Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/210 on a common Union toolbox to address semiconductor shortages and an EU mechanism for monitoring the semiconductor ecosystem

Summary:

Recommendation (EU) 2022/210 - adopted by the European Commission on 8 February 2022, detailing a common toolbox to address semiconductor shortages in the European Union (EU), as well as a mechanism for monitoring the semiconductor ecosystem.

Further information:

Semiconductor chips are the essential building blocks of digital and digitised products. Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, Europe and other regions of the world have experienced significant supply challenges, and shortages of chips. Despite certain strengths, Europe has an overall global semiconductors market share of only 10% and largely relies on third-country suppliers. Faced with growing geopolitical tensions, fast growth in demand, and the possibility of further disruptions in the supply chain, it has been deemed necessary that Europe uses its strengths and puts in place effective mechanisms to establish greater leadership positions and ensure security of supply within the global industrial chain.

The purpose of this Recommendation is to enable a rapid, effective and coordinated response to the semiconductor shortage and to future similar cases. It aims to enable a monitoring mechanism in light of the structural deficiencies of the semiconductor supply and the prevailing risk of future shortages or other notable market shocks arising. It is recommended that Member States work together with the European Commission through the framework of the European Semiconductor Expert Group, which will coordinate immediate crisis response measures and function as a platform for monitoring the semiconductor value chain, focusing on risks that may disrupt, compromise or negatively affect the supply of semiconductors.

The Recommendation was adopted on 8 February 2022 alongside a Communication providing the reasoning behind the need to strengthen the EU's semiconductor system. It was published in the Official Journal on 17 February 2022.

• Primary Source

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 08/02/2022: Digital sovereignty: Commission proposes Chips Act to confront semiconductor shortages and strengthen Europe's technological leadership https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_729

European Commission: European Chips Act - Questions and Answers (8 February 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_22_730

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