Dokumenti - Think Tank - Parlament Ewropew

Mad-Daqqa t’Għajn - Empowering consumers for the green transition - 03-05-2023

Wed, 03 May 2023 12:09:41 GMT

During its first May 2023 part-session, the European �Ϸ��վ is expected to vote on the report adopted by the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) on the European Commission's proposed directive on empowering consumers for the green transition. The proposal amends Directives 2005/29/EC and 2011/83/EU and seeks to improve consumer information and protection against unfair practices. IMCO's report strives to further strengthen protection and legal certainty for consumers and economic operators alike. The text voted in plenary will set �Ϸ��վ's position for trilogue negotiations with the Council.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2023 - PE

Briefing - Distortive foreign subsidies regulation: A level playing-field for the single market - 23-03-2023

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 23:00:00 GMT

Public financing of enterprises, which has been on the rise globally, can have a distortive effect on competitive markets. In response to this trend, in May 2021 the European Commission published a proposal for a regulation to tackle foreign subsidies with a distortive effect on the EU single market. It would enable the Commission to investigate subsidies granted by non-EU public authorities to companies operating on the single market, and to apply countervailing measures, should these subsidies be found to be distortive. The Commission would have three tools at its disposal: two are notification-based, allowing it to investigate foreign subsidies in companies' mergers and acquisitions, and to investigate the bids in large public procurement procedures involving third-country government support. The acquirer or bidder would have to give ex-ante notification of external financial contribution. The third would enable the Commission to investigate other market situations. The �Ϸ��վ adopted its position in plenary in May 2022, and trilogue negotiations concluded successfully in June 2022. �Ϸ��վ approved the agreement in plenary by a large majority on 10 November 2022 and the final act was signed on 14 December 2022. The regulation entered into force on 12 January 2023. Fourth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2023 - PE

Mad-Daqqa t’Għajn - Addressing ship reflagging to avoid sanctions - 16-03-2023

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 23:00:00 GMT

Reflagging to a flag of convenience is a practice whereby a ship-owner registers their ships in a country with relatively light controls or low standards, for instance in the area of environmental or employment law. While this is legal in principle, it is often combined with illegal practices, including the circumvention of sanctions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the EU are trying to tackle abusive reflagging.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2023 - PE

Studju - E-commerce and the EU Green Deal - Analysis of the environmental footprint of online sales in the context of the circular economy - 07-12-2022

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 23:00:00 GMT

The rise of online sales and marketplaces poses new challenges to product safety, consumer protection, and unfair business practices. At the same time, e-commerce has the potential to facilitate more sustainable production processes and consumption patterns and ensure more circularity. This study provides information on the role of e-commerce in implementing the European Green Deal and makes recommendations for future action. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO).

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2022 - PE

Mad-Daqqa t’Għajn - Distortive foreign subsidies - 07-11-2022

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 23:00:00 GMT

Foreign state financing of companies can have distortive effects on the single market. In its first November plenary session, the �Ϸ��վ will vote on the provisional agreement, reached in trilogue negotiations, on a proposed regulation to tackle such distortive foreign subsidies. Under the regulation, companies would need to notify subsidies granted by non-EU public authorities in areas of mergers and acquisitions and bids in big public procurements, and the Commission would have the right to examine other market situations. It would also have the powers to investigate such subsidies and to apply countervailing measures to mitigate distortions.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2022 - PE

Analiżi fil-Fond - Foreign subsidies and public procurement - 30-09-2021

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 22:00:00 GMT

The EU has helped shape an international economic system based on openness and fair competition. Over the past few years, the benefits of this approach have come under pressure from foreign trade practices which undermine the principle of recip¬rocal treatment. In particular, this is the case with subsidies granted by non-EU governments and protected public procurement markets. This in-depth analysis reviews the state of play of EU policy action on foreign subsidies and in public pro¬curement markets and identifies gaps in existing EU instruments. The analysis shows that the EU took the initiative with: (i) the completed FDI screening and trade defence reforms; (ii) the proposal for an International Procurement Instrument; and (iii) the proposal for a Regulation targeting the distortive effects of foreign subsidies. In addi¬tion, the EU is taking the lead at the multilateral level, promoting coordinated action in the WTO, G7, G20, OECD, and GAMS fora.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2021 - PE

Briefing - Research for CULT Committee - Media Action Plan: Key challenges related to media pluralism, media freedom and democracy - Concomitant expertise for INI report - 18-05-2021

Mon, 17 May 2021 22:00:00 GMT

Media pluralism is an essential condition for any democratic society. It constitutes a source of access to a plurality of editorial lines and analyses, opinions and issues expressed, as well as a coexistence of public and private service media. Media pluralism is at risk due to several factors. First, the level of basic protection for journalists is threatened, for example in terms of the protection of their personal data online or abusive defamation charges against them. Second, most EU countries are characterised by a high degree of market concentration, with monopoly or oligopoly structures in most news media sectors. These main players co-exist with a myriad of smaller news media operators (e.g. focusing on local news or specialised in particular topics). Third, trust in the media is eroded by fake news and disinformation, and the perception of an alleged gatekeeping position by larger media groups. Initiatives are however emerging to improve transparency in the media, for example by establishing charters for the media to ensure the credibility and trustworthiness of sources, or by developing algorithms to debunk misinformation.

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Analiżi fil-Fond - Study presentation proceedings: The Impact of Unfair Commercial Practices on Competition in the EU Passenger Transport Sector, in particular Air Transport - 09-12-2020

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 23:00:00 GMT

The study presented in the event aims at identifying and analysing the unfair commercial and trading practices in passenger air transport that not only are detrimental to consumers, but which can also distort competition in the Single Market. Moreover, the discussion during the event also covered competition and consumer protection aspects that arise in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. These proceedings of the study presentation were prepared by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request the committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON).

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2020 - PE

Briefing - Regulating digital gatekeepers: Background on the future digital markets act - 08-12-2020

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 11:40:12 GMT

The EU has unveiled an ambitious plan to regulate online platforms, and the European Commission is proposing to introduce ex ante regulation to ensure that markets characterised by large platforms acting as digital gatekeepers remain fair and competitive for innovators, businesses, and new market entrants. The introduction of an ex ante regulatory framework that could limit online platforms' commercial freedom and give wide-ranging enforcement powers to regulators would be a far-reaching step. Against this background, this briefing explains the rationale for regulating digital gatekeepers in the EU and provides an overview of the key policy questions currently under discussion. Recent reports and studies have shown how a few large platforms have the ability to apply a range of practices that raise significant competition issues. The limitation of competition law – essentially applied ex-post after the anti-competitive practices have been implemented – has sparked a debate on whether EU competition rules are still fit for purpose and whether such platforms should not instead be regulated ex ante so as to provide upfront clarity about what behaviour towards users and competitors is acceptable. In this respect, the policy discussion focuses on a number of issues, in particular, how to identify online gatekeepers that should be subject to ex ante regulation, what conduct should be outlawed for those gatekeepers, what obligations should be placed on them (such as data portability and interoperability), and how such innovative regulations should be enforced. Finally, the briefing highlights the initial views of a number of stakeholders.

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Analiżi fil-Fond - No way back:Why the transatlantic future needs a stronger EU - 25-11-2020

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 23:00:00 GMT

There is no way back for transatlantic politics; in recent years it has suffered severe setbacks that cannot be undone. Although the Biden win promises opportunities for EU-US cooperation, the EU’s drive for strategic autonomy will not stop here. It is high time to look afresh at the very foundations of the transatlantic partnership, in light of not only the politics of today, but also the structural trends in the global balance of power and the lasting institutional ties between the two continents. Above all, the transatlantic future needs a stronger EU. For this to happen, the following issues should be given priority: i) dealing with an increasingly assertive China; ii) gaining more from transatlantic trade relations; iii) safeguarding the benefits of NATO and multilateral institutions like the WTO; iv) battling disinformation and other hybrid threats; and v) reinvigorating cooperation over climate change and global health. Because understanding of and trust in US intelligence and foreign policy positions has been eroded, a ‘thickening’ of transatlantic dialogue structures, including among elected representatives, should be pursued. This could include staff exchanges, track-two dialogues with think tanks and civil society, and an increased frequency of the Transatlantic Legislators Dialogue, possibly supplemented with more subordinate bodies on specific issues, such as dealing with China.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2020 - PE

Studju - Digital Services Act - 01-10-2020

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 22:00:00 GMT

E-commerce is an essential part of the economy and of consumers shopping habits. It can support EU citizens in accessing services more easily and businesses reaching customers more targeted. The E-commerce Directive has been an important column of digital services. Still, there is need for amending the current regulation. This EAVA accompanies two European �Ϸ��վ's own-initiative legislative reports by JURI and IMCO asking the Commission for legislative actions to implement a digital services act. The analysis identifies 22 main gaps and risks, which we clustered into four policy packages on consumer protection, content management and curation, facilitation of competition in online platforms ecosystems, and enhancement of enforcement and legal coherence. The analysis suggests that EU common action on consumer protection and e-commerce rules, as well as on a framework for content management and curation could add up €76 billion to the EU GDP between 2020-2030.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2020 - PE

Mad-Daqqa t’Għajn - Study in focus: The Impact of Unfair Commercial Practices on Competition in the EU Passenger Transport Sector, in particular Air Transport - 14-05-2020

Thu, 14 May 2020 22:00:00 GMT

The study aims at identifying and analysing unfair commercial and trading practices in passenger air transport that not only are detrimental to consumers, but which can also distort competition in the Single Market. The study analyses the main air carrier business models and price patterns, as well as the decisions adopted by the national competent authorities with regard to unfair commercial practices and predatory pricing. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2020 - PE

Studju - The Impact of Unfair Commercial Practices on Competition in the EU Passenger Transport Sector, in particular Air Transport - 08-04-2020

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 22:00:00 GMT

The study aims at identifying and analysing the unfair commercial and trading practices in passenger air transport that not only are detrimental to consumers, but which can also distort competition in the Single Market. The study analyses the main air carrier business models and price patterns, as well as the decisions adopted by the national competent authorities with regard to unfair commercial practices and predatory pricing. This document was provided by Policy Department A at the request of the ECON Committee.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2020 - PE

Analiżi fil-Fond - Trade and competitiveness policies in the European Council - 10-03-2020

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 16:35:01 GMT

In recent years, international trade has gained increasing visibility on the European Council agenda. A high level of economic interconnectedness and the ineluctable rise of emerging economies on the world stage, notably China, have highlighted differences across economic systems and divergences over the impact of certain policies and practices in the global economy. Moreover, the United States administration's pursuit of an 'America first' foreign policy has been accompanied by a trade policy aimed primarily at reducing trade deficits with partners. The existential threat which the World Trade Organization now faces, as the core of the multilateral trading system, has compounded growing trade tensions and translated into a highly unstable global environment. The European Council has reacted to these developments promptly, with the last three years seeing the adoption of measures to strengthen the European Union's capacity to address such challenges. It has placed high emphasis on the need for the EU to be able to defend itself against unfair trade practices, through strengthened defence instruments, greater surveillance of foreign direct investment, and broader access to public procurement markets abroad. The objectives set out in its Strategic Agenda for 2019-24 reflect a need for a more assertive and united European Union on the global stage, able to tackle the technological and environmental challenges of the coming decade.

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Briefing - Commitments made at the hearing of Phil HOGAN, Commissioner-designate - Trade - 22-11-2019

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 23:00:00 GMT

The Commissioner-designate, Phil Hogan, appeared before the European �Ϸ��վ on 30 September 2019 to answer questions from MEPs in the Committee on International Trade (INTA). During the hearing, he made a number of commitments which are highlighted in this document. These commitments refer to his portfolio, as described in the mission letter sent to him by Ursula von der Leyen, President-elect of the European Commission, including: - A level playing field for all; - Strengthening Europe’s global leadership; - Trade for sustainable development and climate action; and - Making trade more transparent.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2019 - PE

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.

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Mad-Daqqa t’Għajn - Plenary round-up – Strasbourg, March I 2019 - 15-03-2019

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 12:41:19 GMT

Highlights of the March I plenary session included debates on Brexit, preparation of the European Council meeting of 21-22 March 2019, and the latest debate on the Future of Europe, with Peter Pellegrini, Slovakia's Prime Minister. �Ϸ��վ also held debates on a proposed European human rights violations sanctions regime; the situation in Venezuela and Nicaragua; opening EU-US trade negotiations; climate change; gender balance in nominations to EU economic and monetary affairs bodies; and on the urgency to establish an EU blacklist of third countries with weak regimes on anti-money-laundering and countering terrorist financing. Finally, �Ϸ��վ adopted first-reading positions on three further proposed funding programmes for the 2021-2027 period. A number of Brexit-preparedness measures were also adopted.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2019 - PE

Mad-Daqqa t’Għajn - 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.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2019 - PE

Briefing - Empowering national competition authorities (NCAs) - 18-02-2019

Sun, 17 Feb 2019 23:00:00 GMT

Since 2003, national competition authorities (NCAs) have boosted the enforcement of EU competition and antitrust rules significantly. However, each year losses of €181-320 billion accrue because of undiscovered cartels, which increase prices by between 17 % and 30 % on average. In March 2017, the Commission proposed a new directive to ensure that all NCAs have effective investigation and decision-making tools, could impose deterrent fines, and have well-designed leniency programmes and enough resources to enforce EU competition rules independently. On 30 May 2018, �Ϸ��վ and Council reached an agreement on the proposal in trilogue. It increases the independence, resources and powers of NCAs and envisages more harmonisation of the national leniency programmes and reduced burdens on undertakings. �Ϸ��վ adopted the text on 14 November 2018, the final act was signed on 11 December 2018. Third edition. The ‘EU Legislation in Progress’ briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2019 - PE

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.

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Mad-Daqqa t’Għajn - Modernising trade defence instruments - 23-05-2018

Wed, 23 May 2018 14:10:36 GMT

Dumping and subsidising of exports by third countries are unfair trade practices that may cause injury to the importing country. World trade Organization (WTO) law allows to counter such injury by imposing specific duties known as trade defence instruments (TDIs). To ensure EU TDIs are appropriate to tackle new challenges to international trade, such as raw-material distortions in exporting countries, the Commission proposed to modernise the EU's basic Anti-Dumping (AD) and Anti-Subsidy (AS) Regulations. �Ϸ��վ is due to vote during its May II plenary session on the early second-reading agreement reached in trilogue negotiations.

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Mad-Daqqa t’Għajn - EYE event - Trade for all: Please fasten your seat belt - 16-05-2018

Wed, 16 May 2018 13:58:26 GMT

Long-term economic trends have transformed the world trading scene and, as underlined by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in his 2017 State of the Union address, new challenges make it essential to strengthen the European trade agenda. In line with the 'trade for all' strategy, EU trade policy follows four main objectives: concluding balanced trade agreements, implementing the agreements in force effectively, tackling unfair trade practices and promoting a sustainable approach to trade.

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Briefing - International procurement instrument - 30-11-2017

Wed, 29 Nov 2017 23:00:00 GMT

Over the years, the EU has opened up its public procurement markets to third countries to a large degree, yet many of these countries have not granted the EU a similar privilege. This situation has been difficult to address through multilateral or bilateral trade negotiations alone. With this in mind, the European Commission proposed the creation of an international procurement instrument in 2012. The aim of this instrument is twofold: to improve the conditions under which EU businesses can compete for public contracts in third countries and to give the EU more leverage when negotiating its access to foreign public procurement markets. To overcome a legislative deadlock on the 2012 proposal, in 2016 the Commission submitted an amended version that would enable it to open investigations into alleged discrimination against EU parties in foreign public procurement markets. If such practices were to be confirmed, the Commission would enter into consultations with the third country concerned to obtain reciprocal concessions on its procurement market. As a last resort, the Commission would be able to impose a price penalty on tenders originating in the third country concerned, giving EU and non-targeted countries' tenders a competitive advantage on EU procurement markets.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2017 - PE

Briefing - Safeguarding competition in air transport - 20-11-2017

Mon, 20 Nov 2017 15:16:37 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 proposal, adopted on 8 June 2017 and referred to �Ϸ��վ's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN). The proposal intends to repeal Regulation (EC) No 868/2004 in order to 'ensure a fair level playing field between European and third country air carriers’ (IA, p. 44), ‘with a view to maintain conditions conducive to a high level of connectivity' (explanatory memorandum, p. 8). According to the IA, 'Regulation (EC) No 868/2004 intended to protect EU air carriers against objectively defined practices considered as "unfair" and "discriminatory", namely subsidisation and unfair pricing practices causing injury to EU carriers in the supply of air services to and from third countries' (IA, p. 34). However, for the reasons comprehensively outlined in the IA (pp. 34-36), the regulation 'has never been applied, and some of its features make it very unlikely that it will ever be (concretely) applied' (explanatory memorandum, p. 3). The proposal is part of the 'Open and Connected Aviation' package, which includes three other initiatives. �Ϸ��վ has called for the revision of this regulation in a number of its resolutions, as it had proved inadequate and ineffective. The Council, in its conclusions adopted on 20 December 2012, called for a more ambitious and robust EU external aviation policy, based on the principles of reciprocity and open and fair competition in a level playing field. It considered that this regulation had proved itself unable to adequately address the specific characteristics of the aviation services sector and supported the Commission's intention to analyse possible options for a more effective instrument to safeguard open and fair competition. It also encouraged the Commission and Member States to 'use their bilateral and multilateral relations to actively support the establishment of a level playing field favouring open and fair competition in international air transport' (Recital 24, p. 4).

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Mad-Daqqa t’Għajn - The EU's beekeeping sector - 24-10-2017

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 22:00:00 GMT

Every year, the EU's 600 000 beekeepers and their 16 million beehives produce 200 000 tonnes of honey. This is not however sufficient to cover demand on the EU market, and the shortfall is made up by imports, above all from China. Threats to bee health and market competition make the economic viability of apiculture a critical matter. EU policies aim therefore to address these issues and promote beekeeping, an activity that is of vital importance to the environment.

Sors : © Unjoni Ewropea, 2017 - PE