Introductory text

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Social Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006^f1, and in particular Article 14(1) thereof,

Whereas:

With a view to simplifying the use of the European Social Fund ‘ESF’ and reducing the administrative burden for beneficiaries, it is appropriate to increase the scope of standard scales of unit costs and lump sums available for reimbursement to Member States. The standard scales of unit costs and lump sums for reimbursement to Member States should be established on the basis of data submitted by Member States or published by Eurostat and on the basis of methods commonly agreed, including the methods set out in Article 67(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council^f2 and Article 14(2) and (3) of Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013.

Taking into account the significant disparities between Member States regarding the level of costs for a particular type of operation, the definition and amounts of standard scales of unit costs and lump sums may differ according to the type of operation and the Member State concerned in order to reflect their specificities.

Croatia, Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdon have submitted methods for defining standard scales of unit costs for reimbursement of expenditure by the Commission.

France, the Czech Republic, Malta, Slovakia and Cyprus have submitted methods for either amending existing standard scales of unit costs, or defining additional standard scales of unit costs for reimbursement by the Commission concerning types of operation not yet covered by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2195^f3.

For the SSUCs relating to operations supporting education and applicable to all Member States except Greece and Denmark, the categories of costs coverd by the SSUCs, and the amounts to be paid where the course does not last one full academic year or in case of part-time participation, should be clarified.

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2195 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: