Documents - Think Tank - European �Ϸ��վ

Briefing - Securing Europe's supply of critical raw materials: The material nature of the EU's strategic goals - 09-03-2023

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 23:00:00 GMT

Over the past centuries, humanity has used an increasing share of the known elements to foster technological innovation, in particular metals. Today, a wide range of key technologies across all industries, from chips to batteries, medical imaging to tanks, rely on the unique physical properties of some specific critical raw materials (CRMs). Demand for CRMs is projected to skyrocket in the coming years. However, as the transition to 'net-zero' and the digital age is particularly materials-intensive, it remains uncertain whether supply will keep up with the expected needs. Moreover, recent pledges for higher defence spending will also require more CRMs. The EU's ambition to become a climate-neutral economy by 2050, and its ability to sustain the green and digital transitions and achieve strategic autonomy, all rely heavily on reliable, secure and resilient access to CRMs. CRM supply chains are global, complex, and fragile, which makes them vulnerable to a wide range of risks, including those linked to geopolitical tensions. The supply of CRMs is often more concentrated than that of fossil fuels. Furthermore, the EU's reliance on imports of CRMs is extremely high, sometimes reaching 100 % (e.g. for rare earth elements – REEs). The EU's strategic dependency in the supply of REEs is a notable example of the challenges linked to the EU's over-dependence on supply chains dominated by third countries. Over the past few years, to avoid replacing its dependency over fossil fuels by another, on CRMs, the EU has reviewed all relevant policies to foster its security of supply, mixing industrial, research and trade policies with international partnerships. It is expected to go further with the announced proposal for a CRM act. Possible measures that could help the EU tackle these challenges include diversifying CRM primary sourcing; promoting a fully circular approach to CRM use; and implementing contingency planning, mitigating and emergency measures, including stockpiling. �Ϸ��վ has promoted an integrated approach throughout the CRM value chain under a European strategy for CRMs, to increase the EU's supply. It has recently emphasised that a new European Sovereignty Fund should increase European investment in the raw materials sector.

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

Study - Global value chains: Potential synergies between external trade policy and internal economic initiatives to address the strategic dependencies of the EU - 01-03-2023

Sun, 26 Mar 2023 22:00:00 GMT

Global value chains enable two-thirds of international trade, notably for the EU. The EU wants to preserve its commercial links with third countries and organisations to make up for trade disruptions. This study examines sustainable supply of raw materials, commodities, and critical goods using the EU's Open Strategic Autonomy concept. It examines which raw material are crucial for sustainable supply and necessary for the green transition. The paper examines EU internal legislation and international cooperation instruments to determine the EU's disruption risk. It evaluates the economic impact of EU preferential trade agreements on raw material availability. The study illustrates the political and economic relevance of raw material partnerships and plurilateral and bilateral trade agreements. It analyses the EU's toolbox for safeguarding its interests and making independent trade choices to counteract other actors' unfair practices and intervention. Finally, the paper examines regulatory frameworks, international alliances, and activities to find ways to strengthen global value chains in critical EU industries.

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

Briefing - Contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services - 15-07-2019

Sun, 14 Jul 2019 22:00:00 GMT

The directive on contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services, proposed by the European Commission in 2015, harmonises some private-law aspects of such contracts at EU level for the first time. The directive will not fully harmonise the duration of legal guarantees for digital content and services, but national laws will not be allowed limit it to less than two years. For the first year from delivery, the burden of proof will be on the supplier. Traders will be required to provide necessary updates. The directive will also establish what remedies consumers are entitled to and the order in which they can be used. Although the European �Ϸ��վ proposed that the directive should cover embedded digital content as well, following negotiations with the Council, the co-legislators agreed that such content will be regulated by the new directive on sale of goods. The directive on contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services was formally signed into law in May 2019 and Member States have to apply its measures from 1 January 2022. Sixth edition of a briefing originally drafted by Rafał Mańko. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. To view previous editions of this briefing, please see: PE 635.601 (March 2019).

Source : © European Union, 2019 - EP

Briefing - Unfair trading practices in the food supply chain - 06-05-2019

Sun, 05 May 2019 22:00:00 GMT

The food supply chain ensures that food and drink products are delivered to the public. It affects all consumers in the EU. The final price paid by the consumer is impacted by the number of participants in the food supply chain. While the single market has brought benefits to operators in the supply chain through more market opportunities and a larger customer base, it has also brought challenges. Structural changes have occurred, leading to different levels of bargaining power and imbalances between actors in the chain. The abuse of such differences may lead to unfair trading practices. To strengthen the position of smaller operators (farmers) in the food supply chain, in April 2018 the European Commission proposed a new directive on unfair trading practices. Trilogue discussions began in October 2018 after a successful vote in plenary. The final agreed text was adopted by both �Ϸ��վ and Council at first reading, and signed on 17 April. Member States must now incorporate its provisions into national law, and apply them by 1 November 2021.

Source : © European Union, 2019 - EP

Briefing - Contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services - 21-03-2019

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 23:00:00 GMT

On 29 January 2019, the European �Ϸ��վ and the Council reached a provisional agreement on the European Commission's proposal for a directive regulating the private-law aspects of contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services in the internal market. The directive would, for the first time, harmonise some aspects of such contracts at EU level. The co-legislators agreed that embedded digital content would not be regulated by this directive, but rather by that on sale of goods. They also agreed that the duration of legal guarantees for digital content and services would not be fully harmonised but that national laws should not limit it to less than two years; that for the first year from delivery the burden of proof should be on the supplier; and that traders would be required to provide updates. The directive would also establish what remedies consumers are entitled to and the order in which they can be used. �Ϸ��վ is expected to vote on the provisional agreement during the March II plenary session. Fifth edition of a briefing originally drafted by Rafał Mańko. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. To view previous editions of this briefing, please see: PE 614.707 (February 2018). A more recent edition of this document is available. Find it by searching by the document title at this address: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/home.html

Source : © European Union, 2019 - EP

At a Glance - Unfair trading practices in the food supply chain - 06-03-2019

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 18:24:41 GMT

To strengthen the position of smaller operators (farmers) in the food supply chain, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a directive on unfair trading practices. The �Ϸ��վ and Council reached a negotiated agreement on the proposal, which is scheduled to be voted by �Ϸ��վ at first reading during the March I plenary session.

Source : © European Union, 2019 - EP

In-Depth Analysis - Monetary policy with transitory vs. permanently low growth - 29-11-2018

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 23:00:00 GMT

The recent economic slowdown in the euro area depends on supply-side and demand-side factors with different conse-quences on potential output. On the one hand, it may grow at a low pace for a long time; on the other hand, it may soon grow a bit faster. The ECB strategy has to adapt to these different possible outcomes. Anyway, we argue that the ECB has rooms for manoeuvre whatever the trend in output. This document was provided by Policy Department A at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Briefing - Unfair trading practices in the food supply chain - 05-07-2018

Wed, 04 Jul 2018 22:00:00 GMT

The Commission proposal aims to strengthen the resilience of weaker operators in the food supply chain and improve its functioning. The supporting impact assessment appears to be substantially constrained by the limited evidence base. The data on the scale of the problem seems limited and precise quantifications of costs and benefits of the option packages was not feasible. The stakeholder consultation activities, on the other hand, have largely followed the requirements of the Better Regulation Guidelines.

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

At a Glance - The sugar sector in the EU - 18-04-2018

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 15:21:32 GMT

The EU's sugar sector provides a source of income for many farmers and sugar manufacturers. The EU is the world's top producer of sugar beet and one of the main sugar manufacturers' and consumers' markets. The EU sugar market had been one of the most heavily regulated markets in the agri-food sector for 50 years, until the quota regime ended on 30 September 2017, thereby introducing a new scenario for this segment of the economy.

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Briefing - Contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services - 19-02-2018

Sun, 18 Feb 2018 23:00:00 GMT

On 21 November 2017, the European �Ϸ��վ's Internal Market and Consumer Committee (IMCO) and Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) adopted their joint report on the European Commission's proposal for a directive regulating the private-law aspects of contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services in the internal market. The Council of the EU agreed on a general approach in June 2017. Trilogue meetings began on 5 December 2017 and are still on-going. The main changes proposed by the joint report of the two �Ϸ��վ committees are concerned with the duration of legal guarantees for digital content and services, liability for hidden defects and the short-term right to reject defective digital content. An issue which is still being discussed is the relationship between the directive and EU public law rules on the protection of personal data. Fourth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. To view previous editions of this briefing, please see: PE 608.748 (October 2017).

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

In-Depth Analysis - Towards new rules on sales and digital content: Analysis of the key issues - 22-03-2017

Wed, 22 Mar 2017 13:32:46 GMT

In 2015, the Commission presented two proposals for directives: on the online sale of goods to consumers, and on the supply of digital content to consumers. The two proposals need to be analysed in the context of the existing Consumer Sales Directive from 1999, which is currently under revision as part of the REFIT exercise. If the two proposals enter into force, consumer sales transactions will be regulated by three instruments: with regard to tangible goods sold face to face – by the Consumer Sales Directive, with regard to tangible goods sold at a distance – the Online Sales Directive, and with regard to the sale of digital content – the Digital Content Directive. Not surprisingly, the three texts have much in common as regards their structure and subject matter. They all deal with such issues as conformity (lack of defects), the consumer's remedies in cases of defects, the time limit for bringing such remedies and the burden of proof. They also have two other systemic issues in common: the choice between minimum and maximum harmonisation, on the one hand, and between mandatory and default rules, on the other. The existing Consumer Rights Directive is a minimum harmonisation instrument, and allows Member States to grant consumers a higher level of protection, especially when it comes to the period of seller's liability or the freedom of choice of remedies to be pursued in the event of defects. Similarly, the absence of any EU legislation specifically addressing contracts regarding the sale or rental of digital content or the provision of digital services means that Member States have been free to protect consumers to the extent they see fit. Since the two proposals are framed as maximum harmonisation instruments, the question of the exact extent of consumer rights and the way they should be exercised is crucial.

Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP

Study - Links between Pharmaceutical R&D Models and Access to Affordable Medicines - 14-10-2016

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 22:00:00 GMT

Each patient in the European Union has a right of access to care. National governments face the challenge to balance resources against healthcare demand to ensure that populations enjoy equitable access to effective, affordable and sustainable healthcare. This study describes the main challenges with regard to access to affordable medicines, including Research & Development, pricing and reimbursement of medicines and the influence of the economic crisis. Potential policy options to tackle these challenges are presented, drawing on best practices and a review of specific measures implemented in different European countries. This document was provided by Policy Department A for the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

In-Depth Analysis - Contracts for supply of digital content: A legal analysis of the Commission's proposal for a new directive - 23-05-2016

Sun, 22 May 2016 22:00:00 GMT

The proposed directive on supply of digital content contains rules on the contractual aspects of the relationship between suppliers and consumers of digital content. The scope ratione materiae of the directive includes not only the supply of digital content to consumers in the strict sense, i.e. the supply of software, digital music, e-books, films and images, but also digital services, in particular rental of on-line computer programs, cloud computing and social media platforms. However, sale of digital content embedded in tangible goods is excluded from its scope. The scope ratione personae extends only to consumer contracts. The directive extends only to contracts concluded for consideration, which can also take the form of digital data, including personal data, provided by the consumer. Regarding criteria for evaluating the conformity of the digital content, the directive ostensibly gives precedence to the contract, before any objective measure of conformity. Subsidiary criteria for evaluating conformity include objective fitness for purpose, international technical standards, as well as public statements. The proposal takes over from the existing acquis the idea of a hierarchy of remedies, meaning that in the case of non-conformity, consumers are barred from terminating or claiming a price reduction, but must first ask the trader to bring the digital content to conformity. However, in case of non-supply, consumers have the right to terminate immediately. They also enjoy the right to terminate regardless of conformity, in cases where the trader modifies the digital content, as well as in long-term contracts. The proposal contains detailed rules on the consequences of termination, in particular with regard to the further use of the consumer's personal data by the trader, and the further use of digital content by the consumer.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Briefing - Contracts for the supply of digital content and for the online and other distance sales of goods: Initial Appraisal of a European Commission Impact Assessment - 17-02-2016

Wed, 17 Feb 2016 14:23:00 GMT

This note seeks to provide an initial analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the European Commission's Impact Assessment (IA) accompanying the above two Commission proposals (the proposals), submitted on 9 December 2015 and referred to �Ϸ��վ’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection. In 2011 the Commission published a proposal for a Regulation of the European �Ϸ��վ and of the Council on a Common European Sales Law (CESL). �Ϸ��վ adopted its first reading legislative resolution on the proposal in February 2014, proposing substantial amendments. It did not receive Council's backing, however. In its Work Programme for 2015, the Commission stated that it would be modifying the CESL proposal and the two proposals under examination are the result of that process. The 2015 Work Programme had announced that the Commission was preparing a strategy to identify and tackle the major challenges towards a digital single market, undertaking, amongst other things, to simplify the rules for consumers making online and digital purchases and to facilitate e-commerce. Please click here for the full publication in PDF format

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Briefing - Unfair Trading Practices in the Business-to-Business Food Supply Chain - 14-08-2015

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 22:00:00 GMT

Unfair trade practices imposed by the stronger party to a contract can have a profound impact on the functioning of the market, increasing costs and reducing revenues of the parties that experience them. This background paper reviews unfair trade practices that can appear on any side of the B2B (Business-to-Business ) transaction, in any sector of the market. Recently unfair trading practices have been of particular interest to the EU in relation to food supply chains. Briefing concludes that any consideration concerning possible future action in the area of unfair trading practices must consider a number of issues such as: whether or not legislative action is needed, and if so, what scope and form should it take. However, the key element of any action is to ensure its subsequent effective enforcement.

Source : © European Union, 2015 - EP

Briefing - Deployment of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure: Initial Appraisal of the Commission's Impact Assessment - 14-06-2013

Tue, 16 Jul 2013 16:28:31 GMT

This note seeks to provide an initial analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the European Commission's Impact Assessment accompanying the proposal for a Directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure. According to the Commission, the development of the market for alternative fuels has been held back by three major and interdependent factors: technological immaturity; lack of consumer acceptance; and missing fuel infrastructure. The current proposal focuses on 'deployment of appropriate infrastructure for alternative fuels, assessing whether supporting action is needed and what the merits of different options are'.

Source : © European Union, 2013 - EP

Study - Technological Synergies between the Automotive and the Aeronautics Sector and their Supply Chains - 10-03-2009

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:53:31 GMT

The aeronautics and the automotive sector play a crucial role in maintaining Europe’s industrial and technological base and its strong hold on the international market. These sectors also face similar challenges. Those challenges relate to rapid technological change, globalization and fighting climate change. The present study aims to identify the most promising technological synergies based on the available literature and explore the benefits of fostering those synergies and the R&D cooperation between the automotive and aeronautics sector.

Source : © European Union, 2009 - EP

In-Depth Analysis - The role of controls in European customs and export and import procedures - considerations for customs governance - 11-04-2008

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:42:51 GMT

Documents - Think Tank - European �Ϸ�������վ