Press Release: State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Dutch tax exemption for natural gas used for production of ceramic products

The European Commission opened a formal investigation under EC Treaty State aid rules into a tax exemption by the Dutch State for the delivery of natural gas used in installations for the production of ceramic products. As the proposed tax exemption only regards natural gas used by the Dutch ceramic industry, the Commission took the view that this measure confered a selective advantage on the ceramic industry and would therefore constitute state aid. Such operating aid can be authorised only in exceptional circumstances, for example when it is related to environmental protection. At this stage The Netherlands has not demonstrated compliance with the EU Guidelines on State Aid for Environmental Protection. The opening of an in-depth investigation gave The Netherlands and interested parties the possibility to comment on the proposed measure.