Search

Your results

Showing 10 of 77 results

The problem definition in the impact assessment (IA) appears to be well-supported by evidence. The IA provides a sufficient range and description of the policy options, albeit sometimes lacking in detail. The assessment of the options' impacts (economic, social, environmental, fundamental rights) is qualitative and quantitative. It appears to be based on sound research and analysis, with clear acknowledgement that the available data are limited. The IA provides a comprehensive summary of the preferred ...

Since the free trade agreement (FTA) signed with South Korea in 2009, EU trade deals have included a dedicated trade and sustainable development (TSD) chapter encompassing provisions on protection of the environment, labour rights and climate change. However, in recent years evaluation of the EU's trade policy has focused on the question of how to improve the implementation and enforcement of sustainability provisions and, in particular, the TSD chapters in EU trade agreements. Parliament has long ...

Single market emergency instrument

At a Glance 06-09-2023

In September 2022, the Commission presented a single market emergency instrument (SMEI) package. During its September 2023 plenary session, the Parliament is expected to vote on the report adopted in July by its Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO). The report as voted would then form Parliament's position for negotiations with the Council, which has recently adopted its position.

EU lawmakers have drafted and negotiated a regulation on geographical indications for non-agricultural products, to enable the registration of names of craft and industrial products as geographical indications and to enhance their protection within the EU and in third-countries. The European Parliament is expected to vote on the final text resulting from the trilogue negotiations during its September plenary session.

The European single market celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. On 1 January 1993, the then 12 Member States abolished border controls between each other, launching free movement of people, goods, services and capital. This infographic celebrates the single market's anniversary, looking at the history of the European Union (EU) in terms of macro-economic indicators as the number of Member States has grown. It shows exports of goods, services and investments; movement of people within the EU ...

On 16 January, during its plenary session, Parliament will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the single market. As well the ceremony, Parliament is to vote on a motion for a resolution, adopted by the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection on 12 December 2022. In its 2023 work programme, the Commission announced a communication on 'the single market at 30', to be issued early in the first quarter of the year.

The ex-ante analysis of this initiative, aimed at addressing impacts on the single market caused by a potential future crisis, implies major uncertainties and limitations, openly acknowledged by the IA (notably owing to a lack of data). Notwithstanding this important caveat, the IA develops a clear intervention logic, linking the problems with objectives to achieve through three policy options, without, however, fully complying with the Better Regulation Guidelines. It assesses the broad scope of ...

In 2020, there were over 76 million cattle in the European Union (EU) and beef production reached 6.8 million tonnes – output that makes the EU the world's third largest producer, after the United States and Brazil. The sector is diverse in terms of herd size, farm structure and geographical distribution of farms between EU regions. Beef is an important element of most European diets, and it is the third most widely consumed meat in the world. EU beef, together with other EU food products, is known ...

The government of the United Kingdom (UK) introduced the 'Northern Ireland Protocol bill' in the House of Commons on 13 June 2022. If enacted, the bill provides that certain provisions of the Northern Ireland Protocol would no longer 'have effect in the UK'. The main fields concerned are i) customs and movement of goods, ii) regulation of goods, iii) State aid, and iv) application of EU law. On 15 June, the EU relaunched the infringement procedure against the UK for failing to properly implement ...

On 5 May 2022, voters elected the members of the Northern Ireland Assembly (NIA) in a challenging political context, due among other things to differences over the Northern Ireland Protocol. Indeed, the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland strongly opposes the Protocol, and has blocked the work of Northern Ireland's political institutions pending changes in its operation. The UK government has reiterated its readiness to 'unilaterally dis-apply' the Protocol and/or to suspend it – putting forward ...