# C_2020449EN.01024701.xml

| 23.12.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 449/247 |
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23.12.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 449/247

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P8_TA(2019)0073

Programme for single market, competitiveness of enterprises and European statistics ***I

European Parliament legislative resolution of 12 February 2019 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Programme for single market, competitiveness of enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises, and European statistics and repealing Regulations (EU) No 99/2013, (EU) No 1287/2013, (EU) No 254/2014, (EU) No 258/2014, (EU) No 652/2014 and (EU) 2017/826 (COM(2018)0441 — C8-0254/2018 — 2018/0231(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

(2020/C 449/37)

The European Parliament,

| — | having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2018)0441), |
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having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2018)0441),

| — | having regard to Article 294(2), Article 43(2), Article 168(4)(b) and Articles 114, 173 and 338 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C8-0254/2018), |
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having regard to Article 294(2), Article 43(2), Article 168(4)(b) and Articles 114, 173 and 338 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C8-0254/2018),

| — | having regard to Article 294(3), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
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having regard to Article 294(3), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

| — | having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 17 October 2018 (1), |
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having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 17 October 2018 (1),

| — | having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 5 December 2018 (2), |
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having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 5 December 2018 (2),

| — | having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure, |
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having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,

| — | having regard to the report of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection and also the opinions of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and the Committee on Budgets (A8-0052/2019), |
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having regard to the report of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection and also the opinions of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and the Committee on Budgets (A8-0052/2019),

| 1. | Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out; |
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1.

| 2. | Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal; |
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2.

| 3. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments. |
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3.

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(1)  OJ C 62, 15.2.2019, p. 40.

(2)  OJ C 86, 7.3.2019, p. 259.

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P8_TC1-COD(2018)0231

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 12 February 2019 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) .../... of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Programme for single market, competitiveness of enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises, and European statistics and repealing Regulations (EU) No 99/2013, (EU) No 1287/2013, (EU) No 254/2014, (EU) No 258/2014, (EU) No 652/2014 and (EU) 2017/826

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43(2), Article 168(4)(b) and Articles 114, 173 and 338 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2),

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (3),

Whereas:

| (1) | The internal market is a cornerstone of the Union. Since its inception, it has proved a major contributor to growth, competitiveness and employment. It has generated new opportunities and economies of scale for European businesses, notably micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and strengthened their industrial competitiveness, and it should continue benefitting all citizens equally. The internal market contributed to the creation of jobs and offered greater choice at lower prices for consumers while guaranteeing the high quality of products and services offered. It continues to be an engine for building a more integrated market and a stronger, more balanced and fairer economy. It is one of the Union's major achievements and its best asset in an increasingly global world, as well as being a core element in achieving the transformation into a resource- and energy-efficient sustainable economy to respond to the increasing pressure of climate change. [Am. 1] |
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(1)

The internal market is a cornerstone of the Union. Since its inception, it has proved a major contributor to growth, competitiveness and employment. It has generated new opportunities and economies of scale for European businesses, notably micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and strengthened their industrial competitiveness, and it should continue benefitting all citizens equally. The internal market contributed to the creation of jobs and offered greater choice at lower prices for consumers while guaranteeing the high quality of products and services offered. It continues to be an engine for building a more integrated market and a stronger, more balanced and fairer economy. It is one of the Union's major achievements and its best asset in an increasingly global world, as well as being a core element in achieving the transformation into a resource- and energy-efficient sustainable economy to respond to the increasing pressure of climate change. [Am. 1]

| (2) | The internal market has to continuously adapt to a rapidly changing environment of digital revolution and globalisation. A new era of digital innovation continues to provide opportunities and benefits to the economy and to daily lives, especially for businesses and individuals, creates new products and business models but equally constitutes a challenge to regulation and enforcement, and to consumer protection and safety. [Am. 2] |
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(2)

The internal market has to continuously adapt to a rapidly changing environment of digital revolution and globalisation. A new era of digital innovation continues to provide opportunities and benefits to the economy and to daily lives, especially for businesses and individuals, creates new products and business models but equally constitutes a challenge to regulation and enforcement, and to consumer protection and safety. [Am. 2]

| (3) | The substantial body of Union legislation underpins the functioning of the internal market. This concerns, in particular, competitiveness, standardisation, mutual recognition, consumer protection, market surveillance and food chain regulation but also rules concerning business, trade and financial transactions and the promotion of fair competition providing for a level playing field essential for the functioning of the internal market for the benefit of consumers and businesses. [Am. 3] |
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(3)

The substantial body of Union legislation underpins the functioning of the internal market. This concerns, in particular, competitiveness, standardisation, mutual recognition, consumer protection, market surveillance and food chain regulation but also rules concerning business, trade and financial transactions and the promotion of fair competition providing for a level playing field essential for the functioning of the internal market for the benefit of consumers and businesses. [Am. 3]

| (4) | Still, unjustified, discriminatory and disproportionate barriers to the proper functioning of the internal market, remain and the new obstacles emerge. Adopting rules is only a first step, but making them work is as important. This Inadequate enforcement of existing rules, barriers to free movement of goods and services, and low levels of cross-border public procurement limit the opportunities for businesses and consumers. Addressing such obstacles is ultimately a matter of citizens' trust in the Union, in its capacity to deliver, and its ability to create quality jobs and growth while protecting the public interest. [Am. 4] |
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(4)

Still, unjustified, discriminatory and disproportionate barriers to the proper functioning of the internal market, remain and the new obstacles emerge. Adopting rules is only a first step, but making them work is as important. This Inadequate enforcement of existing rules, barriers to free movement of goods and services, and low levels of cross-border public procurement limit the opportunities for businesses and consumers. Addressing such obstacles is ultimately a matter of citizens' trust in the Union, in its capacity to deliver, and its ability to create quality jobs and growth while protecting the public interest. [Am. 4]

| (5) | Several programmes for Union action exist currently in the fields of competitiveness of enterprises including SMEs, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, consumer protection, customers and end-users in financial services, policy making in financial services and food chain. Some additional activities are financed directly under the internal market budget lines. It is necessary to streamline and exploit synergies between various actions and provide for a more flexible, transparent, simplified and agile framework to finance activities aiming to achieve a well-functioning and sustainable internal market in the most cost-efficient manner. It is therefore necessary to establish a new programme bringing together activities financed previously under those other programmes and other relevant budget lines that draws the lessons to be learned from existing programmes. The programme should also include new initiatives which aim to improve the functioning of the internal market, avoiding duplication with related Union programmes and actions. [Am. 5] |
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(5)

Several programmes for Union action exist currently in the fields of competitiveness of enterprises including SMEs, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, consumer protection, customers and end-users in financial services, policy making in financial services and food chain. Some additional activities are financed directly under the internal market budget lines. It is necessary to streamline and exploit synergies between various actions and provide for a more flexible, transparent, simplified and agile framework to finance activities aiming to achieve a well-functioning and sustainable internal market in the most cost-efficient manner. It is therefore necessary to establish a new programme bringing together activities financed previously under those other programmes and other relevant budget lines that draws the lessons to be learned from existing programmes. The programme should also include new initiatives which aim to improve the functioning of the internal market, avoiding duplication with related Union programmes and actions. [Am. 5]

| (6) | The development, production and dissemination of European statistics are subject to a separate European Statistical Programme established by Regulation (EU) No 99/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4). In order to provide continuity of producing and disseminating European statistics, the new programme should also include activities covered by the existing European Statistical Programme by providing a framework for the collection of data, as well as for the development, production, the correct use, application and dissemination of European statistics. The new programme should establish the financial framework for European statistics to provide high-quality, comparable and reliable European statistics on Europe, also on matters such trade and migration, in order to underpin the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all Union policies in accordance with Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). [Am. 6] |
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(6)

The development, production and dissemination of European statistics are subject to a separate European Statistical Programme established by Regulation (EU) No 99/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4). In order to provide continuity of producing and disseminating European statistics, the new programme should also include activities covered by the existing European Statistical Programme by providing a framework for the collection of data, as well as for the development, production, the correct use, application and dissemination of European statistics. The new programme should establish the financial framework for European statistics to provide high-quality, comparable and reliable European statistics on Europe, also on matters such trade and migration, in order to underpin the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all Union policies in accordance with Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). [Am. 6]

| (7) | It is therefore appropriate to establish a the Single Market Programme for strengthening the internal market, and improving its functioning in the fields of competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises, including especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, standardisation, market surveillance, consumer protection, food supply chain and European statistics (the ‘Programme’). The Programme should be established for the duration of seven years from 2021 to 2027. [Am. 7] |
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(7)

It is therefore appropriate to establish a the Single Market Programme for strengthening the internal market, and improving its functioning in the fields of competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises, including especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, standardisation, market surveillance, consumer protection, food supply chain and European statistics (the ‘Programme’). The Programme should be established for the duration of seven years from 2021 to 2027. [Am. 7]

| (8) | The Programme should support the design, implementation and enforcement of Union legislation underpinning the proper functioning of the internal market. The Programme should support the creation of the right conditions to empower all actors of the internal market: businesses, citizens including consumers, and employees, civil society and public authorities. To that end, the Programme should aim to ensure the competitiveness and sustainability of businesses, notably SMEs, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including those in the tourism sector, but also supporting the enforcement of consumer protection and safety rules as well as environmental and social standards, and by raising the awareness of businesses and individuals by providing them with the right tools, appropriate information and assistance, knowledge and competence to make informed decisions and strengthen their participation in Union’s policy-making. Furthermore, the Programme should aim to enhance regulatory and administrative cooperation, notably through training programmes, exchange of best practices, building of knowledge and competence bases, including the use of strategic public procurement. The Programme should also aim to support the development of high-quality international standards that underpin the implementation of Union legislation. This also includes standard setting in the field of financial reporting and audit, thereby contributing to the transparency and well-functioning of the Union’s capital markets and to enhancing investor protection. The Programme should support rulemaking and standard setting also by ensuring the broadest possible stakeholder involvement. The objective of the Programme should also be to support the implementation and enforcement of Union legislation providing for a high level of health for humans, animals and plants along the food chain and the improvement of the welfare of animals. [Am. 8] |
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(8)

The Programme should support the design, implementation and enforcement of Union legislation underpinning the proper functioning of the internal market. The Programme should support the creation of the right conditions to empower all actors of the internal market: businesses, citizens including consumers, and employees, civil society and public authorities. To that end, the Programme should aim to ensure the competitiveness and sustainability of businesses, notably SMEs, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including those in the tourism sector, but also supporting the enforcement of consumer protection and safety rules as well as environmental and social standards, and by raising the awareness of businesses and individuals by providing them with the right tools, appropriate information and assistance, knowledge and competence to make informed decisions and strengthen their participation in Union’s policy-making. Furthermore, the Programme should aim to enhance regulatory and administrative cooperation, notably through training programmes, exchange of best practices, building of knowledge and competence bases, including the use of strategic public procurement. The Programme should also aim to support the development of high-quality international standards that underpin the implementation of Union legislation. This also includes standard setting in the field of financial reporting and audit, thereby contributing to the transparency and well-functioning of the Union’s capital markets and to enhancing investor protection. The Programme should support rulemaking and standard setting also by ensuring the broadest possible stakeholder involvement. The objective of the Programme should also be to support the implementation and enforcement of Union legislation providing for a high level of health for humans, animals and plants along the food chain and the improvement of the welfare of animals. [Am. 8]

| (9) | A modern internal market that is based on principles of fairness, transparency and mutual trust, promotes competition and benefits consumers, businesses and employees. Making better use of the ever evolving internal market in services should help European businesses create jobs and grow across borders, offer wider choice of services at better prices, and maintain high standards for consumers and workers. To achieve this, the Programme should contribute to better monitoring of internal market developments, including of the impact of new technological development, the identification and the removal of remaining unjustified, discriminatory and disproportionate barriers, and to ensure a that the regulatory framework that can accommodate new innovative business models, including collaborative economy models and social entrepreneurship, while ensuring a high-level of social protection, including for entrepreneurs. [Am. 9] |
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(9)

A modern internal market that is based on principles of fairness, transparency and mutual trust, promotes competition and benefits consumers, businesses and employees. Making better use of the ever evolving internal market in services should help European businesses create jobs and grow across borders, offer wider choice of services at better prices, and maintain high standards for consumers and workers. To achieve this, the Programme should contribute to better monitoring of internal market developments, including of the impact of new technological development, the identification and the removal of remaining unjustified, discriminatory and disproportionate barriers, and to ensure a that the regulatory framework that can accommodate new innovative business models, including collaborative economy models and social entrepreneurship, while ensuring a high-level of social protection, including for entrepreneurs. [Am. 9]

| (10) | Regulatory obstacles in the internal market have been removed for many industrial products through prevention mechanisms, the adoption of common rules and standards, and, where no such Union rules exist, through the principle of mutual recognition. In areas where no Union legislation exists, the principle of mutual recognition means that goods that are lawfully marketed in one Member State enjoy the right to free movement and can be sold in another Member State, unless the Member State concerned has grounds to oppose the marketing of the goods, provided that such a restriction is non-discriminatory, justified by legitimate public interest objectives, as set out in Article 36 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) or recognised by the case-law of the Court of Justice, and proportionate to the aim pursued. However, inadequate application of mutual recognition such as unjustified or disproportionate restrictions makes it harder for companies to access markets in other Member States. Despite the high degree of market integration in the area of goods, this leads to lost opportunities for the economy at large. The revision of Regulation (EU) No xxx/ 2018 on Mutual Recognition will help to boost the economic benefits in this area. The Programme should therefore aim to improve the application of mutual recognition in the area of goods, realising its full potential and to reduce the number of illegal and non-compliant goods entering the market, through targeted awareness raising and training, support for Product Contact Points and better cooperation among competent authorities for mutual recognition and by strengthening market surveillance. [Am. 10] |
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(10)

Regulatory obstacles in the internal market have been removed for many industrial products through prevention mechanisms, the adoption of common rules and standards, and, where no such Union rules exist, through the principle of mutual recognition. In areas where no Union legislation exists, the principle of mutual recognition means that goods that are lawfully marketed in one Member State enjoy the right to free movement and can be sold in another Member State, unless the Member State concerned has grounds to oppose the marketing of the goods, provided that such a restriction is non-discriminatory, justified by legitimate public interest objectives, as set out in Article 36 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) or recognised by the case-law of the Court of Justice, and proportionate to the aim pursued. However, inadequate application of mutual recognition such as unjustified or disproportionate restrictions makes it harder for companies to access markets in other Member States. Despite the high degree of market integration in the area of goods, this leads to lost opportunities for the economy at large. The revision of Regulation (EU) No xxx/ 2018 on Mutual Recognition will help to boost the economic benefits in this area. The Programme should therefore aim to improve the application of mutual recognition in the area of goods, realising its full potential and to reduce the number of illegal and non-compliant goods entering the market, through targeted awareness raising and training, support for Product Contact Points and better cooperation among competent authorities for mutual recognition and by strengthening market surveillance. [Am. 10]

| (11) | New regulatory and enforcement challenges relate to a rapidly changing environment of the digital revolution, concerning issues such as cybersecurity, data protection and privacy, internet of things or artificial intelligence and related ethical standards. Should damage occur, stringent rules on product safety and clarity with regard to liability, as well as strict enforcement of rules are essential to ensure a policy response that allows European citizens, including consumers and businesses, to benefit from such rules. The Programme should therefore contribute to the rapid adaptation and better enforcement of a Union product liability regime which fosters innovation whilst ensuring the safety and security of users. [Am. 11] |
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(11)

New regulatory and enforcement challenges relate to a rapidly changing environment of the digital revolution, concerning issues such as cybersecurity, data protection and privacy, internet of things or artificial intelligence and related ethical standards. Should damage occur, stringent rules on product safety and clarity with regard to liability, as well as strict enforcement of rules are essential to ensure a policy response that allows European citizens, including consumers and businesses, to benefit from such rules. The Programme should therefore contribute to the rapid adaptation and better enforcement of a Union product liability regime which fosters innovation whilst ensuring the safety and security of users. [Am. 11]

| (12) | Placing on the market of products that are not compliant with Union law puts regardless of whether such products are placed on the market by traditional or electronic means and regardless of whether they are produced in the Union or enter it from third countries, puts Union citizens and consumers at risk. Economic operators selling compliant products face distorted competition from those who do not comply at disadvantage and may endanger consumers. Many entrepreneurs disregard with the rules either through due to lack of knowledge or intentionally to gain a competitive advantage. Market surveillance authorities are often underfunded and constrained by national boundaries, while entrepreneurs trade at Union or even global level. In particular, in the case of e-commerce, market surveillance authorities have great difficulties in tracing non-compliant products imported from third countries and identifying the responsible entity within their jurisdiction or conducting risk-assessments or safety tests due to the lack of physical access to products. The Programme should therefore seek to strengthen product compliance by strengthening market surveillance, providing the right incentives to entrepreneursclear, transparent and comprehensive rules to economic operators, raising awareness of applicable Union product safety rules, intensifying compliance checks and, including through systematic use of checks on samples of products representing significant percentages of each type of products placed on the market and mystery shopping carried out by market surveillance authorities as well as by promoting closer cross-border cooperation among enforcement authorities. The Programme should also contribute to the consolidation of the existing framework for market surveillance activities, encourage joint actions of market surveillance authorities from different Member States, improve the exchange of information and promote convergence and closer integration of market surveillance activities, in particular by ensuring that the new requirements introduced by the Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5) are strictly enforced so as to avoid the sale of non-compliant products to European citizens. The Programme should thus strengthen the capacity of the market surveillance authorities across the Union and contribute to a greater homogeneity between Member States, equally benefitting from the Internal Market in terms of economic prosperity and sustainable growth, while addressing their specific needs in a tailored manner. [Am. 12] |
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(12)

Placing on the market of products that are not compliant with Union law puts regardless of whether such products are placed on the market by traditional or electronic means and regardless of whether they are produced in the Union or enter it from third countries, puts Union citizens and consumers at risk. Economic operators selling compliant products face distorted competition from those who do not comply at disadvantage and may endanger consumers. Many entrepreneurs disregard with the rules either through due to lack of knowledge or intentionally to gain a competitive advantage. Market surveillance authorities are often underfunded and constrained by national boundaries, while entrepreneurs trade at Union or even global level. In particular, in the case of e-commerce, market surveillance authorities have great difficulties in tracing non-compliant products imported from third countries and identifying the responsible entity within their jurisdiction or conducting risk-assessments or safety tests due to the lack of physical access to products. The Programme should therefore seek to strengthen product compliance by strengthening market surveillance, providing the right incentives to entrepreneursclear, transparent and comprehensive rules to economic operators, raising awareness of applicable Union product safety rules, intensifying compliance checks and, including through systematic use of checks on samples of products representing significant percentages of each type of products placed on the market and mystery shopping carried out by market surveillance authorities as well as by promoting closer cross-border cooperation among enforcement authorities. The Programme should also contribute to the consolidation of the existing framework for market surveillance activities, encourage joint actions of market surveillance authorities from different Member States, improve the exchange of information and promote convergence and closer integration of market surveillance activities, in particular by ensuring that the new requirements introduced by the Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5) are strictly enforced so as to avoid the sale of non-compliant products to European citizens. The Programme should thus strengthen the capacity of the market surveillance authorities across the Union and contribute to a greater homogeneity between Member States, equally benefitting from the Internal Market in terms of economic prosperity and sustainable growth, while addressing their specific needs in a tailored manner. [Am. 12]

| (13) | Product safety is a common concern. The conformity assessment bodies verify whether products meet the safety requirements before they are placed on the market. It is therefore of paramount importance that the conformity assessment bodies are reliable and competent. The Union has put in place a system of accreditation of the conformity assessment bodies, verifying their competence, impartiality and independence. However, Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6) has been implemented in many different ways at national level. Those differences concern the distribution of competences between market surveillance authorities and the internal coordination mechanisms at national level, the level of deployed financial resources dedicated to market surveillance and the market surveillance strategies and approaches, as well as the powers with regard to non-compliant products and the level of penalties for infringements, resulting in the fragmented enforcement of Union harmonisation legislation. This fragmentation has led to market surveillance being more rigorous in some Member States than in others, potentially undermining the deterrent effect of the legislation, creating an unequal playing field among businesses in some Member States and resulting in imbalances in the level of product safety in the Union. The main challenge is now to keep the accreditation system in line with the latest state of the art and to ensure that it is applied with the same stringency across the Union. The Programme should therefore support measures to ensure that conformity assessment bodies continue fulfilling the regulatory requirements, especially through the use of third-party assessment in order to improve impartial and independent procedures, and to enhance the European accreditation system, in particular in new policy areas, by supporting the uniformity of checks and penalties, as well as the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) referred to in Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008. [Am. 13] |
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(13)

Product safety is a common concern. The conformity assessment bodies verify whether products meet the safety requirements before they are placed on the market. It is therefore of paramount importance that the conformity assessment bodies are reliable and competent. The Union has put in place a system of accreditation of the conformity assessment bodies, verifying their competence, impartiality and independence. However, Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6) has been implemented in many different ways at national level. Those differences concern the distribution of competences between market surveillance authorities and the internal coordination mechanisms at national level, the level of deployed financial resources dedicated to market surveillance and the market surveillance strategies and approaches, as well as the powers with regard to non-compliant products and the level of penalties for infringements, resulting in the fragmented enforcement of Union harmonisation legislation. This fragmentation has led to market surveillance being more rigorous in some Member States than in others, potentially undermining the deterrent effect of the legislation, creating an unequal playing field among businesses in some Member States and resulting in imbalances in the level of product safety in the Union. The main challenge is now to keep the accreditation system in line with the latest state of the art and to ensure that it is applied with the same stringency across the Union. The Programme should therefore support measures to ensure that conformity assessment bodies continue fulfilling the regulatory requirements, especially through the use of third-party assessment in order to improve impartial and independent procedures, and to enhance the European accreditation system, in particular in new policy areas, by supporting the uniformity of checks and penalties, as well as the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) referred to in Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008. [Am. 13]

| (14) | The development of e-commerce could raise certain issues regarding the protection of health and safety of end users from non- compliant products. As consumer markets know no borders with the development of online trade and travel services, it is important to ensure that consumers residing in the Union can benefit from adequate equivalent protection when importing goods and services from economic operators based in third countries. The Programme should therefore allow supporting cooperation with relevant bodies located in key trading third country partners of the Union where necessary with regard to the exchange of information on non-compliant products, on recent scientific developments and new technologies, on emerging risks and on other aspects related to control activities. [Am. 14] |
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(14)

The development of e-commerce could raise certain issues regarding the protection of health and safety of end users from non- compliant products. As consumer markets know no borders with the development of online trade and travel services, it is important to ensure that consumers residing in the Union can benefit from adequate equivalent protection when importing goods and services from economic operators based in third countries. The Programme should therefore allow supporting cooperation with relevant bodies located in key trading third country partners of the Union where necessary with regard to the exchange of information on non-compliant products, on recent scientific developments and new technologies, on emerging risks and on other aspects related to control activities. [Am. 14]

| (15) | Public procurement is used by public authorities to ensure value for public money spent and to contribute to a more innovative, sustainable, inclusive and competitive internal market, including, where this is in accordance with applicable Union law, by applying criteria other than simply the lowest price or cost effectiveness, taking into account, among others, qualitative, environmental, fair trade and social aspects and by facilitating the division of tenders into lots for large infrastructure. Directives 2014/23/EU (7), 2014/24/EU (8) and 2014/25/EU (9) of the European Parliament and of the Council provide the legal framework for the integration and effective functioning of the public procurement markets representing 14 % of Union’s gross domestic product, to the benefit of public authorities, businesses as well as citizens, including consumers. Correctly implemented public procurement rules are a crucial tool for strengthening the single market and for boosting the growth of Union companies and Union jobs. The Programme should therefore support measures to ensure a wider uptake of strategic public procurement, the professionalisation of public buyers, improved to facilitate and improve access to procurement markets for SMEs and micro enterprises, in particular through advisory services and training, increase of transparency, integrity and better data, boosting the digital transformation of procurement and promotion of joint procurement, through strengthening a partnership approach with the Member States, improving data gathering and data analysis including through development of dedicated IT tools, supporting exchange of experiences and good practices, referencing European and international standards, providing guidance, pursuing beneficial trade agreements, strengthening cooperation among national authorities and launching pilot projects. [Am. 15] |
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(15)

Public procurement is used by public authorities to ensure value for public money spent and to contribute to a more innovative, sustainable, inclusive and competitive internal market, including, where this is in accordance with applicable Union law, by applying criteria other than simply the lowest price or cost effectiveness, taking into account, among others, qualitative, environmental, fair trade and social aspects and by facilitating the division of tenders into lots for large infrastructure. Directives 2014/23/EU (7), 2014/24/EU (8) and 2014/25/EU (9) of the European Parliament and of the Council provide the legal framework for the integration and effective functioning of the public procurement markets representing 14 % of Union’s gross domestic product, to the benefit of public authorities, businesses as well as citizens, including consumers. Correctly implemented public procurement rules are a crucial tool for strengthening the single market and for boosting the growth of Union companies and Union jobs. The Programme should therefore support measures to ensure a wider uptake of strategic public procurement, the professionalisation of public buyers, improved to facilitate and improve access to procurement markets for SMEs and micro enterprises, in particular through advisory services and training, increase of transparency, integrity and better data, boosting the digital transformation of procurement and promotion of joint procurement, through strengthening a partnership approach with the Member States, improving data gathering and data analysis including through development of dedicated IT tools, supporting exchange of experiences and good practices, referencing European and international standards, providing guidance, pursuing beneficial trade agreements, strengthening cooperation among national authorities and launching pilot projects. [Am. 15]

| (16) | In order to meet the objectives of the Programme and to facilitate the lives of citizens and businesses, high-quality user-centric public services, increasingly digitally-oriented and fully accessible, need to be put in place and e-administration and e-government efforts further boosted while ensuring appropriate data protection and privacy. This implies that public administrations will need to start working in new, more innovative ways, in order to bring down silos between the different parts of their administrations, and to engage in the co-creation of these public services with citizens and businesses. Moreover, the continuous and steady increase of cross-border activities in the internal market requires provision the availability of up-to-date, accurate and easy to understand information on the rights of businesses and citizens, but also information explaining the administrative formalities, as well as simplifying them. In addition, provision of legal advice and helping to solve problems which occur at cross national level becomes essential. Furthermore, connecting national administrations in a simple and efficient manner, supporting public authorities in achieving those objectives, as well as evaluating how the internal market works on the ground is necessary. The existing internal market governance tools already play an important role in facilitating the achievement of those objectives. To this end, and in order to keep up with technology and market developments, as well as with new regulatory and enforcement challenges, the Programme should support the enhancement of quality, visibility and transparency and of the reliability of the internal market governance tools. The Programme should therefore support, amongst others the following existing internal market governance tools: the Your Europe Portal which should be a backbone of the upcoming Single Digital Gateway, Your Europe Advice, SOLVIT, the Internal Market Information system and the Single Market Scoreboard in order to improve citizens' daily lives and businesses' ability to trade across borders. [Am. 16] |
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(16)

In order to meet the objectives of the Programme and to facilitate the lives of citizens and businesses, high-quality user-centric public services, increasingly digitally-oriented and fully accessible, need to be put in place and e-administration and e-government efforts further boosted while ensuring appropriate data protection and privacy. This implies that public administrations will need to start working in new, more innovative ways, in order to bring down silos between the different parts of their administrations, and to engage in the co-creation of these public services with citizens and businesses. Moreover, the continuous and steady increase of cross-border activities in the internal market requires provision the availability of up-to-date, accurate and easy to understand information on the rights of businesses and citizens, but also information explaining the administrative formalities, as well as simplifying them. In addition, provision of legal advice and helping to solve problems which occur at cross national level becomes essential. Furthermore, connecting national administrations in a simple and efficient manner, supporting public authorities in achieving those objectives, as well as evaluating how the internal market works on the ground is necessary. The existing internal market governance tools already play an important role in facilitating the achievement of those objectives. To this end, and in order to keep up with technology and market developments, as well as with new regulatory and enforcement challenges, the Programme should support the enhancement of quality, visibility and transparency and of the reliability of the internal market governance tools. The Programme should therefore support, amongst others the following existing internal market governance tools: the Your Europe Portal which should be a backbone of the upcoming Single Digital Gateway, Your Europe Advice, SOLVIT, the Internal Market Information system and the Single Market Scoreboard in order to improve citizens' daily lives and businesses' ability to trade across borders. [Am. 16]

| (17) | The Programme should support the development of the Union regulatory framework in the area of company law and corporate governance, as well as contract law, with a view to make business, especially SMEs, more efficient and competitive while providing protection for stakeholders affected by company operations, and to react to emerging policy challenges. It should also ensure appropriate evaluation, implementation and enforcement of the relevant acquis, inform and assist stakeholders and promote information exchange in the area. The Programme should further support the Commission's initiatives in favour of a clear and adapted legal framework for the data economy and innovation. Those initiatives are necessary to enhance legal certainty with regard to contractual and extra contractual law, in particular with regard to liability and ethics in the context of emerging technologies, such as internet of things, artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D Printing. The Programme should aim at stimulating the development of data-driven business whilst ensuring a high level of privacy protection, as it will be decisive for the position of the Union economy in a global competition. [Am. 17] |
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(17)

The Programme should support the development of the Union regulatory framework in the area of company law and corporate governance, as well as contract law, with a view to make business, especially SMEs, more efficient and competitive while providing protection for stakeholders affected by company operations, and to react to emerging policy challenges. It should also ensure appropriate evaluation, implementation and enforcement of the relevant acquis, inform and assist stakeholders and promote information exchange in the area. The Programme should further support the Commission's initiatives in favour of a clear and adapted legal framework for the data economy and innovation. Those initiatives are necessary to enhance legal certainty with regard to contractual and extra contractual law, in particular with regard to liability and ethics in the context of emerging technologies, such as internet of things, artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D Printing. The Programme should aim at stimulating the development of data-driven business whilst ensuring a high level of privacy protection, as it will be decisive for the position of the Union economy in a global competition. [Am. 17]

| (18) | The Programme should also promote the correct and full implementation and application of the Union legal framework for anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing by the Member States and the development of future policies to address new challenges in the field. It should also support the relevant activities of the international organisations of European interest, such as the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism of the Council of Europe. |
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(18)

The Programme should also promote the correct and full implementation and application of the Union legal framework for anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing by the Member States and the development of future policies to address new challenges in the field. It should also support the relevant activities of the international organisations of European interest, such as the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism of the Council of Europe.

| (19) | The implementation and development of the internal market in the area of financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union including sustainable finance, highly depends on the evidence based policy measures taken by the Union. In order to achieve this objective, the Commission should have an active role in constantly monitoring financial markets and financial stability, assessing the implementation of Union legislation by Member States, evaluating whether the existing legislation is fit for purpose and identifying potential areas of action where new risks emerge, with a continuous involvement of stakeholders throughout the policy cycle. Such activities rely on the production of analyses, studies, training materials, surveys, conformity assessments, evaluations and statistics and are supported by IT systems and communication tools. |
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(19)

The implementation and development of the internal market in the area of financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union including sustainable finance, highly depends on the evidence based policy measures taken by the Union. In order to achieve this objective, the Commission should have an active role in constantly monitoring financial markets and financial stability, assessing the implementation of Union legislation by Member States, evaluating whether the existing legislation is fit for purpose and identifying potential areas of action where new risks emerge, with a continuous involvement of stakeholders throughout the policy cycle. Such activities rely on the production of analyses, studies, training materials, surveys, conformity assessments, evaluations and statistics and are supported by IT systems and communication tools.

| (20) | Considering that the internal market as set out in Article 3 of the TFEU European Union includes a system of rules ensuring that competition is not distorted in the internal market, the Programme should contribute to support the Union’s competition policy, networks and by improving and reinforcing the cooperation with the European Competition Network and with national authorities and courts, including by way of strengthening international cooperation as well as outreach to a wider group of stakeholders in communicating and explaining the rights, benefits and obligations of Union competition policy. The Programme should in particular help the Commission to enhance its analysis and assessment of market developments, also through extensive use of sector inquiries and by systematic sharing of results and best practices within the European Competition Network. This should contribute to ensuring fair competition and a level playing field, also at international level, and empowering businesses, in particular SMEs, and consumers in order to reap the benefits of the Single Market. [Am. 18] |
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(20)

Considering that the internal market as set out in Article 3 of the TFEU European Union includes a system of rules ensuring that competition is not distorted in the internal market, the Programme should contribute to support the Union’s competition policy, networks and by improving and reinforcing the cooperation with the European Competition Network and with national authorities and courts, including by way of strengthening international cooperation as well as outreach to a wider group of stakeholders in communicating and explaining the rights, benefits and obligations of Union competition policy. The Programme should in particular help the Commission to enhance its analysis and assessment of market developments, also through extensive use of sector inquiries and by systematic sharing of results and best practices within the European Competition Network. This should contribute to ensuring fair competition and a level playing field, also at international level, and empowering businesses, in particular SMEs, and consumers in order to reap the benefits of the Single Market. [Am. 18]

| (21) | The Programme in particular needs to tackle the radical implications for competition and the functioning of the internal market resulting from the ongoing transformation of the economy and business environment, in particular through the exponential growth and use of data, taking account of the increasing recourse to artificial intelligence, big data and algorithms and other IT tools and expertise by companies and their advisors. It is also essential that the Programme supports networks and cooperation a wider and deeper engagement with Member State authorities and courts, considering that undistorted competition and the functioning of the internal market depend critically on action by those entities. In view of the particular role of competition policy in preventing harm to the internal market resulting from anticompetitive conduct beyond the Union’s border, the Programme should also support cooperation with third country authorities, as appropriate. Finally, widening outreach activities is necessary in order to allow more citizens and businesses to reap the full benefits of fair competition in the internal market. In particular, it is necessary to demonstrate the tangible benefits of the Union`s competition policy to the European citizens through engagement with civil society groups and relevant directly impacted stakeholders. Given that a number of initiatives in the Programme are new and that the competition part of the Programme is particularly affected by dynamic and rapid developments in the conditions of competition in the internal market, notably relating to digital developments, Artificial Intelligence, algorithms, big data, cybersecurity and forensic technology, the pace and magnitude of which are difficult to estimate, it is anticipated that flexibility will be required to face the evolving needs under this part of the Programme. [Am. 19] |
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(21)

The Programme in particular needs to tackle the radical implications for competition and the functioning of the internal market resulting from the ongoing transformation of the economy and business environment, in particular through the exponential growth and use of data, taking account of the increasing recourse to artificial intelligence, big data and algorithms and other IT tools and expertise by companies and their advisors. It is also essential that the Programme supports networks and cooperation a wider and deeper engagement with Member State authorities and courts, considering that undistorted competition and the functioning of the internal market depend critically on action by those entities. In view of the particular role of competition policy in preventing harm to the internal market resulting from anticompetitive conduct beyond the Union’s border, the Programme should also support cooperation with third country authorities, as appropriate. Finally, widening outreach activities is necessary in order to allow more citizens and businesses to reap the full benefits of fair competition in the internal market. In particular, it is necessary to demonstrate the tangible benefits of the Union`s competition policy to the European citizens through engagement with civil society groups and relevant directly impacted stakeholders. Given that a number of initiatives in the Programme are new and that the competition part of the Programme is particularly affected by dynamic and rapid developments in the conditions of competition in the internal market, notably relating to digital developments, Artificial Intelligence, algorithms, big data, cybersecurity and forensic technology, the pace and magnitude of which are difficult to estimate, it is anticipated that flexibility will be required to face the evolving needs under this part of the Programme. [Am. 19]

| (22) | Strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of European enterprises while reassuring an effective level playing field and an open and competitive internal market is of outmost importance. SMEs are the engine of the European economy making up 99 % of all businesses in Europe, providing two thirds of jobs, and contributing substantially to the creation of new jobs quality jobs in all sectors with a regional and local dimension, and hence social cohesion. SMEs are instrumental in pursuing the energy transition and contributing to the achievement of the Union's climate objectives deriving from the Paris Agreement. The Programme should therefore enhance their capacity to develop environmentally-friendly high quality products and services and support their efforts to increase resource-efficiency, in line with the ‘energy efficiency first’ principle. In doing so, the Programme also contributes to improve Union SMEs competitiveness on the global market. [Am. 20] |
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(22)

Strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of European enterprises while reassuring an effective level playing field and an open and competitive internal market is of outmost importance. SMEs are the engine of the European economy making up 99 % of all businesses in Europe, providing two thirds of jobs, and contributing substantially to the creation of new jobs quality jobs in all sectors with a regional and local dimension, and hence social cohesion. SMEs are instrumental in pursuing the energy transition and contributing to the achievement of the Union's climate objectives deriving from the Paris Agreement. The Programme should therefore enhance their capacity to develop environmentally-friendly high quality products and services and support their efforts to increase resource-efficiency, in line with the ‘energy efficiency first’ principle. In doing so, the Programme also contributes to improve Union SMEs competitiveness on the global market. [Am. 20]

| (23) | SMEs share common challenges that do not affect larger firms to the same extent to obtain finance, to find skilled work force, to alleviate administrative burden, to take-up creativity and innovation, to access markets and foster internationalisation activities. The Programme should address such market failures proportionally, while not unduly distorting competition in the internal market. The Programme should in particular create appropriate conditions to introduce technological and organisational innovation in the production processes, paying attention to specific forms of SMEs such as micro enterprises, enterprises engaged in craft activities, the self-employed, the liberal professions and social economy enterprises. Attention should also be paid to potential, new, young and female entrepreneurs, as well as to other specific target groups, such as older people, migrants and entrepreneurs belonging to socially disadvantaged or vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities. [Am. 21] |
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(23)

SMEs share common challenges that do not affect larger firms to the same extent to obtain finance, to find skilled work force, to alleviate administrative burden, to take-up creativity and innovation, to access markets and foster internationalisation activities. The Programme should address such market failures proportionally, while not unduly distorting competition in the internal market. The Programme should in particular create appropriate conditions to introduce technological and organisational innovation in the production processes, paying attention to specific forms of SMEs such as micro enterprises, enterprises engaged in craft activities, the self-employed, the liberal professions and social economy enterprises. Attention should also be paid to potential, new, young and female entrepreneurs, as well as to other specific target groups, such as older people, migrants and entrepreneurs belonging to socially disadvantaged or vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities. [Am. 21]

| (23a) | The programme should support and promote a culture of innovation, developing an ecosystem capable of encouraging business start-ups and nurturing their growth, focusing on micro-enterprises and innovative SMEs able to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive and fast-moving environment. Radically new innovation processes require the development of an open innovation model with an increase in collaborative research and the sharing of knowledge and intellectual property between different organisations. The Programme should accordingly seek to support the innovation process by incorporating new collaborative business models, focusing on networking and the sharing of knowledge and resources within inter-organisational communities. [Am. 22] |
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(23a)

The programme should support and promote a culture of innovation, developing an ecosystem capable of encouraging business start-ups and nurturing their growth, focusing on micro-enterprises and innovative SMEs able to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive and fast-moving environment. Radically new innovation processes require the development of an open innovation model with an increase in collaborative research and the sharing of knowledge and intellectual property between different organisations. The Programme should accordingly seek to support the innovation process by incorporating new collaborative business models, focusing on networking and the sharing of knowledge and resources within inter-organisational communities. [Am. 22]

| (23b) | The Programme should address such market failures proportionally, paying special attention to actions that benefit directly SMEs and enterprise networks, and while not unduly distorting competition in the internal market. [Am. 23] |
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(23b)

The Programme should address such market failures proportionally, paying special attention to actions that benefit directly SMEs and enterprise networks, and while not unduly distorting competition in the internal market. [Am. 23]

| (24) | Many of the Union's competitiveness problems involve SMEs' difficulties in obtaining access to finance because they lack information, struggle to demonstrate their credit-worthiness and have insufficient collateral or simply due to low awareness of existing mechanism to support their activities at Union, national or local level. Additional financing challenges arise from the smaller size of micro-enterprises and SMEs' need to stay competitive by engaging e.g. in digitisation, internationalisation and innovation activities and skilling up their workforce. Limited access to finance has a negative effect on businesses creation, growth and survival rates, as well as on the readiness of new entrepreneurs to take over viable companies in the context of a business succession. [Am. 24] |
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(24)

Many of the Union's competitiveness problems involve SMEs' difficulties in obtaining access to finance because they lack information, struggle to demonstrate their credit-worthiness and have insufficient collateral or simply due to low awareness of existing mechanism to support their activities at Union, national or local level. Additional financing challenges arise from the smaller size of micro-enterprises and SMEs' need to stay competitive by engaging e.g. in digitisation, internationalisation and innovation activities and skilling up their workforce. Limited access to finance has a negative effect on businesses creation, growth and survival rates, as well as on the readiness of new entrepreneurs to take over viable companies in the context of a business succession. [Am. 24]

| (25) | To overcome these market failures and to ensure that SMEs continue to play their role as the foundation for the Union economy's competitiveness, and as a driver for a sustainable economy, small and medium-sized enterprises need extra support through debt and equity instruments to be established under the SME window of the InvestEU Fund established by Regulation [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (10). The loan guarantee facility put in place under former COSME programme established by Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (11) has a proven added value and is expected to bring a positive contribution to at least 500 000 SMEs; a successor will be established under the SME window of the InvestEU Fund. More attention should be paid to better communication and public campaigns in order to increase awareness to potential beneficiaries of the availability of the Programme for SMEs. To raise the awareness of Union’s actions supporting SMEs, actions that are wholly or partially funded by this Programme, including intermediaries, should incorporate the European emblem (flag) associated to a sentence acknowledging the support received by this Programme. [Am. 25] |
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(25)

To overcome these market failures and to ensure that SMEs continue to play their role as the foundation for the Union economy's competitiveness, and as a driver for a sustainable economy, small and medium-sized enterprises need extra support through debt and equity instruments to be established under the SME window of the InvestEU Fund established by Regulation [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (10). The loan guarantee facility put in place under former COSME programme established by Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (11) has a proven added value and is expected to bring a positive contribution to at least 500 000 SMEs; a successor will be established under the SME window of the InvestEU Fund. More attention should be paid to better communication and public campaigns in order to increase awareness to potential beneficiaries of the availability of the Programme for SMEs. To raise the awareness of Union’s actions supporting SMEs, actions that are wholly or partially funded by this Programme, including intermediaries, should incorporate the European emblem (flag) associated to a sentence acknowledging the support received by this Programme. [Am. 25]

| (26) | The policy objectives of this Programme will be also addressed through financial instruments and budgetary guarantee under the SME window of the InvestEU Fund. The SME window of the InvestEU Fund should have a central overarching point providing information about the Programme in each Member State, in order to increase the accessibility and awareness of the funds for SMEs. Financial support should be used to address market failures or sub-optimal investment situations, in a proportionate manner and actions should not duplicate or crowd out private financing or distort competition in the internal market, and should clearly offer additionality and enhancing synergies with other European programmes. Actions should have a clear European added value. [Am. 26] |
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(26)

The policy objectives of this Programme will be also addressed through financial instruments and budgetary guarantee under the SME window of the InvestEU Fund. The SME window of the InvestEU Fund should have a central overarching point providing information about the Programme in each Member State, in order to increase the accessibility and awareness of the funds for SMEs. Financial support should be used to address market failures or sub-optimal investment situations, in a proportionate manner and actions should not duplicate or crowd out private financing or distort competition in the internal market, and should clearly offer additionality and enhancing synergies with other European programmes. Actions should have a clear European added value. [Am. 26]

| (26a) | The actions supported by the InvestEU Fund through the EU compartment or the Member States compartment should not duplicate or replace private funding, or distort competition in the internal market, but, with reference to the local public and private guarantee schemes already operating, should facilitate their integration with such schemes, the overriding objective being to enhance and extend the actual benefits to final recipients, who are SMEs within the meaning of Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC (12) in order to achieve genuine additionality of the measures. [Am. 27] |
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(26a)

The actions supported by the InvestEU Fund through the EU compartment or the Member States compartment should not duplicate or replace private funding, or distort competition in the internal market, but, with reference to the local public and private guarantee schemes already operating, should facilitate their integration with such schemes, the overriding objective being to enhance and extend the actual benefits to final recipients, who are SMEs within the meaning of Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC (12) in order to achieve genuine additionality of the measures. [Am. 27]

| (26b) | Besides access to finance also access to skills is crucial, including managerial skills and knowledge are critical factors for SMEs to access existing funds, innovate, compete and grow. The delivery of financial instruments as envisaged under InvestEU Fund should therefore be accompanied by the development of appropriate mentoring, coaching schemes and by the delivery of knowledge-based business services. [Am. 28] |
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(26b)

Besides access to finance also access to skills is crucial, including managerial skills and knowledge are critical factors for SMEs to access existing funds, innovate, compete and grow. The delivery of financial instruments as envisaged under InvestEU Fund should therefore be accompanied by the development of appropriate mentoring, coaching schemes and by the delivery of knowledge-based business services. [Am. 28]

| (27) | The Programme should provide effective support for SMEs throughout their life-cycle, providing assistance ranging from project preparation through to commercialisation and access to the market, and encouraging the creation of business enterprise networks. It should build on the unique knowledge and expertise developed with regard to SMEs and industrial economic and entrepreneurial sectors and on a long experience in working with European, national and regional stakeholders. This support should build on the successful experience of the Enterprise Europe Network as a one-stop-shop to improve SMEs competitiveness and develop their business in the Single Market and beyond. The Network plans to continue delivering services on behalf of other Union programmes, notably for the Horizon2020 programme, using the financial resources of these programmes. It should also support enhanced participation of SMEs representatives’ organisation in the development of Single Market Policy initiative, such as public procurement, standardisation processes and intellectual property regimes. The Network should also increase the number of actions, providing more targeted advice to SMEs, in drafting projects and supporting networking and technological and organisational transition. The Network should also improve cooperation and liaison with other Advisory hubs established in the Digital programme and InvestEU Fund as regards access to finance. The actions for SMEs in the Network should also aim to provide high quality services across Europe, paying particular attention to areas of activities and geographical parts of the Union where the Networks and intermediary stakeholders do not meet expected results. Also the successful mentoring scheme for new entrepreneurs — Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs — should remain the tool to enable new or aspiring entrepreneurs to gain business and managerial experience by matching with an experienced entrepreneur from another country and thus allow strengthening entrepreneurial talents. The Programme should further strive to grow and extend its geographical coverage and thus offer wider range of matching possibilities to entrepreneurs in complementarity with other Union initiatives where relevant. In order to increase the value added by the promotion of entrepreneurship initiatives, special attention should be paid to micro-enterprises and to those that have benefited the least from the existing programme, and where the culture of entrepreneurship remains at a very basic level, and faces more barriers. Every effort should be made to achieve reasonably geographically balanced distribution of the funds. [Am. 29] |
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(27)

The Programme should provide effective support for SMEs throughout their life-cycle, providing assistance ranging from project preparation through to commercialisation and access to the market, and encouraging the creation of business enterprise networks. It should build on the unique knowledge and expertise developed with regard to SMEs and industrial economic and entrepreneurial sectors and on a long experience in working with European, national and regional stakeholders. This support should build on the successful experience of the Enterprise Europe Network as a one-stop-shop to improve SMEs competitiveness and develop their business in the Single Market and beyond. The Network plans to continue delivering services on behalf of other Union programmes, notably for the Horizon2020 programme, using the financial resources of these programmes. It should also support enhanced participation of SMEs representatives’ organisation in the development of Single Market Policy initiative, such as public procurement, standardisation processes and intellectual property regimes. The Network should also increase the number of actions, providing more targeted advice to SMEs, in drafting projects and supporting networking and technological and organisational transition. The Network should also improve cooperation and liaison with other Advisory hubs established in the Digital programme and InvestEU Fund as regards access to finance. The actions for SMEs in the Network should also aim to provide high quality services across Europe, paying particular attention to areas of activities and geographical parts of the Union where the Networks and intermediary stakeholders do not meet expected results. Also the successful mentoring scheme for new entrepreneurs — Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs — should remain the tool to enable new or aspiring entrepreneurs to gain business and managerial experience by matching with an experienced entrepreneur from another country and thus allow strengthening entrepreneurial talents. The Programme should further strive to grow and extend its geographical coverage and thus offer wider range of matching possibilities to entrepreneurs in complementarity with other Union initiatives where relevant. In order to increase the value added by the promotion of entrepreneurship initiatives, special attention should be paid to micro-enterprises and to those that have benefited the least from the existing programme, and where the culture of entrepreneurship remains at a very basic level, and faces more barriers. Every effort should be made to achieve reasonably geographically balanced distribution of the funds. [Am. 29]

| (27a) | More effort should be made to reduce the administrative burden and to increase the accessibility of the programmes in order to reduce costs of SMEs and microenterprises due to a complicated application process and participation requirements. Member States should also consider establishing a single information point for undertakings interested in using Union's funds functioning as a one-stop-shop. Evaluation procedure should be as simple and fast as possible in order to allow for timely use of the benefits the Programme offers. [Am. 30] |
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(27a)

More effort should be made to reduce the administrative burden and to increase the accessibility of the programmes in order to reduce costs of SMEs and microenterprises due to a complicated application process and participation requirements. Member States should also consider establishing a single information point for undertakings interested in using Union's funds functioning as a one-stop-shop. Evaluation procedure should be as simple and fast as possible in order to allow for timely use of the benefits the Programme offers. [Am. 30]

| (28) | Clusters are a strategic tool for supporting the competitiveness and scaling-up of SMEs as they offer favourable business environments, increase sustainable development of industry and services and strengthen the economic development of the regions through the creation of quality jobs. Joint Cluster Initiatives should achieve critical mass to accelerate the growth of SMEs. By connecting specialised eco-systems, clusters create new business opportunities for SMEs and integrate them better in European and global strategic value chains. Support should be provided for the development of transnational partnership strategies and the implementation of joint activities, supported by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform. Sustainable partnering should be encouraged with continuation funding if performance and participation milestones are reached. Direct support to SMEs should be channelled through cluster organisations for the following: uptake of advanced technologies, new business models, low-carbon and resource-efficient solutions, creativity and design, skills upgrading, talent attraction, entrepreneurship acceleration, and internationalisation. Other specialised SME support actors should be associated to facilitate industrial transformation and implementations of smart specialisation strategies. The Programme should thus contribute to growth sustainable economic development and build linkages with the Union's (digital) innovation hubs and investments made under Cohesion Policy and Horizon Europe. Synergies with the Erasmus programme can also be explored. [Am. 31] |
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(28)

Clusters are a strategic tool for supporting the competitiveness and scaling-up of SMEs as they offer favourable business environments, increase sustainable development of industry and services and strengthen the economic development of the regions through the creation of quality jobs. Joint Cluster Initiatives should achieve critical mass to accelerate the growth of SMEs. By connecting specialised eco-systems, clusters create new business opportunities for SMEs and integrate them better in European and global strategic value chains. Support should be provided for the development of transnational partnership strategies and the implementation of joint activities, supported by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform. Sustainable partnering should be encouraged with continuation funding if performance and participation milestones are reached. Direct support to SMEs should be channelled through cluster organisations for the following: uptake of advanced technologies, new business models, low-carbon and resource-efficient solutions, creativity and design, skills upgrading, talent attraction, entrepreneurship acceleration, and internationalisation. Other specialised SME support actors should be associated to facilitate industrial transformation and implementations of smart specialisation strategies. The Programme should thus contribute to growth sustainable economic development and build linkages with the Union's (digital) innovation hubs and investments made under Cohesion Policy and Horizon Europe. Synergies with the Erasmus programme can also be explored. [Am. 31]

| (28a) | The Programme could help build up and/or improve the relationship between micro-enterprises and SMEs and universities, research centres and other institutions involved in knowledge creation and dissemination. This relationship could help improve firms’ abilities to tackle the strategic challenges posed by the new international context. [Am. 32] |
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(28a)

The Programme could help build up and/or improve the relationship between micro-enterprises and SMEs and universities, research centres and other institutions involved in knowledge creation and dissemination. This relationship could help improve firms’ abilities to tackle the strategic challenges posed by the new international context. [Am. 32]

| (28b) | SMEs, owing to their smaller size, face specific obstacles to growth and have mayor difficulties in growing and scaling up some of their business activities. The Union has been providing support to scale up activities focusing on innovation on research mainly through the SME Instrument and the recently European Innovation Council pilot within the Horizon 2020 programme. Based on the working methods and experiences of the SME Instrument, the Single Market Programme should also provide support for scale-up activities by SMEs complimentary to the new EIC with its specific focus on break-through innovation under Horizon Europe. Scale up actions for SMEs under this programme should focus for instance in helping SMEs to scale up through commercialisation, internationalisation and on market driven-opportunities. [Am. 33] |
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(28b)

SMEs, owing to their smaller size, face specific obstacles to growth and have mayor difficulties in growing and scaling up some of their business activities. The Union has been providing support to scale up activities focusing on innovation on research mainly through the SME Instrument and the recently European Innovation Council pilot within the Horizon 2020 programme. Based on the working methods and experiences of the SME Instrument, the Single Market Programme should also provide support for scale-up activities by SMEs complimentary to the new EIC with its specific focus on break-through innovation under Horizon Europe. Scale up actions for SMEs under this programme should focus for instance in helping SMEs to scale up through commercialisation, internationalisation and on market driven-opportunities. [Am. 33]

| (29) | Creativity and innovation, technological and organisational transformation, enhanced sustainability in terms of production processes, in particular resource and energy efficiency, are crucial for the competitiveness of the Union's industrial value chains. They represent catalysts for industrial the modernisation of the business and industry sectors and contribute to smart, inclusive sustainable growth. However, uptake by SMEs is still lagging behind. The Programme should therefore support targeted actions, networks and partnerships for creativity-driven innovation throughout the industrial value chain. [Am. 34] |
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(29)

Creativity and innovation, technological and organisational transformation, enhanced sustainability in terms of production processes, in particular resource and energy efficiency, are crucial for the competitiveness of the Union's industrial value chains. They represent catalysts for industrial the modernisation of the business and industry sectors and contribute to smart, inclusive sustainable growth. However, uptake by SMEs is still lagging behind. The Programme should therefore support targeted actions, networks and partnerships for creativity-driven innovation throughout the industrial value chain. [Am. 34]

| (29a) | Recognising that the SME Instrument under Horizon 2020 has been extremely successful for entrepreneurs through both phase1 and phase2 grants in advancing and their new business idea and testing and developing a prototype. While the selection process is already very rigorous, still many very good projects cannot be financed because of limited financial resources. The implementation in the frame of the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) has been working very efficiently. While the focus of that programme is on high-tech projects, this Program should extend the methodology to any type of scale-up SMEs. [Am. 35] |
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(29a)

Recognising that the SME Instrument under Horizon 2020 has been extremely successful for entrepreneurs through both phase1 and phase2 grants in advancing and their new business idea and testing and developing a prototype. While the selection process is already very rigorous, still many very good projects cannot be financed because of limited financial resources. The implementation in the frame of the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) has been working very efficiently. While the focus of that programme is on high-tech projects, this Program should extend the methodology to any type of scale-up SMEs. [Am. 35]

| (29b) | The actions for SMEs should also focus in sectors characterised by a significant growth and social potential and with a high proportion of SMEs. Tourism is a singular sector of the Union Economy which contributes substantially to the Union’s GDP and is run mainly by SMEs. The Union should continue and increase actions supporting the specificities of this sector. [Am. 36] |
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(29b)

The actions for SMEs should also focus in sectors characterised by a significant growth and social potential and with a high proportion of SMEs. Tourism is a singular sector of the Union Economy which contributes substantially to the Union’s GDP and is run mainly by SMEs. The Union should continue and increase actions supporting the specificities of this sector. [Am. 36]

| (30) | European standards play an important role in the internal market. They are of vital interest for the competitiveness of undertakings, and especially SMEs. They are also a crucial tool to support Union legislation and policies in a number of key areas such as energy transition, climate change and environmental protection, information and communication technology, sustainable use and recycling of resources, innovation, product safety, consumer protection, worker's safety and working conditions and ageing population, thus positively contributing to the society as a whole. However, experience has shown that the speed and timeliness of the elaboration of standards needs to be improved and more efforts need to be made to better involve all relevant stakeholders, including those representing consumers. [Am. 37] |
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(30)

European standards play an important role in the internal market. They are of vital interest for the competitiveness of undertakings, and especially SMEs. They are also a crucial tool to support Union legislation and policies in a number of key areas such as energy transition, climate change and environmental protection, information and communication technology, sustainable use and recycling of resources, innovation, product safety, consumer protection, worker's safety and working conditions and ageing population, thus positively contributing to the society as a whole. However, experience has shown that the speed and timeliness of the elaboration of standards needs to be improved and more efforts need to be made to better involve all relevant stakeholders, including those representing consumers. [Am. 37]

| (31) | European standardisation activities are governed by Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (13) and implemented through a long standing Public-Private-Partnership which is fundamental to achieve the objectives set in that Regulation as well as in general and sectorial Union standardisation policies. |
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(31)

European standardisation activities are governed by Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (13) and implemented through a long standing Public-Private-Partnership which is fundamental to achieve the objectives set in that Regulation as well as in general and sectorial Union standardisation policies.

| (32) | A well-functioning common financial reporting framework is essential for the internal market, for the effective functioning of the capital financial markets and for the realisation of the integrated market for financial services in the context of the Banking Union and the Capital Markets Union. [Am. 38] |
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(32)

A well-functioning common financial reporting framework is essential for the internal market, for the effective functioning of the capital financial markets and for the realisation of the integrated market for financial services in the context of the Banking Union and the Capital Markets Union. [Am. 38]

| (33) | In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (14), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board and related interpretations from the IFRS Interpretations Committee are to be incorporated into Union law in order to be applied by companies with securities listed on a regulated market in the Union, only if IFRS meet the criteria set out in that Regulation, including the requirement that accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ as laid down in Article 4(3) of Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (15) and that they are conducive to the European public good. Such international accounting standards need to be developed under a transparent and democratically accountable process. IFRS therefore plays a major role in the functioning of the internal market and thus the Union has a direct interest in ensuring that the process through which IFRS are developed and approved delivers standards that are consistent with the requirements of the legal framework of the internal market. It is therefore important to establish appropriate funding arrangements for the IFRS Foundation. |
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(33)

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (14), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board and related interpretations from the IFRS Interpretations Committee are to be incorporated into Union law in order to be applied by companies with securities listed on a regulated market in the Union, only if IFRS meet the criteria set out in that Regulation, including the requirement that accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ as laid down in Article 4(3) of Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (15) and that they are conducive to the European public good. Such international accounting standards need to be developed under a transparent and democratically accountable process. IFRS therefore plays a major role in the functioning of the internal market and thus the Union has a direct interest in ensuring that the process through which IFRS are developed and approved delivers standards that are consistent with the requirements of the legal framework of the internal market. It is therefore important to establish appropriate funding arrangements for the IFRS Foundation.

| (34) | Taking into account the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group's (EFRAG) role in assessing whether IFRS comply with the requirement of Union law and policy, as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002, it also is necessary for the Union to ensure EFRAG’s stable financing and thus contribute to its funding. The technical work of EFRAG should be focused on technical advice to the Commission on the endorsement of IFRS as well as on the appropriate participation in the process of development of such IFRS and should ensure that Union interests are adequately taken into account in the international standard-setting process. Those interests should include the notion of ‘prudence’, the maintenance of the requirement of a ‘true and fair view,’ as laid down in Directive 2013/34/EU, and of the European public good as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002, taking into account the impact of IFRS on financial stability and the economy. A European Corporate Reporting Lab should also be established as part of the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), to promote innovation and the development of best practices in corporate reporting. In this forum, companies and investors can share best practices notably in the field of non-financial and sustainability reporting. |
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(34)

Taking into account the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group's (EFRAG) role in assessing whether IFRS comply with the requirement of Union law and policy, as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002, it also is necessary for the Union to ensure EFRAG’s stable financing and thus contribute to its funding. The technical work of EFRAG should be focused on technical advice to the Commission on the endorsement of IFRS as well as on the appropriate participation in the process of development of such IFRS and should ensure that Union interests are adequately taken into account in the international standard-setting process. Those interests should include the notion of ‘prudence’, the maintenance of the requirement of a ‘true and fair view,’ as laid down in Directive 2013/34/EU, and of the European public good as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002, taking into account the impact of IFRS on financial stability and the economy. A European Corporate Reporting Lab should also be established as part of the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), to promote innovation and the development of best practices in corporate reporting. In this forum, companies and investors can share best practices notably in the field of non-financial and sustainability reporting.

| (35) | In the field of statutory audit, the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) was created in 2005 by the Monitoring Group, an international organisation responsible for monitoring the governance reform of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). The role of the PIOB is to oversee the process leading to the adoption of International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and other public interest activities of the IFAC. It is possible for ISAs to be adopted for their application in the Union provided, in particular, that they have been developed with due process, public oversight and transparency as required under Article 26 of Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (16). Considering the introduction of ISAs in the Union and the key role of the PIOB in ensuring that they fulfil the requirements laid down in Directive 2006/43/EC, it is therefore important to ensure appropriate funding arrangements for the PIOB. |
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(35)

In the field of statutory audit, the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) was created in 2005 by the Monitoring Group, an international organisation responsible for monitoring the governance reform of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). The role of the PIOB is to oversee the process leading to the adoption of International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and other public interest activities of the IFAC. It is possible for ISAs to be adopted for their application in the Union provided, in particular, that they have been developed with due process, public oversight and transparency as required under Article 26 of Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (16). Considering the introduction of ISAs in the Union and the key role of the PIOB in ensuring that they fulfil the requirements laid down in Directive 2006/43/EC, it is therefore important to ensure appropriate funding arrangements for the PIOB.

| (36) | The Union contributes to ensuring a high level of consumer protection, empowering consumers and putting them at the heart of the internal market by supporting and complementing Member States’ policies in seeking to ensure that citizens when acting as consumers can fully reap the benefits of the internal market and that, in so doing, their safety and legal and economic interests are properly protected by means of concrete actions. The Union has also to ensure that consumer and product safety laws are properly and equally enforced on the ground and that businesses enjoy a level playing field with fair competition in the internal market. Moreover, it is necessary to empower, encourage and assist consumers in making sustainable and informed choices, thus contributing to a sustainable, energy and resource efficient and circular economy. [Am. 39] |
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(36)

The Union contributes to ensuring a high level of consumer protection, empowering consumers and putting them at the heart of the internal market by supporting and complementing Member States’ policies in seeking to ensure that citizens when acting as consumers can fully reap the benefits of the internal market and that, in so doing, their safety and legal and economic interests are properly protected by means of concrete actions. The Union has also to ensure that consumer and product safety laws are properly and equally enforced on the ground and that businesses enjoy a level playing field with fair competition in the internal market. Moreover, it is necessary to empower, encourage and assist consumers in making sustainable and informed choices, thus contributing to a sustainable, energy and resource efficient and circular economy. [Am. 39]

| (37) | The Programme should aim to raise the awareness of consumers, businesses, civil society and authorities on Union consumer and safety laws and to empower consumers and their representative organisations at national level and at the Union level notably by supporting the Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs (BEUC) which is the long established and recognised NGO representing consumer interests in relation to all relevant Union policies, and the European Association for the Co-ordination of Consumer Representation in Standardisation (ANEC) which represents consumers interest in relation to standardisation issues. In doing so, particular attention should be given to new market needs regarding the promotion of sustainable consumption and the prevention of in particular to actions to tackle the issue of planned obsolescence of products and to prevent vulnerabilities as well as challenges created by the digitisation of the economy, connected products, internet of things, artificial intelligence and use of algorithms or the development of new consumption patterns and business models, such as the collaborative economy and social entrepreneurship. The Programme should support the development of relevant information on markets, including actions aiming at improving product traceability along the supply chain, quality standards across the Union, and addressing the issue of the dual quality of products, policy challenges, emerging issues and behaviours, and the publication of the Union consumer scoreboards. [Am. 40] |
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(37)

The Programme should aim to raise the awareness of consumers, businesses, civil society and authorities on Union consumer and safety laws and to empower consumers and their representative organisations at national level and at the Union level notably by supporting the Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs (BEUC) which is the long established and recognised NGO representing consumer interests in relation to all relevant Union policies, and the European Association for the Co-ordination of Consumer Representation in Standardisation (ANEC) which represents consumers interest in relation to standardisation issues. In doing so, particular attention should be given to new market needs regarding the promotion of sustainable consumption and the prevention of in particular to actions to tackle the issue of planned obsolescence of products and to prevent vulnerabilities as well as challenges created by the digitisation of the economy, connected products, internet of things, artificial intelligence and use of algorithms or the development of new consumption patterns and business models, such as the collaborative economy and social entrepreneurship. The Programme should support the development of relevant information on markets, including actions aiming at improving product traceability along the supply chain, quality standards across the Union, and addressing the issue of the dual quality of products, policy challenges, emerging issues and behaviours, and the publication of the Union consumer scoreboards. [Am. 40]

| (38) | The Programme should support national competent authorities, including those responsible for monitoring product safety, who cooperate notably via the Union’s rapid alert system for dangerous products. It should also support the enforcement of Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (17) and Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 regarding consumer protection and product safety, and the Consumer Protection Cooperation network and international cooperation between the relevant authorities in third countries and in the Union. The Programme should also aim to ensure access for all consumers and traders to quality out of court dispute resolution and online dispute resolution and information on the process for participating in actions seeking redress possibilities, at the lowest cost. [Am. 41] |
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(38)

The Programme should support national competent authorities, including those responsible for monitoring product safety, who cooperate notably via the Union’s rapid alert system for dangerous products. It should also support the enforcement of Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (17) and Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 regarding consumer protection and product safety, and the Consumer Protection Cooperation network and international cooperation between the relevant authorities in third countries and in the Union. The Programme should also aim to ensure access for all consumers and traders to quality out of court dispute resolution and online dispute resolution and information on the process for participating in actions seeking redress possibilities, at the lowest cost. [Am. 41]

| (39) | The Programme should also support a European Consumer Centres Network is assisting which assists consumers to obtain the benefit of their Union consumer rights when they purchase goods and services cross border in the Internal Market and EEA, either on-line or when travelling. The 30 centres strong network, jointly funded by the Union consumer programmes since more than 10 years has proven its added value to strengthen consumers and traders trust in the Internal Market. It deals with more than 100 000 consumers’ requests per year and reaches millions of citizens via its press and online information activities. It is one of the most valued citizens’ assistance network of the Union and most of its centres host contact points for internal market law, such as the Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (18) and its evaluation stresses the importance to continue its operation. European Consumer Centres Network can be also an important source of information about challenges and problems that consumers encounter at local level, which are relevant for Union policy-making and for the protection of the interests of consumers. Therefore, the Programme should allow for the building and enhancing of synergies between consumer representation at local and Union level in order to strengthen consumer advocacy. The network also intends to develop reciprocity arrangements with similar bodies in third countries. [Am. 42] |
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(39)

The Programme should also support a European Consumer Centres Network is assisting which assists consumers to obtain the benefit of their Union consumer rights when they purchase goods and services cross border in the Internal Market and EEA, either on-line or when travelling. The 30 centres strong network, jointly funded by the Union consumer programmes since more than 10 years has proven its added value to strengthen consumers and traders trust in the Internal Market. It deals with more than 100 000 consumers’ requests per year and reaches millions of citizens via its press and online information activities. It is one of the most valued citizens’ assistance network of the Union and most of its centres host contact points for internal market law, such as the Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (18) and its evaluation stresses the importance to continue its operation. European Consumer Centres Network can be also an important source of information about challenges and problems that consumers encounter at local level, which are relevant for Union policy-making and for the protection of the interests of consumers. Therefore, the Programme should allow for the building and enhancing of synergies between consumer representation at local and Union level in order to strengthen consumer advocacy. The network also intends to develop reciprocity arrangements with similar bodies in third countries. [Am. 42]

| (40) | The fitness check of Union consumer and marketing law carried out by the Commission in May 2017 exposed the need to better enforce rules and facilitate redress when consumers have been harmed by breaches to consumer laws. As a result the Commission adopted a ‘New Deal for Consumers’ in April 2018 to ensure, inter alia, the equal treatment of consumers across the internal market in relation to cross-border cases, such as selling of non-compliant products in the motor vehicles sector, dual quality standards of products or the problems of passengers stranded as a result of the cancellation of a large number of flights, stronger enforcement capacities of Member States, enhanced product safety, increased international cooperation and new possibilities for redress notably through representative actions by qualified entities. The Programme should aim to support consumer policy with awareness raising and knowledge building, capacity building and exchange of best practices of the consumer organisations and consumer protection authorities, networking and development of market intelligence, strengthening the evidence base on the functioning of the internal market for consumers, IT systems and communication tools, inter alia. [Am. 43] |
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(40)

The fitness check of Union consumer and marketing law carried out by the Commission in May 2017 exposed the need to better enforce rules and facilitate redress when consumers have been harmed by breaches to consumer laws. As a result the Commission adopted a ‘New Deal for Consumers’ in April 2018 to ensure, inter alia, the equal treatment of consumers across the internal market in relation to cross-border cases, such as selling of non-compliant products in the motor vehicles sector, dual quality standards of products or the problems of passengers stranded as a result of the cancellation of a large number of flights, stronger enforcement capacities of Member States, enhanced product safety, increased international cooperation and new possibilities for redress notably through representative actions by qualified entities. The Programme should aim to support consumer policy with awareness raising and knowledge building, capacity building and exchange of best practices of the consumer organisations and consumer protection authorities, networking and development of market intelligence, strengthening the evidence base on the functioning of the internal market for consumers, IT systems and communication tools, inter alia. [Am. 43]

| (41) | Citizens are particularly affected by the functioning of financial services markets and should, therefore, be further informed on pertinent rights, risks and benefits. These are a key component of the internal market and require a solid framework for regulation and supervision which ensures not only financial stability and a sustainable economy, but also provides a high level of protection to consumers and other financial services end users, including retail investors, savers, insurance policyholders, pension fund members and beneficiaries, individual shareholders, borrowers and SMEs. It is important The Programme should contribute to enhance their capacity to participate in policy making for, also through production and dissemination of clear, complete and user-friendly information about products commercialised in the financial sector markets. [Am. 44] |
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(41)

Citizens are particularly affected by the functioning of financial services markets and should, therefore, be further informed on pertinent rights, risks and benefits. These are a key component of the internal market and require a solid framework for regulation and supervision which ensures not only financial stability and a sustainable economy, but also provides a high level of protection to consumers and other financial services end users, including retail investors, savers, insurance policyholders, pension fund members and beneficiaries, individual shareholders, borrowers and SMEs. It is important The Programme should contribute to enhance their capacity to participate in policy making for, also through production and dissemination of clear, complete and user-friendly information about products commercialised in the financial sector markets. [Am. 44]

| (42) | The Programme should therefore continue to support the specific activities covered by the 2017-2020 Capacity-Building Programme enhancing the involvement of consumers and other financial services end-users in Union policy-making, as set out in Regulation (EU) 2017/826 of the European Parliament and of the Council (19) which continued the pilot programme and preparatory action of the years 2012-2017. This is necessary in order to provide policy makers with views from stakeholders other than financial sector professionals and ensure a better representation of the interests of consumers and other financial services end-users. The Programme should continuously develop its methodology and best practices on how to increase the engagement of consumers and financial-services end-users in order to identify issues relevant for Union policy-making and ensuring the interests of consumers in the area of financial services. This should result in better improve financial services policies, notably thanks to a better public understanding of the issues at stake in financial regulation and enhanced financial literacy. The public resources of this Programme should focus on what is essential for the final users and avoid any form of direct or indirect financial support to commercial activities proposed by private financial operators. [Am. 45] |
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(42)

The Programme should therefore continue to support the specific activities covered by the 2017-2020 Capacity-Building Programme enhancing the involvement of consumers and other financial services end-users in Union policy-making, as set out in Regulation (EU) 2017/826 of the European Parliament and of the Council (19) which continued the pilot programme and preparatory action of the years 2012-2017. This is necessary in order to provide policy makers with views from stakeholders other than financial sector professionals and ensure a better representation of the interests of consumers and other financial services end-users. The Programme should continuously develop its methodology and best practices on how to increase the engagement of consumers and financial-services end-users in order to identify issues relevant for Union policy-making and ensuring the interests of consumers in the area of financial services. This should result in better improve financial services policies, notably thanks to a better public understanding of the issues at stake in financial regulation and enhanced financial literacy. The public resources of this Programme should focus on what is essential for the final users and avoid any form of direct or indirect financial support to commercial activities proposed by private financial operators. [Am. 45]

| (43) | In the context of a pilot project, between 2012 and 2013, and of a preparatory action, between 2014 and 2016, the Commission awarded grants to two organisations following an annual open call for proposals. The two organisations are Finance Watch, set up with Union grants in 2011 as an international non-profit association under Belgian law, and Better Finance, which is the product of successive re-organisations and rebranding of pre-existing European federations and shareholders since 2009. The Capacity-Building Programme established under Regulation (EU) 2017/826, identifies these same two organisations as sole beneficiaries. It is therefore necessary to continue to co-finance these organisations in the context of the Programme. However, this financing should be subject to review. In this respect, it should be recalled that in the event that the Capacity-Building Programme and corresponding funding are extended beyond 2020 and other potential beneficiaries emerge, the call for applicants should be open to any other organisations that fulfil the criteria, and contribute to the objectives, of the Programme and this in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/826. [Am. 46] |
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(43)

In the context of a pilot project, between 2012 and 2013, and of a preparatory action, between 2014 and 2016, the Commission awarded grants to two organisations following an annual open call for proposals. The two organisations are Finance Watch, set up with Union grants in 2011 as an international non-profit association under Belgian law, and Better Finance, which is the product of successive re-organisations and rebranding of pre-existing European federations and shareholders since 2009. The Capacity-Building Programme established under Regulation (EU) 2017/826, identifies these same two organisations as sole beneficiaries. It is therefore necessary to continue to co-finance these organisations in the context of the Programme. However, this financing should be subject to review. In this respect, it should be recalled that in the event that the Capacity-Building Programme and corresponding funding are extended beyond 2020 and other potential beneficiaries emerge, the call for applicants should be open to any other organisations that fulfil the criteria, and contribute to the objectives, of the Programme and this in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/826. [Am. 46]

| (44) | A high level of health protection through the food and feed supply chain is necessary to protect consumers as well as to allow the internal market to operate efficiently and smoothly. A safe and sustainable agricultural and food supply chain is a prerequisite for society and for the internal market. As demonstrated by recent incidents such as the fipronil egg contamination in 2017 and the horse meat scandal in 2013, cross border health crises, such as avian influenza or African swine fever and food scares disrupt the functioning of the internal market by limiting the movements of persons and goods and disrupting production. Preventing cross border health crises and food scares is of utmost importance. Therefore, the Programme should support concrete actions, such as establishing emergency measures in the event of crisis situations and unforeseeable events affecting animal and plant health, creating a mechanism for direct access to the emergency aid reserve in order to deal with these emergency situations more promptly, effectively and efficiently. [Am. 47] |
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(44)

A high level of health protection through the food and feed supply chain is necessary to protect consumers as well as to allow the internal market to operate efficiently and smoothly. A safe and sustainable agricultural and food supply chain is a prerequisite for society and for the internal market. As demonstrated by recent incidents such as the fipronil egg contamination in 2017 and the horse meat scandal in 2013, cross border health crises, such as avian influenza or African swine fever and food scares disrupt the functioning of the internal market by limiting the movements of persons and goods and disrupting production. Preventing cross border health crises and food scares is of utmost importance. Therefore, the Programme should support concrete actions, such as establishing emergency measures in the event of crisis situations and unforeseeable events affecting animal and plant health, creating a mechanism for direct access to the emergency aid reserve in order to deal with these emergency situations more promptly, effectively and efficiently. [Am. 47]

| (45) | The general objective of Union law in the food chain area is to contribute guarantee to a high level of health for humans, animals and plants along the food chain, to support the improvement of the welfare of animals, to contribute to a high level of protection and information for consumers and a high level of protection of the environment, including the preservation of biodiversity, while improving the sustainability of European food and feed productions, cutting food waste, increasing the quality standards of products across the Union, enhancing the competitiveness of the Union food and feed industry and favouring the creation of jobs. [Am. 48] |
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(45)

The general objective of Union law in the food chain area is to contribute guarantee to a high level of health for humans, animals and plants along the food chain, to support the improvement of the welfare of animals, to contribute to a high level of protection and information for consumers and a high level of protection of the environment, including the preservation of biodiversity, while improving the sustainability of European food and feed productions, cutting food waste, increasing the quality standards of products across the Union, enhancing the competitiveness of the Union food and feed industry and favouring the creation of jobs. [Am. 48]

| (46) | Considering the specific nature of the actions concerning a high level of health for humans, animals and plants along the food chain special eligibility criteria concerning provision of grants and use of public procurement need to be provided in this Regulation. In particular, by way of derogation from Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council (20) (the ‘Financial Regulation’), as an exception to the principle of non-retroactivity, the costs for the emergency measures, due to their urgent and unforeseeable nature, should be eligible and include also costs incurred as a result of a suspected occurrence of a disease or pest provided that that occurrence is subsequently confirmed and notified to the Commission. The corresponding budgetary commitments and the payment of eligible expenditure should be made by the Commission, after signature of the legal commitments and after assessment of the payment applications submitted by the Member States. Costs should also be eligible for protection measures taken in the case of a direct threat to the status of health in the Union as a result of the occurrence or development, in the territory of a third country, a Member State or overseas countries and territories, of certain animal diseases and zoonoses as well as in respect of protection measures, or other relevant activities, taken in support of the health status of plants in the Union. [Am. 49] |
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(46)

Considering the specific nature of the actions concerning a high level of health for humans, animals and plants along the food chain special eligibility criteria concerning provision of grants and use of public procurement need to be provided in this Regulation. In particular, by way of derogation from Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council (20) (the ‘Financial Regulation’), as an exception to the principle of non-retroactivity, the costs for the emergency measures, due to their urgent and unforeseeable nature, should be eligible and include also costs incurred as a result of a suspected occurrence of a disease or pest provided that that occurrence is subsequently confirmed and notified to the Commission. The corresponding budgetary commitments and the payment of eligible expenditure should be made by the Commission, after signature of the legal commitments and after assessment of the payment applications submitted by the Member States. Costs should also be eligible for protection measures taken in the case of a direct threat to the status of health in the Union as a result of the occurrence or development, in the territory of a third country, a Member State or overseas countries and territories, of certain animal diseases and zoonoses as well as in respect of protection measures, or other relevant activities, taken in support of the health status of plants in the Union. [Am. 49]

| (47) | In view of the fact the food chain is increasingly globalised, official controls carried out by the Member States are an essential tool for verifying and monitoring that relevant Union requirements are being implemented, complied with and enforced, especially as regards products imported from third countries. The effectiveness and efficiency of official control systems is vital for maintaining a high level of safety for humans, animals and plants along the food chain, as well as consumer confidence, whilst ensuring a high level of protection of the environment and of animal welfare. Union financial support should be made available for such control measures. In particular, a financial contribution should be available to Union reference laboratories in order to help them bear the costs arising from the implementation of work programmes approved by the Commission. Moreover, since the effectiveness of official controls also depends on the availability to the control authorities of well trained staff with an appropriate knowledge of Union law, the Union should be able to contribute to their training and relevant exchange programmes organised by competent authorities. [Am. 50] |
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(47)

In view of the fact the food chain is increasingly globalised, official controls carried out by the Member States are an essential tool for verifying and monitoring that relevant Union requirements are being implemented, complied with and enforced, especially as regards products imported from third countries. The effectiveness and efficiency of official control systems is vital for maintaining a high level of safety for humans, animals and plants along the food chain, as well as consumer confidence, whilst ensuring a high level of protection of the environment and of animal welfare. Union financial support should be made available for such control measures. In particular, a financial contribution should be available to Union reference laboratories in order to help them bear the costs arising from the implementation of work programmes approved by the Commission. Moreover, since the effectiveness of official controls also depends on the availability to the control authorities of well trained staff with an appropriate knowledge of Union law, the Union should be able to contribute to their training and relevant exchange programmes organised by competent authorities. [Am. 50]

| (48) | High-quality European statistics developed, produced and disseminated under the European Statistical Programme are essential for evidence-based decision making European statistics should be available in a timely manner and should contribute to the implementation of Union policies as reflected in the TFEU, notably strengthened and integrated economic governance, social, economic and territorial cohesion, sustainable development, agricultural policy, the social dimension of Europe and globalisation. |
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(48)

High-quality European statistics developed, produced and disseminated under the European Statistical Programme are essential for evidence-based decision making European statistics should be available in a timely manner and should contribute to the implementation of Union policies as reflected in the TFEU, notably strengthened and integrated economic governance, social, economic and territorial cohesion, sustainable development, agricultural policy, the social dimension of Europe and globalisation.

| (49) | European statistics are indispensable for Union decision-making and for the measurement of the performance and impact of Union initiatives. Therefore, the continued provision and development of European statistics, taking a Union-wide approach and going beyond an internal market perspective should be ensured in order to cover all Union activities and policy areas, including empowering businesses and citizens to take informed decisions. |
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(49)

European statistics are indispensable for Union decision-making and for the measurement of the performance and impact of Union initiatives. Therefore, the continued provision and development of European statistics, taking a Union-wide approach and going beyond an internal market perspective should be ensured in order to cover all Union activities and policy areas, including empowering businesses and citizens to take informed decisions.

| (50) | In view of its horizontal character, the European Statistical Programme is subject to specific requirements and notably those laid down in Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (21), in particular with regard to the respect of statistical principles, the functioning of the European statistical system and its governance, including the role and tasks assigned to the European statistical system committee and to the Commission, the establishment and implementation of the programming of the statistical activities. |
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(50)

In view of its horizontal character, the European Statistical Programme is subject to specific requirements and notably those laid down in Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (21), in particular with regard to the respect of statistical principles, the functioning of the European statistical system and its governance, including the role and tasks assigned to the European statistical system committee and to the Commission, the establishment and implementation of the programming of the statistical activities.

| (51) | The Programme has been submitted for prior examination to the European Statistical System Committee in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 223/2009, and should be implemented by ensuring effective parliamentary scrutiny. [Am. 51] |
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(51)

The Programme has been submitted for prior examination to the European Statistical System Committee in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 223/2009, and should be implemented by ensuring effective parliamentary scrutiny. [Am. 51]

| (52) | The Union and Member States are committed to the implementation of deliver on in being a frontrunner in implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, the Union and Member States will foster a stronger, more sustainable, inclusive, secure and prosperous Europe. The Programme should contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including by balancing the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, providing to that end clear and visible commitment in its MFF regulation, and mainstreaming the Sustainable Development Goals, as requested by the European Parliament resolutions of the 14 March and 30 May 2018 on the 2021-2027 MFF. [Am. 52] |
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(52)

The Union and Member States are committed to the implementation of deliver on in being a frontrunner in implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, the Union and Member States will foster a stronger, more sustainable, inclusive, secure and prosperous Europe. The Programme should contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including by balancing the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, providing to that end clear and visible commitment in its MFF regulation, and mainstreaming the Sustainable Development Goals, as requested by the European Parliament resolutions of the 14 March and 30 May 2018 on the 2021-2027 MFF. [Am. 52]

| (53) | Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union's commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Programme should contribute to mainstream climate actions and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the Union budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. Relevant actions will be identified during the Programme's preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of the relevant evaluations and review processes. |
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(53)

Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union's commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Programme should contribute to mainstream climate actions and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the Union budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. Relevant actions will be identified during the Programme's preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of the relevant evaluations and review processes.

| (54) | This Regulation lays down a financial envelope for the Programme which is to constitute the prime reference amount, within the meaning of [reference to be updated as appropriate according to the new inter-institutional agreement: point 17 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 2 December 2013 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management (22)], for the European Parliament and the Council during the annual budgetary procedure. |
| --- | --- |

(54)

This Regulation lays down a financial envelope for the Programme which is to constitute the prime reference amount, within the meaning of [reference to be updated as appropriate according to the new inter-institutional agreement: point 17 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 2 December 2013 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management (22)], for the European Parliament and the Council during the annual budgetary procedure.

| (55) | The Agreement on the European Economic Area provides for cooperation in the fields subject to the Programme between the Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and the countries of the European Free Trade Association participating in the European Economic Area, on the other. Provision should also be made to open the Programme to participation by other countries, including the neighbouring countries of the Union and countries which are applying for, are candidates for or are acceding to, membership of the Union. In addition, in the field of European statistics, the Programme should be open to Switzerland in accordance with the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on cooperation in the field of statistics (23). |
| --- | --- |

(55)

The Agreement on the European Economic Area provides for cooperation in the fields subject to the Programme between the Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and the countries of the European Free Trade Association participating in the European Economic Area, on the other. Provision should also be made to open the Programme to participation by other countries, including the neighbouring countries of the Union and countries which are applying for, are candidates for or are acceding to, membership of the Union. In addition, in the field of European statistics, the Programme should be open to Switzerland in accordance with the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on cooperation in the field of statistics (23).

| (56) | Third countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate in Union programmes in the framework of the cooperation established under the EEA agreement, which provides for the implementation of the programmes by a decision under that agreement. Third countries may also participate on the basis of other legal instruments. A specific provision should be introduced in this Regulation to grant the necessary rights for and access to the authorising officer responsible, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) as well as the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences. |
| --- | --- |

(56)

Third countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate in Union programmes in the framework of the cooperation established under the EEA agreement, which provides for the implementation of the programmes by a decision under that agreement. Third countries may also participate on the basis of other legal instruments. A specific provision should be introduced in this Regulation to grant the necessary rights for and access to the authorising officer responsible, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) as well as the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences.

| (57) | The Financial Regulation applies to this Programme. It lays down rules on the implementation of the Union budget, including rules on grants, prizes, procurement. |
| --- | --- |

(57)

The Financial Regulation applies to this Programme. It lays down rules on the implementation of the Union budget, including rules on grants, prizes, procurement.

| (58) | The actions implemented under the predecessor programmes and budget lines have proven to be adequate and should be retained. The new actions introduced under the Programme aim to reinforce in particular the well-functioning internal market. In order to provide more simplicity and flexibility in the execution of the Programme and thereby to better deliver on its objectives, the actions should be defined only in terms of overall, generic categories. Lists of indicative activities concerning specific objectives in the area of competitiveness, consumer protection, or specific activities stemming from regulatory requirements, like in the area of standardisation, market surveillance, food chain regulation and European statistics should also be included in the Programme. [Am. 53] |
| --- | --- |

(58)

The actions implemented under the predecessor programmes and budget lines have proven to be adequate and should be retained. The new actions introduced under the Programme aim to reinforce in particular the well-functioning internal market. In order to provide more simplicity and flexibility in the execution of the Programme and thereby to better deliver on its objectives, the actions should be defined only in terms of overall, generic categories. Lists of indicative activities concerning specific objectives in the area of competitiveness, consumer protection, or specific activities stemming from regulatory requirements, like in the area of standardisation, market surveillance, food chain regulation and European statistics should also be included in the Programme. [Am. 53]

| (59) | It is necessary to specify certain categories of entities eligible for funding as well as those entities which should be eligible for funding without a call for proposals. |
| --- | --- |

(59)

It is necessary to specify certain categories of entities eligible for funding as well as those entities which should be eligible for funding without a call for proposals.

| (60) | Considering the increasing interconnectivity of the world economy, including the digital economy, the Programme should continue to provide the possibility of involving external experts, such as officials of third countries, representatives of international organisations or economic operators in certain activities. [Am. 54] |
| --- | --- |

(60)

Considering the increasing interconnectivity of the world economy, including the digital economy, the Programme should continue to provide the possibility of involving external experts, such as officials of third countries, representatives of international organisations or economic operators in certain activities. [Am. 54]

| (61) | It is necessary to indicate special criteria concerning co-financing rules and eligible costs. |
| --- | --- |

(61)

It is necessary to indicate special criteria concerning co-financing rules and eligible costs.

| (62) | In line with the Commission's commitment, set out in its Communication of 19 October 2010 entitled ‘The EU Budget Review’ (24), and in order to provide for coherence and simplification of funding programmes, resources should be shared with other Union funding instruments if the envisaged actions under the Programme pursue objectives which are common to various funding instruments, excluding however double financing. |
| --- | --- |

(62)

In line with the Commission's commitment, set out in its Communication of 19 October 2010 entitled ‘The EU Budget Review’ (24), and in order to provide for coherence and simplification of funding programmes, resources should be shared with other Union funding instruments if the envisaged actions under the Programme pursue objectives which are common to various funding instruments, excluding however double financing.

| (63) | This Programme should contribute to the overall support addressing specific needs of outermost regions and their integration in the internal market, as recently reconfirmed in the Commission's Communication ‘A stronger and renewed strategic partnership with the EU's outermost regions (25). |
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(63)

This Programme should contribute to the overall support addressing specific needs of outermost regions and their integration in the internal market, as recently reconfirmed in the Commission's Communication ‘A stronger and renewed strategic partnership with the EU's outermost regions (25).

| (64) | The Programme should promote synergies, while avoiding duplication with related Union programmes and actions. The actions under this Programme should be complementary to those of the Customs and Fiscalis Programmes established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (26) and Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (27) which also aim at supporting and improving the functioning of the internal market. [Am. 55] |
| --- | --- |

(64)

The Programme should promote synergies, while avoiding duplication with related Union programmes and actions. The actions under this Programme should be complementary to those of the Customs and Fiscalis Programmes established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (26) and Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (27) which also aim at supporting and improving the functioning of the internal market. [Am. 55]

| (65) | The Programme should promote synergies and, complementarities and additionality with respect to the SMEs and entrepreneurship support under the European Regional Development Fund established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (28). Moreover, the SME window of InvestEU Fund established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (29) will guarantee debt and equity support to enhance access and availability of finance for SMEs and micro enterprises. The Programme should also seek synergies with the Space Programme established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (30) in respect of encouragement of SMEs to benefit from breakthrough innovation and other solutions developed under those programmes. [Am. 56] |
| --- | --- |

(65)

The Programme should promote synergies and, complementarities and additionality with respect to the SMEs and entrepreneurship support under the European Regional Development Fund established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (28). Moreover, the SME window of InvestEU Fund established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (29) will guarantee debt and equity support to enhance access and availability of finance for SMEs and micro enterprises. The Programme should also seek synergies with the Space Programme established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (30) in respect of encouragement of SMEs to benefit from breakthrough innovation and other solutions developed under those programmes. [Am. 56]

| (66) | This Programme should promote synergies with Horizon Europe established by Regulation (EU) No [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (31) which aims to promote research and innovation. This should concern in particular complementarity with the actions of the future European Innovation Council for innovative companies, as well as the support of services for SMEs. |
| --- | --- |

(66)

This Programme should promote synergies with Horizon Europe established by Regulation (EU) No [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (31) which aims to promote research and innovation. This should concern in particular complementarity with the actions of the future European Innovation Council for innovative companies, as well as the support of services for SMEs.

| (67) | The Programme should promote synergies and complementarities with respect to the Digital Europe Programme established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (32) which aims to promote the digitalisation of the Union economy and the public sector and increased cybersecurity. [Am. 57] |
| --- | --- |

(67)

The Programme should promote synergies and complementarities with respect to the Digital Europe Programme established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (32) which aims to promote the digitalisation of the Union economy and the public sector and increased cybersecurity. [Am. 57]

| (68) | In addition, the Programme, should also seek synergies with the Justice, Rights and Values Fund established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (33) which aims to support the further development of a European area of justice for the effectiveness of national justice systems, a key enabler of a fair and cost effective European economy. |
| --- | --- |

(68)

In addition, the Programme, should also seek synergies with the Justice, Rights and Values Fund established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (33) which aims to support the further development of a European area of justice for the effectiveness of national justice systems, a key enabler of a fair and cost effective European economy.

| (69) | This Programme should promote synergies with Erasmus programme established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (34), the European Union Solidarity Fund established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (35) and the European Social Fund Plus established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (36) in the area of labour and youth mobility which is essential for the well-functioning internal market. |
| --- | --- |

(69)

This Programme should promote synergies with Erasmus programme established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (34), the European Union Solidarity Fund established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (35) and the European Social Fund Plus established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (36) in the area of labour and youth mobility which is essential for the well-functioning internal market.

| (70) | Finally, food chain actions such as veterinary and phytosanitary measures in case of animal and plant health crises could be complemented by market based interventions from the Union’s Common Agriculture Policy programming established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (37). |
| --- | --- |

(70)

Finally, food chain actions such as veterinary and phytosanitary measures in case of animal and plant health crises could be complemented by market based interventions from the Union’s Common Agriculture Policy programming established by Regulation (EU) [...] of the European Parliament and of the Council (37).

| (71) | Where relevant The Programme's actions should be used have a clear European added value and to address market failures or sub-optimal investment situations, in a proportionate manner, without duplicating or crowding out private financing and have a clear European added value. [Am. 58] |
| --- | --- |

(71)

Where relevant The Programme's actions should be used have a clear European added value and to address market failures or sub-optimal investment situations, in a proportionate manner, without duplicating or crowding out private financing and have a clear European added value. [Am. 58]

| (72) | The implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission in respect of the adoption of work programmes implementing the actions contributing to a high level of health for humans, animals and plants along the food chain. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (38) . [Am. 59] |
| --- | --- |

(72)

The implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission in respect of the adoption of work programmes implementing the actions contributing to a high level of health for humans, animals and plants along the food chain. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (38) . [Am. 59]

| (73) | The types of financing and the methods of implementation under this Regulation should be chosen on the basis of their ability to achieve the specific objectives of the actions and to deliver results, taking into account, in particular, the Union added value, the costs of controls, the administrative burden, and the expected risk of non-compliance. This should include consideration of the use of lump sums, flat rates and unit costs, as well as financing not linked to costs as referred to in Article 125(1) of the Financial Regulation. [Am. 60] |
| --- | --- |

(73)

The types of financing and the methods of implementation under this Regulation should be chosen on the basis of their ability to achieve the specific objectives of the actions and to deliver results, taking into account, in particular, the Union added value, the costs of controls, the administrative burden, and the expected risk of non-compliance. This should include consideration of the use of lump sums, flat rates and unit costs, as well as financing not linked to costs as referred to in Article 125(1) of the Financial Regulation. [Am. 60]

| (74) | To ensure regular monitoring and reporting on the progress achieved and on the effectiveness and efficiency of the Programme, a proper framework for monitoring the actions and results of the Programme should be put in place from the very beginning. Such monitoring and reporting should be based on indicators, measuring the effects of the actions under the Programme against pre-defined baselines. [Am. 61] |
| --- | --- |

(74)

To ensure regular monitoring and reporting on the progress achieved and on the effectiveness and efficiency of the Programme, a proper framework for monitoring the actions and results of the Programme should be put in place from the very beginning. Such monitoring and reporting should be based on indicators, measuring the effects of the actions under the Programme against pre-defined baselines. [Am. 61]

| (75) | Pursuant to paragraph 22 and 23 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making (39), there is a need to evaluate this Programme on the basis of information collected through specific monitoring requirements, while avoiding overregulation and administrative burdens, in particular on Member States. These requirements, where appropriate, should include measurable indicators, as a basis for evaluating the effects of the Programme on the ground. The Commission should draw up an interim evaluation report on the achievement of the objectives of the actions supported under the Programme, on the results and impacts, on the efficiency of the use of resources and on its Union added value, as well as a final evaluation report on the longer impact, the results and the sustainability of the actions, and the synergies with other Programmes. [Am. 62] |
| --- | --- |

(75)

Pursuant to paragraph 22 and 23 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making (39), there is a need to evaluate this Programme on the basis of information collected through specific monitoring requirements, while avoiding overregulation and administrative burdens, in particular on Member States. These requirements, where appropriate, should include measurable indicators, as a basis for evaluating the effects of the Programme on the ground. The Commission should draw up an interim evaluation report on the achievement of the objectives of the actions supported under the Programme, on the results and impacts, on the efficiency of the use of resources and on its Union added value, as well as a final evaluation report on the longer impact, the results and the sustainability of the actions, and the synergies with other Programmes. [Am. 62]

| (75a) | In order to supplement certain non-essential elements of this Regulation, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the adoption of work programme(s). [Am. 63] |
| --- | --- |

(75a)

In order to supplement certain non-essential elements of this Regulation, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the adoption of work programme(s). [Am. 63]

| (76) | The An open list of animal diseases and zoonosis which qualify for funding under emergency measures and for funding under the eradication, control and surveillance programmes should be established on the basis of animal diseases referred to in Chapter 2 of Part I of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council (40), Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (41) and Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (42). [Am. 64] |
| --- | --- |

(76)

The An open list of animal diseases and zoonosis which qualify for funding under emergency measures and for funding under the eradication, control and surveillance programmes should be established on the basis of animal diseases referred to in Chapter 2 of Part I of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council (40), Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (41) and Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (42). [Am. 64]

| (77) | In order to take account of situations that are provoked by animal diseases that have a significant impact on livestock production or trade, the development of zoonoses which pose a threat to humans, or new scientific or epidemiological developments, as well as animal diseases, which are likely to constitute a new threat for the Union, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU should be delegated to the Commission, in respect of amending the list of animal diseases and zoonoses. In order to ensure effective assessment of progress of the Programme towards the achievement of its objectives the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of reviewing or complementing the indicators to measure the achievement of the specific objectives where considered necessary and to supplement this Regulation with provisions on the establishment of a monitoring and evaluation framework. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making. In particular, Stakeholders and consumer associations should be consulted as well. To ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States’ experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. [Am. 65] |
| --- | --- |

(77)

In order to take account of situations that are provoked by animal diseases that have a significant impact on livestock production or trade, the development of zoonoses which pose a threat to humans, or new scientific or epidemiological developments, as well as animal diseases, which are likely to constitute a new threat for the Union, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU should be delegated to the Commission, in respect of amending the list of animal diseases and zoonoses. In order to ensure effective assessment of progress of the Programme towards the achievement of its objectives the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of reviewing or complementing the indicators to measure the achievement of the specific objectives where considered necessary and to supplement this Regulation with provisions on the establishment of a monitoring and evaluation framework. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making. In particular, Stakeholders and consumer associations should be consulted as well. To ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States’ experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. [Am. 65]

| (78) | Pursuant to [reference to be updated as appropriate according to a new decision on OCTs: Article 94 of Council Decision 2013/755/EU (43)], persons and entities established in overseas countries and territories are eligible for funding subject to the rules and objectives of the Programme and possible arrangements applicable to the Member State to which the relevant overseas country or territory is linked. |
| --- | --- |

(78)

Pursuant to [reference to be updated as appropriate according to a new decision on OCTs: Article 94 of Council Decision 2013/755/EU (43)], persons and entities established in overseas countries and territories are eligible for funding subject to the rules and objectives of the Programme and possible arrangements applicable to the Member State to which the relevant overseas country or territory is linked.

| (79) | In accordance with the Financial Regulation, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (44), Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2988/95 (45),Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 (46) and Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 (47), the financial interests of the Union are to be protected through proportionate measures, including the prevention, detection, correction and investigation of irregularities and fraud, the recovery of funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate, the imposition of administrative sanctions. In particular, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 and Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) may carry out administrative investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections, with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the Union. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) may investigate and prosecute fraud and other criminal offences affecting the financial interests of the Union as provided for in Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council (48). In accordance with the Financial Regulation, any person or entity receiving Union funds is to fully cooperate in the protection of the Union’s financial interests, to grant the necessary rights and access to the Commission, OLAF, the EPPO and the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and to ensure that any third parties involved in the implementation of Union funds grant equivalent rights. |
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(79)

In accordance with the Financial Regulation, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (44), Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2988/95 (45),Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 (46) and Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 (47), the financial interests of the Union are to be protected through proportionate measures, including the prevention, detection, correction and investigation of irregularities and fraud, the recovery of funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate, the imposition of administrative sanctions. In particular, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 and Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) may carry out administrative investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections, with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the Union. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) may investigate and prosecute fraud and other criminal offences affecting the financial interests of the Union as provided for in Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council (48). In accordance with the Financial Regulation, any person or entity receiving Union funds is to fully cooperate in the protection of the Union’s financial interests, to grant the necessary rights and access to the Commission, OLAF, the EPPO and the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and to ensure that any third parties involved in the implementation of Union funds grant equivalent rights.

| (80) | Horizontal financial rules adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on the basis of Article 322 TFEU apply to this Regulation. These rules are laid down in and in particular the Financial Regulation and determine in particular which lays down the procedure for establishing and implementing the budget through grants, procurement, prizes, indirect implementation, and provide provides for checks on the responsibility of financial actors should apply to the actions under this Programme, subject to specific derogations, provided for in this Regulation. Rules adopted on the basis of Article 322 TFEU also concern the protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States, as the respect for the rule of law is an essential precondition for sound financial management and effective Union funding. [Am. 66] |
| --- | --- |

(80)

Horizontal financial rules adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on the basis of Article 322 TFEU apply to this Regulation. These rules are laid down in and in particular the Financial Regulation and determine in particular which lays down the procedure for establishing and implementing the budget through grants, procurement, prizes, indirect implementation, and provide provides for checks on the responsibility of financial actors should apply to the actions under this Programme, subject to specific derogations, provided for in this Regulation. Rules adopted on the basis of Article 322 TFEU also concern the protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States, as the respect for the rule of law is an essential precondition for sound financial management and effective Union funding. [Am. 66]

| (81) | Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council (49) governs the processing of personal data carried out in the Member States in the context of this Regulation and under the supervision of the Member States competent authorities. Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (50) governs the processing of personal data carried out by the Commission within the framework of this Regulation and under the supervision of the European Data Protection Supervisor. Any exchange or transmission of information by competent authorities is to comply with the rules on the transfer of personal data as laid down in Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and in Regulation XXX [Regulation on privacy and electronic communications] and any exchange or transmission of information by the Commission is to comply with the rules on the transfer of personal data as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 45/2001. [Am. 67] |
| --- | --- |

(81)

Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council (49) governs the processing of personal data carried out in the Member States in the context of this Regulation and under the supervision of the Member States competent authorities. Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (50) governs the processing of personal data carried out by the Commission within the framework of this Regulation and under the supervision of the European Data Protection Supervisor. Any exchange or transmission of information by competent authorities is to comply with the rules on the transfer of personal data as laid down in Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and in Regulation XXX [Regulation on privacy and electronic communications] and any exchange or transmission of information by the Commission is to comply with the rules on the transfer of personal data as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 45/2001. [Am. 67]

| (82) | Since the objectives of this Regulation cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States due to the cross-border nature of the issues involved, but can rather, by reason of the greater potential of Union action, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 TEU. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives. |
| --- | --- |

(82)

Since the objectives of this Regulation cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States due to the cross-border nature of the issues involved, but can rather, by reason of the greater potential of Union action, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 TEU. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

| (83) | The Programme should also be to ensure greater visibility and coherence of the Union’s internal market, competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises including SMEs especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and European statistics actions towards European citizens, businesses and administrations. [Am. 68] |
| --- | --- |

(83)

The Programme should also be to ensure greater visibility and coherence of the Union’s internal market, competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises including SMEs especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and European statistics actions towards European citizens, businesses and administrations. [Am. 68]

| (84) | Regulation (EU) No 99/2013, Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013, Regulation (EU) No 254/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (51), Regulation (EU) No 258/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (52), Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (53), Regulation (EU) 2017/826, should be repealed with effect from 1 January 2021. |
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(84)

Regulation (EU) No 99/2013, Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013, Regulation (EU) No 254/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (51), Regulation (EU) No 258/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (52), Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (53), Regulation (EU) 2017/826, should be repealed with effect from 1 January 2021.

| (85) | It is appropriate to ensure a smooth transition without interruption between the programmes in the fields of competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises and SMEs, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, consumer protection, customers and end-users in financial services, policy making in financial services, food chain and European statistics, established by Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013, Regulation (EU) No 254/2014, Regulation (EU) 2017/826, Regulation (EU) No 258/2014, Regulation (EU) No 652/2014, Regulation (EU) No 99/2013 and this Programme, in particular regarding the continuation of multiannual measures, and the evaluation of the previous programmes successes, [Am. 69] |
| --- | --- |

(85)

It is appropriate to ensure a smooth transition without interruption between the programmes in the fields of competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises and SMEs, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, consumer protection, customers and end-users in financial services, policy making in financial services, food chain and European statistics, established by Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013, Regulation (EU) No 254/2014, Regulation (EU) 2017/826, Regulation (EU) No 258/2014, Regulation (EU) No 652/2014, Regulation (EU) No 99/2013 and this Programme, in particular regarding the continuation of multiannual measures, and the evaluation of the previous programmes successes, [Am. 69]

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

CHAPTER I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Subject matter

This Regulation establishes the Single Market programme for improving the functioning of strengthening the internal market and the improving its functioning in the fields of competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises, including especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, standardisation, consumer protection, market surveillance, food supply chain and the framework for financing of development, production and dissemination of European statistics within the meaning of Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 (the ‘Programme’). [Am. 70]

It lays down the objectives of the Programme, the budget for the period 2021 to 2027, the forms of Union funding and the rules for providing such funding.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:

| (1) | ‘blending operation’ means actions supported by the Union budget, including within blending facilities pursuant to Article 2(6) of the Financial Regulation, combining non-repayable forms of support and/or financial instruments from the Union budget with repayable forms of support from development or other public finance institutions, as well as from commercial finance institutions and investors; |
| --- | --- |

(1)

‘blending operation’ means actions supported by the Union budget, including within blending facilities pursuant to Article 2(6) of the Financial Regulation, combining non-repayable forms of support and/or financial instruments from the Union budget with repayable forms of support from development or other public finance institutions, as well as from commercial finance institutions and investors;

| (2) | ‘European statistics’ means statistics developed, produced and disseminated at the Union level and in the Member States in accordance with Article 3 TEU and Regulation (EC) No 223/2009; [Am. 71] |
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(2)

‘European statistics’ means statistics developed, produced and disseminated at the Union level and in the Member States in accordance with Article 3 TEU and Regulation (EC) No 223/2009; [Am. 71]

| (3) | ‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law, Union law or international law, which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity without a legal personality in accordance with point (c) of the Article 197(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 (the ‘Financial Regulation’); [Am. 72] |
| --- | --- |

(3)

‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law, Union law or international law, which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity without a legal personality in accordance with point (c) of the Article 197(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 (the ‘Financial Regulation’); [Am. 72]

| (4) | ‘micro, small and medium-sized enterprises’ means micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as defined in Recommendation 2003/361/EC in the version of 6 May 2003; |
| --- | --- |

(4)

‘micro, small and medium-sized enterprises’ means micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as defined in Recommendation 2003/361/EC in the version of 6 May 2003;

| (4a) | ‘social economy enterprise’ means an enterprise whose main objective is to have a social impact rather than make a profit for their owners or shareholders, which operates by providing goods and services for the market and which is managed in an open and responsible manner involving employees, consumers and stakeholders; [Am. 73] |
| --- | --- |

(4a)

‘social economy enterprise’ means an enterprise whose main objective is to have a social impact rather than make a profit for their owners or shareholders, which operates by providing goods and services for the market and which is managed in an open and responsible manner involving employees, consumers and stakeholders; [Am. 73]

| (4b) | ‘local Public Enterprise’ means a small local public service enterprise that meets the SME criteria and fulfils important tasks for local communities; [Am. 74] |
| --- | --- |

(4b)

‘local Public Enterprise’ means a small local public service enterprise that meets the SME criteria and fulfils important tasks for local communities; [Am. 74]

| (4c) | ‘enterprise networks’ means the coming together of entrepreneurs in order to carry out a shared project and in which two or more SMEs jointly exercise one or more economic activities in order to increase their competitiveness in the market; [Am. 75] |
| --- | --- |

(4c)

‘enterprise networks’ means the coming together of entrepreneurs in order to carry out a shared project and in which two or more SMEs jointly exercise one or more economic activities in order to increase their competitiveness in the market; [Am. 75]

| (5) | ‘third country’ means a country that is not a member of the Union. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

‘third country’ means a country that is not a member of the Union.

Article 3

Programme objectives

1.   The Programme has the following general objectives:

| (a) | to improve the functioning of the internal market, and especially to protect and empower citizens, consumers and businesses, in particular micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by enforcement of Union law, facilitation of legal, social and environmental framework; to facilitate market access and access to finance, to promote fair competition between companies, and standard setting, and by promoting to ensure a uniform and high level of consumer protection, to strengthen the market surveillance across the Union, to improve mutual recognition and to promote human, animal and plant health and animal welfare; as well as to enhance cooperation between the competent authorities of Member States and between the competent authorities of Member States and the Commission and the decentralised Union agencies; [Am. 76] |
| --- | --- |

(a)

to improve the functioning of the internal market, and especially to protect and empower citizens, consumers and businesses, in particular micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by enforcement of Union law, facilitation of legal, social and environmental framework; to facilitate market access and access to finance, to promote fair competition between companies, and standard setting, and by promoting to ensure a uniform and high level of consumer protection, to strengthen the market surveillance across the Union, to improve mutual recognition and to promote human, animal and plant health and animal welfare; as well as to enhance cooperation between the competent authorities of Member States and between the competent authorities of Member States and the Commission and the decentralised Union agencies; [Am. 76]

| (b) | to provide develop, produce and disseminate high-quality, comparable and reliable European statistics on Europe which underpin the design, monitoring and evaluation of all the Union policies, including trade and migration, and help citizens, policy makers and regulators, supervisory authorities, businesses, academia, citizens civil society and media to make informed decisions and actively participate in the democratic process. [Am. 77] |
| --- | --- |

(b)

to provide develop, produce and disseminate high-quality, comparable and reliable European statistics on Europe which underpin the design, monitoring and evaluation of all the Union policies, including trade and migration, and help citizens, policy makers and regulators, supervisory authorities, businesses, academia, citizens civil society and media to make informed decisions and actively participate in the democratic process. [Am. 77]

2.   The Programme has the following specific objectives:

| (a) | making the internal market more effective, by:






  (i) | facilitating the prevention and removal of obstacles, and supporting the development, implementation and enforcement of the Union law, in the areas of the internal market for goods and services, and public procurement, market surveillance as well as in the areas of company law and contract and extra-contractual law, anti-money laundering, free movement of capital, financial services and competition, including the development of governance tools; |
| --- | --- | --- |

(a)

making the internal market more effective, by:

(i)

facilitating the prevention and removal of obstacles, and supporting the development, implementation and enforcement of the Union law, in the areas of the internal market for goods and services, and public procurement, market surveillance as well as in the areas of company law and contract and extra-contractual law, anti-money laundering, free movement of capital, financial services and competition, including the development of governance tools;

| (ii) | supporting effective market surveillance and product safety throughout the Union, and contributing to the fight against the counterfeiting of products, with a view to ensuring that only safe and compliant products that offer a high level of consumer protection are made available on the Union market, including those sold online, as well as to greater homogeneity and capacity of the market surveillance authorities across the Union. [Am. 78] |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

supporting effective market surveillance and product safety throughout the Union, and contributing to the fight against the counterfeiting of products, with a view to ensuring that only safe and compliant products that offer a high level of consumer protection are made available on the Union market, including those sold online, as well as to greater homogeneity and capacity of the market surveillance authorities across the Union. [Am. 78]

| (b) | improving strengthening both the competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises with special emphasis on SMEs and achieving additionality through the provision of measures that provide (objectives for SMEs), paying particular attention to their specific needs, by:






  (i) | providing various forms of support to SMEs, fostering the growth, promotion and creation of SMEs, including enterprise networks, development of managerial skills and fostering measures to scale-up that will allow them to better access to markets including the and internationalisation of SMEs, processes, as well as marketing of their products and services; |
| --- | --- | --- |

(b)

improving strengthening both the competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises with special emphasis on SMEs and achieving additionality through the provision of measures that provide (objectives for SMEs), paying particular attention to their specific needs, by:

(i)

providing various forms of support to SMEs, fostering the growth, promotion and creation of SMEs, including enterprise networks, development of managerial skills and fostering measures to scale-up that will allow them to better access to markets including the and internationalisation of SMEs, processes, as well as marketing of their products and services;

| (ii) | fostering a favourable business environment and framework for SMEs, reducing administrative burden, enhancing the competitiveness of sectors, ensuring the modernisation of industry including their digital transformation contributing to a resilient, energy and resource efficient economy; |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

fostering a favourable business environment and framework for SMEs, reducing administrative burden, enhancing the competitiveness of sectors, ensuring the modernisation of industry including their digital transformation contributing to a resilient, energy and resource efficient economy;

| (iii) | promoting entrepreneurial culture and contributing to the high-quality training of SMEs’ staff; |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

promoting entrepreneurial culture and contributing to the high-quality training of SMEs’ staff;

| (iv) | promoting new business opportunities for SMEs overcoming structural changes through targeted measures, and other innovative forms of actions such as workers buy-outs facilitating job creation and the promotion of entrepreneurship continuity of businesses, in territories affected by these changes; [Am. 79] |
| --- | --- |

(iv)

promoting new business opportunities for SMEs overcoming structural changes through targeted measures, and other innovative forms of actions such as workers buy-outs facilitating job creation and the promotion of entrepreneurship continuity of businesses, in territories affected by these changes; [Am. 79]

| (c) | ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market through standardisation processes that:






  (i) | enable the financing of European standardisation and stakeholder bodies and the participation of all relevant stakeholders in setting up European standards; [Am. 80] |
| --- | --- | --- |

(c)

ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market through standardisation processes that:

(i)

enable the financing of European standardisation and stakeholder bodies and the participation of all relevant stakeholders in setting up European standards; [Am. 80]

| (ii) | support the development of high-quality international financial reporting and auditing standards, facilitate their integration into the Union law and and/or promote the innovation and development of best practices in corporate reporting for both small and big companies; [Am. 81] |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

support the development of high-quality international financial reporting and auditing standards, facilitate their integration into the Union law and and/or promote the innovation and development of best practices in corporate reporting for both small and big companies; [Am. 81]

| (d) | promoting the interests of consumers and ensuring a uniform and high level of consumer protection and product safety by: [Am. 82]






  (i) | empowering, assisting and educating consumers, businesses and civil society; ensuring a high level of consumer protection, sustainable consumption and product safety notably by in particular for the most vulnerable consumers in order to enhance fairness, transparency and trust in the single market; supporting competent enforcement authorities and consumer representative organisations and cooperation actions, by addressing, among others, issues raised by existing and emerging technologies, including actions aiming at improving product traceability along the supply chain; quality standards across the Union, and addressing the issue of the dual quality of products; raising awareness about consumer's rights under Union law and ensuring that all consumers have access to efficient redress mechanisms and provision of adequate information on markets and consumers, as well as promoting sustainable consumption through enhanced information to consumers on specific characteristics and environmental impact of goods and services; [Am. 83] |
| --- | --- | --- |

(d)

promoting the interests of consumers and ensuring a uniform and high level of consumer protection and product safety by: [Am. 82]

(i)

empowering, assisting and educating consumers, businesses and civil society; ensuring a high level of consumer protection, sustainable consumption and product safety notably by in particular for the most vulnerable consumers in order to enhance fairness, transparency and trust in the single market; supporting competent enforcement authorities and consumer representative organisations and cooperation actions, by addressing, among others, issues raised by existing and emerging technologies, including actions aiming at improving product traceability along the supply chain; quality standards across the Union, and addressing the issue of the dual quality of products; raising awareness about consumer's rights under Union law and ensuring that all consumers have access to efficient redress mechanisms and provision of adequate information on markets and consumers, as well as promoting sustainable consumption through enhanced information to consumers on specific characteristics and environmental impact of goods and services; [Am. 83]

| (ii) | enhancing the participation of consumers, other financial services end-users and civil society in financial services policy-making; promoting a better understanding of the financial sector and of the different categories of commercialised financial products and ensuring the interests of consumers in the area of retail financial services; [Am. 84] |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

enhancing the participation of consumers, other financial services end-users and civil society in financial services policy-making; promoting a better understanding of the financial sector and of the different categories of commercialised financial products and ensuring the interests of consumers in the area of retail financial services; [Am. 84]

| (e) | contributing to a high level of health and safety for humans, animals and plants along the food and feed supply chain and in related areas, including by preventing and eradicating diseases and pests, and to support the improvement of the welfare of animals including, by means of emergency measures in the event of large-scale crisis situations and unforeseeable events affecting animal or plant health, as well as supporting improvements in animal welfare and developing the a sustainable food production and consumption at affordable prices, as well as by stimulating research, innovation and the exchange of best practices between stakeholders in those fields; [Am. 85] |
| --- | --- |

(e)

contributing to a high level of health and safety for humans, animals and plants along the food and feed supply chain and in related areas, including by preventing and eradicating diseases and pests, and to support the improvement of the welfare of animals including, by means of emergency measures in the event of large-scale crisis situations and unforeseeable events affecting animal or plant health, as well as supporting improvements in animal welfare and developing the a sustainable food production and consumption at affordable prices, as well as by stimulating research, innovation and the exchange of best practices between stakeholders in those fields; [Am. 85]

| (f) | developing, producing, disseminating and communicating high quality European statistics on Europe in a timely, impartial and cost-efficient manner, through enhanced partnerships within the European Statistical System referred to in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 and with all relevant external parties, using multiple data sources, advanced data analytics methods, smart systems and digital technologies, and providing a national and, where possible, regional breakdown. [Am. 86] |
| --- | --- |

(f)

developing, producing, disseminating and communicating high quality European statistics on Europe in a timely, impartial and cost-efficient manner, through enhanced partnerships within the European Statistical System referred to in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 and with all relevant external parties, using multiple data sources, advanced data analytics methods, smart systems and digital technologies, and providing a national and, where possible, regional breakdown. [Am. 86]

Article 4

Budget

1.   The financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period 2021 to 2027 shall be EUR 4 088 580 0006 563 000 000 in current prices. [Am. 87]

2.   Within the amount referred to in paragraph 1 the following indicative amounts shall be allocated to the following objectives:

| (-a) | EUR 394 590 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(i); [Am. 88] |
| --- | --- |

(-a)

EUR 394 590 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(i); [Am. 88]

| (-aa) | EUR 396 200 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(ii); [Am. 89] |
| --- | --- |

(-aa)

EUR 396 200 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(ii); [Am. 89]

| (a) | EUR 1 000 000 0003 122 000 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(b); [Am. 90] |
| --- | --- |

(a)

EUR 1 000 000 0003 122 000 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(b); [Am. 90]

| (aa) | EUR 220 510 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(c); [Am. 91] |
| --- | --- |

(aa)

EUR 220 510 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(c); [Am. 91]

| (b) | EUR 188 000 000 198 000 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(d)(i) 3(2)(d); [Am. 92] |
| --- | --- |

(b)

EUR 188 000 000 198 000 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(d)(i) 3(2)(d); [Am. 92]

| (c) | EUR 1 680 000 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e); |
| --- | --- |

(c)

EUR 1 680 000 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e);

| (d) | EUR 552 000 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(f). |
| --- | --- |

(d)

EUR 552 000 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(f).

3.   The amount referred to in paragraph 1 may be used for technical and administrative assistance for the implementation of the Programme, concerning in particular preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities as well as use of information technology networks focusing on information processing and exchange, and use and development of corporate information technology tools. In order to ensure maximum availability of the Programme to finance actions covered by the objectives of the Programme, the total costs of administrative and technical support shall not exceed 5 % of the value of the financial envelope referred to in paragraph 1. [Am. 93]

4.   For the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e), budgetary commitments extending over more than one financial year, may be broken down over several years into annual instalments.

5.   By derogation from Article 111(2) of the Financial Regulation, the Commission shall make the budgetary commitment for the grant awarded for veterinary and phytosanitary emergency measures under the specific objective referred to in point (e) of the Article 3(2) of this Regulation after assessment of the payment applications submitted by Member States.

5a.   A specific mechanism should be introduced for direct food chain access to the Commission’s crisis reserve in case of large-scale emergencies, in order to guarantee financing for the measures set out in Article 3(2)(e). [Am. 94]

6.   Resources allocated to Member States under shared management may, at their request, be transferred to the Programme. The Commission shall implement those resources directly in accordance with point (a) of Article 62(1) of the Financial Regulation or indirectly in accordance with point (c) of that Article. Where possible those resources shall be used for the benefit of the Member State concerned.

Article 5

Third countries associated to the Programme

The Programme shall be open to the following third countries:

| (a) | European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA), in accordance with the conditions laid down in the EEA agreement; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA), in accordance with the conditions laid down in the EEA agreement;

| (b) | acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates, in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for their participation in Union programmes established in the respective framework agreements and Association Council decisions, or similar agreements, and in accordance with the specific conditions laid down in agreements between the Union and them; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates, in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for their participation in Union programmes established in the respective framework agreements and Association Council decisions, or similar agreements, and in accordance with the specific conditions laid down in agreements between the Union and them;

| (c) | countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy, in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for the participation of those countries in Union programmes established in the respective framework agreements and association council decisions, or similar agreements, and in accordance with the specific conditions laid down in agreements between the Union and those countries; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy, in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for the participation of those countries in Union programmes established in the respective framework agreements and association council decisions, or similar agreements, and in accordance with the specific conditions laid down in agreements between the Union and those countries;

| (d) | third countries, in accordance with the conditions laid down in a specific agreement covering the participation of the third country to any Union programme, provided that the agreement:






  (i) | ensures a fair balance as regards the contributions and benefits of the third country participating in the Union programmes; |
| --- | --- | --- |

(d)

third countries, in accordance with the conditions laid down in a specific agreement covering the participation of the third country to any Union programme, provided that the agreement:

(i)

ensures a fair balance as regards the contributions and benefits of the third country participating in the Union programmes;

| (ii) | lays down the conditions of participation in the programmes, including the calculation of financial contributions to individual programmes and their administrative costs; |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

lays down the conditions of participation in the programmes, including the calculation of financial contributions to individual programmes and their administrative costs;

| (iii) | does not confer to the third country a decisional power on the programme; |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

does not confer to the third country a decisional power on the programme;

| (iv) | guarantees the rights of the Union to ensure sound financial management and to protect its financial interests. |
| --- | --- |

(iv)

guarantees the rights of the Union to ensure sound financial management and to protect its financial interests.

The contributions referred to in point (ii) shall constitute assigned revenues in accordance with Article 21(5) of the Financial Regulation.

Article 6

Implementation and forms of EU funding

1.   The Programme shall be implemented in direct management in accordance with the Financial Regulation or in indirect management with bodies referred to in point (c) of the Article 62(1) of the Financial Regulation.

2.   The Programme may provide funding in any of the forms laid down in the Financial Regulation, in particular grants, prizes and procurement. It may also provide financing in the form of financial instruments within blending operations.

3.   Contributions to a mutual insurance mechanism may cover the risk associated with the recovery of funds due by recipients and shall be considered as sufficient guarantee under the Financial Regulation. The provisions laid down in [Article X of] Regulation XXX [successor of the Regulation on the Guarantee Fund] shall apply (54).

CHAPTER II

GRANTS

Article 7

Grants

Grants under the Programme shall be awarded and managed in accordance with Title VIII of the Financial Regulation.

Article 8

Eligible actions

1.   Only actions implementing the objectives referred in Article 3 shall be eligible for funding.

2.   In particular the following actions implementing the objectives referred in Article 3 shall be eligible:

| (a) | creation of the right conditions to empower all actors of the internal market, including businesses, citizens and, consumers, civil society and public authorities through transparent information exchange and awareness raising campaigns, particularly as regards to applicable Union rules and the rights of consumers and businesses, best practice exchange, promotion of good practices and innovative solutions, exchange and dissemination of expertise and knowledge and organization of trainings for the promotion of digital literacy of citizens and businesses; [Am. 95] |
| --- | --- |

(a)

creation of the right conditions to empower all actors of the internal market, including businesses, citizens and, consumers, civil society and public authorities through transparent information exchange and awareness raising campaigns, particularly as regards to applicable Union rules and the rights of consumers and businesses, best practice exchange, promotion of good practices and innovative solutions, exchange and dissemination of expertise and knowledge and organization of trainings for the promotion of digital literacy of citizens and businesses; [Am. 95]

| (b) | provision of mechanisms for citizens, consumers, end-users, civil society, trade unions and businesses representatives from the Union, in particular those representing SMEs to contribute to political discussions, policies and decision making process, notably by supporting the functioning of representative organisations at national and the Union level; [Am. 96] |
| --- | --- |

(b)

provision of mechanisms for citizens, consumers, end-users, civil society, trade unions and businesses representatives from the Union, in particular those representing SMEs to contribute to political discussions, policies and decision making process, notably by supporting the functioning of representative organisations at national and the Union level; [Am. 96]

| (c) | capacity building, facilitation and coordination of joint actions between Member States and between the competent authorities of Member States and between the competent authorities of Member States and the Commission, the decentralised Union agencies and third country authorities, and more particularly joint actions aimed at strengthening product safety, enforcement of consumer protection rules in the Union and product traceability; [Am. 97] |
| --- | --- |

(c)

capacity building, facilitation and coordination of joint actions between Member States and between the competent authorities of Member States and between the competent authorities of Member States and the Commission, the decentralised Union agencies and third country authorities, and more particularly joint actions aimed at strengthening product safety, enforcement of consumer protection rules in the Union and product traceability; [Am. 97]

| (d) | support for the effective enforcement and by Member States and the modernisation of the Union legal framework and its rapid adaptation to the ever-changing environment as well as support for dealing with issues raised by digitalisation, including through data gathering and analyses; studies, evaluations and policy recommendations; organization of demonstration activities and pilot projects; communication activities; development of dedicated IT tools ensuring transparent, fair and efficient functioning of the internal market. [Am. 98] |
| --- | --- |

(d)

support for the effective enforcement and by Member States and the modernisation of the Union legal framework and its rapid adaptation to the ever-changing environment as well as support for dealing with issues raised by digitalisation, including through data gathering and analyses; studies, evaluations and policy recommendations; organization of demonstration activities and pilot projects; communication activities; development of dedicated IT tools ensuring transparent, fair and efficient functioning of the internal market. [Am. 98]

2a.   The following actions implementing the specific objectives referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(ii) shall be eligible for funding:

| (a) | coordination and cooperation between market surveillance authorities and other relevant authorities of Member States, in particular through the Union Product Compliance Network; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

coordination and cooperation between market surveillance authorities and other relevant authorities of Member States, in particular through the Union Product Compliance Network;

| (b) | development and maintenance of IT tools to exchange information on market surveillance and controls at the external borders; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

development and maintenance of IT tools to exchange information on market surveillance and controls at the external borders;

| (c) | support for the development of joint actions and testing in the field of product safety and compliance including in relation to connected products and products sold online; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

support for the development of joint actions and testing in the field of product safety and compliance including in relation to connected products and products sold online;

| (d) | cooperation, exchange of best practices and joint projects between market surveillance authorities and relevant bodies from third countries; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

cooperation, exchange of best practices and joint projects between market surveillance authorities and relevant bodies from third countries;

| (e) | support for market surveillance strategies, knowledge and intelligence gathering, testing capabilities and facilities, peer reviews, training programmes, technical assistance and capacity building for market surveillance authorities; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

support for market surveillance strategies, knowledge and intelligence gathering, testing capabilities and facilities, peer reviews, training programmes, technical assistance and capacity building for market surveillance authorities;

| (f) | assessment of type approval procedures and compliance verification of motor vehicles by the Commission. [Am. 99] |
| --- | --- |

(f)

assessment of type approval procedures and compliance verification of motor vehicles by the Commission. [Am. 99]

3.   The following actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(b) shall be eligible for funding:

| (a) | to provide various forms of support to SMEs; [Am. 100] |
| --- | --- |

(a)

to provide various forms of support to SMEs; [Am. 100]

| (b) | facilitating SMEs' micro-enterprises, SMEs and enterprise networks’ access to markets, including markets outside the Union, supporting them in addressing global, environmental, economic and societal challenges and business internationalisation, facilitating support for them during their life-cycle and strengthening Union entrepreneurial and industrial leadership in global value chains, including the Enterprise Europe Network; [Am. 101] |
| --- | --- |

(b)

facilitating SMEs' micro-enterprises, SMEs and enterprise networks’ access to markets, including markets outside the Union, supporting them in addressing global, environmental, economic and societal challenges and business internationalisation, facilitating support for them during their life-cycle and strengthening Union entrepreneurial and industrial leadership in global value chains, including the Enterprise Europe Network; [Am. 101]

| (c) | addressing market barriers, reducing administrative burden, including reducing obstacles for setting -up enterprises and the starting of businesses and creating a favourable business environment to empower allow micro-enterprises and SMEs to benefit from the internal market, including access to finance, and by providing appropriate guidance, mentoring and coaching schemes delivery of knowledge-based business services; [Am. 102] |
| --- | --- |

(c)

addressing market barriers, reducing administrative burden, including reducing obstacles for setting -up enterprises and the starting of businesses and creating a favourable business environment to empower allow micro-enterprises and SMEs to benefit from the internal market, including access to finance, and by providing appropriate guidance, mentoring and coaching schemes delivery of knowledge-based business services; [Am. 102]

| (d) | facilitating the development and growth of sustainable businesses, raising micro enterprises and SME’s awareness of Unions’ legislation, including environmental and energy Union law, upgrading their skills and qualifications development, and facilitating new business models and resource-efficient value-chains fostering sustainable industrial, technological and organisational transformation across manufacturing and service sectors; [Am. 103] |
| --- | --- |

(d)

facilitating the development and growth of sustainable businesses, raising micro enterprises and SME’s awareness of Unions’ legislation, including environmental and energy Union law, upgrading their skills and qualifications development, and facilitating new business models and resource-efficient value-chains fostering sustainable industrial, technological and organisational transformation across manufacturing and service sectors; [Am. 103]

| (e) | supporting strengthening the competiveness and sustainability of enterprises and whole sectors of economy, and supporting micro-enterprises and SMEs' uptake of technological, organisational and social innovation, enhancing corporate social responsibility and value chain collaboration through strategically connecting ecosystems and clusters, including the joint cluster initiative; [Am. 104] |
| --- | --- |

(e)

supporting strengthening the competiveness and sustainability of enterprises and whole sectors of economy, and supporting micro-enterprises and SMEs' uptake of technological, organisational and social innovation, enhancing corporate social responsibility and value chain collaboration through strategically connecting ecosystems and clusters, including the joint cluster initiative; [Am. 104]

| (f) | fostering an entrepreneurial business environment and entrepreneurial culture, including enlarging the mentoring scheme for new entrepreneurs and supporting start-ups, business sustainability and scale-ups, paying particular attention to new potential entrepreneurs (i.e. youth, women), as well as other specific target groups, such as socially disadvantaged or vulnerable groups. [Am. 105]. |
| --- | --- |

(f)

fostering an entrepreneurial business environment and entrepreneurial culture, including enlarging the mentoring scheme for new entrepreneurs and supporting start-ups, business sustainability and scale-ups, paying particular attention to new potential entrepreneurs (i.e. youth, women), as well as other specific target groups, such as socially disadvantaged or vulnerable groups. [Am. 105].

3a.   When implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(b), the Commission may, in addition to the actions referred to in points (a) to (f) of paragraph 3 of this Article, support the following specific actions:

| (a) | accelerating, supporting and expanding advisory services through the Enterprise Europe Network in order to provide integrated business with a one-stop-shop support service to Union SMEs that seek to explore opportunities in the internal market and in the third countries, and to monitor in order to ensure that a comparable level of quality of service is provided by the latter throughout all the Member States; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

accelerating, supporting and expanding advisory services through the Enterprise Europe Network in order to provide integrated business with a one-stop-shop support service to Union SMEs that seek to explore opportunities in the internal market and in the third countries, and to monitor in order to ensure that a comparable level of quality of service is provided by the latter throughout all the Member States;

| (b) | supporting the creation of enterprise networks; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

supporting the creation of enterprise networks;

| (c) | supporting and expanding mobility programmes for new entrepreneurs (‘Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs’) to improve their ability to develop their entrepreneurial know-how, skill and attitude and to improve their technological capacity and enterprise management; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

supporting and expanding mobility programmes for new entrepreneurs (‘Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs’) to improve their ability to develop their entrepreneurial know-how, skill and attitude and to improve their technological capacity and enterprise management;

| (d) | supporting the scale-up of SMEs through significant business extension projects based on market-driven opportunities (SME Scale-up instrument); |
| --- | --- |

(d)

supporting the scale-up of SMEs through significant business extension projects based on market-driven opportunities (SME Scale-up instrument);

| (e) | supporting sector-specific actions in areas characterised by a high proportion of micro-enterprises and SMEs and a high contribution to the Union's GDP, such as the tourism sector. [Am. 106] |
| --- | --- |

(e)

supporting sector-specific actions in areas characterised by a high proportion of micro-enterprises and SMEs and a high contribution to the Union's GDP, such as the tourism sector. [Am. 106]

3b.   Actions undertaken through the Enterprise Europe Network referred to in point (a) of paragraph (3a) of this Article may include, inter alia:

| (a) | facilitating internationalisation of SMEs and identification of business partners in the internal market, cross border business cooperation on R&D, technology, knowledge and innovation transfer partnership; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

facilitating internationalisation of SMEs and identification of business partners in the internal market, cross border business cooperation on R&D, technology, knowledge and innovation transfer partnership;

| (b) | providing information, guidance and personalised advice on Union law, Union’s financing and funding opportunities as well as on Union’s initiatives that have an impact on business, including taxation, property rights, environment and energy-related obligations, labour and social security aspects; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

providing information, guidance and personalised advice on Union law, Union’s financing and funding opportunities as well as on Union’s initiatives that have an impact on business, including taxation, property rights, environment and energy-related obligations, labour and social security aspects;

| (c) | facilitating SMEs’ access to environmental, climate, energy efficiency and performance expertise; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

facilitating SMEs’ access to environmental, climate, energy efficiency and performance expertise;

| (d) | enhancing the network with other information and advisory networks of the Union and Member States, in particular, EURES the Union innovation Hubs and the InvestEu advisory Hub. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

enhancing the network with other information and advisory networks of the Union and Member States, in particular, EURES the Union innovation Hubs and the InvestEu advisory Hub.

Services delivered by the Network on behalf of other Union programmes shall be funded by those programmes.

The Commission shall prioritise actions in the Network to improve parts or elements of it that do not comply with minimum standard in order to provide homogenous support to micro enterprises and SMEs throughout the Union.

The Commission shall adopt implementing acts establishing indicators and minimum standards for the purpose of measuring the impact of the Network vis-à-vis the specific objectives and the effectiveness of the actions for SMEs.

Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 21(2).

The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 20 to establish additional forms of support to the SMEs not provided for in this paragraph. [Am. 107]

4.   The actions set out in Articles 15 and 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 and implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(c)(i) of this Regulation shall be eligible for funding.

5.   The actions providing support for activities aimed at developing, applying, assessing and monitoring international standards in the fields of financial reporting and auditing and overseeing their standard-setting processes and implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(c)(ii) shall be eligible for funding.

5a.   The following actions implementing the specific objectives referred to in Article 3(2)(d)(i) shall be eligible for funding:

| (a) | improving consumer awareness and education on consumer rights through life-long education on EU consumer rules, and empowering consumers to face new issues raised by technological development and digitalisation, including the specific needs of vulnerable consumers; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

improving consumer awareness and education on consumer rights through life-long education on EU consumer rules, and empowering consumers to face new issues raised by technological development and digitalisation, including the specific needs of vulnerable consumers;

| (b) | ensuring and facilitating access for all consumers and traders to quality out of court dispute resolution and online dispute resolution and information on redress possibilities; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

ensuring and facilitating access for all consumers and traders to quality out of court dispute resolution and online dispute resolution and information on redress possibilities;

| (c) | supporting stronger enforcement of consumer laws, with a particular attention for cross-border cases or cases involving third parties, effective coordination and cooperation between national enforcement bodies and enforcement cooperation with third countries; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

supporting stronger enforcement of consumer laws, with a particular attention for cross-border cases or cases involving third parties, effective coordination and cooperation between national enforcement bodies and enforcement cooperation with third countries;

| (d) | fostering sustainable consumption by raising consumer awareness on product’s durability and environmental impact, eco-design features, promotion of consumers rights in this respect and possibility for redress in case of early-failing products. [Am. 108] |
| --- | --- |

(d)

fostering sustainable consumption by raising consumer awareness on product’s durability and environmental impact, eco-design features, promotion of consumers rights in this respect and possibility for redress in case of early-failing products. [Am. 108]

6.   The actions set out in Annex I implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e) shall be eligible for funding.

7.   The actions set out in Annex II implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(f) shall be eligible for funding.

Article 9

Eligible entities

1.   The eligibility criteria set out in paragraphs 2 to 7 of this Article shall apply in addition to the criteria set out in Article 197 of the Financial Regulation.

2.   In addition to eligibility conditions laid down in paragraphs 3 to 7, the following entities shall be eligible under the Programme:

| (a) | legal entities established in any of the following countries:






  (i) | a Member State or an overseas country or territory linked to it; |
| --- | --- | --- |

(a)

legal entities established in any of the following countries:

(i)

a Member State or an overseas country or territory linked to it;

| (ii) | a third country associated to the Programme in accordance with Article 5; |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

a third country associated to the Programme in accordance with Article 5;

| (b) | any legal entity created under Union law or any international organisation; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

any legal entity created under Union law or any international organisation;

| (c) | legal entities established in a third country which is not associated to the Programme are exceptionally eligible to participate, provided that the action pursues Union objectives and the activities outside the Union contribute to the effectiveness of interventions carried out in Member State territories to which the Treaties apply. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

legal entities established in a third country which is not associated to the Programme are exceptionally eligible to participate, provided that the action pursues Union objectives and the activities outside the Union contribute to the effectiveness of interventions carried out in Member State territories to which the Treaties apply.

3.   The Commission may allow legal entities established in a third country which is not associated to the Programme may to participate in the following actions: [Am. 109]

| (a) | actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(b); |
| --- | --- |

(a)

actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(b);

| (b) | actions supporting consumer protection implementing the specific objective in referred to Article 3(2)(d)(i). |
| --- | --- |

(b)

actions supporting consumer protection implementing the specific objective in referred to Article 3(2)(d)(i).

The entities participating in the actions referred to in points (a) and (b) shall not be entitled to receive Union financial contributions, especially when there is a risk of transfer of innovative technology, except where it is essential for the Programme, in particular in terms of competitiveness and access to markets for Union enterprises or in terms of protection of the consumers residing in the Union. That exception shall not apply to profit-making entities. [Am. 110]

4.   For actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(c)(i) of this Regulation, the entities specified in Articles 15 and 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 shall be eligible.

5.   For actions supporting consumer protection implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(d)(i) and related to the European Consumer Centres Network, the following bodies shall be eligible:

| (a) | a body designated by a Member State or a third country referred to in Article 5 which is a non-profit-making body selected through a transparent procedure; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

a body designated by a Member State or a third country referred to in Article 5 which is a non-profit-making body selected through a transparent procedure;

| (b) | a public body. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

a public body.

6.   Third countries, associated or not associated to the Programme shall be eligible for the following actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e):

| (a) | protection measures taken in the case of a direct threat to the status of health in the Union as a result of the occurrence or development, in the territory of a third country or a Member State, of one of the animal diseases and zoonoses listed in Annex III or plant pests listed in the work programme referred to in Article 16; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

protection measures taken in the case of a direct threat to the status of health in the Union as a result of the occurrence or development, in the territory of a third country or a Member State, of one of the animal diseases and zoonoses listed in Annex III or plant pests listed in the work programme referred to in Article 16;

| (b) | protection measures, or other relevant activities, taken in support of the health status of plants in the Union. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

protection measures, or other relevant activities, taken in support of the health status of plants in the Union.

The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 20 to amend Annex III where it is necessary to take account of the situations that are provoked by those animal diseases that have a significant impact on livestock production or trade, the development of zoonoses which pose a threat to humans, or new scientific or epidemiological developments, as well as of the animal diseases which are likely to constitute a new threat for the Union.

Except in case of animal diseases and plant pests having a substantial impact on the Union, in principle, non-associated countries should finance themselves their participation in the actions referred to in points (a) and (b).

7.   For actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(f) of this Regulation, the following legal entities shall be eligible:

| (a) | national statistical institutes and other national authorities as referred to in Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

national statistical institutes and other national authorities as referred to in Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009;

| (b) | for actions supporting collaborative networks, other bodies operating in the field of statistics that are not the authorities referred to in point (a) of this paragraph; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

for actions supporting collaborative networks, other bodies operating in the field of statistics that are not the authorities referred to in point (a) of this paragraph;

| (c) | non-profit making entities, which are independent of industry, commercial and business or other conflicting interests, and have as their primary objectives and activities the promotion and support of the implementation of the European statistics Code of Practice referred to in Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 and the implementation of new methods of production of European statistics aiming at efficiency gains and quality improvements at Union level. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

non-profit making entities, which are independent of industry, commercial and business or other conflicting interests, and have as their primary objectives and activities the promotion and support of the implementation of the European statistics Code of Practice referred to in Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 and the implementation of new methods of production of European statistics aiming at efficiency gains and quality improvements at Union level.

Article 10

Designated beneficiaries

The following entities may be awarded a grant under the Programme without a call for proposals:

| (a) | for actions in the area of market surveillance implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(ii) of this Regulation, the market surveillance authorities of the Member States as referred to in Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 and Article 11 of [Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules and procedures for compliance with and enforcement of Union harmonisation legislation on products] (55); [Am. 111] |
| --- | --- |

(a)

for actions in the area of market surveillance implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(ii) of this Regulation, the market surveillance authorities of the Member States as referred to in Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 and Article 11 of [Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules and procedures for compliance with and enforcement of Union harmonisation legislation on products] (55); [Am. 111]

| (b) | for actions in the area accreditation and market surveillance implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(i) of this Regulation, the body recognised under Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 to carry out the activities referred to in Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008; [Am. 112] |
| --- | --- |

(b)

for actions in the area accreditation and market surveillance implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(i) of this Regulation, the body recognised under Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 to carry out the activities referred to in Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008; [Am. 112]

| (c) | for actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(c)(i) of this Regulation, the entities referred to in Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

for actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(c)(i) of this Regulation, the entities referred to in Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012;

| (d) | for actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(c)(ii), the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation and the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB); |
| --- | --- |

(d)

for actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(c)(ii), the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation and the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB);

| (e) | for actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(d)(i) in relation to the representation of consumers interest at the Union level, Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs (BEUC) and European Association for the Coordination of Consumer Representation in Standardisation (ANEC) provided they have no conflicting interests and represent through its members the interests of Union consumers in at least two thirds of the Member States; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

for actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(d)(i) in relation to the representation of consumers interest at the Union level, Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs (BEUC) and European Association for the Coordination of Consumer Representation in Standardisation (ANEC) provided they have no conflicting interests and represent through its members the interests of Union consumers in at least two thirds of the Member States;

| (f) | for actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(d)(ii), Finance Watch and Better Finance subject to the following conditions, to be assessed annually:






  (i) | the entities remain non-governmental, non-profit and independent of industry, commerce or business; |
| --- | --- | --- |

(f)

for actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(d)(ii), Finance Watch and Better Finance subject to the following conditions, to be assessed annually:

(i)

the entities remain non-governmental, non-profit and independent of industry, commerce or business;

| (ii) | they have no conflicting interests and represent through its members the interests of Union consumers and other end-users in the area of financial services; |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

they have no conflicting interests and represent through its members the interests of Union consumers and other end-users in the area of financial services;

| (g) | for actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e) of this Regulation:






  (i) | the competent authorities of the Member States and their affiliated entities, the European Union Reference Laboratories and the European Union Reference Centres referred to in Articles 92, 95 and 97 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council (56) and international organisations; |
| --- | --- | --- |

(g)

for actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e) of this Regulation:

(i)

the competent authorities of the Member States and their affiliated entities, the European Union Reference Laboratories and the European Union Reference Centres referred to in Articles 92, 95 and 97 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council (56) and international organisations;

| (ii) | only in the case of actions described under Article 9(6)(a) and (b) of this Regulation, third countries, associated or not associated to the Programme; |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

only in the case of actions described under Article 9(6)(a) and (b) of this Regulation, third countries, associated or not associated to the Programme;

| (h) | for actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(f) of this Regulation, the national statistical institutes and other national authorities referred to in Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009. |
| --- | --- |

(h)

for actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(f) of this Regulation, the national statistical institutes and other national authorities referred to in Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009.

With regard to point (e) of the first paragraph of this Article, the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 20 to adapt the list of entities which may be awarded a grant under the Programme, for actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(d)(i). [Am. 113]

Article 11

Evaluation and award criteria

The evaluation committee(s) for actions implementing the specific objective(s) referred to in Article 3(2) may be composed fully or partially of external experts. The work of the evaluation committee(s) shall be based on the principles of transparency, equal treatment and non-discrimination. [Am. 114]

Article 12

Co-financing rules

1.   For actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a)(ii) of this Regulation with reference to market surveillance authorities of the Member States and of the third countries associated to the Programme and with reference to Union testing facilities as referred to in Article 20 of [Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules and procedures for compliance with and enforcement of Union harmonisation legislation on products], the Programme may finance up to 100 % of eligible costs of an action, provided that the co-financing principle as defined in the Financial Regulation is not infringed. [Am. 115]

2.   For grants awarded to the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(c)(ii), if funding by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) in a given year reaches more than two-thirds of the total annual funding, the annual contribution for that year shall be limited to a maximum amount specified in the work programme referred to in Article 16.

3.   For actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e) of this Regulation, the Programme may finance up to 100 % of the eligible costs, provided that the co-financing principle as defined in Article 190 of the Financial Regulation is not infringed.

4.   For actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(f) of this Regulation, the Programme may finance up to 95 % of the eligible costs of actions supporting collaborative networks as referred to in Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009.

Article 13

Eligible costs

In addition to the criteria set out in Article 186 of the Financial Regulation, the following cost-eligibility criteria shall apply for actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e) of this Regulation:

| (a) | as referred to in Article 193(2)(b) of the Financial Regulation costs shall be eligible prior to the start date of the action; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

as referred to in Article 193(2)(b) of the Financial Regulation costs shall be eligible prior to the start date of the action;

| (b) | such costs may also be eligible as a result of taking measures in relation to suspected occurrence of a disease or presence of a pest, provided that that occurrence or presence is subsequently confirmed. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

such costs may also be eligible as a result of taking measures in relation to suspected occurrence of a disease or presence of a pest, provided that that occurrence or presence is subsequently confirmed.

Costs referred to in point (a) of the first paragraph shall be eligible from the date of notification of the occurrence of the disease or presence of the pest to the Commission.

Article 14

Cumulative, complementary and combined funding

1.   An action that has received a contribution from another Union programme may also receive a contribution under the Programme, provided that the contributions do not cover the same costs. The rules of each contributing Union programme shall apply to its respective contribution to the action. The cumulative funding shall not exceed the total eligible costs of the action and the support from the different Union programmes may be calculated on a pro-rata basis in accordance with the documents setting out the conditions for support.

2.   Actions awarded a Seal of Excellence certification, or which comply with the following cumulative, comparative, conditions:

| (a) | they have been assessed in a call for proposals under the Programme; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

they have been assessed in a call for proposals under the Programme;

| (b) | they comply with the minimum quality requirements of that call for proposals; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

they comply with the minimum quality requirements of that call for proposals;

| (c) | they may not be financed under that call for proposals due to budgetary constraints |
| --- | --- |

(c)

they may not be financed under that call for proposals due to budgetary constraints

may receive support from the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Social Fund Plus or the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, in accordance with paragraph 5 of Article [67] of Regulation (EU) XX [Common Provisions Regulation] and Article [8] or Regulation (EU) XX [Financing, management and monitoring of the Common Agricultural Policy], or Regulation (EU) XX [establishing the Digital Europe Programme] in particular the objective on Advanced Digital Skills, provided that such actions are consistent with the objectives of the programme concerned. The rules of the Fund providing support shall apply. [Am. 116]

3.   An operation may receive support from one or more Union programmes. In such cases expenditure declared in a payment application shall not be declared in a payment application for another programme.

4.   The amount of expenditure to be entered into a payment application may be calculated for each programme concerned on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the document setting out the conditions for support.

CHAPTER III

BLENDING OPERATIONS

Article 15

Blending operations

Blending operations decided under this Programme shall be implemented in accordance with the [InvestEU regulation] and Title X of the Financial Regulation.

CHAPTER IV

PROGRAMMING, MONITORING, IMPLEMENTATION AND CONTROL

Article 16

Implementation of the Programme

1.   The Programme shall be implemented by Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts pursuant to Article 20, supplementing this Regulation, in order to adopt work programme(s) referred to in accordance with Article 110 of the Financial Regulation. The work programmes shall be annual or multiannual and shall in particular set out the objectives to be pursued, the expected results, the method of implementation and the total amount of the financing plan. They shall also set out in detail a description of the actions to be financed, an indication of the amount allocated to each action and an indicative implementation timetable. Work programmes shall set out, where applicable, the overall amount reserved for blending operations. [Am. 117]

2.   The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts pursuant to Article 20, supplementing this Regulation by adopting work programmes implementing in accordance with the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e) as set out in Annex I shall be adopted by the Commission by means of implementing acts. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 21(2). [Am. 118]

3.   By derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article, actions set out in Annex II to this Regulation implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(f) of this Regulation shall be implemented in accordance with Articles 14 and 17 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009.

Article 17

Monitoring and reporting

1.   Indicators to report on progress of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Programme towards the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 3(2) are set in Annex IV. [Am. 119]

2.   To ensure effective assessment of progress of the Programme towards the achievement of its objectives the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 20 to review or complement the indicators in Annex IV where considered necessary and to supplement this Regulation with provisions on the establishment of a monitoring and evaluation framework.

3.   The performance reporting system shall ensure that data for monitoring programme implementation and results are collected efficiently, effectively, and in a timely manner. To that end, proportionate reporting requirements shall be imposed on recipients of Union funds and, where relevant, Member States.

Article 18

Evaluation

1.   Evaluations shall be carried out in a timely manner to feed into the decision-making process.

2.   The interim evaluation of the Programme shall be performed once there is sufficient information available about By ... [four years after the start of the implementation of the Programme, but no later than four years after the start] at the latest, the Commission shall draw up an interim evaluation report of the Programme implementation on the achievement of the objectives of the actions supported under it, on the results and impacts, on the efficiency of the use of resources and on its Union added value. [Am. 120]

3.   In relation to actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(c)(ii), the Commission shall prepare an annual report on the activity of the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation as regards the development of International Financial Reporting Standards, of the PIOB and of the EFRAG. The Commission shall transmit the report to the European Parliament and to the Council.

4.   In accordance with Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009, the Commission shall consult the European Statistical System Committee for the part of the evaluations that pertain to actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(f) of this Regulation, prior to their adoption and submission to the European Parliament and the Council.

5.   At By ... [three years after the end of the implementation of the Programme, but no later than four years after the end of the period specified in Article 1,] at the latest, the Commission shall draw up a final evaluation report on the longer term impact of the Programme shall be carried out by the Commission, on the results and sustainability of the actions and on the synergies between the different work programmes. [Am. 121]

6.   The Commission shall communicate the conclusions of the evaluations submit the evaluation reports referred to in paragraphs 2 and 5, accompanied by its observations, conclusions to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions and make them publicly available. Where appropriate, the reports shall be accompanied by proposals for modifications of the Programme. [Am. 122]

Article 19

Protection of the financial interests of the Union

Where a third country participates in the Programme by a decision under an international agreement or by virtue of any other legal instrument, the third country shall grant the necessary rights and access required for the authorizing officer responsible, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences. In the case of OLAF, such rights shall include the right to carry out investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections, provided for in Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 concerning investigations conducted by (OLAF).

Article 20

Exercise of the delegation

1.   The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.

2.   The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles 8(3b), 9, 10, 16 and 17, shall be conferred on the Commission until 31 December 2028. [Am. 123]

3.   The delegation of power referred to in Articles 8(3b), 9, 10, 16 and 17 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force. [Am. 124]

4.   Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making.

5.   As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.

6.   A delegated act adopted pursuant to Articles 8(3b), 9, 10, 16 and 17 shall enter into force if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council. [Am. 125]

Article 21

Committee procedure

1.   The Commission shall be assisted by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health established by Article 58 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (57). That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (58). [Am. 126]

2.   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.

Where the opinion of the committee is to be obtained by written procedure, that procedure shall be terminated without result when, within the time-limit for delivery of the opinion, the chair of the committee so decides or a simple majority of committee members so requests.

CHAPTER V

TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 22

Information, communication and publicity

1.   The recipients of Union funding shall acknowledge the origin and ensure transparency and visibility of the Union funding (in particular when promoting the actions and their results), by providing coherent, effective and proportionate targeted information to multiple audiences, including the media and the public. [Am. 127]

2.   The Commission shall implement information and communication actions relating to the Programme, and in a user-friendly manner, in order to raise awareness among consumers, citizens, businesses, especially SMEs and public administrations about the resources provided through the financial instruments of this Regulation, as well as about its actions and results. Financial resources allocated to the Programme shall also contribute to the corporate communication of the political priorities of the Union, as far as they are related to the objectives referred to in Article 3. [Am. 128]

3.   The Commission (EUROSTAT) shall implement information and communication activities relating to implementation of the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(f), its actions and results when they pertain to the collection of data, development, production and dissemination of European statistics, in compliance with the statistical principles laid down in Regulation (EC) No 223/2009. [Am. 129]

Article 23

Repeal

Regulations (EU) No 99/2013, (EU) No 1287/2013, (EU) No 254/2014, (EU) No 258/2014, (EU) No 652/2014 and (EU) 2017/826 are repealed with effect from 1 January 2021.

Article 24

Transitional provisions

1.   This Regulation shall not affect the continuation or modification of the actions concerned, until their closure, under Regulations (EU) No 99/2013, (EU) No 1287/2013, (EU) No 254/2014, (EU) No 258/2014, (EU) No 652/2014 and (EU) 2017/826 which shall continue to apply to the actions concerned until their closure.

2.   The financial envelope for the Programme may also cover technical and administrative assistance expenses necessary to ensure the transition between the Programme and the measures adopted under predecessor programmes established by acts listed in paragraph 1.

3.   If necessary, appropriations may be entered in the budget beyond 2027 to cover the expenses provided for in Article 4(3), to enable the management of actions not completed by 31 December 2027.

Article 25

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 1 January 2021.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at ...,

For the European Parliament

The President

For the Council

The President

---

(1)  OJ C 62, 15.2.2019, p. 40.

1

(2)  OJ C 86, 7.3.2019, p. 259.

2

(3)  Position of the European Parliament of 12 February 2019.

3

(4)  Regulation (EU) No 99/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2013 on the European statistical programme 2013-17 (OJ L 39, 9.2.2013, p. 12).

4

(5)  Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, amending Regulations (EC) No 715/2007 and (EC) No 595/2009 and repealing Directive 2007/46/EC (OJ L 151, 14.6.2018, p. 1).

5

(6)  Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 setting out the requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 339/93 (OJ L 218, 13.8.2008, p. 30).

6

(7)  Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the award of concession contracts (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 1).

7

(8)  Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on public procurement and repealing Directive 2004/18/EC (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 65).

8

(9)  Directive 2014/25/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and repealing Directive 2004/17/EC (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 243).

9

(10)  COM(2018)0439.

10

(11)  Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing a Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (COSME) (2014 — 2020) and repealing Decision No 1639/2006/EC (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 33).

11

(12)  Commission Recommendation of 6 May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (OJ L 124, 20.5.2003, p. 36).

12

(13)  Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on European standardisation, amending Council Directives 89/686/EEC and 93/15/EEC and Directives 94/9/EC, 94/25/EC, 95/16/EC, 97/23/EC, 98/34/EC, 2004/22/EC, 2007/23/EC, 2009/23/EC and 2009/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Decision 87/95/EEC and Decision No 1673/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 316, 14.11.2012, p. 12).

13

(14)  Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 July 2002 on the application of international accounting standards (OJ L 243, 11.9.2002, p. 1).

14

(15)  Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings, amending Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC (OJ L 182, 29.6.2013, p. 19).

15

(16)  Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on statutory audits of annual accounts and consolidated accounts, amending Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC and repealing Council Directive 84/253/EEC (OJ L 157, 9.6.2006, p. 87).

16

(17)  Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 December 2001 on general product safety (OJ L 11, 15.1.2002, p. 4).

17

(18)  Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on services in the internal market (OJ L 376, 27.12.2006, p. 36).

18

(19)  Regulation (EU) 2017/826 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 on establishing a Union programme to support specific activities enhancing the involvement of consumers and other financial services end-users in Union policy-making in the area of financial services for the period 2017-2020 (OJ L 129, 19.5.2017, p. 17).

19

(20)  Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1).

20

(21)  Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on European statistics and repealing Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1101/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the transmission of data subject to statistical confidentiality to the Statistical Office of the European Communities, Council Regulation (EC) No 322/97 on Community Statistics, and Council Decision 89/382/EEC, Euratom establishing a Committee on the Statistical Programmes of the European Communities (OJ L 87, 31.3.2009, p. 164).

21

(22)  OJ C 373, 20.12.2013, p. 1.

22

(23)  OJ L 90, 28.3.2006, p. 2.

23

(24)  COM(2010)0700.

24

(25)  COM(2017)0623.

25

(26)  COM(2018)0442.

26

(27)  COM(2018)0443.

27

(28)  COM(2018)0372.

28

(29)  COM(2018)0439.

29

(30)  COM(2018)0447.

30

(31)  COM(2018)0435.

31

(32)  COM(2018)0434.

32

(33)  COM(2018)0375.

33

(34)  COM(2018)0367.

34

(35)  COM(2018)0322, Article 10.

35

(36)  COM(2018)0382.

36

(37)  COM(2018)0393.

37

(38)  Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by the Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).

38

(39)  OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1.

39

(40)  Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (“Animal Health Law”) (OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, p. 1).

40

(41)  Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 November 2003 on the control of Salmonella and other specified food-borne zoonotic agents (OJ L 325, 12.12.2003, p. 1).

41

(42)  Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (OJ L 147, 31.5.2001, p. 1).

42

(43)  Council Decision 2013/755/EU of 25 November 2013 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Union (Overseas Association Decision) (OJ L 344, 19.12.2013, p. 1).

43

(44)  Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999, (OJ L 248, 18.9.2013, p. 1).

44

(45)  Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests (OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1).

45

(46)  Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities (OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2).

46

(47)  Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’) (OJ L 283, 31.10.2017, p. 1).

47

(48)  Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2017 on the fight against fraud to the Union's financial interests by means of criminal law (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, p. 29).

48

(49)  Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1).

49

(50)  Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1).

50

(51)  Regulation (EU) No 254/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on a multiannual consumer programme of the years 2014-20 and repealing Decision No 1926/2006/EC (OJ L 84, 20.3.2014, p. 42).

51

(52)  Regulation (EU) No 258/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 establishing a Union programme to support specific activities in the field of financial reporting and auditing for the period of 2014-20 and repealing Decision No 716/2009/EC (OJ L 105, 8.4.2014, p. 1).

52

(53)  Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 laying down provisions for the management of expenditure relating to the food chain, animal health and animal welfare, and relating to plant health and plant reproductive material, amending Council Directives 98/56/EC, 2000/29/EC and 2008/90/EC, Regulations (EC) No 178/2002, (EC) No 882/2004 and (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Decisions 66/399/EEC, 76/894/EEC and 2009/470/EC (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 1).

53

(54)  [to add]

54

(55)  COM(2017)0795.

55

(56)  Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products, amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1069/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 1151/2012, (EU) No 652/2014, (EU) 2016/429 and (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Regulations (EC) No 1/2005 and (EC) No 1099/2009 and Council Directives 98/58/EC, 1999/74/EC, 2007/43/EC, 2008/119/EC and 2008/120/EC, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 854/2004 and (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 89/608/EEC, 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 96/23/EC, 96/93/EC and 97/78/EC and Council Decision 92/438/EEC (Official Controls Regulation) (OJ L 95, 7.4.2017, p. 1).

56

(57)  Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (OJ L 031, 01.02.2002, p. 1).

57

(58)  Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by the Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).

58

ANNEX I

Eligible actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e)

The following actions — mainly implemented through grants and procurement — implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e) shall be eligible for funding:

1.   Veterinary and phytosanitary emergency measures

| 1.1. | Veterinary and phytosanitary emergency measures to be taken as a result of the confirmation of the occurrence of one of the animal diseases or zoonosis listed in Annex III or of the confirmation of the presence of one or more pests or if there is a direct threat to the human, animal or plant health status of the Union.
  The measures referred to in the first paragraph shall be implemented immediately and their application shall comply with the provisions laid down in the relevant Union law. |
| --- | --- |

1.1.

The measures referred to in the first paragraph shall be implemented immediately and their application shall comply with the provisions laid down in the relevant Union law.

| 1.2. | As regards phytosanitary emergencies, the following measures taken by Member States against the first outbreak of pests in a particular area:






  (a) | measures to
  prevent, contain and/or
  eradicate a Union quarantine pest, taken by the competent authority of a Member State pursuant to Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) or pursuant to the Union measures adopted in accordance with Article 28(1) of that Regulation; [Am. 130] |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.2.

(a)

measures to
  prevent, contain and/or
  eradicate a Union quarantine pest, taken by the competent authority of a Member State pursuant to Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) or pursuant to the Union measures adopted in accordance with Article 28(1) of that Regulation; [Am. 130]

| (b) | measures to
  prevent, contain and/or
  eradicate a pest, not listed as Union quarantine pests, taken by the competent authority of a Member State pursuant to Article 29 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 and which may qualify as Union quarantine pests in accordance with the criteria referred to in that Article or Article 30(1) of that Regulation; [Am. 131] |
| --- | --- |

(b)

measures to
  prevent, contain and/or
  eradicate a pest, not listed as Union quarantine pests, taken by the competent authority of a Member State pursuant to Article 29 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 and which may qualify as Union quarantine pests in accordance with the criteria referred to in that Article or Article 30(1) of that Regulation; [Am. 131]

| (c) | additional protective measures taken against the spread of a pest, against which Union measures have been adopted pursuant to Article 28(1) and Article 30(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, other than the eradication measures referred to in point (a) of this point and the containment measures referred to in point

  points (a) and
  (b) of this point, where those measures are essential to protect the Union against further spread of that pest
  , restricting where necessary the free movement of carriers in the surrounding Member States
  . [Am. 132] |
| --- | --- |

(c)

additional protective measures taken against the spread of a pest, against which Union measures have been adopted pursuant to Article 28(1) and Article 30(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, other than the eradication measures referred to in point (a) of this point and the containment measures referred to in point

  points (a) and
  (b) of this point, where those measures are essential to protect the Union against further spread of that pest
  , restricting where necessary the free movement of carriers in the surrounding Member States
  . [Am. 132]

| (ca) | measures to eradicate a pest that has suddenly appeared, even if it is not considered a Union quarantine pest but the result of extreme climatic events or climate change in a Member State. [Am. 133] |
| --- | --- |

(ca)

measures to eradicate a pest that has suddenly appeared, even if it is not considered a Union quarantine pest but the result of extreme climatic events or climate change in a Member State. [Am. 133]

| 1.3. | Union funding may also be provided for the following measures: |
| --- | --- |

1.3.

| 1.3.1. | Protection measures taken in the case of a direct threat to the health status of the Union as a result of the occurrence or development, in the territory of a third country, a Member State or an OCT, of one of the animal diseases and zoonoses listed in Annex III as well as protection measures, or other relevant activities, taken in support of the plant health status of the Union; |
| --- | --- |

1.3.1.

| 1.3.2. | Measures referred to in this Annex carried out by two or more Member States which collaborate closely to control the epidemic; |
| --- | --- |

1.3.2.

| 1.3.3. | The establishment of stocks of biological products intended for the control of the animal diseases and zoonoses listed in Annex III, where the Commission, at the request of a Member State, considers establishment of such stocks necessary in that Member State; |
| --- | --- |

1.3.3.

| 1.3.4. | The establishment of stocks of biological products or the acquisition of vaccine doses if the occurrence or the development in a third country or Member State of one of the animal diseases and zoonoses listed in Annex III might constitute a threat to the Union. |
| --- | --- |

1.3.4.

| 1.3.4a. | In the event of a suspected outbreak of an animal disease and/or the appearance of harmful organisms, checks and monitoring will need to be greatly intensified throughout the EU within the Union and at its external borders; [Am. 134] |
| --- | --- |

1.3.4a.

| 1.3.4b. | Measures to monitor the appearance of known as well as currently unknown pests and diseases. [Am. 135] |
| --- | --- |

1.3.4b.

2.   Annual and multiannual veterinary and phytosanitary programmes

| 2.1. | Annual and multiannual veterinary and phytosanitary programmes for the
  prevention,
   eradication, control and surveillance of animal diseases and zoonoses listed in Annex III and of plant pests have to be implemented in compliance with the provisions laid down in the relevant Union law. [Am. 136]

  The conditions for the actions to qualify for funding shall be set out in the work programme referred to in Article 16.
  Programmes shall be submitted to the Commission by 31 May of the year preceding the planned implementation period.
  Following the submission of intermediate financial reports by the beneficiaries, the Commission may, if necessary, amend the grant agreements in relation to the whole eligibility period.


  These programmes should reflect the new realities caused by climate change and the diversity thereof at European level; they should also help prevent the erosion of European biodiversity. [Am. 137] |
| --- | --- |

2.1.

The conditions for the actions to qualify for funding shall be set out in the work programme referred to in Article 16.

Programmes shall be submitted to the Commission by 31 May of the year preceding the planned implementation period.

Following the submission of intermediate financial reports by the beneficiaries, the Commission may, if necessary, amend the grant agreements in relation to the whole eligibility period.

These programmes should reflect the new realities caused by climate change and the diversity thereof at European level; they should also help prevent the erosion of European biodiversity. [Am. 137]

| 2.2. | If the occurrence or the development of one of the animal diseases or zoonoses listed in Annex III is likely to constitute a threat to the health status of the Union and in order to protect the Union from the introduction of one of those diseases or zoonoses or if protection measures are necessary in support of the plant health status of the Union, Member States may include in their national programmes measures to be implemented in territories of third countries in cooperation with the authorities of those countries. Under the same circumstances and for the same objective, Union funding may be directly awarded to third countries' competent authorities. |
| --- | --- |

2.2.

| 2.3. | As regards phytosanitary programmes, Union funding may be awarded to Member States for the following measures:






  (a) | surveys, over specific periods of time, checking at least for the presence of any Union quarantine pest, and signs or symptoms of any pest subject to the measures referred to in Article 29 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 or to measures adopted pursuant to Article 30(1) of that Regulation; |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.3.

(a)

surveys, over specific periods of time, checking at least for the presence of any Union quarantine pest, and signs or symptoms of any pest subject to the measures referred to in Article 29 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 or to measures adopted pursuant to Article 30(1) of that Regulation;

| (b) | surveys, over specific periods of time, checking at least for the presence of any pests, other than the pests referred to in point (a), which might represent an emerging risk for the Union, and the entry or spread of which might have a significant impact for the Union agriculture or forests; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

surveys, over specific periods of time, checking at least for the presence of any pests, other than the pests referred to in point (a), which might represent an emerging risk for the Union, and the entry or spread of which might have a significant impact for the Union agriculture or forests;

| (c) | measures to
  prevent, contain or
  eradicate a Union quarantine pest, taken by the competent authority of a Member State pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 or pursuant to the Union measures adopted in accordance with Article 28(1) of that Regulation; [Am. 138] |
| --- | --- |

(c)

measures to
  prevent, contain or
  eradicate a Union quarantine pest, taken by the competent authority of a Member State pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 or pursuant to the Union measures adopted in accordance with Article 28(1) of that Regulation; [Am. 138]

| (d) | measures to
  prevent, contain or
  eradicate a pest, not listed as Union quarantine pests, taken by the competent authority of a Member State pursuant to Article 29 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 and which may qualify as Union quarantine pests in accordance with the criteria referred to in that Article or Article 30(1) of that Regulation; [Am. 139] |
| --- | --- |

(d)

measures to
  prevent, contain or
  eradicate a pest, not listed as Union quarantine pests, taken by the competent authority of a Member State pursuant to Article 29 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 and which may qualify as Union quarantine pests in accordance with the criteria referred to in that Article or Article 30(1) of that Regulation; [Am. 139]

| (e) | additional protective measures taken against the spread of a pest, against which Union measures have been adopted pursuant to Articles 28(1) and 30(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, other than the eradication measures referred to in point (c) of this point and the containment measures referred to in point

  points (c) and
  (d) of this point, where those measures are essential to protect the Union against further spread of that pest; [Am. 140] |
| --- | --- |

(e)

additional protective measures taken against the spread of a pest, against which Union measures have been adopted pursuant to Articles 28(1) and 30(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, other than the eradication measures referred to in point (c) of this point and the containment measures referred to in point

  points (c) and
  (d) of this point, where those measures are essential to protect the Union against further spread of that pest; [Am. 140]

| (f) | measures to contain a pest, against which Union containment measures have been adopted pursuant to Article 28(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 or Article 30(3) of that Regulation, in an infested area from which that pest cannot be eradicated, where those measures are essential to protect the Union against further spread of that pest. |
| --- | --- |

(f)

measures to contain a pest, against which Union containment measures have been adopted pursuant to Article 28(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 or Article 30(3) of that Regulation, in an infested area from which that pest cannot be eradicated, where those measures are essential to protect the Union against further spread of that pest.

The work programme referred to in Article 16 shall determine the list of plant pests to be covered under these measures.

| 3. | Activities to support the improvement of the welfare of animals
  , including measures to ensure compliance with animal welfare standards and traceability including during animal transport
  . [Am. 141] |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | European Union reference laboratories and European Union reference centres, referred to in Articles 92, 95 and 97 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625. |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | Coordinated control programmes and information and data collection, referred to in Article 112 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625. |
| --- | --- |

5.

| 6. | Activities for preventing food waste and combating food fraud. |
| --- | --- |

6.

| 7. | Activities supporting a

  agroecological production,
  sustainable food production and consumption
  , which does not cause harm to the environment and biodiversity, and promotion of direct sales and short supply chains
  . [Am. 142] |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | Data-bases and computerised information management systems necessary for the effective and efficient implementation of the legislation related to the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e) and having a proven added value for the Union as a whole
  ; implementation of new technologies to improve traceability of products such as QR codes on product packaging
  . [Am. 143] |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | The training of the staff of the competent authorities responsible for official controls and other parties involved in the management and/or prevention of animal diseases or plant pests, as referred to in Article 130 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625. |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | Travel, accommodation and daily subsistence expenses incurred by Member States’ experts as a result of the Commission appointing them to assist its experts as provided for in Articles 116(4) and 120(4) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625. |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | Technical and scientific work, including studies and coordination activities, necessary
  to safeguard prevention of the appearance of new as well as unknown pests and diseases and
  to ensure the correct implementation of the legislation in the area related to the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e) and the adaptation of that legislation to scientific, technological and societal developments. [Am. 144] |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | Activities carried out by the Member States or international organisations operating with the aim of achieving the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e) in support of the development and implementation of the rules related to that objective. |
| --- | --- |

12.

| 13. | Projects organised by one or more Member States with the aim of improving, through the use of innovative techniques and protocols, the efficient implementation of the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e). |
| --- | --- |

13.

| 14. | Support to information and awareness raising initiatives by the Union and Member States aimed at ensuring improved, compliant and sustainable food production and consumption, including food waste
  prevention contributing to the circular economy,
  and food fraud prevention activities, within the implementation of the rules in the area of the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(e). [Am. 145] |
| --- | --- |

14.

| 15. | Measures carried out to protect human, animal and plant health and animal welfare, implemented on animals, animal products, plant and plant products arriving from third countries at a Union border. |
| --- | --- |

15.

---

(1)  Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on protective measures against pests of plants, amending Regulations (EU) No 228/2013, (EU) No 652/2014 and (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directives 69/464/EEC, 74/647/EEC, 93/85/EEC, 98/57/EC, 2000/29/EC, 2006/91/EC and 2007/33/EC (OJ L 317, 23.11.2016, p. 4).

ANNEX II

Eligible actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(f)

The implementation of Union policies requires high-quality, comparable and reliable statistical information about the economic, social, territorial and environmental situation in the Union. Additionally, European statistics allow European citizens to understand and to participate in the democratic process and debate about the present state and future of the Union.

Together with Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics, the Programme provides the overall framework for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics for 2021-2027. European statistics are developed, produced and disseminated under that framework and in accordance with the principles of the European statistics Code of Practice through close and coordinated cooperation within the European Statistical System (ESS).

European statistics developed, produced and disseminated under this framework, contribute to the implementation of the Union's policies as set out in the TFEU and further reflected in the Commission's strategic priorities.

In implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(f), the following actions shall be carried out:

Economic and Monetary Union, Globalisation and Trade

| — | providing high-quality statistics underpinning the Excessive Deficit Procedure, Reform Support Programme and the Union's annual cycle of economic monitoring and guidance; |
| --- | --- |

—

providing high-quality statistics underpinning the Excessive Deficit Procedure, Reform Support Programme and the Union's annual cycle of economic monitoring and guidance;

| — | providing and where necessary, enhancing the Principal European Economic Indicators (PEEIs); |
| --- | --- |

—

providing and where necessary, enhancing the Principal European Economic Indicators (PEEIs);

| — | providing statistics and methodological guidance on the statistical treatment of the investment and budgetary instruments in supporting economic convergence, financial stability and job creation; |
| --- | --- |

—

providing statistics and methodological guidance on the statistical treatment of the investment and budgetary instruments in supporting economic convergence, financial stability and job creation;

| — | providing statistics for own resource purposes and remunerations and pensions of EU staff; |
| --- | --- |

—

providing statistics for own resource purposes and remunerations and pensions of EU staff;

| — | better measuring of trade in
  goods and
  services, foreign direct investment, global value chains and the impact of globalisation on the Union economies. [Am. 146] |
| --- | --- |

—

better measuring of trade in
  goods and
  services, foreign direct investment, global value chains and the impact of globalisation on the Union economies. [Am. 146]

Single Market, Innovation and Digital transformation

| — | providing high quality and reliable statistics for the Single Market, the European Defence Action Plan and key areas of innovation and research; |
| --- | --- |

—

providing high quality and reliable statistics for the Single Market, the European Defence Action Plan and key areas of innovation and research;

| — | providing more and timelier statistics on collaborative economy and the impact of digitalisation on the European business and citizens. |
| --- | --- |

—

providing more and timelier statistics on collaborative economy and the impact of digitalisation on the European business and citizens.

Social dimension of Europe

| — | providing high quality, timely and reliable statistics to support the European Pillar of Social Rights and the Union Skills Policy, including
  , but not exclusive to,
  statistics on the labour market, employment, education and training, income, living conditions, poverty, inequality, social protection, undeclared work and satellite accounts on skills; [Am. 147] |
| --- | --- |

—

providing high quality, timely and reliable statistics to support the European Pillar of Social Rights and the Union Skills Policy, including
  , but not exclusive to,
  statistics on the labour market, employment, education and training, income, living conditions, poverty, inequality, social protection, undeclared work and satellite accounts on skills; [Am. 147]

| — | providing statistics related to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; |
| --- | --- |

—

providing statistics related to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

| — | enriching statistics on migration in particular on the situation and integration of migrants and education needs and qualification levels of asylum seekers; |
| --- | --- |

—

enriching statistics on migration in particular on the situation and integration of migrants and education needs and qualification levels of asylum seekers;

| — | developing modernised post-2021 Population and Housing Census programmes and population statistics; |
| --- | --- |

—

developing modernised post-2021 Population and Housing Census programmes and population statistics;

| — | providing population projections and their annual updates. |
| --- | --- |

—

providing population projections and their annual updates.

Sustainable development, Natural Resources and Environment

| — | monitoring the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); |
| --- | --- |

—

monitoring the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

| — | further developing statistics in support of the Energy Strategy, circular economy and plastics strategy; |
| --- | --- |

—

further developing statistics in support of the Energy Strategy, circular economy and plastics strategy;

| — | providing key environmental statistics and indicators including on waste, water, biodiversity, forests, land use and land cover as well as climate-related statistics and environmental economic accounts; |
| --- | --- |

—

providing key environmental statistics and indicators including on waste, water, biodiversity, forests, land use and land cover as well as climate-related statistics and environmental economic accounts;

| — | providing freight and passengers' transport statistics to support the policies of the Union and |
| --- | --- |

—

providing freight and passengers' transport statistics to support the policies of the Union and

| — | developing further indicators to monitor intermodality and modal shift towards more environmentally friendly transport modes; |
| --- | --- |

—

developing further indicators to monitor intermodality and modal shift towards more environmentally friendly transport modes;

| — | providing timely and relevant data for the needs of the Common Agricultural Policy, Common Fisheries policy and policies related to the environment, food security and animal welfare. |
| --- | --- |

—

providing timely and relevant data for the needs of the Common Agricultural Policy, Common Fisheries policy and policies related to the environment, food security and animal welfare.

Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion

| — | providing timely and comprehensive statistical indicators on regions, including the Union outermost regions, cities and rural areas to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of territorial development policies, and to evaluate the territorial impacts of sectoral policies; |
| --- | --- |

—

providing timely and comprehensive statistical indicators on regions, including the Union outermost regions, cities and rural areas to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of territorial development policies, and to evaluate the territorial impacts of sectoral policies;

| — | supporting the development of indicators on anti-money laundering and fight against financing of terrorism; and developing police and security statistics; |
| --- | --- |

—

supporting the development of indicators on anti-money laundering and fight against financing of terrorism; and developing police and security statistics;

| — | increasingly using geospatial data and systematically integrating and mainstreaming geospatial information management into statistical production. |
| --- | --- |

—

increasingly using geospatial data and systematically integrating and mainstreaming geospatial information management into statistical production.

Better communication of European statistics and promoting it as a trustworthy source in tackling disinformation online

| — | systematically promoting European statistics as a trustworthy source of evidence and facilitating fact checkers, researchers and public authorities to use it in tackling disinformation online; |
| --- | --- |

—

systematically promoting European statistics as a trustworthy source of evidence and facilitating fact checkers, researchers and public authorities to use it in tackling disinformation online;

| — | making it easier for users to access and understand statistics, including by providing attractive and interactive visualisations, more tailored services like on-demand data, and self-service analytics; |
| --- | --- |

—

making it easier for users to access and understand statistics, including by providing attractive and interactive visualisations, more tailored services like on-demand data, and self-service analytics;

| — | further developing and monitoring the quality assurance framework for European statistics, including through peer reviews of the Members States' compliance with the European statistics Code of Practice; |
| --- | --- |

—

further developing and monitoring the quality assurance framework for European statistics, including through peer reviews of the Members States' compliance with the European statistics Code of Practice;

| — | providing access to micro-data for research purposes while safeguarding the highest standards in the protection of data and statistical confidentiality. |
| --- | --- |

—

providing access to micro-data for research purposes while safeguarding the highest standards in the protection of data and statistical confidentiality.

Reaping the benefits of data revolution and moving to trusted smart statistics

| — | stepping-up the exploitation of new digital data sources and establishing the foundations of trusted smart statistics to produce new statistics in near real-time with trusted algorithms; |
| --- | --- |

—

stepping-up the exploitation of new digital data sources and establishing the foundations of trusted smart statistics to produce new statistics in near real-time with trusted algorithms;

| — | developing novel approaches to use privately held data through the adoption of privacy-preserving computation and secure multiparty computation methods; |
| --- | --- |

—

developing novel approaches to use privately held data through the adoption of privacy-preserving computation and secure multiparty computation methods;

| — | promoting cutting-edge research and innovation in official statistics, including by making use of collaborative networks and providing European Statistical Training Programmes. |
| --- | --- |

—

promoting cutting-edge research and innovation in official statistics, including by making use of collaborative networks and providing European Statistical Training Programmes.

Expanded partnerships and statistical cooperation

| — | strengthening the ESS partnership and the cooperation with the European System of Central Banks; |
| --- | --- |

—

strengthening the ESS partnership and the cooperation with the European System of Central Banks;

| — | fostering partnerships with public and private data holders and the technology sector to facilitate access to data for statistical purposes, the integration of data from multiple sources and the use of latest technologies; |
| --- | --- |

—

fostering partnerships with public and private data holders and the technology sector to facilitate access to data for statistical purposes, the integration of data from multiple sources and the use of latest technologies;

| — | enhancing cooperation with research and academia, in particular as regards the use of new data sources, data analytics, and the promotion of statistical literacy; |
| --- | --- |

—

enhancing cooperation with research and academia, in particular as regards the use of new data sources, data analytics, and the promotion of statistical literacy;

| — | cooperating with international organisations and third countries for the benefit of global official statistics. |
| --- | --- |

—

cooperating with international organisations and third countries for the benefit of global official statistics.

ANNEX III

List of animal diseases and zoonoses

| (1) | African horse sickness |
| --- | --- |

(1)

African horse sickness

| (2) | African swine fever |
| --- | --- |

(2)

African swine fever

| (3) | Anthrax |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Anthrax

| (4) | Avian influenza (highly pathogenic), |
| --- | --- |

(4)

Avian influenza (highly pathogenic),

| (5) | Avian influenza (low pathogenic) |
| --- | --- |

(5)

Avian influenza (low pathogenic)

| (6) | Campylobacteriosis |
| --- | --- |

(6)

Campylobacteriosis

| (7) | Classical swine fever |
| --- | --- |

(7)

Classical swine fever

| (8) | Foot-and-mouth disease |
| --- | --- |

(8)

Foot-and-mouth disease

| (9) | Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia |
| --- | --- |

(9)

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia

| (10) | Glanders |
| --- | --- |

(10)

Glanders

| (11) | Infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24), |
| --- | --- |

(11)

Infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24),

| (12) | Infection with

  Brucella abortus
  ,
  B. melitensis

  and

  B. suis |
| --- | --- |

(12)

Infection with

  Brucella abortus
  ,
  B. melitensis

  and

  B. suis

| (13) | Infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus |
| --- | --- |

(13)

Infection with epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus

| (14) | Infection with lumpy skin disease virus |
| --- | --- |

(14)

Infection with lumpy skin disease virus

| (15) | Infection with

  Mycoplasma mycoides

  subsp. mycoides SC (Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia), |
| --- | --- |

(15)

Infection with

  Mycoplasma mycoides

  subsp. mycoides SC (Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia),

| (16) | Infection with

  Mycobacterium tuberculosis

  complex (

  M. bovis
  ,
  M. caprae

  and

  M. tuberculosis
  ) |
| --- | --- |

(16)

Infection with

  Mycobacterium tuberculosis

  complex (

  M. bovis
  ,
  M. caprae

  and

  M. tuberculosis
  )

| (17) | Infection with Newcastle disease virus |
| --- | --- |

(17)

Infection with Newcastle disease virus

| (18) | Infection with peste des petits ruminants virus |
| --- | --- |

(18)

Infection with peste des petits ruminants virus

| (19) | Infection with rabies virus |
| --- | --- |

(19)

Infection with rabies virus

| (20) | Infection with Rift Valley fever virus |
| --- | --- |

(20)

Infection with Rift Valley fever virus

| (21) | Infection with rinderpest virus |
| --- | --- |

(21)

Infection with rinderpest virus

| (22) | Infection with zoonotic

  Salmonella

  serovars |
| --- | --- |

(22)

Infection with zoonotic

  Salmonella

  serovars

| (23) | Infestation with

  Echinococcus


  spp |
| --- | --- |

(23)

Infestation with

  Echinococcus


  spp

| (24) | Listeriosis |
| --- | --- |

(24)

Listeriosis

| (25) | Sheep pox and goat pox |
| --- | --- |

(25)

Sheep pox and goat pox

| (26) | Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies |
| --- | --- |

(26)

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies

| (27) | Trichinellosis |
| --- | --- |

(27)

Trichinellosis

| (28) | Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis |
| --- | --- |

(28)

Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis

| (29) | Verotoxigenic

  E. coli |
| --- | --- |

(29)

Verotoxigenic

  E. coli

The list of animal diseases and zoonoses covers:

| (a) | the list of diseases drawn up pursuant to Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Regulation (EU) 2016/429; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the list of diseases drawn up pursuant to Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Regulation (EU) 2016/429;

| (b) | salmonella, zoonoses and zoonotic agents covered by Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 and Directive 2003/99/EC
   (1); |
| --- | --- |

(b)

salmonella, zoonoses and zoonotic agents covered by Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 and Directive 2003/99/EC
   (1);

| (c) | transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. [Am. 148] |
| --- | --- |

(c)

transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. [Am. 148]

---

(1)  
  Directive 2003/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 November 2003 on the monitoring of zoonoses and zoonotic agents, amending Council Decision 90/424/EEC and repealing Council Directive 92/117/EEC (OJ L 325, 12.12.2003, p. 31).

ANNEX IV

INDICATORS

| Objective | Indicator |
| --- | --- |
| Objectives laid down in Article 3(2)(a)

  3(2)(a)(i) | 1 - | Number of new complaints and cases of non-compliance in the area of free movement of goods and services, as well as Union legislation on public procurement. |

Objective

Indicator

Objectives laid down in Article 3(2)(a)

  3(2)(a)(i)

1 -

Number of new complaints and cases of non-compliance in the area of free movement of goods and services, as well as Union legislation on public procurement.

| 2 - | Services Trade Restrictiveness Index. |
| --- | --- |

2 -

Services Trade Restrictiveness Index.

| 3 - | Number of visits to the Your Europe portal. |
| --- | --- |

3 -

Number of visits to the Your Europe portal.

| 4 – | Number of Joint market surveillance campaigns. |
| --- | --- |

4 –

Objectives laid down in Article 3(2)(a)(ii)

| 1 - | Number of new complaints and cases of non-compliance in the area of free movement of goods and services and online sales. |
| --- | --- |

1 -

| 2 - | Number of Joint market surveillance and products safety campaigns. |
| --- | --- |

2 -

Objectives laid down in Article 3(2)(b)

| 1 - | Number of SMEs receiving support
  from the programme and the Network. |
| --- | --- |

1 -

Number of SMEs receiving support
  from the programme and the Network.

| 2 - | Number of companies supported having concluded business partnerships. |
| --- | --- |

2 -

Number of companies supported having concluded business partnerships.

| 2a - | Number of entrepreneurs benefitting from mentoring and mobility schemes. |
| --- | --- |

2a -

| 2b - | Time and cost reduction in setting up an SME. |
| --- | --- |

2b -

| 2c - | Number of enterprise networks created compared to baseline. |
| --- | --- |

2c -

| 2d | - Number of Member States using SME test. |
| --- | --- |

2d

| 2e - | Marked increase in the number of Member States with a one-stop shop for business start-ups. |
| --- | --- |

2e -

| 2f - | Increase in the proportion of SMEs exporting and increase in the proportion of SMEs exporting outside the Union compared to baseline. |
| --- | --- |

2f -

| 2 g - | Marked increase in number of Member States implementing entrepreneurship solutions targeting potential, young, new and female entrepreneurs, as well as other specific target groups compared to baseline. |
| --- | --- |

2 g -

| 2h - | Increase in the proportion of Union citizens that would like to be self-employed compared to baseline. |
| --- | --- |

2h -

| 2i - | Performance of SMEs as regards sustainability to be measured inter alia by the increase in the proportion of Union SMEs developing sustainable blue economy and green products

   (1a)

  and services and by their improvement in resource-efficiency (which may include energy, materials or water, recycling, etc) compared to baseline. |
| --- | --- |

2i -

*all indicators to be compared with the current situation on 2018.

Objectives laid down in Article 3(2)(c)

(i)

(ii)

| 1 - | Share of implementation of European standards as national standards by Member States in total amount of active European standards. |
| --- | --- |

1 -

Share of implementation of European standards as national standards by Member States in total amount of active European standards.

| 2 - | Percentage of international financial reporting and auditing standards endorsed by the Union. |
| --- | --- |

2 -

Percentage of international financial reporting and auditing standards endorsed by the Union.

Objectives laid down in Article 3(2)(d)

(i)

(ii)

| 1 - | Consumer condition index. |
| --- | --- |

1 -

Consumer condition index.

| 2 - | Number of position papers and responses to public consultations in the field of financial services from beneficiaries. |
| --- | --- |

2 -

Number of position papers and responses to public consultations in the field of financial services from beneficiaries.

Objectives laid down in Article 3(2)(e)

| 1 - | Number of successfully implemented national veterinary and phytosanitary programmes. |
| --- | --- |

1 -

Number of successfully implemented national veterinary and phytosanitary programmes.

| 2
  - | Number of emergencies caused by pests successfully resolved. |
| --- | --- |

2
  -

| 3
  - | Number of emergencies caused by diseases successfully resolved. |
| --- | --- |

3
  -

Objectives laid down in Article 3(2)(f)

| 1 - | Impact of statistics published on the internet: number of web mentions and positive/negative opinions. |
| --- | --- |

1 -

Impact of statistics published on the internet: number of web mentions and positive/negative opinions.

[Am 149]

---

(1a)  
  Green products and services are those with a predominant function of reducing environmental risk and minimising pollution and resources. Products with environmental features (eco-designed, eco-labelled, organically produced, and with an important recycled content) are also included. Source: Flash Eurobarometer 342, ‘SMEs, Resource Efficiency and Green Markets’.

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