Activities of Rosa D'AMATO related to 2023/0199(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
Establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) (debate)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION 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 (37)
Amendment 6 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) There is a need to support critical technologies in the following fields: deep and digital technologies, clean technologies, and biotechnologies (including the respective critical raw materials value chains), in particular projects, companies and sectors with a critical role for EU’s competitiveness and resilience and its value chains. By way of example, deep technologies and digital technologies should include microelectronics, high-performance computing, quantum technologies (i.e., computing, communication and sensing technologies), cloud computing, edge computing, and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity technologies, robotics, 5G and advanced connectivity and virtual realities, including actions related to deep and digital technologies for the development of defence and aerospace applications. Clean technologies should include, among others, renewable energy; electricity and heat storage; heat pumps; electricity grid; renewable fuels of non- biological origin; sustainable alternative fuels; electrolysers and fuel cells;Clean technologies should cover batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat-pumps, electrolysers, and equipment for carbon capture, utilisation and storage; energy efficiency; hydrogen and its related infratructure; smart energy solutions; technologies vital to sustainability such as water purification and desalination; advanced materials such as nanomaterials, composites and future clean construction materials, and technologies for the sustainable extraction and processing of critical raw materials. Biotechnology should be considered to include technologies such as biomolecules and its applications, pharmaceuticals and medical technologies vital for health security, crop biotechnology, and industrial biotechnology, such as for waste disposal, and biomanufacturing. The Commission may issue guidance to furthersage and storage . Concerning biotechnology and deep and digital technologies, the Commission should specify the scope of the technologies in these threewo fields considered to be critical in accordance with this Regulation, in order to promote a common interpretation of the projects, companies and sectors to be supported under the respective programmes in light of the common strategic objective. Moreover, technologies in any of these three fields which are subjects of an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) approved by the Commission pursuant to Article 107(3), point (b) TFEU should be deemed to be critical, and individual projects within the scope of such an IPCEI should be eligible for funding, in accordance with the respective programme rules, to the extent that the identified funding gap and the eligible costs have not yet been completely covered.
Amendment 6 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) There is a need to support critical technologies in the following fields: deep and digital technologies, clean technologies, and biotechnologies (including the respective critical raw materials value chains), in particular projects, companies and sectors with a critical role for EU’s competitiveness and resilience and its value chains. By way of example, deep technologies and digital technologies should include microelectronics, high-performance computing, quantum technologies (i.e., computing, communication and sensing technologies), cloud computing, edge computing, and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity technologies, robotics, 5G and advanced connectivity and virtual realities, including actions related to deep and digital technologies for the development of defence and aerospace applications. Clean technologies should include, among others, renewable energy; electricity and heat storage; heat pumps; electricity grid; renewable fuels of non- biological origin; sustainable alternative fuels; electrolysers and fuel cells;Clean technologies should cover batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat-pumps, electrolysers, and equipment for carbon capture, utilisation and storage; energy efficiency; hydrogen and its related infratructure; smart energy solutions; technologies vital to sustainability such as water purification and desalination; advanced materials such as nanomaterials, composites and future clean construction materials, and technologies for the sustainable extraction and processing of critical raw materials. Biotechnology should be considered to include technologies such as biomolecules and its applications, pharmaceuticals and medical technologies vital for health security, crop biotechnology, and industrial biotechnology, such as for waste disposal, and biomanufacturing. The Commission may issue guidance to furthersage and storage . Concerning biotechnology and deep and digital technologies, the Commission should specify the scope of the technologies in these threewo fields considered to be critical in accordance with this Regulation, in order to promote a common interpretation of the projects, companies and sectors to be supported under the respective programmes in light of the common strategic objective. Moreover, technologies in any of these three fields which are subjects of an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) approved by the Commission pursuant to Article 107(3), point (b) TFEU should be deemed to be critical, and individual projects within the scope of such an IPCEI should be eligible for funding, in accordance with the respective programme rules, to the extent that the identified funding gap and the eligible costs have not yet been completely covered.
Amendment 23 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) In order to promote the economic, territorial and social cohesion of territories throughout the whole EU, STEP priorities and projects should be pursued in full compliance with the Partnership principle, ensuring an inclusive consultation process with regional and local authorities, social partners, civil society organisations, youth organisations and other relevant stakeholders; relevant national and regional authorities should ensure that projects financed with Cohesion policy resources under STEP have a lasting positive impact on the creation of quality jobs at local level.
Amendment 23 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) In order to promote the economic, territorial and social cohesion of territories throughout the whole EU, STEP priorities and projects should be pursued in full compliance with the Partnership principle, ensuring an inclusive consultation process with regional and local authorities, social partners, civil society organisations, youth organisations and other relevant stakeholders; relevant national and regional authorities should ensure that projects financed with Cohesion policy resources under STEP have a lasting positive impact on the creation of quality jobs at local level.
Amendment 24 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 b (new)
Recital 6 b (new)
(6b) Whereas STEP projects should not only comply with Union’s and national labour law, social rights and workers’ rights, as well as applicable collective agreement, but should go beyond minimum Union and national legal requirements with fair and adequate wages and well-defined objectives in terms of skilling, reskilling and upskilling, measures to improve gender equality and diversity at work, and quality and paid apprenticeships.
Amendment 24 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 b (new)
Recital 6 b (new)
(6b) Whereas STEP projects should not only comply with Union’s and national labour law, social rights and workers’ rights, as well as applicable collective agreement, but should go beyond minimum Union and national legal requirements with fair and adequate wages and well-defined objectives in terms of skilling, reskilling and upskilling, measures to improve gender equality and diversity at work, and quality and paid apprenticeships.
Amendment 38 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 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 other than SMEs, 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 5 % of the initial national allocation of the ERDF. _________________ 55 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 laying down common provisions (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159). 56 Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund (OJ L 224, 24.6.2021, p. 31).
Amendment 38 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 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 other than SMEs, 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 5 % of the initial national allocation of the ERDF. _________________ 55 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 laying down common provisions (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159). 56 Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund (OJ L 224, 24.6.2021, p. 31).
Amendment 46 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) TWhe scope of support of the JTF, laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/1056,57 should also be extended to cover investments in clean treas the establishment of a Just Transition Fund (JTF) is aimed at supporting regions and territories most affected by the transition towards a climate-neutral echonologies contributing to the objectives of the STEP by large enterprises, provided that they are compatible with the expected contribution to the transition to climate neutrality as set out in the territorial just transition plans. The support provided for such investments should not require a revision of the territorial just transition plan where that revision would be exclusively linked to the gap analysis justifying the investment from the perspective of job creation. _________________ 57 Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 establishing the Just Transition Fund (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 1)my and by phasing out of coal and other carbon-intensive industries which is a key component of a resilient and future oriented industry; whereas JTF clearly promotes a just and social green transition by financing the diversification and modernisation of the local economy and by mitigating the potential negative repercussions on employment which is a key Union priority; whereas the Fund is not endowed with sufficient resources to sufficiently address regional and local needs and no further reduction of its budgetary allocation should be then allowed.
Amendment 46 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) TWhe scope of support of the JTF, laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/1056,57 should also be extended to cover investments in clean treas the establishment of a Just Transition Fund (JTF) is aimed at supporting regions and territories most affected by the transition towards a climate-neutral echonologies contributing to the objectives of the STEP by large enterprises, provided that they are compatible with the expected contribution to the transition to climate neutrality as set out in the territorial just transition plans. The support provided for such investments should not require a revision of the territorial just transition plan where that revision would be exclusively linked to the gap analysis justifying the investment from the perspective of job creation. _________________ 57 Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 establishing the Just Transition Fund (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 1)my and by phasing out of coal and other carbon-intensive industries which is a key component of a resilient and future oriented industry; whereas JTF clearly promotes a just and social green transition by financing the diversification and modernisation of the local economy and by mitigating the potential negative repercussions on employment which is a key Union priority; whereas the Fund is not endowed with sufficient resources to sufficiently address regional and local needs and no further reduction of its budgetary allocation should be then allowed.
Amendment 50 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 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 100% for the STEP priorities should be available. When implementing the new STEP objectives, managing authorities are encouraged toshould apply certain strict social criteria in order tor promote social positive outcomes, such as creating paid apprenticeships and quality jobs for young persons from disadvantaged personsbackground, 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. _________________ 59 Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 21).
Amendment 50 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 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 100% for the STEP priorities should be available. When implementing the new STEP objectives, managing authorities are encouraged toshould apply certain strict social criteria in order tor promote social positive outcomes, such as creating paid apprenticeships and quality jobs for young persons from disadvantaged personsbackground, 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. _________________ 59 Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 21).
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. To strengthen European industrial sovereignty and security, accelerate the Union’s green and digital transitions and enhance its competitiveness, reduce its strategic dependencies, favour a level playing field in the Single Market for investments throughout the Union, and promote inclusive access to attractive, quality jobs, the Platform shall pursue the following objectives:
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. To strengthen European industrial sovereignty and security, accelerate the Union’s green and digital transitions and enhance its competitiveness, reduce its strategic dependencies, favour a level playing field in the Single Market for investments throughout the Union, and promote inclusive access to attractive, quality jobs, the Platform shall pursue the following objectives:
Amendment 68 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part
(a) supporting the development or manufacturing of critical technologies throughout the Union, or safeguarding and strengthening the respective valuesupply chains, of critical technologies in the following fields:
Amendment 68 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part
(a) supporting the development or manufacturing of critical technologies throughout the Union, or safeguarding and strengthening the respective valuesupply chains, of critical technologies in the following fields:
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) deep and digital technologies
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) deep and digital technologies
Amendment 75 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) bring an innovative, cutting-edge element with significant economic or environmental protection potential to the Single Market;
Amendment 75 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) bring an innovative, cutting-edge element with significant economic or environmental protection potential to the Single Market;
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4
Article 2 – paragraph 4
4. The value chain fFor the manufacturing of critical technologies referred to in the first paragraph relates tothe supply chain covers final products, as well as key components, specific machinery and designed and primarily used as direct input for the production of those products, as well as critical raw materials primarily used for the production of those products.
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4
Article 2 – paragraph 4
4. The value chain fFor the manufacturing of critical technologies referred to in the first paragraph relates tothe supply chain covers final products, as well as key components, specific machinery and designed and primarily used as direct input for the production of those products, as well as critical raw materials primarily used for the production of those products.
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The field of clean technologies referred to in the first paragraph covers exclusively batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat-pumps, electrolysers, and equipment for carbon capture usage and storage. For the fields of digital technologies and of biotechnologies referred to in the first paragraph, the Commission shall, by means of a delegated act adopted by [3 months after the entry into force of this Regulation], further specify the scope of the technologies considered to be critical pursuant to the paragraph 2 of this Article.
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The field of clean technologies referred to in the first paragraph covers exclusively batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat-pumps, electrolysers, and equipment for carbon capture usage and storage. For the fields of digital technologies and of biotechnologies referred to in the first paragraph, the Commission shall, by means of a delegated act adopted by [3 months after the entry into force of this Regulation], further specify the scope of the technologies considered to be critical pursuant to the paragraph 2 of this Article.
Amendment 108 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2021/1058
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new) – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new) – subparagraph 1
The resources under the specific objective referred to in Article 3(1), first subparagraph, 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 5 % of the initial national allocation of the ERDF.
Amendment 108 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2021/1058
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new) – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new) – subparagraph 1
The resources under the specific objective referred to in Article 3(1), first subparagraph, 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 5 % of the initial national allocation of the ERDF.
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2021/1058
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new) – subparagraph 7
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new) – subparagraph 7
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2021/1058
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new) – subparagraph 7
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new) – subparagraph 7
Amendment 121 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Regulation (EU) 2021/1058
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point e (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point e (new)
Amendment 121 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Regulation (EU) 2021/1058
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point e (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point e (new)
Amendment 130 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2021/1056
Article 2
Article 2
Amendment 130 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2021/1056
Article 2
Article 2
Amendment 133 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) 2021/1056
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – new subparagraph
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – new subparagraph
Amendment 133 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) 2021/1056
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – new subparagraph
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – new subparagraph
Amendment 141 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2021/1056
Article 10 – paragraph 4 (new) – subparagraph 6
Article 10 – paragraph 4 (new) – subparagraph 6
Amendment 141 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2021/1056
Article 10 – paragraph 4 (new) – subparagraph 6
Article 10 – paragraph 4 (new) – subparagraph 6
Amendment 171 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – Paragraph 1 – Point 4
Article 13 – Paragraph 1 – Point 4
Regulation (EU) 2021/1060
Annex 1 – Table 1
Annex 1 – Table 1
(4) In the Annex I, Table 1, the following rows are added: INTERVENTION FIELD C c s cua ho l p ace npuf gof li a erc tt i oie o t bon n j t e c cf lo ti imr v et ah o ste ef C c s eua no l p vce p iuf rof oli a rc ntti mie on ent n tf ao lr th o toe f objectives 145a Support for the 0% 0% development of skills or access to 145a employment in deep and digital technologies, biotechnologies. Support for the 100% 40% development of 145b s ek mil pl ls o yo mr ea ncc t ess t io n clean technologies. Productive 100% 40% investments in 188 l la inr kg ee d pe rn imte arp rir li ys e tos clean technologies. 189 Productive 100% 40% investments in SMEs linked primarily to clean technologies. 190 Productive 0% 0% investments in large enterprises linked primarily to biotechnologies. 191 Productive 0% 0% investments in SMEs linked primarily to biotechnologies. 192 Productive 0% 0% investments in large enterprises linked primarily to deep and digital 1 Productive 0% 0% investments in SMEs linked primarily to biotechnologies. 193 Productive 0% 0% investments in SMEs linked primarily to deep and digital technologies.