Observations from the Business Community and Civil Society on the Revision of Regulation EU n. 651/2014 on State Aid (General Block Exemption Regulation – GBER)

Key points  

The EESC:

• welcomes the Commission’s revision of the GBER, supporting its aims to modernise and simplify State aid exemptions, expand eligible categories and improve clarity and legal certainty ahead of entry into force on 1 January 2027;
• strongly supports the simplification drive, notably the wider use of simplified cost options (flat rates, unit costs, lump sums) to cut red tape and compliance costs, while noting the text remains technically demanding and requires a more user-friendly approach;
• calls for stronger implementation support, urging the Commission and Member States to invest in training and capacity-building for national/regional/local administrations and to publish an annotated guidance document (regularly updated and consulted upon)
• highlights key scope and policy updates, including extending GBER to agriculture (with clear coordination with ABER), explicit recognition of social enterprises (aligned with the Social Economy Action Plan definition), and new provisions for social and affordable housing consistent with Decision (EU) 2025/2630;
• emphasises fair competition alongside social safeguards, welcoming enhanced support for disadvantaged workers and people with disabilities (including a proposal to recognise work integration social enterprises), while stressing beneficiaries must respect labour protection and social responsibility criteria and that financial-intermediary rules should enable fast delivery without undue distortions. 

For more information please contact the INT Section Secretariat