Aid to shipbuilding (implementation of the OECD agreement)

- OBJECTIVE: to adopt new measures which would enable the Community to fulfil its obligations under the international agreement, concluded within the framework of the OECD, on normal conditions of competition in the shipbuilding and ship repair industry, which was to take effect on 01.01.1996. - COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Regulation 3094/95/EC on aid to shipbuilding. - SUBSTANCE: - The regulation provides for the banning of any aid granted directly or indirectly, and in a specific manner, to the shipbuilding industry, with the exception of aid which is expressly planned; - Such aid is only authorized under exceptional circumstances, namely: * aid to research and development; * aid of a social nature which is associated with the closure and redevelopment of shipyards; * aid to promote shipyard construction and conversion, with the exception of repair work, which is granted to shipowners or to third parties in the form of State loans and guarantees, on the condition that they comply with the provisions of the OECD agreement on appropriations for the export of merchant vessels; * aid to shipyard construction and conversion, which is granted as development aid to developing countries; - Aid for restructuring is not generally authorized, except in the case of Belgium, Portugal and Spain; the Commission must be notified of such funding and approval must be given by 31.12.1996 at the latest; the aid in question must also remain within certain limits; - Measures are provided for notification and monitoring, by which the Commission can assure itself that the rules are being respected and is able to discharge its obligations under the agreement in respect of the notification of information. - ENTRY INTO FORCE: the date on which the OECD agreement takes effect, that is to say on 01/01/1996. Should the agreement not take effect on this date, Directive 90/684/EEC shall apply until the entry into force of the agreement, and until 01/10/1996 at the latest. �