Newsletter CCSF 2024 n°10

• Access to exclusive events
• Networking opportunities with key stakeholders
• Increased visibility across French-Swedish business platforms

To explore how your company can benefit from a membership with CCSF, our Managing Director, Katarina Lööf (katarina.loof@ccsf.fr), is available for a personalized meeting.  

Réservez votre place pour le Dîner de Noël Traditionnel de la CCSF AuRa
au plus tard le 2 décembre!

La CCSF AuRa est heureuse de vous inviter à réserver votre soirée du 10 décembre 2024 pour son traditionnel Dîner de Noël au cours duquel interviendra Jean-Luc Ferraton, Directeur de la transformation digitale de la Direction des Ressources Humaines du Gropue Crédit Agricole.

Avant Crédit Agricole, Jean-Luc Ferraton était DRH du Groupe Suédois Intrum et ensuite Directeur Générale de Intrum en France.

Lieu : Kafé Stockholm, 10 Rue Polycarpe 69001 Lyon.
 

The event is organized by CCSF in close collaboration with Team Sweden and Team France. The day features a high-level conference - French-Swedish Business Summit, French-Swedish Tech & Innovation Exhibition, and the Networking Evening - Soirée Franco-Suédoise with the Prix d'Excellence Award Ceremony. The event will take placce on December 1st at Pavillion Vendôme, former "Banque de Suède et de Paris".

More information about partnership possibilities and tickets will be available soon. 

Benoît Tanguy, CEO of Scania France, and board member CCSF, has been elected President of the "industrial vehicles" branch of the CSIAM (International Chamber of the Automobile and Motorcycle Industry).

With over 30 years of experience in the sector, he brings an international vision and in-depth expertise in the industrial vehicle market.

He began his career in industrial vehicles in 1990 as sales manager for heavy-duty trucks and vans at Mercedes-Benz Trucks for the Pays de la Loire and part of the Vendée region. In 2000, he joined Scania France as regional manager. Promoted to commercial director in 2003, he left France in 2014 to head up Scania Colombia. He returned to Europe in 2018 as managing director of Scania BSU (Black Sea Unit), an entity responsible for distributing Scania products in Bulgaria and Romania. Since April 1, 2024, at the age of 57, he has been appointed CEO of Scania France.

Cercle Suédois/Svenska Klubben announces the beginning of a new chapter in its rich history.

After nearly 90 years at 242, rue de Rivoli, Cercle Suédois is moving to a 250 square meter apartment located at 6, place de la République Dominicaine, in the 17th arrondissement, facing Parc Monceau.

Every effort is being made to adapt the new premises in order to recreate the unique spirit of the Cercle Suédois, so appreciated by its members, and to welcome them in the best possible conditions.

The Chamber wishes Cercle Suédois all the best with the installation of the new venue.

The European consumer test organization Euro NCAP has for the first time ever assessed the safety of heavy-duty trucks. Volvo's best-selling models, the Volvo FH and the Volvo FM, both received the top rating of five stars. The Volvo FM also had the best overall test result among all tested trucks.

The Volvo FM and the Volvo FH Aero scored the maximum five stars in Euro NCAP’s first assessment of truck safety who also gave both Volvo models their City Safe award.

“This outstanding result makes me so proud as it confirms Volvo Trucks’ leading position in safety”, says Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks. He continues: “Safety is a core value for us and a cornerstone in our heritage. Safety has been guiding us from the very start of our company – and with every new product launch we are making our trucks even safer.”

Euro NCAP’s five-star rating means that Volvo has shown excellent performance on criteria such as driver support and collision avoidance, delivering traffic safety for the driver and surrounding road users. Additionally, both Volvo models fulfil the so-called City Safe criteria, thanks to good vision and good performance of Volvo’s active safety systems, designed to protect vulnerable road users in city traffic situations.

Read the full Euro NCAP test report: click here

The Swedish company Qvantum, specializing in heat pumps and energy systems, has created its sixth local subsidiary in Europe. The latest addition is Qvantum Energy Technology SAS, based in Lyon.

Qvantum continues to expand its activities across Europe. After setting up companies in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Hungary, the time has come to establish a presence in France.

"France is a very important and interesting market for us," says Jesper Jarnhäll of Qvantum. "Both for our products aimed at single-family homes and for our solutions designed for collective use. France has a strong district heating culture, which facilitates the adoption of our low-temperature network technology."

The Business Sweden France team is located in central Paris and is made up of 15 employees.

They are looking for a BI&O Specialist (part-time position)

The BI&O (Business Incubation & Operations) service is a toolbox of administrative services that facilitate Swedish companies’ establishment in a new market.

As BI&O Specialist at Business Sweden your job will encompass a diverse range of tasks. The role includes both tactic and operational responsibilities.

To learn more about the role click here

Sweden’s Jessika Roswall had to wait for a decision from the EU Parliament. But now she has been approved, at a meeting between the leaders of the various party groups in the Parliament’s Environment Committee.

Roswall is grateful and happy about the news but also ready to get started with the work: “We have big issues to tackle, and I look forward to our joint work within environment, water resilience, and a competitive circular economy,” she writes in an email to TT.

So far, all proposed commissioners have been approved immediately – but not Roswall. In Roswall’s case, there was sharp criticism against what was considered to be overly vague and incomplete answers.

The EU Commission consists of one member from each member country. All have been nominated by their member countries, although it is the President Ursula von der Leyen who has decided what different assignments they will receive.

COMMISSIONER-CANDIDATES HEARINGS

From 4 to 12 November, the European Parliament held confirmation hearings for each Commissioner-designate composing the future college of Commissioners. This is part of the formal scrutiny process of the European Parliament, which is tasked with assessing the competence and political alignment of the incoming European Commission and is therefore entitled to reject one or several Commissioner-designate. These hearings involve rigorous questioning by MEPs, testing nominees on their vision, expertise, and alignment with the EU's strategic priorities. At stake are not only individual portfolios but the Commission's ability to deliver on President von der Leyen’s overarching priorities: balancing sustainability and competitiveness, advancing the green and digital transitions, and fostering simplification without deregulation to empower businesses while maintaining robust regulatory frameworks.

Political tensions escalated over the endorsements of Spain’s Teresa Ribera (S&D) and Italy’s Raffaele Fitto (ECR). After a week of negotiations, a breakthrough was reached today as the EPP announced its decision to endorse Teresa Ribera as Executive Vice-President-designate for the Clean, Just and Competitive Transition. This decision, which faced internal opposition from the EPP’s Spanish delegation, follows Ribera’s appearance before the Spanish Congress to address her role in managing the Valencia floods as Minister for Ecological Transition.

The EPP’s shift paves the way for committee-level endorsements of all EVPs-designate, including Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi (PfE). With this agreement, the European Parliament is expected to adhere to its original timeline, holding a plenary vote on the college of Commissioners as a whole on 27 November. This will allow the new Commission to take office as planned on 1 December, ensuring continuity in delivering on the EU’s strategic priorities based on the below initiatives:
 

Climate Target & Post-2030 Framework

The new European Commission will work on harmonizing taxation at the EU level to decarbonise the EU economy and on putting forward a 2040 climate target of 90% emissions reduction. The 2040 climate target will be followed by the presentation of a post-2030 legislative framework, to introduce the objectives and incentives necessary to the decarbonisation of the different industry sectors. In addition, the 2035 combustion engine ban for new cars is confirmed, but a targeted amendment allowing e-fuels will follow in 2026.

Clean Industrial Deal

The Clean Industrial Deal is a cornerstone of the Commission's agenda, designed to accelerate Europe’s green and industrial transitions while reinforcing strategic autonomy. By leveraging initiatives like the Net Zero Industry Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act, it focuses on decarbonisation, industrialisation, and resilience. The proposed EU Competitiveness Fund will mobilize public and private investments to drive innovation and unlock opportunities for sustainable growth. This vision underscores the Commission’s determination to ensure Europe remains a leader in clean technology, fostering competitiveness without overburdening industries..

Circular Economy Act

The Circular Economy Act reflects the Commission’s commitment to sustainability and competitiveness, emphasizing the importance of transitioning to a lifecycle approach for products and materials. The Act aims to create an effective single market for secondary raw materials and wastes, by harmonising waste management rules, establishing incentives for recycled materials, and reducing environmental impact. By embedding circularity into the Clean Industrial Deal, the Act ensures Europe’s industries become greener, more innovative, and better positioned for the future, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience.

Trade and Competition

The Commission’s vision for trade and competition is rooted in ensuring a level playing field for European businesses while advancing climate and sustainability goals. Simplified state aid frameworks, stronger Single Market integration, and targeted support for industries will enable businesses to grow and innovate. This approach, combined with a focus on fair competition, aims to empower European companies to compete globally, drive the transition to sustainability, and build a more resilient economy..

Sustainable Finance

The Commission recognizes the need to bridge an €800 billion annual investment gap to achieve Europe’s green and digital ambitions. By simplifying reporting requirements and fostering alignment between public and private funding, the agenda supports SMEs and encourages industrial innovation. The focus on competitiveness and resilience will strengthen Europe’s economic foundations, ensuring the EU can lead in sustainable finance while maintaining its global influence. This approach reaffirms the Commission’s commitment to building a thriving, future-oriented economy that balances growth with sustainability

Chemicals Industry and REACH Review

The Chemicals Industry Package, a pillar of the Clean Industrial Deal, underscores the Commission’s focus on creating safer, circular, and sustainable industries. It will support innovation and investment while strengthening policy coherence and simplifying legislation. A 2025 REACH review will modernize regulations, streamline processes, and prioritize group restrictions for hazardous substances to safeguard health and the environment. The EU’s leadership in phasing out harmful substances like PFAS, paired with support for industries transitioning to safer alternatives, demonstrates the Commission’s dedication to balancing economic growth with environmental protection.

Next steps

The plenary vote on the College of Commissioners is scheduled for 27 November with the new Commission expected to take office on 1 December.

Beginning on 11 November, the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) opened in Baku, Azerbaijan, amidst controversy surrounding the host nation’s human rights record and lack of environmental policies. Despite the contentious backdrop, COP29 has already achieved a significant milestone with the adoption of an international carbon market standard under the UN framework.

The agreement, finalized during the first week of the conference, establishes a centralized global carbon market governed by the United Nations, concluding a decade of negotiations under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This standard aims to improve transparency and prevent double-counting of carbon credits, laying the foundation for a robust, trustworthy global market. Experts estimate that this market could attract up to $250 billion annually by 2030, driving investments into emission-reduction projects worldwide and aiding the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Earlier in the week, key announcements on 2035 emission reduction targets were made by countries including the United Kingdom and Brazil. Brazil unveiled a comprehensive “Nationally Determined Contribution” (NDC), committing to economy-wide greenhouse gas reductions in alignment with the Paris Agreement. These mid-term targets are part of a broader push for greater ambition from all nations as they work to meet the 1.5°C global warming limit.

Next steps

The discussions are expected to intensify in the final days of the conference, which concludes on 22 November.

On 14 November, the European Parliament adopted amendments to the European Commission’s proposal to delay the application of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). While the Parliament endorsed the proposed extension of the transition period, it also introduced significant changes to the framework for evaluating deforestation risks, opening the path for inter-institutional negotiations with the Council.

The final vote passed with 371 votes in favour, 240 against, and 30 abstentions. The Parliament approved extending the application deadline by 12 months to 30 December 2025 for large companies and 30 June 2026 for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), aligning with the Commission’s proposal. However, the Parliament tabled amendments to revise the country benchmarking system, which categorizes producer countries based on their deforestation risk in supply chains.

Introduction of a “No Risk” Tier

One of the most notable changes introduced by the Parliament is the addition of a “no risk” category to the existing low-, standard-, and high-risk tiers. This new classification applies to countries whose forest areas have remained stable or increased since 1990. Operators sourcing from “no risk” countries would only need to provide basic documentation, including conclusive evidence and verifiable information that products are free of forest degradation and comply with national legislation.

EPP Amendments Withdrawn

Initially, the European People’s Party (EPP) proposed further amendments, including exempting traders from fulfilling the EUDR’s obligations and extending the transition period by an additional two years. These amendments, however, were withdrawn before the vote as part of a compromise with the Renew group.

Next steps

As the Council had previously adopted the Commission’s proposal without amendments, the Parliament’s changes necessitate inter-institutional negotiations. Trilogues will need to conclude swiftly, as the current application deadline of 30 December 2024 for large companies remains in effect if no agreement is reached. The Council has already stated that modifying the content of the Regulation constitutes a red line as it would create legal uncertainty for businesses.

On 8 November 2024, EU leaders gathered in Budapest for an informal European Council meeting, where they adopted the "Budapest Declaration on the New European Competitiveness Deal." This landmark declaration responds to long-standing calls for a renewed focus on EU competitiveness and builds on the findings of recent reports by Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi.

The declaration emphasizes the urgent need for the EU to enhance its global competitiveness and innovation capabilities amidst increasing geopolitical and economic pressures. Leaders highlighted existing gaps in productivity and innovation, particularly in comparison to the United States and China, as a critical area for action. To address these challenges, they outlined twelve targeted initiatives aimed at fostering a more dynamic and innovative EU economy.

The Budapest Declaration focuses on areas such as reducing regulatory burdens, advancing the green and digital transitions, investing in key technologies, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It also includes measures to strengthen Europe’s industrial base, improve access to finance, and enhance education and skills development to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global economy.

Next steps

The European Council has committed to reviewing progress on these initiatives over the next year. A formal assessment is expected at the March 2025 European Council meeting, where leaders will discuss further measures to ensure that the EU stays competitive on the global stage.

Lucia with the Swedish community

Lucia at the Swedish Church
In the middle of December, when it’s at its coldest and darkest, Lucia arrives with her procession of attendants, maidens, and star boys to bring light to the winter evening.
Lucia at the Swedish Church is a cherished tradition and a memorable experience for many. In addition to the atmospheric Lucia procession in the church, we invite you to mingle in our courtyard with mulled wine, sausages, and waffles. Don’t miss the small Christmas shop featuring Swedish candy and specialties.

To learn more click here


Lucia with the Swedish Student House

The Swedish Student House and the Swedish Church Choir invite you to the Saint Lucia celebration, one of Sweden's most beautiful traditions!

For over four centuries, Sweden has honored this Italian saint from Syracuse in a kind of “Festival of Light,” with Saint Lucia regarded as its queen. In Sweden, Saint Lucia’s Day is an opportunity to gather in public places, schools, businesses, hospitals, and more. Dressed in white gowns and accompanied by boys dressed as the Three Kings, the Lucias parade through the streets singing the traditional Sankta Lucia.

To learn more click here