Asiakirjat - Think Tank - Euroopan parlamentti

Tutkimus - Quality analysis of European Commission impact assessments - 03-02-2025

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 23:00:00 GMT

This study provides an analysis of the quality of European Commission ex-ante impact assessments (IAs) published between December 2019 and November 2024, following their appraisal by the Ex-Ante Impact Assessment Unit (IMPA) of the European �Ϸ��վary Research Service (EPRS). Drawing on a review of 143 initial appraisals of Commission IAs, the study analyses them according to quality criteria stemming from the Commission's Better Regulation Guidelines, European �Ϸ��վ resolutions and the �Ϸ��վ's Impact Assessment Handbook. During the term under review, the average quality of Commission IAs has developed positively, and in several respects. This reflects the Commission's significant efforts to apply the better regulation rules and tools. At the same time, the study reveals shortcomings in certain parts of IAs, the improvement of which will need a careful and systematic approach in future, in particular the assessment of impacts, the range of feasible options, and elements such as the inclusion of operational objectives and the quantification of benefits. As regards the uptake of the Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB) recommendations in the final IA, the intensified upstream scrutiny of the RSB appears to have benefited overall IA quality during this review term and should therefore be maintained. With this study, IMPA seeks to contribute to the joint effort to improve the quality of EU law-making. The aim is for the findings of the review to feed into the broader discussion on better regulation in the European Union, and impact assessment in particular.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2025 - EP

Briefing - Proposal amending the Solvency II Directive - 10-04-2024

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 22:00:00 GMT

Directive 2009/138/EC – also known as Solvency II – sets out the prudential regulatory framework for the insurance sector in the EU. The framework aims to establish the single market for insurance services further, while strengthening policyholders' protection. On 22 September 2021, the European Commission tabled a proposal for a directive that would amend Solvency II in essentially three ways: i) lowering regulatory obligations on small and low-risk profile insurance companies, ii) taking into account long-term and climate change risks, and iii) enhancing group-level and cross-border supervision. In the European �Ϸ��վ, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) was assigned the file on 22 November 2021, with Markus Ferber (EPP, Germany) as rapporteur. After Council and �Ϸ��վ reached a provisional agreement on the text in December 2023, the ECON committee approved it on 29 January 2024. �Ϸ��վ is set to vote on the adoption of the text at its April II plenary session, and the Council will put the text to the vote as well. Once adopted, the text will be signed by the co-legislators and published in the Official Journal. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2024 - EP

Tutkimus - Working with national parliaments on EU affairs: An overview (2009-2022) - 20-09-2023

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 22:00:00 GMT

National parliaments' active participation in EU affairs and enhanced scrutiny of their national governments are instrumental in ensuring the democratic accountability and legitimacy of the EU institutional system. However, despite the inclusion of national parliaments in the text of the Treaties, their ability to impact EU affairs remains generally limited. Nevertheless, national parliaments are willing to play a more active role in EU affairs by being more closely involved in the substance of EU policies and legislation, rather than on matters of subsidiarity alone. Discussions are intensifying on the need to give national parliaments the opportunity to intervene throughout the EU decision-making process, including on granting them the right to propose initiatives to the EU level.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2023 - EP

Tutkimus - Research for CULT Committee - European Media Freedom Act - Background Analysis. - 20-04-2023

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 22:00:00 GMT

This background analysis focusses on relevant issues to be taken into account in the discussions on the Proposal for a European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), especially from a media law perspective. Dealing with questions on the appropriate legal basis and coherence with the existing regulatory framework, as well as selected substantive issues and the proposed institutional structures, the analysis highlights possible shortcomings regarding practical impact and enforcement that should be addressed.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2023 - EP

Selvitys - The evolving key risks in the banking sector, and related priorities for the SRB - 29-11-2022

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 23:00:00 GMT

The Banking Union will likely face several risks in the near future, ranging from geopolitical risks to shadow banking risks and the phasing out of Covid-19 support. Such risks might also affect the Single Resolution Board and its priorities. This paper discusses the key short-term risks and analyses how the SRB can be impacted regarding resolution planning, the failing or likely to fail determination, public interest assessment and resolution action.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2022 - EP

Lyhyesti - Decentralisation reforms in the Western Balkans - 08-06-2022

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 22:00:00 GMT

Decentralisation, and implementation of the principle of subsidiarity, are at the heart of both EU accession negotiations with the Western Balkan countries and their accession-related reforms. As the region's six countries differ in population size, territory and history, their decentralisation models differ from each other as well. The European Commission and the European �Ϸ��վ are closely monitoring these countries' overall progress in multi-level governance and in the implementation of the EU acquis on an annual basis.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2022 - EP

Tutkimus - Study on the Harmonisation of EU Environmental Law - 15-02-2022

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 23:00:00 GMT

This study analyses the clarity and adaptability of EU environmental law and how these could be improved by means of regulatory options, by looking at four core EU environmental directives, in the field of water, air, nature and waste. Recommendations are made to improve the effectiveness of environmental law in European Union The research has been prepared at the request of the European �Ϸ��վ’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs as asked by the Committee on Petitions (PETI).

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2022 - EP

Tutkimus - Primacy's Twilight? On the Legal Consequences of the Ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court of 5 May 2020 for the Primacy of EU Law - 27-04-2021

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 22:00:00 GMT

The study analyses the repercussions of the judgment of the German Federal Constitutional Court of 5 May 2020. It puts the decision into context, makes a normative assessment, analyses possible consequences and makes some policy recommendations.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2021 - EP

Briefing - Updating the Crypto Assets Regulation and establishing a pilot regime for distributed ledger technology - 03-03-2021

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 23:00:00 GMT

The markets in crypto assets (MiCA) proposal intends to adapt to the latest technological trends in the FinTech sector. The briefing analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the impact assessment (IA) accompanying the MiCA and DLT proposals. The IA is quite technical and difficult to read for a non-expert. The policy options were compared against the criteria of effectiveness, efficiency and coherence, but not against proportionality, which is required by the better regulation guidelines. The preferred option is a mix of various options, and one of the preferred options is transferred into another, new legislative proposal, i.e., on the DLT. The IA foresees cost reduction for business due to the use of DLT, which saves costs compared to the traditional trading activities, with new entrants facing one-off costs similar to multilateral trading facilities (MTFs).

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2021 - EP

Briefing - Proportionality test for new national regulations for professions - 25-07-2018

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 22:00:00 GMT

In the EU, professions are regulated at either Union or Member State level. In the latter case, qualification requirements can differ widely between Member States, due to their respective historical development and experience. This can lead to a lack of clarity on the criteria used, and result in fragmentation of the single market. The proposed directive on a proportionality test before adoption of new regulation of professions, tabled by the European Commission, sought to harmonise the way in which proportionality tests are carried out before Member States introduce new regulation on professions. The new directive will supplement provisions of Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications, last amended by Directive 2013/55/EU. �Ϸ��վ proposed a specific status for healthcare services, and explicitly addressed gold-plating practices (unnecessary national requirements). A text was agreed between �Ϸ��վ and Council in trilogue in March, which was voted in the �Ϸ��վ plenary on 14 June 2018 and adopted by the Council on 21 June 2018. The final act was signed on 28 June 2018. Member States have until 30 July 2020 to bring into force the laws and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the directive. Third edition. The ‘EU Legislation in Progress’ briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2018 - EP

Selvitys - Subsidiarity: Mechanisms for monitoring compliance - 12-07-2018

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 09:27:54 GMT

The principle of subsidiarity requires decisions to be taken at the lowest practical level of government without, however, jeopardising mutually beneficial cooperation at the supranational level. Recent decades have seen efforts to strengthen the subsidiarity principle in EU law, including the introduction of the well-known early warning mechanism (EWM) for national parliaments. At the same time, the principle of subsidiarity remains a contested notion. This has important implications for the regulatory, political and judicial bodies monitoring compliance with the principle. In this context, commentators have called for a better (and shared) understanding of the principle and have formulated a number of suggestions as to how to monitor compliance with the principle more effectively.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2018 - EP

Lyhyesti - Proportionality test for new national regulations for professions - 06-06-2018

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 16:19:33 GMT

In the European Union, the right to choose an occupation and to exercise a regulated profession is a fundamental right. While professions are regulated either at Union or at Member State level, the EU principles of proportionality and non-discrimination should be respected. The �Ϸ��վ and the Council reached agreement in trilogue negotiations on the European Commission's proposal concerning a proportionality test before adoption of new measures for the regulation of professions. The agreement reached in March 2018 is scheduled to be voted by the �Ϸ��վ at first reading during the June plenary session.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2018 - EP

Briefing - The role of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) - 20-10-2017

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 23:00:00 GMT

This briefing gives an overview of the role of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) in setting international standards in banking regulation and supervision. It also raises the questions on how the preparatory work is organised in the European Union in order to enhance transparency and co-operation.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2017 - EP

Faktatietoja EU:sta - Euroopan parlamentti: suhteet kansallisiin parlamentteihin - 01-10-2017

Tue, 14 Nov 2017 15:32:26 GMT

Euroopan yhdentyminen on muuttanut kansallisten parlamenttien asemaa. Euroopan parlamentin ja kansallisten parlamenttien yhteistyötä varten on luotu erilaisia välineitä, joilla tehostetaan unionin lainsäädännön demokraattista valvontaa kaikilla tasoilla. Lissabonin sopimuksen määräykset ovat vahvistaneet tätä kehityssuuntaa.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2017 - EP

Briefing - Revision of the 'Eurovignette' directive - 26-09-2017

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 13:18:55 GMT

The IA contains a wealth of information, data and research, both internal and external, but some parts of the complex analysis lack clarity and coherence. The extensive quantitative estimations are not always comparable in structure and thus difficult to relate to each other. The potential contribution of the options to the reduction of CO2 emissions and to the REFIT exercise remains vague, as well as their impact on SMEs. The IA concludes that higher revenues, better road quality and considerable environmental and social benefits would compensate for the regulatory and compliance costs of the initiatives. At the same time, it acknowledges that under all options the impacts of the proposals are uncertain because the introduction of tolls remains voluntary and subject to national policy orientations.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2017 - EP

Briefing - Proportionality test before adoption of new regulation of professions - 12-05-2017

Fri, 12 May 2017 08:46:30 GMT

In general, the IA appears to set out logical reasoning linking the problem, its underlying drivers, the objectives and the policy options to tackle the problem. It seems to be based on sound research and analysis, while nevertheless recognising that there are still data gaps to be filled. With regard to the analysis of impacts, a more targeted analysis of the likely impacts on SMEs might have been desirable. Also, the IA does not seem to identify operational objectives for its preferred policy option and corresponding monitoring indicators. More generally, a proof-reading of the final text, and different choices as to its organisation and presentation, would almost certainly have considerably improved the IA's clarity and readability and its effectiveness in supporting the policy choices made in the proposal.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2017 - EP

Briefing - The European services e-card - 05-05-2017

Fri, 05 May 2017 14:54:15 GMT

The overall impression is that the IA provides a thorough analysis of the current problems encountered. The IA indicates the likely costs and benefits of the proposed options, which are grouped into four packages. The Commission makes clear that, where possible, quantitative estimations were provided of the impacts of reducing administrative burden and/or regulatory obstacles, but underscores that there are nevertheless many other factors which influence the levels of cross-border trade and investment in services. While stakeholder consultation was broad, stakeholder support for most options is not readily apparent from the IA.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2017 - EP

Selvitys - Banks' Internal Rating Models - Time for a Change? The "System of Floors" as Proposed by the Basel Committee - 03-11-2016

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 23:00:00 GMT

In this note, we discuss the proposal for a reform of internal rating models outlined by the Basel Committee. We first present internal rating models (which currently generate roughly 50% of supervisory capital in the European Union) and the reasons why they have been increasingly criticised. We then review the key proposals circulated by the Basel Committee: the removal of internal models for “low-default portfolios” (where defaults are too infrequent to allow adequate calibration); additional constraints on internal models’ estimates (“input floors”); an “output floor” tying the capital requirements generated by internal ratings to those that would emerge from the standardised approach. We than explain why, in our opinion, floors represent a technically flawed answer, and suggest a number of supervisory actions that may be pursued, instead, to restore internal models’ credibility, without causing an excessive burden for banking authorities. Such actions, which have already been explored by the EU in the last few years, should be embraced wholeheartedly by supervisors, to ensure that increased transparency on implementation and validation practices may restore market confidence in internal models.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2016 - EP

Selvitys - Banks' Internal Rating Models - Time for a Change? The "System of Floors" as Proposed by the Basel Committee - 03-11-2016

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 23:00:00 GMT

This briefing paper reviews evidence showing that the adoption of an International Ratings Based (IRB) approach to estimating risk weights by banks has been associated with reductions in average reported risk weights. Several economic studies find that the lower reported risk weights using the IRB methodology to some extent reflect downward risk manipulation by banks. In a system of floors, the purpose of an aggregate output floor should be to prevent wholesale bank-level downward risk weight manipulation, giving rise to effective bank undercapitalization and a heightened probability of bank failure. Input floors can play a useful role alongside an aggregate output floor, if they are targeted to address the problem of potential mismeasurement of risk.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2016 - EP

Selvitys - Banks' Internal Rating Models - Time for a Change? The System of Floors as Proposed by the Basel Committee - 03-11-2016

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 23:00:00 GMT

We provide an assessment of the BCBS proposal on restricting the IRB approach and introducing RWA floors. If well enforced, risk-sensitive capital regulation results in a more efficient credit allocation compared to the SA. Thus, IRB should be maintained. Further, the use of IRB output floors potentially results in unintended negative side effects. Input floors are likely a valuable tool to achieve RWA comparability. Finally, the proposed measures have a potential detrimental impact for European banks as compared to others.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2016 - EP

Briefing - Publishing corporate tax information Country-by-country reporting for multinational enterprise groups - 16-08-2016

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 14:27:00 GMT

The Commission's Better Regulation Guidelines recall that an impact assessment 'should be comprehensive, proportionate, evidence-based, open to stakeholder's view, unbiased, prepared collectively with relevant Commission services, embedded in the policy cycle, transparent and of a high quality' (Guidelines, p. 20). After an initial appraisal, it can be concluded that this IA seems to fit to a large extent this description and could be considered in many respects as an example of good practice, compared to other Commission IAs in the financial field. The Better Regulation Guidelines have been to a large extent respected. The IA seems to have considered the recommendations made in relevant �Ϸ��վ resolutions, such as the one of 16 December 2015 on 'bringing transparency, coordination and convergence to corporate tax policies in the Union', although, in some cases, the Commission has drawn different conclusions. One of the weaknesses is that the IA does not appear to present the likely impacts of some changes introduced in the proposal and acknowledged in the Explanatory Memorandum, such as the EU list of tax havens. Overall, this IA appears to contribute effectively to informing the decision-making process.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2016 - EP

Briefing - The Balance of Competences Review in the United Kingdom, 2012-2014 - 12-01-2016

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 16:39:00 GMT

Against a backdrop of continuing and often intense political debate in the United Kingdom about its relationship with the rest of the European Union (EU), the Coalition Agreement of May 2010, underpinning the 2010-2015 Conservative–Liberal Democrat government, stated that the new administration would ‘examine the balance of the EU’s existing competences’, in the context of an overall government commitment to ‘ensure that there is no further transfer of sovereignty or powers’ to the EU during that five-year parliamentary term. This process was taken forward in a formal ‘Review of the Balance of Competences between the UK and the EU’, which was launched in July 2012 and concluded in December 2014. The UK government’s official communication to the House of Commons and House of Lords to launch the Balance of Competences Review (Command Paper 8415) used a broad definition of EU competence, covering ‘everything deriving from EU law that affects what happens in the UK’. The review was to seek to examine all the areas where the Treaties gave the EU competence to act (see box below), and to audit what the EU did and how this affected the UK. The whole process would be ‘comprehensive, well-informed and analytical’, gathering evidence to help inform public debate. Whilst the review would be government-led, it would also involve outside experts, organisations and individuals who wished to feed in their views on the issues covered.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2016 - EP

Selvitys - Best practices in legislative and regulatory processes in a constitutional perspective: the case of the European Union - 31-08-2015

Sun, 20 Dec 2015 23:00:00 GMT

This briefing note discusses the key features of the EU better lawmaking agenda, also in light of the new EU better regulation package, and highlights areas in which the EU can be considered a best practice, as well as existing gaps and concerns. Gaps include problems of accountability and transparency, uncertainty in methodology and lack the coherence between better regulation and long-term policy goals. Concerns relate to the newly adopted package and refer to the sustainability of the workload, the lack of a real attribution of responsibility for the update of EU impact assessments during the ordinary legislative procedure and uncertainty on the treatment of self- and co-regulation within the Inter-institutional Agreement on Better Regulation.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2015 - EP

Lyhyesti - The ECB's Outright Monetary Transaction Programme compatibility with the EU Law (Judgment in case Gauweiller C-62/14) - 15-06-2015

Mon, 29 Jun 2015 22:00:00 GMT

The note provides a summary of the main points of the ECJ Judgment in the case Gauweiller C-62/14. It concerns the referral by the German Constitutional Court for the preliminary ruling about the compatibility of the ECB's Outright Monetary Transaction Programe announced in 2012 with the EU law.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2015 - EP

Briefing - The proposed EU passenger name records (PNR) directive: Revived in the new security context - 30-04-2015

Thu, 30 Apr 2015 12:34:00 GMT

After the Paris attacks of January 2015, the fight against terrorism and the phenomenon of foreign fighters is now higher than ever on the EU agenda, with a series of new measures being discussed, and existing ones refocused. In this context, the EU Passenger Name Record (PNR) proposal is once again in the spotlight. The current proposal dates back to 2011, but was rejected by the European �Ϸ��վ's LIBE Committee in April 2013. However, given the new security context, and following numerous calls from EU Member States, the European �Ϸ��վ committed to work towards the finalisation of an EU PNR directive by the end of 2015. Nevertheless, not everybody is convinced by the efficacy of the proposed measure, and many stakeholders question its necessity and proportionality, whilst highlighting the different fundamental-rights risks inherent in any PNR scheme. It is also argued that legislators should take into account the impact of the recent annulment of the Data Retention Directive by the Court of Justice of the EU. Privacy and civil liberties activists warn against the measure's intrusive nature, and see it as another step on the road to a surveillance society. On the other hand, air carriers advocate swift adoption of an EU PNR directive, providing harmonised legislation at EU level, rather than a set of diverging national rules. Indeed, more and more Member States are developing PNR data-collection systems, and the European Commission has made EU funding available for this purpose.

Lähde : © Euroopan unioni, 2015 - EP