ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
4.2

In the interests of the common good, it is the collective responsibility to help professionals respond to these expectations: — by including ethical aspects and respect for the individual and his rights in their training, so that they understand the dynamics involved and the resulting implications, and so do not see patients' rights as a further constraint, — by establishing forums and meeting places between professionals and between professionals and users, — by creating new ways of delivering information to the sick involving all stakeholders in the health system, — by developing new pedagogical procedures for dealing with consent, leading to a therapeutic alliance, — by creating and bringing into general use new organisational and pedagogical solutions designed to minimise stress suffered by children when undergoing treatment, especially when they are in hospital, — by setting up clinical ethics committees in health establishments, thereby facilitating support for professionals and respect for the rights of the sick, — by including protection and promotion of patients' rights in ethical codes and codes of conduct for professionals, — by making the system easier to understand for users whilst enhancing the position and role of health professionals as a whole, — by devising new forms of collective practice involving doctors and other health professionals: — group practices, medical health centres — links between medical, welfare and social professionals, — by rethinking the role of patient, user, consumer, family and citizen associations: — including users' representatives in representative bodies — recognising the role of certain associations in therapeutic education, prevention, provision of information to the sick, etc. — building links between the structures of associations and those of professional bodies, etc. — equipping associations with the means to carry out their activities and put across their views (training, representation leave, etc.) — creating neutral and convivial spaces in hospital establishments where patients can voice their concerns and prepare for discussions with professionals with the support of user associations — involving associations on the same footing as professionals in the analysis of complaints and in defining ways of improving the quality of care.
4.2.9.

Animal testing ban: The Cosmetics Regulation has established testing bans (prohibition on testing finished cosmetic products and cosmetic ingredients on animals) and marketing bans (prohibition on marketing finished cosmetic products and ingredients in the EU which were tested on animals). There is no desire to lift this ban. However, the following challenges are faced by manufacturers in innovation, NPD and exports: — Regulatory acceptance of validated alternative methods: In a number of areas of safety testing, non-animal strategies have been successfully developed, validated and accepted by OECD. These can accurately predict the complex reactions of a biological system, in particular for the testing of finished cosmetic products as well as for certain toxicity endpoints in relation to ingredient testing. It is also possible to substitute certain missing safety information by read-across to already known, chemically related ingredients or through application of a threshold-of-toxicological concern. It is crucial that these validated methods are accepted by regulators so industry can move toward innovative and an animal testing free world. — R & D to improve safety assessment of ingredients and products: In the absence of animal testing there is as yet not a full set of in vitro tests for safety assessment of new molecules such as sunscreens. Research to develop safety assessment approaches without the use of animals should be supported both from the private and public sector. R & D to understand skin biology to develop products that prevent/reduce skin cancer are a priority as the incidence of skin melanoma is still increasing. — Exports: many of the countries to which European cosmetic products are exported require product testing on animals as part of consumer safety. This leads to conflicting regulatory requirements and significant challenges for the industry. Global agreements on this issue should be negotiated.
2.5.

Recognising the impact of digital technologies on SMEs, the EESC agrees with the Commission's analysis and considers that the three pillars on which the Commission's SME Strategy for a Sustainable and Digital Europe ( 4 ) is based (capacity-building and support for the transition to sustainability and digitalisation; a reduced regulatory burden; and improved access to the market and to financing) are indeed priority areas. The EESC emphasises that SMEs need immediate financial support, because they have been hit very hard by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; as a result, their employees are more likely to lose their jobs. The EESC therefore regrets that the Recovery Plan for Europe, which is intended to repair the economic and social damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and which was adopted by the extraordinary European Council; held from 17 to 21 July 2020, is limited to EUR 750 billion, and that the 27 Member States have curbed their ambitions, particularly in the digital sphere, in order to gain the endorsement of the so-called ‘frugal’ countries, as this will have an impact on financial support for the digitalisation of SMEs.
3.12.

Given the complexity of the situation pertaining to workers in the new forms of employment specific to the digital era, the EESC believes that a comprehensive solution to the problems related to the recognition of social security entitlements for these people could be found by overhauling the way in which the system is funded. The EESC therefore calls on the Member States to explore ways of funding social security systems that not only ensure the sustainability of those systems, but also meet the need to provide access to them to people engaged in the new forms of work. To ensure the sustainability of the social security systems in the future and to reduce the burden on the labour force, it should be examined whether part of the digitisation dividend could be used for this purpose.
4.5.

The social movement developed in the 1970s and 80s out of Latin America by organisations such as the Via Campesina set in motion the exponential international development of this approach to the food system in its three dimensions (scientific, technical and social). Europe is also involved in this movement. The FAO organised an initial symposium in Rome in September 2014, on ‘Agroecology for Food Security and Nutrition’, which was followed by several regional seminars, including one for Europe in Budapest in November 2016; it advocates the development of agroecology for achieving the sustainable development objectives and the Paris agreement. Another such event will be held in Europe in late 2019. The European research programme Horizon 2020 has incorporated numerous themes relating to agroecology, organic farming and short supply chains, and the European Partnership for Innovation (EIP-AGRI), which also explored these issues for agricultural development, is holding the next Agri Innovation Summit (AIS) in France in June 2019.
4.4.2.1.

Internet usage varies greatly between different social and age groups. Many use social networks but do not make use of the information available. A small group never uses the internet at all. In line with previous EESC initiatives ( 27 ) , research should be launched to answer the following questions: — How can we encourage continuous active learning, on both how to access information and how to differentiate between reliable and unreliable digital sources, e.g. promoting IC-Health MOOCs? Mass support and training measures are needed to tackle this issue since 47 % of the EU workforce lack sufficient e-skills (28). — How can we make resources (e.g. entertainment methods) available that raise people’s interest in making use of reliable digital sources of information? — How can we support the transfer of successful programmes? For example, see ‘Sophia’ (29), an innovative health insurance tool in France for patients with diabetes or COPD (chronic obstructive lung disease), based on health coaching. The Sophia programme is inspired by foreign disease management experimentation in the US, Germany and the UK (30). — What role can the various educational institutions (universities, adult education centres, etc.) play in strengthening the many skills involved – e.g., working with new technologies, getting involved and managing one’s health in a socially beneficial way, and imparting social and technical expertise? — How can existing materials (e.g. regulator-approved information on medicines) be used? — How can we stimulate the exchange of knowledge and experience about health literacy and digital skills between the generations?
5.1.1.

In this respect, the EESC particularly welcomes the recent announcement by the incoming Commission President of the forthcoming appointment of a new Chief Trade Enforcement Officer ‘to monitor and improve the compliance of our trade agreements’, whilst not detracting from the overall responsibility of the Trade Commissioner. Here it is essential that this must include wide ranging powers with equal weight and with equal effectiveness to cover all commitments agreed in FTAs, in particular those related to TSD chapters and social and environmental concerns arising in relation to other chapters in trade and investment agreements. This post must also include an objective decision making process based on timely, effectively initiated investigations, backed by adequate resourcing and include a clear role for recognised stakeholders, both to submit complaints and to participate in any subsequent public hearings. In addition to in-depth reporting to the EP and Council, that in turn must entail a definitive role for the EESC and respective DAGs as well as the underlying continuous involvement of civil society.
3.1.

The liberal professions play a crucial role in the EU’s economic and social development. They are part of the wide range of regulated professions that must have specific qualifications and comprise 22 % of all workers in Europe. In 2013, more than a tenth of gross value added in the EU came from the liberal professions sector. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the vital dependence of our society on highly qualified services provided by the liberal professions. As resilient employers and businesses, they offer significant employment potential. They perform important public interest roles; the services they provide are closely connected to people’s basic needs, such as life, work, health, safety and property. It is important against this backdrop that democratic access to professional services is guaranteed — for example, in medicine, social security systems or in justice through legal aid. Recommendations for fee or cost ceilings serve as protection for those who use professional services and who, because of the information imbalance, are dependent on such measures.
2.6.

In its 2013 opinion the EESC pointed out: ‘On the basis of the data on volunteering currently available, it is not possible to carry out the analysis called for in the documents of the EC, the Parliament, the European Council or the EESC. At present, it is impossible to monitor reliably the economic importance of volunteering or its contribution to EU-level policies. It is not possible to determine the total amount of time devoted to volunteering or its monetary value, and thus to assess how extensive it is in terms of universal economic indicators such as national employment (the number of people working in the national economy) or GDP’. The EESC has also called for preparatory work, which based on the ILO framework proposal should lead to the framing of detailed rules for conducting research in the EU. The EESC regrets that no progress has been made since in establishing a common system for measuring the value of volunteering in Europe. The Committee therefore again calls on the European Commission to act decisively to implement the EESC recommendations, stressing that without reliable data it is impossible to pursue an effective policy in any field.
3.6.

Where sport is concerned, the COVID-19 emergency means that the crisis will likely reduce the playing of sport or make it impossible. In the absence of specific and ‘innovative’ measures that can effectively address problems and find solutions, the chain of events that characterises the social and economic dimension of this critical situation will have a disastrous impact, restricting some activities that are essential to ensure people’s quality of life, wellbeing and health. This situation will not only endanger the ‘survival’ of many bodies, associations and businesses operating in the field of sport, but will also lead to a social problem involving people’s quality of life and an economic one involving the lack of a source of income for those who derive their livelihood from such work. Similarly, the economic hardship brought about by the crisis will make it impossible for many people to pay for their children, or themselves, to do sport, thus adversely affecting physical wellbeing and health.
8.1.

The EU, with 450 million consumers, has huge potential as a digital internal market. The European Digital Single Market Strategy was designed to stimulate cross-border e-commerce between EU countries. However, cross-border e-commerce within the EU has not grown as quickly as such e-commerce from third countries. The European digital services market clearly lags behind the US and China, especially when it comes to presence on the global market, and this is reflected in the explosive growth of online sales from some non-EU countries, particularly China, to European consumers. Over the years, we have seen that more and more innovative digital formats and technologies are created there. The EU and its Member States have to step up their efforts to create the right framework in which companies can compete, innovate, serve their customers and ensure consumer protection. The best way to do so is by ensuring that it is more attractive to invest and do businesses in the EU than it is elsewhere in the world.
No C 297/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 28.11.79 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Council Regulation (EEC) 
No 574/72 setting out the implementing procedures in respect of Council Regulation 
(EEC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons and 
their families moving within the Community 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the European 
Communities No C 249 of 3 October 1979, page 5. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 1 August 1979, the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the Economic 
and Social Committee in accordance with Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the 
European Economic Community. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 
171st plenary session, held in Brussels on 26 and 27 September 1979. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Economic Community, and in particular 
Article 198 thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council of 
the European Communities on 1 August 1979 for an 
opinion, 
Having regard to the decision taken by its Chairman 
under Articles 22 and 46 of the Rules of Procedure 
on 6 September 1979, instructing the Section for 
Social Questions to draw up an opinion and a report 
on the matter, 
Having regard to the oral report made by the rap­
porteur, Mr Scalia, 
Done at Brussels, 26 September J 979. Having regard to the opinion issued by the Section 
for Social Questions at its meeting on 13 September 
1979, 
Having regard to the discussions at its 171st plenary 
session held on 26 and 27 September 1979 (meeting 
of 26 September 1979), 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
unanimously: 
The Committee approves the proposal for a Regu­
lation submitted by the Commission. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Raffaele VANNI
No C 113/36 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 7. 5. 80 
Opinion  on the proposal  for a Council  Directive  amending  Council  Directive  78/25/EEC 
on the approximation  of the laws  of the Member  States  relating  to the colouring  matters 
which  may  be added  to medicinal  products 
The text referred  to the Committee  has been  published  in Official  Journal  of the Euro-
pean  Communities  No C 262 of 17 October  1979,  page  4. 
A. LEGAL  BASIS  FOR  THE  OPINION 
On 9 October  1979  the Council  referred  the abovementioned  proposal  to the Economic 
and Social  Committee  in accordance  with  Article  100  of the Treaty  establishing  the 
European  Economic  Community. 
B. OPINION  OF  THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE 
The Economic  and  Social  Committee  prepared  its opinion  on the above  matter  at its 
175th  plenary  session  held  in Brussels  on 30 and 31 January  1980. 
The full  text of the opinion  is as follows: 
THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE, 
Having  regard  to the Treaty  establishing  the Euro-
pean  Economic  Community*  and  in particular 
Article  100  thereof, 
Having  regard  to the request  made  by the Council  of 
the European  Communities  on 9 October  1979  for an 
opinion, 
Having  regard  to the decision  taken  by its Bureau  on 
23 October  1979,  instructing  the Section  for Protec-
tion of the Environment,  Public  Health  and  Con-
sumer  Affairs  to draw  up an opinion  on this 
matter, 
Having  regard  to the opinion  issued  by the above 
Section  at its meeting  on 8 January  1980  and the oral 
report  made  by the rapporteur,  Mrs  Heuser, Having  regard  to the discussions  at its 175th  plenary 
session  held  on 30 and 31 January  1980  (meeting  of 
30 January), 
HAS  ADOPTED  THE  FOLLOWING  OPINION 
by a unanimous  vote: 
The Committee  approves  the draft  Directive  as in 
Article  1 account  is taken  of the special  position  of 
medicinal  products. 
Even  if the addition  of colouring  matters  to medici-
nal products  were  to prove  to be necessary,  however, 
the fact  that it has been  claimed  in publications  that 
tartrazine  (E 102)  has  caused  illness  in certain 
patients  (serious  illness  sometimes  requiring  hos-
pitalization)  leads  the Committee  to ask for a recon-
sideration  x)f the authorization  of this  and  other 
colouring  matters. 
Done  at Brussels,  31 January  1980. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic  and  Social  Committee 
Raffaele  VANNI
29. 6. 81 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 159/11 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) 
No 234/68 on the establishment of a common organization of the market in live trees and 
other plants, bulbs, roots and the like, cut flowers and ornamental foliage 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the 
European Communities No C 32 of 13 February 1981, page 2. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 13 February 1981 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the 
Economic and Social Committee in accordance with Article 43 of the Treaty 
establishing the European Economic Community. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 
186th plenary session held in Brussels on 25 and 26 March 1981. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Economic Community, and in particular 
Article 43 thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council on 
13 February 1981 for an opinion on the proposal for 
a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) 
No 234/68 on the establishment of a common 
organization of the market in live trees and other 
plants, bulbs, roots and the like, cut flowers and 
ornamental foliage, 
Having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau on 
24 February 1981, instructing the Section for 
Agriculture to prepare its work on this matter, 
Having regard to the opinion adopted by the Section 
for Agriculture at its 223rd meeting, held on 
18 March 1981, 
Having regard to the oral report made by the 
Rapporteur, Mr De Tavernier, 
Done at Brussels, 25 March 1981. 
Tomas ROSEINGRAVE Having regard to the discussions at the 186th plenary 
session held on 25 and 26 March 1981 (meeting of 
25 March 1981), 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
unanimously: 
1. The Committee approves the Commission 
proposal, which is designed to allow the Member 
States to apply an intervention system also to small 
flower bulbs likely to be used for propagation. 
2. The Committee feels that it would be wise to 
amend the basic Regulation on flower bulbs, corms 
and tubers (Regulation (EEC) No 315/68 et seq.) so 
as to impose a strict ban on: 
(a) the sale, even wholesale, of products which do 
not conform to the quality standards, the sole 
exception being products intended for 
propagation which do not conform to the size 
standards; 
(b) any form of distortion of competition between 
Member States. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee