30 Amendments of Tomas TOBÉ related to 2022/0032(COD)
Amendment 129 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) A framework for increasing the Union’s resilience in the field of semiconductor technologies should be established, stimulating investment, strengthening the capabilities of the Union’s semiconductor supply chain, and increasing cooperation among the Member States and the Commission, as well as diversifying the semiconductor supply chains at the global level through international cooperation on innovation and trade.
Amendment 143 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) It is necessary to take measures to build capacity and strengthen the Union’s semiconductor sector in line with Article 173(3) of the Treaty. These measures do not entail the harmonisation of national laws and regulations. In this regard, the Union should reinforce the competitiveness and resilience of the semiconductor technological and industrial base, whilst strengthening the innovation capacity of its semiconductor sector, reducing dependence on a limited number of third country companies and geographies, while deepening coordination and cooperation in key areas among international partners, and strengthening its capacity to design and produce advanced components. The Chips for Europe Initiative (the ‘Initiative’) should support these aims by bridging the gap between Europe’s advanced research and innovation capabilities and their sustainable industrial exploitation. It should promote capacity building to enable design, production and systems integration in next generation semiconductor technologies, enhance collaboration among key players across the Union, strengthening Europe's semiconductor supply and value chains, serving key industrial sectors and creating new markets.
Amendment 150 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The use of semiconductors is critical for multiple economic sectors and societal functions in the Union and therefore, a resilient supply is essential for the functioning of the internal market. Given the wide circulation of semiconductor products across borders world wide, the resilience and security of supply of semiconductors can be best addressed through international cooperation, trade, support to innovation and creating attractive environment for European companies and industry. Union harmonising legislation based on Article 114 of the Treaty is an additional possibility. With a view to enabling coordinated measures for building resilience, harmonised rules for facilitating the implementation of specific projects that contribute to the security of supply of semiconductors in the Union are necessary. The proposed monitoring and crisis response mechanism should be uniform to enable a coordinated approach to crisis preparedness for the cross-border semiconductor value chain.
Amendment 158 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Given the globalised nature of the semiconductor supply chain, international cooperation with third countries is an important element toin achieve aing resilience of the Union’s semiconductor ecosystem. The actions taken under this Regulation should also enable the Union to play a stronger role, as a centre of excellence, in a better functioning global, interdependent semiconductors ecosystem. The Commission, assisted by the European Semiconductor Board, should cooperate and build partnerships with third countries with a view to seeking solutions to address, to the extent possible, disruptions of the semiconductor supply chain. Therefore, at the invitation of the European Semiconductor Board, international partners and third parties should be able to attend meetings, provide consultation, and exchange information within the structures of the European Semiconductor Board.
Amendment 160 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Given the globalised nature of the semiconductor supply chain, international cooperation with third countries is an important element to achieve a resilience of the Union’s semiconductor ecosystem. The actions taken under this Regulation should also enable the Union to play a stronger role, as a centre of excellence, in a better functioning global, interdependent semiconductors ecosystem. The Commission, assisted by the European Semiconductor Board, should cooperate and build partnerships with third countries with a view to seeking solutions to address, to the extent possible, disrupwork together towards both immediate and long-term supply solutions for the semiconductor market; cooperate and build partnerships with third countries with a view to seeking solutions to address disruptions of the semiconductor supply chain and work together towards both immediate and long-term supply solutions ofor the semiconductor supply chain.market and industry affected by supply shortages;
Amendment 166 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Member States are primarily responsible for sustaining a strong Union industrial, competitive, sustainable and innovative base. However, the nature and scale of the innovation challenge in the semiconductor sector requires action to be taken collaboratively at Union level without distorting the internal market for technology, preventing innovation or research on future chip technology.
Amendment 184 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 d (new)
Recital 12 d (new)
(12 d) Given the importance of collaboration with third parties in the area of R&D&I, the European Semiconductor Board and the Commission should establish clear and readily available guidelines on access modes, software and hardware for their participation in projects within the scope of this Regulation. Within the structures of the European Semiconductor Board, the EU-US Trade and Technology Council and other Union agreements and strategies with third countries, guidance should be provided to overcome existing obstacles to international cooperation in the field of R&D&I.
Amendment 236 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) In light of the global structural deficiencchallenges and strategic vulnerabilities ofin the semiconductor supply chain and the resulting risk of future shortages, this Regulation provides instruments for a coordinated approach to monitoring and effectively tackling possible market disruptions.
Amendment 245 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31 a (new)
Recital 31 a (new)
(31 a) The European Semiconductor Board and the Commission should seek to invite international partners to cooperate in this process, and discuss findings and identify shared strategies in forums such as the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, and in bilateral and multilateral meetings with like-minded Indo-pacific nations. Where relevant, representatives of third countries should be invited to address and cooperate with the European Semiconductor Board or sub-groups.
Amendment 252 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) Member States should alert the Commission if relevant factors indicate a potential semiconductor crisis. In order to ensure a coordinated response to address such crises, the Commission should upon the alert by a Member State or through other sources, including information from international partners, convene an extraordinary meeting of the European Semiconductor Board for assessing the need to activate the crisis stage and for discussing whether it may be appropriate, necessary and proportionate for Member States to carry out coordinated joint procurement. The Commission should engage in consultations and cooperation with relevant third countries with a view to addressing any disruptions in the international supply chain, in compliance with international obligations and without prejudice to procedural requirements under the Treaty on international agreements. With globalised supply and value chains European resilience is not possible without well-functioning multilateral and bilateral agreements with third countries. The European openness to trade, cooperation and investment leads to economic growth and resilience for the Union.
Amendment 289 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 45
Recital 45
(45) Appropriate, effective and proportionate measures should be identified and implemented when the crisis stage is activated without prejudice to possible continued international engagement with relevant partners with the view to mitigating the evolving crisis situation. Where appropriate, the Commission shouldmay have the authority to request information from undertakings along the semiconductor supply chain. Furthermore, the Commission should be able to, where necessary and proportionate, oblige Integrated Production Facilities and Open EU Foundries to accept and prioritise an order of the production of crisis-relevant products, and to act as a central purchasing body when mandated by Member States. The Commission couldmust limit the measures to certain critical sectors. In addition, the European Semiconductor Board may advise on the necessity of introducing an export control regime pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/479 of the European Parliament and of the Council60 should engage in consultations and cooperation with business representatives and relevant third countries with a view to addressing any disruptions in the international supply chain. The European Semiconductor Board may also assess and advise on further appropriate and effective measures. The use of all these emergency measures shouldmust be proportionate and, restricted and be carried out in the manner which is the least disruptive to international cooperation and trade. The restrictions must restricted to what is absolutely necessary to address the significant disturbances at stake insofar as this is in the best interest of the Union. The Commission should regularly inform the European Parliament and the Council of the measures taken and the underlying reasons. The Commission may, after consulting with the Board, issue further guidance on the implementation and use of the emergency measures. _________________ 60 Regulation (EU) 2015/479 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2015 on common rules for exports (OJ L 83, 27.3.2015, p. 34)Requests to access information, which may be company secrets, must be used responsibly, not putting inappropriate administrative burden on companies and minimizing risks for affected companies.
Amendment 299 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
Recital 47
(47) The purpose of requests for information from undertakings along the semiconductor supply chain established in the Union in the crisis stage is an in-depth assessment of the semiconductor crisis in order to identify potential mitigation or emergency measures at Union or national level. Such information may include production capability, production capacity and current primary disruptions and bottlenecks. These aspects could include the typical and current actual stock of crisis-relevant products in its production facilities located in the Union and third country facilities which it operates or contracts or purchases supply from; the typical and current actual average lead time for the most common products produced; the expected production output for the following three months for each Union production facility; reasons that prevent the filling of production capacity; or other existing data necessary to assess the nature of the semiconductor crisis or potential mitigation or emergency measures at national or Union level. Any request should be proportionate, have regard for the legitimate aims of the undertaking and the cost and effort required to make the data available, as well as set out appropriate time limits for providing the requested information. Undertakings should be obliged to comply with the request and may be subject to penalties i. If they fail to comply or provide incorrect information without any reasonable explanation given, may be subject to penalties. Any information acquired should be subject to confidentiality rules. Should an undertaking be subject to a request for information related to its semiconductor activities from a third country, it should inform the Commission so to enable an assessment whether an information request by the Commission is warranted.
Amendment 301 #
(48) In order to ensure that critical sectors can continue to operate in a time of crisis and when necessary and proportionate for this purpose, Integrated Production Facilities and Open EU Foundries cshould be oabliged by the Commissione, on a voluntary basis, to accept and prioritise orders of crisis-relevant products. This obligation may also be extended to semiconductor manufacturing facilities which have accepted such possibility in the context of receiving public support. The decision on a priority rated order should be taken in accordance with all applicable Union legal obligations, having regard to the circumstances of the case. The priority rating obligation should take precedence over any performance obligation under private or public law while it should have regard for the legitimate aims of the undertakings and the cost and effort required for any change in production sequence decision on a priority rated order should be taken in accordance with all applicable Union legal obligations, having regard to the circumstances of the case. Undertakings may be subject to penalties if they fail to comply with the obligation for priority rated orders.
Amendment 307 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 49
Recital 49
(49) The undertaking concerned should on a voluntary basis be oabliged toe accept and prioritise a priority rated order. In exceptional and duly justified cases, the undertaking could request the Commission to review the imposed obligation. This applies either where the facility is unable to fulfil the order even if prioritised, be it due to insufficient production capability or production capacity, or because this would place an unreasonable economic burden and entail particular hardship on the facility.
Amendment 318 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 54
Recital 54
(54) During a semiconductor shortage crisis, it might become necessary that the Union considers protective measurthe Union may only consider protective measures if all other measures have been investigated. Measures damaging international cooperation, trade agreements and relations with third countries must be avoided at all costs, as they will damage the Union's relations with third countries and can have unpredictable consequences. The European Semiconductor Board may express its views to inform the Commission’s assessment of whether the market situation amounts to a significant shortage of essential products pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/479.
Amendment 322 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 56
Recital 56
(56) A representative of the Commission should chair the European Semiconductor Board. Each Member State’s national single point of contact should appoint at least one high-level representative to the European Semiconductor Board. They Board should include representatives from the semiconductor industry, such as the Industrial Alliance on Processors and Semiconductor Technologies, who should not possess voting rights. Member States could also appoint different representatives in relation to different tasks of the European Semiconductor Board, for example, depending on which Chapter of this Regulation is discussed in the meetings of the European Semiconductor Board. The Commission may establish sub-groups and should be entitled to establish working arrangements by inviting experts to take part in the meetings on an ad hoc basis or by inviting organisations representing the interests of the Union semiconductors industry, such as the Industrial Alliance on Processors and Semiconductor Technologies, in its sub-groups as observer, industry stakeholders, or representatives from third countries to take part in the meetings on an ad hoc basis.
Amendment 411 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b – point 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b – point 2
(2) supporting large scale innovation through access to new or existing pilot lines for experimentation, test, and validation of new design concepts integrating key functionalities, such as novel materials and architectures for power electronics fostering sustainable energy and electro mobility, lower energy consumption, security, higher levels of computing performance or integrating breakthrough technologies such as neuromorphic and embedded artificial intelligence (AI) chips, integrated photonics, graphene and other 2D material based technologies; promoting international cooperation between different chips production technologies with third countries and the Union; encourage and maintain competitiveness by learning from different sectors of the chips industry;
Amendment 425 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d – point 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d – point 2
(2) address the skills shortage, attracting and mobilising new talent and supporting the emergence of a suitably skilled workforce for strengthening the semiconductor sector, including via reskilling and upskilling of workers, and increasing programmes for attracting third-country talent through initiatives such as the 'EU Talent Pool' and the European Skills Agenda. The Union shall also seek to streamline market tests in the semiconductor ecosystem to better facilitate attracting and developing skills of the future to realise the objectives of this Regulation; with an emphasis on support for academic, reskilling programmes and qualification, up to PhD level in the area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and computer science.
Amendment 435 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point e – point 3
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point e – point 3
(3) accelerating and improving accessibility to investment in the field of semiconductor manufacturing technologies and chip design and to leveraging funding from both the public and the private sectors, while increasing the security of supply for the whole semiconductor value chain.
Amendment 469 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) facilitating the transfer of experience, expertise and knowhow between Member States and regions, regions and international partners, encouraging exchanges of skills, knowledge and good practices and encouraging joint programmes;. Clear guidelines shall be established by the Commission in consultation with the European Semiconductor Board and industry representatives regarding the protection of valuable intellectual property, and the prevention of unauthorised access to confidential and sensitive business, economic and security related information, and trade secrets.
Amendment 571 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2
Article 13 – paragraph 2
2. In order to reach security of supply in the Union, Member States may, without prejudice to Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty, apply support schemes and provide for administrative support to Integrated Production Facilities and Open EU Foundries in accordance with Article 14. Member States must also ensure that any support is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to avoid undue competition distortions.
Amendment 617 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. The Commission shall produce an annual report in cooperation with the European Semiconductor Board in order to assess the regularity of information requests, the type and volume of information being requested, in particular from SMEs. It shall identify if necessary, the need to further streamline processes and provide further support in navigating information requests in the context of this Regulation.
Amendment 622 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 5 – point b
Article 15 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) enter into consultations or cooperation, on behalf of the Union, with relevant third countries with a view to seeking cooperative solutions to address supply chain disruptions, in compliance with international obligations. This may involve, where appropriate, coordination in relevant international fora. Representatives of third countries may also be invited to address and cooperate with the European Semiconductor Board or a sub-group.
Amendment 687 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
Article 20 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shallmay, after consulting the European Semiconductor Board, and if all other measures has been investigated, request representative organisations of undertakings or, if necessary, individual undertakings operating along the semiconductor supply chain to inform the Commission about their production capabilities, production capacities, current primary disruptions and provide other existing data necessarytransmit on a voluntary basis, within a set time limit, specific information to the Commission about their production capabilities, while fully respecting trade and business secrets, to assess the nature of the semiconductor crisis or to identify and assess potential mitigation or emergency measures at national or Union level.
Amendment 696 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 5
Article 20 – paragraph 5
5. Should an undertaking established in the Union be subject to a request for information related to its semiconductor activities from a third country, it shall inform the Commission in such a manner that is least disruptive to trade and promote international cooperation, as to enable the Commission to request similar information. The Commission shall inform the European Semiconductor Board of the existence of such request from a third country.
Amendment 704 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. Where necessary and proportionate to ensure the operation of all or certain critical sectors, the Commission may obligerequest Integrated Production Facilities and Open EU Foundries to accept and prioritise an order of crisis-relevant products (‘priority rated order’). The obligation shall take precedence over any performance obligation under private or public law.
Amendment 706 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 2
Article 21 – paragraph 2
2. The obligationrequest under paragraph 1 can also be imposed to other semiconductor undertakings which have accepted such possibility in the context of receiving public support.
Amendment 710 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 3
Article 21 – paragraph 3
3. When a semiconductor undertaking established in the Union is subject to a third country priority rated order measure, it shall inform the Commission. Should that obligationrequest significantly impact the operation of certain critical sectors, the Commission may obligadvise that undertaking to accept and prioritise orders of crisis relevant products in line with paragraph 4, 5 and 6.
Amendment 726 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1
Article 22 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission may, upon the request of two or more Member Statesa qualified majority of the Council, establish a mandate to act as a central purchasing body on behalf of the participating Member States (‘participating Member States’) for their public procurement of crisis-relevant products for certain critical sectors (‘common purchasing’).
Amendment 784 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 a (new)
Article 27 a (new)
Article 27 a Data and information exchange with third countries 1. The Commission and Member States may exchange, where necessary and proportionate, information with competent authorities of third countries with which they have agreed on bilateral or multilateral arrangements to provide an adequate level of confidentiality. 2. For the purpose of this Regulation, any data transferred to a third country must be tailored as narrowly as possible in order to minimise the amount of data transferred to fulfil the necessary activity. 3. Such information shall be transferred from a single contact point in the Commission, and transferred to a single designated contact point in the third country. The designated provider of the data shall keep a detailed log of all data transmitted to a third country for the purpose of the activities pursued. 4. The third country shall provide guarantees that the data provided is used strictly and exclusively for the purposes of the tasks being fulfilled under this Regulation, and that no further onwards transfers have been made. 5. To prevent unauthorised access to, or disclosure or loss of the data or any unauthorised form of processing, the provided data shall be held in a secure physical environment, stored separately from any other data, and maintained with high level systems and physical intrusion controls. That data shall not be interconnected with any other database. The data shall be limited to those persons involved in the undertaking of these tasks, the names of which shall be provided to the Commission. No copies of provided data shall be made, other than for disaster recovery and backup purposes. 6. Once the data is no longer required, it shall be deleted. This shall be reviewed by the relevant authority in the third country on an annual basis. 7. If it transpires that data has not been treated in accordance with the relevant rules or transferred onwards, then no further data shall be transferred under this Regulation.