State aid: Commission approves €2 million Italian scheme to support the pyrotechnics sector in the context of the coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €2 million Italian scheme to support companies active in the pyrotechnics sector affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures that the Italian government had to implement to limit the spread of the virus. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants. In order to be eligible, companies must have suffered a decline in turnover during the period between 23 February 2020 and 31 December 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. The aid amount per beneficiary will not exceed the difference between its revenues in 2019 and those reported in 2020. The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the support (i) will not exceed €1.8 million per company; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2021. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions of the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measures under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.100142 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.