23.12.2004   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 319/71


Action brought on 31 August 2004 by Prosessindustriens Landsforening, Borregaard, Elkem ASA, Norsk Hydro ASA, Eramet Norway AS, Norske Skogindustrier ASA, Södra Cell Folla AS, Tinfos Titan & Iron KS, and Yara International ASA against the EFTA Surveillance Authority

(Case E-6/04)

(2004/C 319/13)

An action against the EFTA Surveillance Authority was brought before the EFTA Court on 31 August 2004 by Prosessindustriens Landsforening, Borregaard, Elkem ASA, Norsk Hydro ASA, Eramet Norway AS, Norske Skogindustrier ASA, Södra Cell Folla AS, Tinfos Titan & Iron KS, and Yara International ASA, represented by Onno W. Brouwer, advocaat, and Michael Schuette, Rechtsanwalt, Freshfields Bruckhaus Derringer, Bastion Tower, Place du Champ de Mars 5, 1050 Brussels.

The applicant claims that the Court should:

1.

Annul the EFTA Surveillance Authority's Decision 148/04/COL dated 30 June 2004; and

2.

Order the EFTA Surveillance Authority to pay the costs of the proceedings.

Legal and factual background and pleas in law adduced in support:

EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision 148/04/COL of 30 June 2004 (the ‘Decision’) concerns electricity tax and considers the failure to apply that tax to the manufacturing industry to constitute State aid.

The EFTA Surveillance Authority has violated Article 61(1) EEA.

The EFTA Surveillance Authority has violated Article 61 EEA and Part II of Protocol 3 on State aid regarding the qualification of existing aid as new aid.

The Decision infringes the principle of legal certainty.

The EFTA Surveillance Authority failed to follow proper procedure, violating Articles 17, 18 and 19 of Part II of Protocol 3 to the ESA/Court Agreement.

The Decision violates Articles 61 and 62 EEA as regards recovery of aid.