Press Release: Commission adopts report on application of guidelines concerning state aid for employment

On 21.12.00, the European Commission adopted a report on the application of the 1995 guidelines on state aid for employment. The report notes that while the application of these guidelines has generally not been problematic, there are certain issues which the Commission will need to take into account in the preparation of a new text. This could be in the form of revised guidelines to cover notified aid, but the Commission also has the option of adopting an 'exemption regulation', under which the Member States would be exempted from notifying state aid if it meets certain criteria. On 6.12.00, the Commission adopted the first three such regulations, in the area of training aid, aid for SMEs and de minimis aid. While it determines whether this approach is appropriate in the area of employment aid, the 1995 guidelines will remain in force.

• Primary Source