Fittex
Updating Euro emission standards (Euro 7)
The Commission mobilised considerable time and resources to prepare this initiative, in an extensive 'back to back' (ex post evaluation and ex ante impact assessment) process that started in 2018 with the set-up of the Advisory Group on Vehicle Emission Standards. The IA draws on numerous external studies, stakeholder consultations, relevant data sources and approved modelling tools (SYBIL and COPERT). In spite of some weaknesses in the definition of the problems and objectives, the intervention ...
General-purpose artificial intelligence
General-purpose artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, such as ChatGPT, are quickly transforming the way AI systems are built and deployed. While these technologies are expected to bring huge benefits in the coming years, spurring innovation in many sectors, their disruptive nature raises policy questions around privacy and intellectual property rights, liability and accountability, and concerns about their potential to spread disinformation and misinformation. EU lawmakers need to strike a delicate ...
Packaging and packaging waste
The IA provides a good overview of the problems relating to packaging and packaging waste, and the possible impacts of the various measures proposed to address the problems. In its assessment, which is both qualitative and quantitative, the IA relies on a wealth of data sources and modelling. However, it does not clearly indicate the IA supporting studies and their full references; this would have improved transparency. The IA presents three policy options, which are partially incremental and cannot ...
Harmonising certain aspects of insolvency law
The initiative aims to harmonise certain substantive rules on insolvency proceedings across the EU. The IA examines the nature and scale of the problems and who they affect. It establishes a clear intervention logic, from the problems and their drivers to the initiative's objectives and options. The IA identifies only two options, which are cumulative. It is questionable whether such options qualify as alternative options, as required in the BRGs. This range of options is very limited, and some policy ...
Artificial intelligence [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The recent launches of artificial intelligence (AI) tools capable of generating direct textual answers to questions, notably the chatbot ChatGPT, and the development of general-purpose AI technologies, are expected to revolutionise the application of AI in society and the economy. New AI tools in general offer massive potential for developments in industry, agriculture, health, education and other areas. However, many scientists and politicians are calling for the establishment of a legal and ethical ...
Revising the standards for surface water and groundwater pollutants
The impact assessment is informed by the findings of the European Commission's fitness check of the water directives, in line with the Better Regulation Guidelines' 'evaluate first' principle. The IA's strong points include a dynamic baseline that takes into account the likely changes to emissions, the current and proposed legislation, and external factors. The IA proposed a satisfactory range of options and was transparent in reporting the limitations of assessing the costs and benefits, which depend ...
Revising the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
The impact assessment's strong points include a well-substantiated problem definition, an evidence base that appears to be recent and relevant, and a broad stakeholder consultation, the results of which were put to good use. However, the report's weak points limit its potential to inform decision-making clearly. Firstly, there appears to be a mismatch between the problem description, the objectives and the options of the IA. Secondly, the IA does not explain in sufficient detail why no alternatives ...
Cleaner Air for Europe
The IA clearly identifies the current AAQDs' shortcomings, provides references to the updated WHO guidelines and lists the fitness check findings, stakeholders' opinions, and supporting data. It sets a general objective to further improve air quality in the EU and diminish the impact of air pollution on human health and the environment. It does not make it clear however whether the translation of the general objective into specific objectives, as formulated, fully addresses some relevant drivers. ...
To resolve, or not to resolve a bank? Options for framing bank resolution vs. insolvency
There is an emerging consensus among stakeholders to apply resolution more widely going forward, possibly through modifications of the public interest assessment. This briefing reviews the practice of the Single Resolution Board so far and presents some observations based on past experience and policy options that the legislators might want to consider as they set out to reform the resolution framework.
European Parliament work in the fields of Impact Assessment and European Added Value - Activity Report for 2022
This activity report summarises and explains the work undertaken by the European Parliament in the fields of impact assessment and European added value during the calendar year 2022. It details the support given by the Directorate for Impact Assessment and European Added Value within the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) to assist parliamentary committees in their oversight and scrutiny of the executive in the fields of ex-ante impact assessment, European added value, and ex-post evaluation ...