogation from paragraph 2 the deadline for the submission of the final application for an interim payment for the final accounting year shall be 30 June 2025. The last application for interim payment submitted by 31 December 2025 shall be deemed to be the final application for an interim payment for the final accounting year. / Amounts from resources other than REACT-EU reimbursed by the Commission as interim payments in 2025 shall not exceed 15 % of the total financial appropriations to the programme concerned by Fund, REACT-EU resources excluded. Amounts that would be due to be paid by the Commission in 2025 exceeding this percentage shall not be paid and shall be used exclusively for the clearing of pre-financing at closure’

RemovedRegulation (EU) No 1303/2013

RemovedArticle 14 – paragraph 1 – point 2, Article 138 – subparagraph 2: ‘By way of derogation from the deadline set out in the first subparagraph, Member States may submit the final implementation report for the operational programme according to Article 141 and the documents referred to under points (a), (b) and (c) for the final accounting year by 15 February 2026.’

RemovedRegulation (EU) No 223/2014

RemovedArticle 14 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new), Article 141 – paragraph 1: (2a) In Article 141, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: / ‘1. In addition to the documents referred to in Article 138, for the final accounting year from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, Member States shall submit a final implementation report for the operational programme or the last annual implementation report for the operational programme supported by the EMFF.’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a, Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1: The EU guarantee for the purposes of the EU compartment referred to in Article 9(1), point (a), shall be EUR 36 652 310 073 in current prices. It shall be provisioned at the rate of 40 %. The amount referred to in Article 35(3), first subparagraph, point (a), shall be also taken into account for contributing to the provisioning resulting from that provisioning rate.;

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a a (new), Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 4: (aa) In paragraph 1, the following fourth subparagraph is inserted: / 'An additional amount of the EU guarantee may also be provided in the form of cash by Member States to the Member State compartment to support the objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation] using the proceeds of loans granted to Member States pursuant to Article 33a of Regulation (EU) 2021/241 [RRF Regulation].’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b, Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2: An amount of EUR 21 827 310 073 in current prices of the amount referred to in the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 of this Article shall be allocated for the objectives referred to in Article 3(2).;

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new), Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point b: (4a) In Article 9(1), point (b) is replaced by the following: / '(b) the Member State compartment shall address specific market failures or suboptimal investment situations in one or several regions or Member States to deliver the policy objectives of the contributing funds under shared management or of the additional amount provided by a Member State under the third subparagraph of Article 4(1), in particular to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion in the Union by addressing imbalances between its regions. The additional amount provided by a Member State in the form of cash under the fourth subparagraph of Article 4(1) shall be earmarked for projects contributing to the objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation].

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 4 b (new), Article 10 – paragraph 3 – point h: (4b) In Article 10(3), a new point (h) is inserted: / '(h) any contribution in the form of cash to the Member State compartment made with the proceeds of Recovery and Resilience Facility loans pursuant to Article 33a of Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and the Council1a; / 1a Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17).

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new), Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point b – point viii: (5a) In Article 11(1), point (b), a new point is inserted: / '(viii) monitoring the implementation and the consistency with the national recovery and resilience plans of the STEP projects financed with the proceeds of RRF loans.'

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 6, Article 13 – paragraph 4: (6) Article 13 is amended as follows: / (a) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following: / ‘4. 75 % of the EU guarantee under the EU compartment as referred to in Article 4(1), first subparagraph, amounting to EUR 27 489 232 554, shall be granted to the EIB Group. The EIB Group shall provide an aggregate financial contribution amounting to at least EUR 6 872 308 138. That contribution shall be provided in a manner and form that facilitates the implementation of the InvestEU Fund and the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 15(2).’;

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 6 - point b (new), Article 13 – paragraph 5: (6b) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following: / '5. The remaining 25 % of the EU guarantee under the EU compartment shall be granted to other implementing partners, which shall also provide a financial contribution to be determined in the guarantee agreements. Where the Commission determines that national promotional banks or institutions do not make full use of the remaining 25 % of the EU guarantee under the EU compartment, the excess amount may exceptionally be granted to the EIB Group.’;

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point c (new), Article 13 – paragraph 5a (new): (c) the following paragraph is inserted: / ‘5a. Where applicable, the Commission shall justify its decision pursuant to paragraph 5 to grant the EIB Group more than 75% of the EU guarantee in the Annual Report to the European Parliament referred to in article 7 of Regulation.../... [STEP Regulation]. The European Commission shall also inform of any actions aiming to increase the absorption capacity of the other implementing partners.’;

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point d (new), Article 13 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2: (d) in paragraph 7, the second subparagraph is replaced by the following: / 'Contracts between the implementing partner and the final recipient or the financial intermediary or other entity referred to in point (a) of Article 16(1) under the EU guarantee referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 4(2) shall be signed at the latest two years after the approval of the relevant financing or investment operation by the implementing partner. In other cases, contracts between the implementing partner and the final recipient or the financial intermediary or other entity referred to in point (a) of Article 16(1) shall be signed by 31 December 2028. ’;

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point e (new), Article 13 – paragraph 6a (new): (e) the following paragraph is inserted: / ‘6a. The EIB Group shall aim to preserve a geographical balance, particularly with regard to cross-border projects.’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 9, Article 25 – paragraph 2 - point (j): ‘(j) provide advisory support to equity fund managers and other relevant stakeholders active in the areas referred to in point (e) of Article 8(1), including, regarding the valuation of intangible assets.’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 12, Annex I – point (e): (e) up to EUR 10 500 000 000 for objectives referred to in Article 3(2), point (e).

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 13, Annex II – point 16: (16) development or manufacturing of the technologies referred to in Article 2(1), point (a) of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation], as well as the respective supply chain referred to in Article 2(2) of that Regulation.

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 14, Annex III – point 9 – point 7a.1: '7a.1 Investment mobilised by technology area: i) digital technologies and ii) net-zero technologies and iii) biotechnologies.’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/523

RemovedArticle 16 – paragraph 1 – point 14, Annex III – point 9 – 7a.2: '7a.2 Number of enterprises supported by technology area: i) digital technologies, ii) net-zero technologies and iii) biotechnologies.’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/695

RemovedArticle 17 – paragraph 1 – point -1 (new), Article 7 – paragraph 10: (-1) in Article 7, paragraph 10 is replaced by the following: / ’10. As part of the general Union objective of mainstreaming climate actions into Union sectoral policies and Union funds, actions under this Programme shall contribute at least 35 % of the expenditure to climate objectives where appropriate. Climate mainstreaming shall be adequately integrated in R&I content. For the implementation of this objective, the Commission may rely on the 'Do No Significant Harm' principle in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852 to ensure that climate spending does not adversely affect other environmental objectives and that investments in other environmental objectives are in line with the climate objective. The use of this principle shall be limited to calls for proposals for projects which directly relate to environmental objectives, as defined in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and which aim to fund activities close to market deployment. The use of the principle shall be accompanied by detailed guidance from the Commission on how compliance with the principle shall be evaluated in the context of the specific call in which the principle is used.

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/695

RemovedArticle 17 – paragraph 1 – point -1 a (new), Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – points b and c: (-1a) in Article 9(1), points (b) and (c) are replaced by the following: / ‘(b) autonomy, particularly for the implementation of equity support in order to ensure market-conform investment timelines as well as risk-taking as referred to in point (c); / (c) ability to take more risk than the market standards, particularly by providing patient investment to non-bankable innovations.’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/695

RemovedArticle 17 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a, Article 12 – paragraph 1: 1. The financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027 shall be EUR 87 423 000 000 in current prices for the specific programme referred to in point (a) of Article 1(2) and for the EIT and EUR 10 453 000 000 in current prices for the specific programme referred to in point (c) of Article 1(2).

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/695

RemovedArticle 17 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b, Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point c: (b) in paragraph 2, point (c) is replaced by the following: / ‘(c) EUR 13 237 000 000 for Pillar III 'Innovative Europe' for the period 2021 to 2027, of which: / (i) EUR 10 052 000 000 for the EIC; / (ii) EUR 459 000 000 for European innovation ecosystems; / (iii) EUR 2 726 000 000 for the EIT;’ / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted)

RemovedArticle 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – introductory part: (3) Article 48 is amended as follows:

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/695

RemovedArticle 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a (new), Article 48 – paragraph 1– subparagraph 1 – point c: (a) in paragraph 1, second subparagraph, point (c) is replaced by the following: / ‘(c) equity-only support to non-bankable SMEs, including start-ups, carrying out breakthrough and disruptive non-bankable innovation may also be provided;’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/695

RemovedArticle 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b (new), Article 48 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d: (b) in paragraph 1, second subparagraph, point (d) is added: / (d) equity-only support required for scale-up to non-bankable SMEs, including start-ups, and non-bankable small mid-caps, including entities which have already received support in line with points (a) to (c), carrying out breakthrough and disruptive non-bankable innovation in the technologies referred to in Article 2(1)(a) of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation], financed under Article 3(b) of that Regulation.

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/695

RemovedArticle 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point c (new), Article 48 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3 a (new): (c) in paragraph 1, the following subparagraph is added: / ‘When providing equity support, the EIC shall strive to crowd-in other investors. However, in order to effectively support non-bankable innovation, equity support can be provided without crowding in other investors, particularly for but not limited to breakthrough and disruptive non-bankable innovation in the technologies referred to in Article 2(1)(a) of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation].

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/695

RemovedArticle 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point d (new), Article 48 – paragraph 3: (d) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following: / ‘3. A single award decision, which shall be based on the outcome of the evaluation process referred to in paragraph 4 and in accordance with paragraph 8 shall cover and provide funding for all forms of Union contribution provided under EIC blended finance. The single award decision shall lead to a single contract covering all forms of Union contribution provided by the decision.’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/695

RemovedArticle 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point e (new), Article 48 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 1: (e) in paragraph 8, the first subparagraph is replaced by the following: / ‘For a proposal having passed the evaluation, the independent external experts referred to in paragraph 4 shall propose a corresponding Accelerator support, based on the risk incurred and the resources and time necessary to bring and deploy the innovation to the market. The Commission may reject, for justified reasons, a proposal retained by independent external experts, including due to non-compliance with the objectives of Union policies. The Programme Committee shall be informed of the reasons for such a rejection.’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/695

RemovedArticle 17 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point f (new), Article 48 – paragraph 11 – subparagraph 1: (f) in paragraph 11, the first subparagraph is replaced by the following: / ‘The contract for the selected action, which shall comprise a single contract in accordance with paragraph 3, shall establish specific measurable milestones and the corresponding prefinancing and payments by instalments of the Accelerator support.’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/695

RemovedArticle 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a, Article 4 – paragraph 1: 1. In accordance with Article 12(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/695, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Fund for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027 shall be EUR 10 453 000 000 in current prices.

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/695

RemovedArticle 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b, Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point a: (a) EUR 3 484 000 000 for research actions;

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/695

RemovedArticle 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b, Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b: (b) EUR 6 969 000 000 for development actions.

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/695

RemovedArticle 18 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b, Article 4 – paragraph 5: (b) Paragraph 5 is added: / ‘An amount of EUR 2 500 000 in current prices of the amount referred to in paragraph 2 shall be allocated to calls for proposals or awards of funding supporting investments contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2(1), point (a)(i) of Regulation .../...11 [STEP Regulation].’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/241

RemovedArticle 19 – paragraph 1 – point 1, Article 1 – paragraph 7: 3. Without prejudice to paragraph 2, Member States may also propose to include in their recovery and resilience plan, as estimated costs, the amount of the cash contribution for the purpose of the Member State compartment pursuant to the relevant provisions of the InvestEU Regulation exclusively for measures supporting investment operations contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation.../... 71 [STEP Regulation]. Those costs shall not exceed 6 % of the recovery and resilience plan’s total financial allocation, and the relevant measures, as set out in the recovery and resilience plan, shall respect the requirements of this Regulation. This limitation shall not apply to the cash contributions made pursuant to Article 33a.’

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/241

RemovedArticle 19 – paragraph 1 – point 2a, Article 1 – paragraph 33a: (2a) A new chapter is added: / ‘CHAPTER VIIa / EXCEPTIONAL USE OF RRF LOANS NOT REQUESTED BY MEMBER STATES / Article 33a / 1. The difference between the maximum amount available for loan support to Member States in accordance to article 6(1)(b) and the total amount requested by the Member States before 1 September 2023 shall be made available to all Member States for the implementation of investments contributing to the objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regulation .../... [STEP Regulation] through the Member State compartment of InvestEU. The maximum allocation for each Member State shall be made in accordance to the allocation key defined in Article 11 of this Regulation. / 2. Until 31 December 2023, upon request from a Member State, the Commission shall grant the Member State concerned a loan for the purpose referred to in paragraph 1. / 3. A Member State may request loan support until 15 December 2023 for the purpose referred to in paragraph 1. / 4. The Member State concerned shall use the proceeds of the loan to make a cash contribution to its Member State compartment of InvestEU to support objectives of the STEP, according to article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/523 [InvestEU Regulation].

RemovedRegulation (EU) 2021/1755

RemovedArticle 19a (new), Article 4a: Article 19a / Amendments to Regulation (EU) 2021/1755 / Regulation (EU) 2021/1755 is amended as follows: / Article 4a is replaced by the following: / Transfer to the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus or the Just Transition Fund / 1. By 1 March 2023, Member States may submit to the Commission a reasoned request to transfer to the Recovery and Resilience Facility established by Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European and of the Council all or part of the amounts of their provisional allocation set out in the implementing act of the Commission referred to in Article 4(5). If the transfer request is approved, the Commission shall amend the implementing act in order to reflect the adjusted amounts following the transfer. / 1a. By 30 September 2024, Member States may submit to the Commission a reasoned request to transfer to the European Regional Development Fund established by Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 of the European and of the Council, or the European Social Fund Plus established by Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council or the Just Transition Fund established by Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 of the European Parliament and of the Council all or part of the amounts of their provisional allocation set out in the implementing act of the Commission referred to in Article 4(5) for the purposes of supporting operations contributing to the STEP objectives referred to in Article 2 of Regu…

RemovedAnnex: Annex / Definition of biotechnologies / (Article 2(1), point (a)(iii)) / Biotechnologies 1a means: / The application of science and technology to living organisms, as well as parts, products and models thereof, to alter living or non-living materials for the production of knowledge, goods and services. / The OECD list-based statistical definition of biotechnology contains: / DNA/RNA: Genomics, pharmacogenomics, gene probes, genetic engineering, DNA/RNA sequencing/synthesis/amplification, gene expression profiling, and use of antisense technology, large-scale DNA synthesis, genome- and gene-editing, gene drive. / Proteins and other molecules: Sequencing/synthesis/engineering of proteins and peptides (including large molecule hormones); improved delivery methods for large molecule drugs; proteomics, protein isolation and purification, signalling, identification of cell receptors. / Cell and tissue culture and engineering: Cell/tissue culture, tissue engineering (including tissue scaffolds and biomedical engineering), cellular fusion, vaccine/immune stimulants, embryo manipulation, marker assisted breeding technologies, metabolic engineering. / Process biotechnology techniques: Fermentation using bioreactors, biorefining, bioprocessing, bioleaching, biopulping, biobleaching, biodesulphurisation, bioremediation, biosensing, biofiltration and phytoremediation, molecular aquaculture. / Gene and RNA vectors: Gene therapy, viral vectors. / Bioinformatics: Construction of databases on…