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The EU's automotive sector is resource intensive. There are 286 million motor vehicles on the road in the EU, and every year around 6.5 million vehicles become waste. If improperly managed, these vehicles may cause environmental damage and the economy may lose millions of tonnes of materials. In July 2023, the European Commission presented a proposal for a regulation addressing the whole life cycle of vehicles, from design to end-of-life, aimed at improving design and end-of-life management of vehicles ...

Russia's war against Ukraine has revealed the extent of our dependency on digital technology and the fragility of the digital space. It has triggered a surge in cyber-attacks that have been particularly disruptive when targeting critical infrastructure – such as energy, health or finance – because of the increasing reliance on information technology, rendering this infrastructure all the more vulnerable. Against this backdrop, the Commission has proposed a regulation on a cyber solidarity act that ...

On 28 July 2023, the European Commission adopted a proposal to revise EU toy safety legislation, by introducing a new regulation and repealing Directive 2009/48/EC. The proposal pursues two main objectives: a higher level of child protection, including from the most hazardous substances; and fewer non-compliant and unsafe toys on the EU market. In relation to the first objective, the proposal extends the scope to children's psychological and mental health and to their wellbeing and cognitive development ...

Article 4(3) of the European Climate Law states: 'With a view to achieving the climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2(1) of this Regulation, a Union-wide climate target for 2040 shall be set'. Article 4(4) and 4(5) sets out aspects to consider in setting the 2040 target. In early 2024, the European Commission adopted a communication accompanied by an impact assessment (IA) regarding a 2040 target and the pathway to 2050 climate neutrality. Setting out pathway scenarios and an indicative ...

The new European biotech act, announced in Ursula von der Leyen's political guidelines for 2025, was not included in the Commission work programme published on 11 February, but has recently been announced for early 2026. Strong uncertainty on the timing and scope of the biotech act have existed since the initial announcement. The Commission ordered a complex study to provide a foundation for the act only in early 2025, and it has become evident that discussions about the scope, key components, and ...

European Works Councils (EWCs) are bodies that should guarantee employees the right to be consulted on important issues in large multinational companies active in multiple EU countries. However, EWCs have been criticised for being ineffective, on account of unclear definitions, non-dissuasive sanctions and ineffective access to justice. In February 2023, the European Parliament called for legislative action to address the shortcomings identified and strengthen the functioning of EWCs. In response ...

Auf der Plenartagung im März werden Anfragen zur mündlichen Beantwortung an die Kommission und den Rat gestellt, und zwar zum Stand der Verhandlungen über die vorgeschlagene Verordnung zur Elternschaft, zu der das Parlament im Dezember 2023 Stellung nahm, sowie – falls im Rat keine Einstimmigkeit erzielt wird – zu ihrer Bereitschaft, die Verstärkte Zusammenarbeit zu nutzen.

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 ...

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 Parliamentary 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 Parliament resolutions and the Parliament's ...

Professor Dr Xanthaki presented to JURI Committee a critical analysis of the "The 'one in, one out' principle - A real better lawmaking tool?". She concluded that the principle may lead to less (not better) legislation, purely on a arithmetical basis, and recommended to JURI Committee to focus on genuine better law-making tools, including a modernized, citizen-centred drafting structure and style for EU legislation, which she considered not fit for purpose in its current style. This briefing was ...