The European Commission adopted a new Regulation which will make it quicker and easier to grant certain types of State aid.
The General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) consolidates into one text and harmonises the rules previously existing in five separate Regulations, and enlarges the categories of State aid covered by the
exemption. The Scottish Government State Aid Unit has produced a summary of the Regulation.
The Regulation authorises aid in favour of SMEs, research, innovation, regional development, training, employment, risk capital and environmental protection aid. The Regulation also introduces aid measures promoting entrepreneurship, such as aid for young innovative businesses, aid for newly created small businesses in assisted regions, and measures tackling problems like difficulties in access to finance
faced by female entrepreneurs.
As well as encouraging Member States to focus on aid that will be of real benefit to job creation and competitiveness, the Regulation reduces the administrative burden for the public sector, the beneficiaries and the Commission.
The Regulation dated 6 August came into force on 29 August 2008. If you have any questions or need further information on this or any other State aid issue, contact the State Aid Unit or visit our website.