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Search HORIZONTAL ISSUES
- The Lisbon Strategy
EU Heads of State and Government agreed on the objective of making the EU the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010 at the EU Spring Summit in Lisbon (March 2000). They meet annually in March to review the progress on this objective and to decide upon future strategies. - Better Regulation
The ongoing debate as to how EU institutions can make laws that achieve their aims effectively and efficiently. - European Social Model(s) and Globalisation
The European Social Model(s) is currently being discussed in the context of how to make the EU globally competitive. Differences in opinion exist on whether such a social model actually exists and how it can be linked with discussions on globalisation, if, at all, it should.
SMALL BUSINESS ACT
Ongoing
- European Small Business Act
The European Commission is seeking the views of SMEs and their representatives to help design a "Small Business Act" for Europe with a view to making a wide range of proposals to support SMEs by the end of 2008. - European Private Company Statute
A potential new European legal form of company, aimed at facilitating the cross-border activities of SMEs in the EU. - Reduced rates of VAT on certain labour-intensive services
Experiment to test the impact of a reduction of VAT on certain labour-intensive services. - VAT invoicing
A proposal aimed at further modernising, simplifying, and harmonising the existing rules on VAT invoicing in order to alleviate the burden on businesses. - Late Payment Directive
Amendment to the Late Payments Directive with a view to ensuring that SMEs are paid on time for any commercial transactions
INTERNAL MARKET
Ongoing
- Single Market Review
A strategy to improve the EU internal market and to create a true single market - Internal market for goods
A package of proposals to improve the functioning of the internal market for goods, including improvements to the "new approach" (framework governing products already covered by EU level technical rules) and the mutual recognition principle (covering all other products) - Public procurement
Following the adoption of two directives in 2004 to open up the internal market in public procurement, member states are now in the implementation phase. - Community Patent
A long running debate over how best to provide the opportunity for new developments to be protected by a single patent covering the whole of the EU. - Sales Promotions in the Internal Market
The proposed regulation aims to harmonise sales promotion rules across the EU. It covers the use of sales promotion tools such as free gifts and promotional contests.
Completed
- Directive on Services in the Internal Market
- Directive on Patentibility of Computer-implemented inventions
- European Order for Payment Procedure
- Payments Services Directive
- Small Claims Procedure
EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Ongoing
- Proposal for Self-Employed Equality
Proposal for a directive on the application of the principle of equal treatment between men and women engaged in an activity in a self-employed capacity - Proposal for Pregnant Workers
Proposal for a directive on the introduction to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth and are breastfeeding - Modernisation of Labour Law and flexicurity
The European Commission, in its 2006 Work Programme, announced publication of a Green Paper on the Evolution of Labour Law, to consult stakeholders on various labour law issues. - Working Time Directive Review
The Working Time Directive is a piece of European Health and Safety legislation that was passed in 1993 and came into effect in UK law in 1998. The directive sets minimum requirements for annual leave and rest periods and also a maximum working week of, on average, 48 hours a week. This average is calculated over a 17-week period (reference period). - Temporary Agency Workers
A proposal to grant temporary agency workers the same basic working conditions, including pay, as comparable permanent workers in the same company. - Corporate Social Responsibility
The broad definition of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) highlights the voluntary role of business in contributing to a better society and a cleaner environment beyond its financial and capital commitments.
Completed
ENERGY
Ongoing
- First Strategic Energy Review (Overview)
A Commission Green Paper entitled that identifies six areas where Europe could work together on energy. - Emissions Trade Scheme
The scheme supports Member States achieve their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective way through buying or selling capped emission allowances. - Renewable Energy Resources
This regulation sets mandatory targets for the overall 20% share of renewable energy sources in energy consumption in three sectors: electricity, transport and heating and cooling, and a 10% binding minimum for biofuels in transport. - Carbon Capture and Storage
This Directive establishes a legal framework for the geological storage of carbon dioxide. - Second Strategic Energy Review (Overview)
A bi-annually produced document that identifes the main challenges and the main priorities for the newly born European Energy Policy. - Energy Efficiency Package
Improvements in energy efficiency will help to deal with an increasing energy demand in the EU and to make energy supplies sustainable. - Revised Buildings Directive
To narrow down the gap between the realizable potential of the buildings sector and its real utilisation. - Revised Energy Labelling Directive
Seen that the market of household appliances are highly visible to the consumer, the intention is to increase consumer’s awareness on the real energy use of household appliances through a liable and clear labelling in their sales points. - Climate change, emissions and economic instruments
Wide-ranging debate on how to deal with climate change, including reduction of CO2 emissions and use of economic/market-based instruments (tax, emissions trading, subsidies) - Creation of an internal market in gas and electricity
Liberalisation of energy and gas markets, towards more competitive energy market. This should in turn lead to greater efficiency and a more secure supply for Europe.
ENTERPRISE
Ongoing
- Modern SME Policy for growth and employment
Commission communication outlining an EU policy for SMEs, streamlining current policies and integrating the 'think small first' principle. - Competitiveness and Innovation Programme & Multiannual Programme for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
The Multi-annual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship (MAP) 2001 - 2006 aimed to assist SMEs through financial instruments and provide support through Euro Info Centres, towards enhancing the growth and competitiveness of business in a knowledge-based internationalised economy. It was replaced in 2007 with the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP), which is much broader in scope and also integrates parts of the framework programme on research. - Business life cycle
Round-up of issues relating to setting up and running a business; including start-up, access to finance, business transfer and business failure.
Completed
- European Charter for Small Enterprises
- Time to move up a gear - Creating a Europe of entrepreneurship and growth(European Parliament own-initiative report)
- Entrepreneurship Green Paper and Action Plan
ENVIRONMENT
Ongoing
- Environment (Overview)
This section includes legislation which is closely linked to environmental-related issues, rather than energy-related ones. The biggest piece of legislation expected in this area is the White Paper on Adaptation to Climate Change that will propose concrete policies for climate change adaptation is sectors such as services, transport, agriculture etc. - Adaptation to Climate Change White Paper
Legislation proposing concrete policies for climate change adaptation - Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE)
- Sustainable Production, Consumption & Industry (Overview)
The proposal tries to improve the energy and environmental performance of products and foster their uptake by consumers. The initiative sets ambitious standards throughout the Internal Market, ensures that products are improved using a systematic approach to incentives and procurement, and reinforces information to consumers through a more coherent and simplified labelling framework. - Eco-design Regulation Extension
Proposal for a Directive to extend the scope of the framework Ecodesign Directive to cover other energy related products than energy-using products. - Eco-label Scheme Revision (EMAS)
Laying down rules for the establishment and application of the Community Ecolabel scheme.
Review of existing legislation laying down obligations on producers of WEEE and public authorities for collection and recycling - Revised Energy Efficiency Labelling Directive
The directive looks to increase the consumer’s awareness on the real energy use of household appliances through a liable and clear labelling in their sales points. - Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for classification and labelling of substances
Proposal for a regulation aligning the EU system for classification and labelling of substances with the UN system
Completed
CONSUMER AFFAIRS
Completed
JUSTICE & HOME AFFAIRS
Ongoing
- Rome I
Rome (I) Convention harmonised the rules for deciding which jurisdiction should apply in cases concerning contractual obligations. - Environmental Crime
Proposal for a directive to improve environmental protection by making certain environmental offences sanctionable through criminal law - Sanctions against employers of illegal immigrants
A proposal for a directive aimed at reducing illegal immigration through sanctions on employers of illegal immigrants - Proposals for legal migration
A proposal for a Council Directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of highly qualified employment and a proposal for a Council Directive on a single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State
ECONOMIC & FINANCE
Completed
TRANSPORT
Ongoing
- Enhancing Supply Chain Security
A proposal for a Regulation to enhance security in the supply chain against terrorist threats and work on standards for supply chain security.
