Dokumentai - Think Tank - Europos Parlamentas

Briefing - A common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the European Union - 17-03-2025

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 23:00:00 GMT

According to Directive 2008/115/EC, third-country nationals staying illegally on the territory of a European Union (EU) Member State should, as a general rule, be issued a return decision obliging them to leave the EU. However, available data suggest that, among those who receive such a decision, only about a quarter actually leave the EU. The limited effectiveness of the return policy is due to several challenges that the EU and Member States face when carrying out return procedures, including difficulties related to implementation at national level. To increase the effectiveness of the EU return policy, the European Commission announced in its 2025 work programme that it would develop a new common approach to returns, including a new legislative proposal on the subject.

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Tyrimas - Commission proposal for a revised Facilitation Directive: Targeted substitute impact assessment - 05-03-2025

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 23:00:00 GMT

This study constitutes a targeted substitute impact assessment of the Commission’s proposal for a revised Facilitation Directive (COM(2023) 755), presented on 28 November 2023 as part of a package to address migrant smuggling. It provides a critical review of the existing legal and policy framework at EU level and its shortcomings regarding transposition and implementation. It also undertakes a critical and thorough appraisal of the proposed objectives and measures in terms of coherence, effectiveness and efficiency, including with a view to assessing the adequacy of the interplay between this proposal and the related draft Regulation on enhancing police cooperation (COM(2023) 754). It highlights the misalignment of the proposal with relevant international and key EU law standards. It raises concerns about definitional issues, the lack of sufficient human rights safeguards, and the absence of a clear distinction between facilitation offences and the legitimate provision of services and humanitarian assistance. The study also examines the legality and proportionality of the proposed measures and stresses the need for a thorough evaluation of wider impacts on civic space and democracy at large.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2025 - EP

Glaustai - Maternity and paternity leave in the EU - 03-03-2025

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 10:16:28 GMT

This infographic aims to present the current maternity and paternity leave situation in EU Member States. Most EU countries also grant an additional period of parental leave, but parental leave is not covered in this infographic.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2025 - EP

Briefing - Planned revision of the EU Return Directive - 20-02-2025

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:46:51 GMT

According to Directive 2008/115/EC (the Return Directive, RD), third-country nationals (TCNs) staying illegally on the territory of a Member State should, as a general rule, be issued a return decision obliging them to leave the EU. However, available data suggest that among those who receive such a decision, only about a quarter actually leave the EU (see Figure 1). Data on irregular migration, as well as returns statistics, should be used carefully, as they are often incomplete, inconsistent and insufficient. For example, statistics on return decisions may contain duplicates, whereas data on certain voluntary returns are not collected systematically. In 2018, the European Commission proposed a targeted revision of the RD aimed at updating the rules and streamlining procedures across Member States. As progress on the proposal stalled, the Commission sought to improve return rates through enhanced operational cooperation (e.g. an operational strategy on returns and a recommendation on mutual recognition of return decisions). The pact on migration and asylum, adopted in May 2024, introduced several changes on return. These include a new return border procedure applicable to TCNs rejected in the asylum border application, and the obligation for Member States to issue a common or joint decision for the rejection of an asylum claim and return. In her political guidelines for 2024-2029, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced her intention to develop a new common approach on returns, which would include a new legislative proposal on return. �Ϸ��վ has reiterated the need to improve the effectiveness of the EU's return policy, highlighting also the need to reconcile the sustainability of returns and respect for fundamental rights.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2025 - EP

Briefing - Revised Product Liability Directive - 19-02-2025

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:00:00 GMT

As products have become more complex in the digital age, the need for a new directive on liability of defective products has arisen. The new directive will revise the existing Product Liability Directive, adopted nearly 40 years ago in 1985. The directive brings the European Union's product liability regime up to speed with the digital age, circular economy business models and global value chains by ensuring that consumers receive compensation for defective products, including those manufactured outside the EU. It introduces new provisions to address liability for products such as software (including artificial intelligence systems) and digital services that affect how the product works (e.g. navigation services in autonomous vehicles). It also alleviates the burden of proof for victims under certain circumstances. The new directive on liability of defective products was published in the EU's Official Journal on 18 November 2024. It entered into force on 9 December 2024. Member States must transpose the directive into their national laws and implement the changes by December 2026. Fourth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

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Briefing - Package travel and linked travel arrangements: Improving protection for travellers - 13-02-2025

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 23:00:00 GMT

On 29 November 2023, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a directive amending Directive (EU) 2015/2302 on package travel and linked travel arrangements, to improve protection for travellers and simplify and clarify certain aspects of the current directive. The Commission announced in a 2020 communication on a new consumer agenda that it would look into revising the directive following the turmoil caused by the mass cancellations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal is the result of two years of stakeholder consultations and a reassessment of the current rules. The main changes focus on securing travellers' rights and improving insolvency protection. Other key changes include extending the directive's scope to lay down rules on contracts between package organisers and service providers. In the European �Ϸ��վ, the file has been referred to the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO). After the European elections, a rapporteur was reappointed on 30 September 2024. In the meantime, the Council adopted its negotiating mandate on 18 December 2024. Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure

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Briefing - Council directive on equal treatment: Potential European added value - 11-02-2025

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 23:00:00 GMT

In June 2024, the Belgian Council Presidency put forward a compromise proposal for a new Council directive on equal treatment and it won the support of a broad majority of Member States. The proposed law calls for the EU acquis on non-discrimination and equality to be extended to four new grounds beyond the area of employment (religion or belief, age, sexual orientation and disability). This briefing looks into what might be the European added value of such a directive. While most Member States already offer legal protection for the stated grounds and areas, the proposed law could still be expected to generate benefits for society by ensuring comprehensive and consistent protection against discrimination throughout the EU. Everyone living in the EU could stand to benefit from the proposed law, although those groups that face greater risk of discrimination would likely benefit to a greater extent. An analysis of European Social Survey data suggests that about three quarters of the EU population (aged over 15) identify with at least one of four characteristics: (i) belonging to a religion or denomination; (ii) over 65 years of age; (iii) hampered in daily activities to some extent; (iv) not heterosexual. Providers of goods and services (e.g. businesses, schools, hospitals, landlords) could be expected to incur some costs to comply with the proposed law. Such costs, however, would be subject to proportionality and the availability of public support. Other costs could include the preparation of guidelines to ensure neutral provision of goods and services in times of limited supply. The compromise proposal could offer EU added value by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the EU's anti-discrimination framework in fulfilling Treaty commitments. This added value would depend on the extent to which legal certainty were improved and discrimination recognised and internalised by service providers. The proposed law could nevertheless promote more harmonised living standards and free movement in the internal market.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2025 - EP

Briefing - Cross-border enforcement of the Unfair Trading Practices Directive - 07-02-2025

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 23:00:00 GMT

The 2019 Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive sought to address imbalances in bargaining power between suppliers and buyers of agricultural products. The directive was primarily aimed at protecting farmers, as a weaker party, selling their products to big supermarkets and food processing companies. However, experience has shown that the directive does not always provide a sufficient legal basis for mutual assistance in cross-border investigations. The Commission's proposal for a new regulation on cross-border cooperation among authorities responsible for the enforcement of the UTP Directive is part of EU efforts to improve farmers' position in the agri food supply chain. It would enable cooperation between enforcement authorities in cases of unfair trading practices where suppliers and buyers are in different Member States. Farmer associations have welcomed the proposal but are calling for a more substantial revision of the directive, in particular a ban on buying agricultural products below production cost. Retailers meanwhile are highly critical, saying that the proposal risks fragmenting the single market.

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Briefing - Revision of the Port State Control Directive - 18-12-2024

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 23:00:00 GMT

On 1 June 2023, the European Commission presented a legislative package to modernise and reinforce maritime rules on safety and pollution prevention. It contains proposals to revise five legal acts, including the Port State Control Directive (PSCD). The aim is to update them to bring them into line with the requirements of the International Maritime Organization and the regional organisation for port state control, set up under the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The proposal refers to the inspection of foreign ships in national ports, to verify that the ships' condition complies with international regulations, including for crews. The PSCD would be extended to cover additional international rules such as new conventions on ballast water and removal of wrecks, and updated rules under the Paris MoU. It would give more importance to ships' environmental performance in determining their risk profile, and boost Member States' capacity to detect and address cases of non-compliance with standards and rules on safety, environmental protection and pollution prevention. The scope would be extended to fishing vessels. �Ϸ��վ's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) adopted its report on 7 December 2023. On 27 February 2024, �Ϸ��վ and Council reached a provisional agreement, which TRAN endorsed on 20 March 2024. On 10 April 2024, �Ϸ��վ adopted the provisional agreement in plenary, concluding its first reading. On 18 November 2024, Council adopted �Ϸ��վ's first-reading position. The final act was signed by the Council president and the �Ϸ��վ president on 27 November 2024. The revised directive was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 16 December 2024 and will enter into force 20 days from this date.

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Glaustai - Right to clean drinking water in the EU - 11-12-2024

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 15:01:56 GMT

Provision of clean drinking water, a vital resource and a public good, is considered a matter of public health. Many Europeans already have access to clean and safe drinking water at an affordable price. However, emerging issues such as water scarcity, droughts and the presence of chemical substances or microplastics in water are crystallising societal and environmental concerns. The European Commission is due to make a statement on the right to clean drinking water in the EU during the �Ϸ��վ's December 2024 plenary session.

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Glaustai - Improving EU farmers' and agricultural workers' working conditions and mental well-being - 11-12-2024

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 13:21:36 GMT

Agricultural workers have a significantly higher fatality and accident rate compared to other sectors in Europe, facing various health hazards and physically demanding tasks. They are also more likely to experience stress and have higher suicide rates. During the December plenary session, the �Ϸ��վ is due to hold a debate on 'Challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being', following a statement by the Commission.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Combating corruption in the European Union - 09-12-2024

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 23:00:00 GMT

Corruption is a major challenge for the European Union (EU), with all its Member States affected by the problem to some extent. The scale of the problem, however, is difficult to measure, both in the EU and elsewhere. Surveys on perception of corruption among citizens and experts – such as the Global Corruption Barometer and Eurobarometer surveys – are the principal measurement tools. Since the 1990s, countries around the world have joined forces to address corruption collectively. This has led to the emergence of widely recognised international laws and standards, adopted in particular by the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations. Mechanisms, such as the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), have been developed to monitor implementation of these rules. The EU has gradually adopted laws addressing a range of corruption-related issues. These include a directive on the fight against fraud to the Union's financial interests, and directives on public procurement, whistleblowers and money-laundering. However, the legal framework thus created remains patchy, the lack of minimum rules on the definition of criminal offences and sanctions in the area of corruption being one important missing element. The EU also developed its own tool for monitoring anti-corruption efforts – the EU anti-corruption report – only to abandon it after the first edition. Recently, corruption-related issues have been addressed almost exclusively within the EU rule of law framework, a development criticised by various stakeholders, including the European �Ϸ��վ. The latter has adopted numerous resolutions on corruption addressing, among other things, the impact of COVID 19, systemic challenges to the rule of law and deficiencies in the EU's fight against corruption. This briefing updates an earlier one published in 2023, which built on a study by Piotr Bąkowski and Sofija Voronova, published in 2017.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2024 - EP

Glaustai - Taxation measures to support people with disabilities in the EU - 29-11-2024

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 23:00:00 GMT

Around 100 million people in the EU– or 1 in 4 adults – have some form of disability. Addressing both fiscal support and public service accessibility for people with disabilities is crucial for a more inclusive and equitable tax system across the EU. On 3 December 2024, the European �Ϸ��վ's Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) will host a public hearing on this topic as part of the European �Ϸ��վ's Disability Rights Week.

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Briefing - Revision of EU marketing standards for certain 'breakfast' directives - 25-11-2024

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 23:00:00 GMT

EU food markets have evolved significantly over time, driven by innovation and changes in consumer demand and expectations. Taking this shift into account, on 21 April 2023 the European Commission proposed to update some of the rules governing a set of directives on food products – the 'breakfast' directives. Changes include introducing stricter origin labelling for honey, increasing the fruit content in jams, reducing sugar in fruit juice and clearing the way for the production of lactose-free evaporated milk. Following the vote on the report by the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, �Ϸ��վ adopted its position on 12 December 2023. Strengthening the Commission's text, the plenary approved measures to protect consumers and beekeepers from adulterated honey and to facilitate informed consumer choices through increased transparency. The text was approved formally by �Ϸ��վ and the Council in April 2024 and it entered into force on 13 June 2024. EU countries will have to apply the new rules from 14 June 2026. Fourth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2024 - EP

Glaustai - How standards support Europe's digital competitiveness - 05-11-2024

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 23:00:00 GMT

Standards are voluntary guidelines, providing technical specifications for products, processes and services. They ensure a certain level of quality, enable interoperability, boost consumer confidence and remove trade barriers. Laws may prescribe standards as a preferred or mandatory requirement for compliance. In the digital sphere, their strategic importance has made them the focus of geopolitical competition.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Improving use of rail infrastructure capacity - 22-10-2024

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 22:00:00 GMT

In July 2023, the European Commission tabled a package of proposals aimed at greening freight transport. One of these proposals focuses on improving the use of rail infrastructure capacity. The proposed text suggests changes to the rules governing the planning and allocation of railway infrastructure capacity, which are currently outlined in Directive 2012/34/EU and Regulation (EU) No 913/2010. The goal of the changes is to enhance the management of rail infrastructure capacity and traffic so as to improve service quality, optimise railway network usage, increase traffic capacity and enhance the transport sector's contribution to decarbonisation. In the European �Ϸ��վ, the file was referred to the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), which appointed Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA, Luxembourg) as rapporteur. The TRAN committee adopted its report on 4 March 2024. �Ϸ��վ adopted its first-reading position during its March 2024 plenary session. Following the European elections, the TRAN committee voted on 7 October 2024 to start interinstitutional negotiations. Fourth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive - 22-10-2024

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 22:00:00 GMT

In July 2023, the Commission tabled a package of three proposals for the greening of freight transport, including one on the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive, which sets limits for heavy goods vehicles in international road transport. The proposal seeks to promote the use of zero-emission trucks by allowing these to exceed standard weight limits, while clarifying the rules on the use of heavier and longer vehicles in cross-border transport operations between countries, where such vehicles are allowed. Additional objectives are to promote intermodal transport, simplify administrative procedures, and improve enforcement of the rules. In the European �Ϸ��վ, the file was referred to the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN). The TRAN committee adopted its report on the proposal on 14 February 2024 and �Ϸ��վ adopted its first reading position during the March 2024 plenary session. With the new parliamentary term under way, on 7 October 2024 the TRAN committee voted to start interinstitutional negotiations. Fourth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2024 - EP

Briefing - 'Green claims' directive: Protecting consumers from greenwashing - 11-10-2024

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 22:00:00 GMT

In the absence of specific rules on claims regarding the 'green' nature of products, how can consumers be sure that such claims are reliable, comparable and verifiable throughout the EU? On 22 March 2023, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a directive on green claims. The proposed directive would require companies to substantiate the voluntary green claims they make in business-to-consumer commercial practices, by complying with a number of requirements regarding their assessment (e.g. taking a life-cycle perspective). In �Ϸ��վ, the file was allocated jointly to the Committees on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). �Ϸ��վ adopted its first-reading position on 12 March 2024 and the Council approved a general approach on 17 June 2024. Interinstitutional negotiations are now about to begin. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Energy transition - 24-09-2024

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 13:25:42 GMT

Energy transition is central to the European Union's ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The EU greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets - 55 % by 2030 and net-zero by 2050 - have accelerated the move away from fossil fuels towards cleaner energy sources and increased energy efficiency. The REPowerEU plan and other EU measures launched in response to the energy crisis meanwhile brought to the fore the importance of ensuring energy security and energy affordability. Existing EU legislation in support of energy transition includes the recently revised Renewable Energy Directive, the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. These laws set targets for renewables in consumption, energy efficiency and building renovations. The recently adopted hydrogen and decarbonised gas market package, along with the electricity market reform, also promote the use of cleaner energy and integration of renewables into the EU energy system. The new political priorities of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen include a future clean industrial deal boosting investment in clean energy infrastructure and technologies. The aim is to further decarbonise the economy and bring down energy prices. In a similar vein, the recent report on EU competitiveness (Draghi Report) highlights the need to reconcile industrial competitiveness with climate neutrality through increased support for clean technologies. These include for instance renewables (such as solar and wind), batteries, heat pumps, electrolysers (used for hydrogen production) and CO2 capture technologies. While the EU has been steadily increasing the rollout of renewables and working towards decarbonisation, several challenges remain. The energy infrastructure must be adapted to accommodate low-carbon energy sources through the expansion of grids and energy storage. Dependence on raw materials needed for clean energy technologies needs to be addressed. The new EU ambitions in terms of boosting industrial competitiveness will also require massive investment. All this has to happen while ensuring secure energy supply and energy affordability.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Combined transport - 24-09-2024

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 22:00:00 GMT

The EU's efforts to reduce the negative impacts of transport include promoting a shift from road freight transport to lower-emission transport modes. This includes promoting combined transport operations, during which, in addition to transport by road, transport by rail or water is used. The Combined Transport Directive, adopted in 1992, set out measures designed to increase the competitiveness of combined transport against road-only transport.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2024 - EP

Briefing - EU traineeships directive - 24-09-2024

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 22:00:00 GMT

Youth unemployment in the EU is a perennial problem, with unemployment among the under 25s more than twice as high as among the general population. In this context, good quality traineeships can be a way for young people to enter into the labour market. However, some traineeships are essentially regular employment relationships in disguise. Some are of poor quality, with no or very low remuneration, no access to social protection and a weak learning component. There is also the issue of unequal access to traineeships arising from various social barriers. While traineeships are the competence of the EU Member States, the EU introduced a set of common standards in 2014 to promote high-quality traineeships. The European Commission evaluated implementation of these standards in 2022 and found progress towards better traineeships, but room for further action to address certain problematic and unlawful situations that can arise with respect to traineeships.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Directive on combating corruption - 23-09-2024

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 22:00:00 GMT

In May 2023, the European Commission presented an anti-corruption package, which includes a proposal for a directive on combating corruption. Based on Articles 83 and 82 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the proposal defines criminal offences and sanctions relating to corruption, one of the 'areas of particularly serious crime with a cross-border dimension' for which the European �Ϸ��վ and the Council may establish minimum rules by means of directives. The proposal seeks to update the fragmented EU legislative framework, including by incorporating international standards binding on the EU. It addresses corruption in both the public and private sectors. In �Ϸ��վ, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted its report in January 2024. The committee decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations was confirmed by plenary in February 2024. The Council confirmed its position in June. The new �Ϸ��վ now needs to confirm its position before trilogue negotiations can take place. First edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Protecting whistle-blowers in the EU - 05-09-2024

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 13:08:29 GMT

Directive (EU) 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law (the 'Whistle-blower Directive') entered into force in December 2019. Member States had 2 years to transpose the directive into their domestic legal systems. Before the directive entered into force, the legal framework was fragmented at national level and limited to specific sectors at EU level (i.e. financial services and transport safety). Transposition did not prove easy, and the European Commission was obliged to open infringement procedures against a number of Member States. As of June 2024, all EU Member States had adopted the required transposition law; however, some areas of concern remain, as underlined by the 2024 July Commission report. The directive came into force after major cases of whistle-blowing (Panama Papers, Dieselgate, Wikileaks, Luxleaks, Cambridge Analytica) drew strong public attention to the situation of those who reveal misconduct and malpractice in public and private entities. Those who 'blow the whistle', and also their colleagues and their relatives, can face retaliation and suffer both economic and reputational harm. Fear of retaliatory measures can foster a culture of silence, with a dissuasive effect on individuals who are willing to report unlawful practices ('chilling effect'). The EU legislator has recognised the positive impact of whistle-blowers who act as public watchdogs. They promote a culture where speaking out is not penalised and where disclosing information in the public interest increases transparency, improves integrity and ensures public accountability. Whistle-blowers help the public to access accurate information on matters of public concern. Nevertheless, it has been pointed out that legislation alone is not enough, and a cultural change in the workplace will also be necessary to ensure that those blowing the whistle are not stigmatised and do not suffer social, professional and personal repercussions. This is an update of a 2023 briefing by the same author.

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Briefing - Understanding the EU's response to money laundering: New EU anti-money laundering package - 03-09-2024

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 22:00:00 GMT

Money laundering is how criminals convert the proceeds of crime into what appear to be legitimate earnings. Criminals are employing ever-more sophisticated methods, including digital and emerging crypto-currencies, to disguise the source of their money. The impact on society of criminality is difficult to understate. It has a significantly negative effect across the socio economic spectrum. Likewise, money laundering – a vital cog in criminal enterprise – has the potential to impact on the stability of the financial infrastructure of states. The EU and the wider international community recognises the importance of robust measures to tackle the issue of money laundering and have taken significant steps to address money laundering and also terrorist financing, which employs similar methods. The first EU anti-money laundering directive was adopted more than 30 years ago. Since then the EU has continued to develop its response to both anti-money laundering and terrorist financing threats. In addition to addressing inconsistencies in the application of rules across the EU, the level and nature of risks have changed with evolving technology and innovation. The European Union has adopted an ambitious anti-money laundering package to protect EU citizens and to strengthen its financial system against organised crime and terrorists. This package will extensively harmonise procedures and close loopholes in anti-money laundering measures. The establishment of the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) in Frankfurt, centralising oversight, brings a new dimension to the fight against money laundering. It will tackle newly emerging threats, and reinforce cross border cooperation and a more harmonised approach.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Proposal to amend Directive (EU) 2019/1153: Single access point to bank account registries - 02-09-2024

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 22:00:00 GMT

Financial information is vital for the investigation of serious crime and for freezing the proceeds of crime, but EU investigators often lack the tools for effective investigation, especially when dealing with cross-border crime. The new revised directive – adopted in May 2024 – will give law enforcement authorities the same level of access afforded to financial intelligence units under the new anti-money laundering directive. It will include crypto-asset service providers and financial and credit institutions for the provision of transactions records. The directive will also provide for a single access point to be set up and managed by the European Commission to ensure that information from centralised registers is available to authorities swiftly. The directive will require financial institutions to share transaction records, i.e. bank statements, in a harmonised format, when they share them as part of an investigation, facilitating processing and interpretation. In the European �Ϸ��վ, the file was referred to the Committee on civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). Interinstitutional negotiations on the proposal began in March 2023. The �Ϸ��վ and the Council reached a provisional agreement in February 2024. After adoption by both institutions, the final act was signed on 31 May, and it came into force on 9 July 2024. Second edition of a briefing originally drafted by Ann Neville. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2024 - EP