The European Commission recognises that in certain circumstances
the provision of State aid can play an important role in promoting
economic and social development. It has therefore laid down
guidelines and frameworks which it uses to assess the
compatability of proposed aid measures with the common market.
The guidelines and frameworks are listed below, with links to the
original text on the Commission's Competition website. The
Commission's texts can be lengthy and complex. You may
therefore prefer to contact the State Aid Unit for assistance in
the first instance.
Even if proposed aid schemes are in line with the Commissions's
guidelines and frameworks, all schemes must still be notified to the
Commission for approval - unless they comply with articles
contained within the General Block Exemption Regulation.
Guidelines & Frameworks
The Guidelines on National Regional Aid lay down what the
Commission see as permissible aid for projects in Assisted Areas.
Services of General Economic Interest (SGEI) Framework -
for notifying aid which does not comply with the conditions
in the SGEI Block Exemption (see below).
Framework for Research and Development and Innovation
Guidelines for Environmental Protection
Guidelines for Rescue and Restructuring aid
Communication on Risk Capital
General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER)
Greater detail on the General Block Exemption Regulation
is available here.
The State Aid Unit can give you information on the GBER,
or you can read the Commission's original text by using the
links below.
When awarding aid under the GBER, there is no need to go
through the formal notification process, as long as the aid
scheme fully complies with the conditions in the GBER.
Instead, summary information about a new scheme should be
submitted to the Commission via the State Aid Unit. There are
already some schemes running in Scotland under the previous
block exemptions, which are currently being brought into line
with the GBER - see Approved Schemes in Scotland.
Please contact the State Aid Unit if you require further information
regarding the use of the block exemptions.