Table of contents

Section 1: Overview of evaluations completed in 2012. 3

Section 2: Retrospective evaluations. 17

ABB 01 – Economic and Financial Affairs. 18

ABB 02 – Enterprise. 25

ABB 03 – Competition. 36

ABB 04 – Employment and social affairs. 38

ABB 05 – Agriculture and Rural Development 59

ABB 06 – Mobility and Transport 68

ABB 08 – Research. 75

ABB 09 – Information Society and Media. 88

ABB 11 – Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. 102

ABB 13 – Regional Policy. 113

ABB 15 – Education and Culture. 121

ABB 16 – Communication. 130

ABB 17 – Health and Consumer Protection. 143

ABB 18 – Home affairs. 150

ABB 19 - External Relations. 152

ABB 20 – Trade. 166

ABB 21 – Development and Relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States. 176

ABB 22 – Enlargement 193

ABB 23 – Humanitarian Aid. 199

ABB 26 – Commission's administration. 212

ABB 29 – Statistics. 216

ABB 32 – Energy. 222

Section 3: References to reporting on performance in the Annual Activity Reports 2012 224

Section 1: Overview of evaluations completed in 2012

This overview lists the titles of the available evaluations in order of Activity Based Budgeting Activity within each Policy Area.

Of all evaluations, 61% concerned expenditure programmes; 10% covered regulatory activities, linked to regulations, directives, regulatory policy communications and 'soft law'; 18% concerned communication, information and coordination activities; 6% internal administrative processes of the EU Institutions with the remaining 5% in other categories.

01 – Economic and Financial Affairs

ABB-activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

01 03 || International economic and financial affairs || · Ex-post evaluation of Macro Financial Assistance (MFA) operations to Lebanon · Ex-post evaluation of Macro Financial Assistance (MFA) operations to Georgia · Ex-post evaluation of Exceptional Financial Assistance (EFA) operations to Kosovo

01 04 || Financial operations and instruments || · Evaluation of EIF own resources activity

02 – Enterprise

ABB-activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

02 02 || Competitiveness, industrial policy, innovation and entrepreneurship || · Evaluation of the Ecodesign directive (2009/125/EC) · Evaluation of Member State Policies to Facilitate Access to Finance for SME · Evaluation of EU Member State Business Angel Markets and Policies

02 03 || Internal market for goods and sectoral policies || · Evaluation of the European Chemical Agency · Evaluation of the Impact of the REACH regulation on the innovativeness of EU chemical industry · Evaluation of the Impact of European Space Policy on European Space Manufacturing and the Services Industry · Evaluation of the Pressure Equipment Directive · Evaluation of the Functioning of the European chemical market after the introduction of REACH

03 – Competition

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

03 AWBL 02 || Policy coordination, European competition network and international cooperation || · Study on co(re)insurance and on ad-hoc co(re)insurance agreements on the subscription market

03 AWBL-03 || Control of State aid || · Study on the Implementation of the existing Broadband Guidelines

04 – Employment and social affairs

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

04 02 || European Social Fund || · Evaluation of the reaction of the ESF to the economic and financial crisis · Evaluation of the ESF support to Lifelong Learning · ESF in the future: Measuring the impact of changing regulatory requirements on administrative cost and administrative burden of managing the European Social Fund · ESF Expert Evaluation Network: Access to Employment and Social Inclusion · Analysis of costs and benefits of active vs. passive labour market measures

04 03 || Working in Europe - Social dialogue and mobility || · ENEA preparatory action on active ageing and mobility of elderly people · Evaluation of Public Employment Services performance measurement systems and corresponding recommendations on geographical labour mobility indicators

04 04 || Employment, social solidarity and gender equality || · Development of a methodology for the systematic evaluation of Health and Safety at Work Directives and evaluation of the practical implementation of Directive 89/654/EEC "Work Places" testing the new evaluation methodology - Legislation evaluation · PROGRESS mid-term evaluation · Evaluation of flexicurity 2007-2010

04 05 || European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) || · Mid-term evaluation of the European globalisation fund (EGF)

05 – Agriculture and Rural Development

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

05 02 || Interventions in agricultural markets || · Evaluation of the Common Agricultural Policy measures applied to the cereals sector · Evaluation of the Common Agricultural Policy measures applicable to the wine sector · Evaluation of the European School Fruit Scheme

05 03 || Direct aids || · Evaluation of the Common Agricultural Policy measures applied to the cereals sector · Evaluation of the Common Agricultural Policy measures applicable to the wine sector

05 04 || Rural development || · Ex-post evaluation of Rural Development Programmes 2000-2006 · Synthesis of mid-term evaluations of rural development programmes 2007-2013 · Ex-post evaluation of the EU Forest Action Plan

06 – Mobility and Transport

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

06 02 || Inland, air and maritime transport || · Evaluation of Regulation 1371/2007 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations

06 03 || Trans-European networks || · Mid-term evaluation of TEN-TEA (The Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency) · Ex-post evaluation of technical follow-up of TEN-T funded ERTMS projects carried out under Service Framework Contract TREN/E2/322-2008 (Lots 1, 2 and 3)

07 – Environment

ABB Activity || evaluation projects

N° || Heading

07 03 || Development and implementation of Union environmental policy and legislation || · Final evaluation of LIFE+

08 – Research

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

08 02 || Cooperation — Health || · Review of S&T cooperation between the European Union and India · Review of S&T cooperation between the European Union and Brazil · SME Participation in FP7 - Spring report2011 Monitoring Report of FP7

08 03 || Cooperation — Food, agriculture and fisheries, and biotechnology || · Overview of International Science, Technology and Innovation cooperation between Member States and countries outside the EU and the development of a future monitoring mechanism · International cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation: Strategies for a Changing World

08 04 || Cooperation — Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies || · Strategy definition and road mapping for industrial technologies to address grand challenges

08 13 || Capacities — Research for the benefit of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) || · SME Participation in FP7 - Spring report

08 19 || Capacities — Support for coherent development of research policies || · Review of main activities and deliverables of ERAWATCH · Review of main activities and deliverables of IRMA Administrative Arrangements with IPTS (Industrial Research Monitoring and Analysis)

08 03 AWBL || European Research Area Development || · Interim Evaluation of Art. 185 European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP)

09 – Information Society and Media

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

09 02 || Regulatory framework for the Digital Agenda || · Study on the evaluation of BEREC and the BEREC Office - SMART 2011/0009 · Inventory and Review of Spectrum Use: Assessment of the EU potential for improving spectrum efficiency - SMART 2011/0016 - PC · Implementation of the DAE - Action of the DAE - Actions under the responsibility of member states - SMART 2011/0023 – IAV

09 03 || Information and communication technologies take-up || · SMART 2010/0048: assessment of the economic and social benefits of digitisation of cultural heritage

09 04 || Cooperation - Information and communication technologies (ICTs) || · Report on Communication and Recommendation on mobilising Information and Communication Technologies to facilitate the transition to an energy-efficient, low-carbon economy COM (2009) 111; C(2009) 7604 · Future impact of ENIAC and ARTEMIS - SMART 2012/0050 - IAV · Interim Assessment of the Future Internet Public-Private Partnership · Study into the impact of FP6 IST

09 05 || Capacities — Research infrastructures || · Development of impact measures for e-Infrastructures - SMART 2010/0051

11 – Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

11 02 || Fisheries markets || · Ex-post evaluation on the implementation of the compensation regime the additional costs incurred in the marketing of certain fishery products from the outermost regions the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, French Guiana and Réunion

11 03 || International fisheries and law of the sea || · Ex-post evaluation of the current Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Republic of Kiribati, and ex-ante evaluation including an analysis of the impact of the future Protocol on sustainability · Ex-post evaluation of the current Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands, and ex-ante evaluation including an analysis of the impact of the future Protocol on sustainability · Evaluation ex-post du protocole de l'accord de partenariat dans le domaine de la pêche entre l'Union européenne et la Côte-d'Ivoire

11 06 || European Fisheries Fund (EFF) || · Interim evaluation of the European Fisheries Fund (2007-2013) Synthesis of the 26 national evaluation reports

11 09 || Maritime policy || · Interim evaluation of marine knowledge-related preparatory actions and pilot projects. (internal evaluation)

13 – Regional Policy

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

13 03 || European Regional Development Fund and other regional operations || · Ex post evaluation of projects co-financed by ERDF and Cohesion Fund in the period 1994-1999 · The use of the ERDF to support Financial engineering instruments (FEIs) · Jaspers Evaluation

13 04 || Cohesion Fund || · Ex post evaluation of the Cohesion Fund (Incl. former ISPA) 2000 - 2006 · Country reports on the performance of Cohesion Policy 2007 - 2013

15 – Education and Culture

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

15 02 || Lifelong learning, including multilingualism || · Interim evaluation of Erasmus Mundus II (2009 – 2013) · External evaluation of the European Training Foundation (ETF)

15 04 || Developing cultural and audiovisual cooperation in Europe || · Ex-post Evaluation of 2011 European Capitals of Culture · Ex-post evaluation of the Preparatory Action Media International 2008-2010

15 07 || People — Programme for the mobility of researchers || · FP7 Marie Curie Life-long Training and Career Development Evaluation: Individual Fellowships and Co-funding Mechanism

16 – Communication

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

16 02 || Communication and the media || · Interim evaluation of PressEurop

16 03 || "Going Local" communication || · Mid-term evaluation of Europe direct information centres (2009-2012) · Evaluation of the management partnership's actions within the scope of the 2008-2010 communication plans in Italy · 2009-2012 communication plans in Sweden · Evaluation of the management partnership's actions within the scope of the 2009-2012 communication plans in Finland · Evaluation of the management partnership's actions within the scope of the 2009-2011 communication plans in Malta · Evaluation of the management partnership's actions within the scope of the 2009-2012 communication plans in Greece · Evaluation of the management partnership's actions within the scope of the 2009-2012 communication plans in Lithuania · Evaluation of the management partnership's actions within the scope of the 2008-2010 communication plans in Belgium · Evaluation des opérations de communication menées dans le cadre du partenariat de gestion 2008-2010 en France · Evaluation of the management partnership's actions within the scope of the 2009-2012 communication plans in Poland

16 05 || Fostering European citizenship || · Evaluation of the European year of volunteering 2011

17 – Health and Consumer Protection

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

17 02 || Consumer policy or consumer protection || · External evaluation of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation

17 03 || Public health || · Assessment of the added value of the EU alcohol strategy and its implementation to enhancing action, cooperation and coordination to reduce alcohol related harm

17 04 || Food and feed safety, animal health, animal welfare and plant health || · Evaluation of the EU rapid response network, crisis management and communication capacity regarding certain transmissible animal diseases

18 – Home affairs

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

18 05 || Security and safeguarding liberties || · Evaluation on the European Union Crime Prevention Network

19 – External Relations

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

19 04 || European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) || · Thematic evaluation of the European Commission support to respect of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (including solidarity with victims of repression)

19 09 || Relations with Latin America || · Evaluation of the EU cooperation with Colombia · Evaluation of the EU cooperation with Honduras · Evaluation of the EU cooperation with Ecuador

19 10 || Relations with Asia, Central Asia and Middle East (Iraq, Iran, Yemen) || · Evaluation of the EU cooperation with Nepal

19 11 || Policy strategy and coordination for ‘External relations’ policy area || · Evaluation of Visibility of EU external action · Thematic evaluation of EC support to Decentralisation processes

20 – Trade

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

20 02 || Trade policy || · Evaluation of the economic impact of the trade pillar of the EU-Chile association agreement · Evaluation of the EU’s trade defence instruments (TDIs) · Evaluation of the Market Access Partnership (MAP) · Trade sustainability impact assessment (Trade SIA) in support of EU negotiations for deep and comprehensive free trade agreements (DCFTAs) with Georgia and the Republic of Moldova

21 – Development and Relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

21 02 || Food security || · Final evaluation of the EU Food facility

21 05 || Human and social development || · Evaluation of the EU Support to the Health sector

21 06 || Geographical cooperation with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States || · Evaluation of the EU cooperation with the Caribbean Region · Evaluation of the EU cooperation with the Republic of Congo · Evaluation of the EU cooperation with Djibouti · Evaluation of the EU cooperation with Ethiopia · Thematic global evaluation of the EC support to Agricultural Commodities in ACP Countries · Evaluation of the EU cooperation with Jamaica · Evaluation of the EU cooperation with Zambia

21 07 || Development cooperation actions and ad hoc programmes || · Evaluation of the Commission's cooperation with the Council of Europe (focused on the joint programmes)

21 08 || Policy strategy and coordination for "Development and relations with ACP States" policy area || · Thematic global evaluation of the EC support to Agricultural Commodities in ACP Countries

22 – Enlargement

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

22 02 || Enlargement process and strategy || · Evaluation of governance, rule of law, judiciary reform and fight against corruption and organised crime in the Western Balkans (Lot 2) · Thematic Evaluation of Rule of Law, Judicial Reform and Fight against Corruption and Organised Crime in the Western Balkans - Lot 3 · Thematic evaluation on judiciary and fundamental rights in Turkey · Thematic Evaluation of EU's Support to Civil Society in the Western Balkans and Turkey · Strategic/interim evaluation of SIGMA programme

23 – Humanitarian Aid

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

23 02 || Humanitarian aid including aid to uprooted people, food aid and disaster preparedness || · Evaluation and review of humanitarian access strategies in DG ECHO funded interventions · The evaluation of DG ECHO's disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction actions in southern Africa & the Indian ocean · Evaluation of the European Commission in Ethiopia · Evaluation of the European Commission's Humanitarian Activities in Bangladesh · Evaluation of the European Commission's Humanitarian Activities in Colombia · Evaluation and Review of the DG ECHO financed Livelihood Interventions in Humanitarian Crises · The evaluation of echo's intervention in the occupied Palestinian territory and Lebanon · Evaluation of the European Commission supported humanitarian aid in urban settings · Evaluation of the DG ECHO Legal Framework for Funding of Humanitarian Actions (FPA 2008)

26 – Commission's administration

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

26 01 || Administrative expenditure of ‘Commission’s administration’ policy area || · Evaluation of the language training organised in Brussels by DG HR

26 03 || Services to public administrations, businesses and citizens || · Interim evaluation of the ISA programme

29 – Statistics

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

29 02 || Production of statistical information || · Rolling Review for Regional Statistics · Rolling Review for GISCO · Rolling Review for Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices and related price statistics · Rolling Review for Postal Statistics · Rolling Review for Innovation and R&D Statistics · Programme for the Modernisation of European Enterprise and Trade Statistics (MEETS)

32 – Energy

ABB Activity || Title of Evaluation

N° || Heading

32 03 || Trans-European networks || · Evaluation of 5 TEN-E completed projects of European interest

Section 2: Retrospective evaluations

This section provides fact sheets for 130 retrospective evaluations (i.e. interim and ex post evaluations) and evaluation-related studies (e.g. focusing on monitoring or implementation), with information on their findings and conclusions.

ABB 01 – Economic and Financial Affairs

Evaluation of EIF own resources activity 1) ABB activities: 01 04 2) Timing: 19/6/2012 (duration: 19/10/2011-19/6/2012) 3) Budget (annual): EUR 972,157,195 4) Background, scope and focus: The European Investment Fund (EIF or the Fund) has been set up in 1994 to "provide a significant contribution to the development of trans-European networks in the areas of transport, telecommunications and energy infrastructures and to the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)". It was intended to "stimulate sustained and balanced growth within the Community". EIF's own resources are used for venture capital and private equity investments as well as for securitisation transactions. The EU participated in the capital increase in order to maintain its 30% shareholding in the Fund to support the Fund's continued focus on EU policies. The evaluation analyses whether the original objectives of the EU as a member of the EIF as well as for the participation in the capital increase have been achieved. Moreover, it should evaluate the added value of EIF's own resources activity compared to other EU actions supporting innovation and SMEs. 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation: The Added Value achieved by EIF Own Resources Activity The added value of EIF own resources activity to the European Commission is achieved through the delivery of SME financing policy objectives from a unique market position and within a ‘self-sufficient’ Financial Envelope. Added Value of EU Shareholding Whilst own resources activity provides a specific ‘blended return’ (reflecting the EIF’s market orientated approach to delivery of policy impacts), the further added value of EU shareholding in the EIF can be identified in terms of maintaining focus on EU policy objectives; the working relationship with EIB and other shareholders: presence in a ‘post crisis world’ and supporting enhanced leverage and policy impacts through rating stability. Effectiveness The evaluation has demonstrated the added value of EIF own resources activity in delivering European SME finance activity (risk capital and debt finance) including investment volumes, development of innovative financial instruments, and the building of investment infrastructure and ecosystems based upon partnership and shared knowledge. Nevertheless, the business processes within the EIF that might provide comprehensive assessment of market failures across SME finance markets and reporting of policy impacts should be developed further to better measure and evaluate own resources policy impact. Efficiency EU shareholding is efficient (the current value of EU shareholding largely exceeds the cash contribution provided by the EU budget), but can be enhanced. Efficiency includes the added value achieved by the limited budgetary commitment currently supporting EIF own resources activity undertaken on a ‘blended returns’ investment approach (for example, leverage, innovation and market development) and the particular additional value achieved by a shareholding approach (for example, enhanced leverage and credibility and position amongst financial institutions, markets and partners). Overall, any calculation of policy benefits and impacts which might be realised through the re-allocation of EU shareholding capital to alternative delivery mechanisms for SME financing would need to strongly consider the impact of a reduction in the scale and scope of added value of own resources activity not only within the remit of own resource activities but, additionally, across the broader activities of EIF including, principally, mandate activity. Recommendations In summary, the EU shareholding in EIF and EIF own resources activity remains relevant in pursuit of SME financing policy objectives and generally effective in delivering policy impacts – notwithstanding limitations in the EIF’s ability to demonstrate optimal policy impacts. Added value and impact of EIF own resources activity for the European Commission comprises the value achieved by policy activity undertaken within a ‘blended returns’ framework, activity supported by specific shareholding positions and additional benefits resulting from other (mandate) activity of the EIF which supports EU policy objectives. Given this, other more efficient policy mechanisms are not immediately evident. 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/evaluation/pdf/final_reprt_eval_eif.pdf

Ex-post evaluation of Macro Financial Assistance (MFA) operations to Lebanon 1) ABB activities: 01 03 2) Timing: 7/5/2012 (duration: 6/7/2011-7/5/2012) 3) Budget: EUR 80 million (total amount of support) 4) Background, scope and focus Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) is a policy-based financial instrument of untied and undesignated balance-of-payments support to partner third countries. It takes the form of medium/long-term loans or grants, or a combination of these, and generally complements financing provided in the context of an International Monetary Fund's reform programme. Ex-post evaluations focus on assessing the contribution of EU Macro Financial Assistance to macro-economic and structural adjustment of the recipient country. The exercise covers three main areas of analysis: • Economic impact of the MFA assistance operation on the economy of the recipient country (e.g. GDP growth, Balance of Payments, exchange rates, fiscal balances); with and without IMF involvement. • Value added of EU intervention (stand-alone and/or in combination with IMF intervention) provided through the operation. • Sustainability of the country’s external position as a result of the assistance. 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation Impact on macroeconomic stabilisation The analysis of macroeconomic developments in Lebanon suggests an improvement in areas to which the objectives of the MFA operation were related, i.e. (i) to support Lebanon’s domestic efforts of post-war reconstruction and sustainable economic recovery; (ii) to alleviate the financial constraints on the implementation of the government’s economic programme; and to support Lebanon’s efforts to reduce public debt to a sustainable level. Specifically, Lebanon has clearly made substantial progress in post-war reconstruction and experienced economic recovery that was sustained over a period of four years, despite the particularly unfavourable global economic environment. While implementation of the government’s economic programme defined before the Paris III conference has faced several obstacles, financial constraints on the implementation have eased and were not among major problematic issues. Since early 2011 the economy lost momentum largely owing to rising domestic political uncertainty and regional turmoil. Issues related to the third identified macroeconomic objective of supporting Lebanon’s efforts to reduce public debt to a sustainable level are discussed in more detail in the next chapter. The conclusion is that the two macroeconomic objectives of the MFA assistance were largely achieved. Impact on external sustainability The high public debt in Lebanon cannot be described as sustainable. Sensitivity analysis of the baseline scenario to adverse shock confirms the existence of substantial downside risks. Slowdown in GDP growth, higher interest rates or a weaker primary government surplus would result in a quite substantial increase of the debt to GDP ratio. The risk to the public debt outlook is therefore considered to be medium. Impact on structural reforms The selection and formulation of structural conditions played a prominent role in the design of the MFA operation. The decision making was informed in particular by the government reform philosophy, the challenges identified in a number of reviews which were carried out prior to MFA, as well as consultations with various stakeholders. Value added of MFA Two particular aspects can be emphasised, namely (i) the confidence building effect at the time of announcement of the MFA as part of the comprehensive EU package, and (ii) the positive signal that was provided by inclusion of MFA in the EU package which advanced the dialogue between the EU and the government. Recommendations • Value the announcement effect of MFA assistance as part of larger support packages and align conditions to this by agreeing on quick disbursing conditions. • Value the additional value MFA may have on strengthening relations with the respective country, but do not see this as an additional objective of MFA. 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/evaluation/pdf/evaluation_lebanon_en.pdf

Ex-post evaluation of Macro Financial Assistance (MFA) operations to Georgia 1) ABB activities: 01 03 2) Timing: 11/4/2012 (duration: 9/8/2011-11/4/2012) 3) Budget: EUR 46 million (total amount of support) 4) Background, scope and focus: Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) is a policy-based financial instrument of untied and undesignated balance-of-payments support to partner third countries. It takes the form of medium/long-term loans or grants, or a combination of these, and generally complements financing provided in the context of an International Monetary Fund's reform programme. Ex-post evaluations focus on assessing the contribution of EU Macro Financial Assistance to macro-economic and structural adjustment of the recipient country. The exercise covers three main areas of analysis: • Economic impact of the MFA assistance operation on the economy of the recipient country (e.g. GDP growth, Balance of Payments, exchange rates, fiscal balances); with and without IMF involvement. • Value added of EU intervention (stand-alone and/or in combination with IMF intervention) provided through the operation. • Sustainability of the country’s external position as a result of the assistance. 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation: How would the economy of Georgia have evolved in the absence of MFA assistance? In the absence of the MFA, it is highly likely that one of the following scenarios would have occurred: Scenario A: reduced public spending by the Georgian government in 2009 and 2010 (lower expenditure matches the lower revenue); Scenario B: reduced public spending in 2009 but no change in spending in 2010 (the revenue gap in 2010 in the absence of MFA is replaced with additional deficit financing). In both cases, Georgia would have experienced a greater fall in GDP in 2009 as compared to what actually happened (i.e. a 4 per cent reduction in GDP instead of 3.8 per cent). Moreover, under Scenario A, real GDP would have grown by a smaller amount in 2010 (6.2 per cent instead of the actual observed growth of 6.3 per cent). On the other hand, under Scenario B, real GDP would have grown at a slightly higher rate in 2010 (6.5 per cent) – as the economy would have grown from a much smaller base in 2009 when compared to the baseline scenario. The unemployment rate would have been slightly higher in 2009 (+0.1 per cent) under both counterfactual scenarios. Under scenario A, a slightly higher unemployment rate (+0.3 per cent) would also have been observed in 2010. To what extent has the MFA assistance been effective in terms of the short-term macroeconomic stabilisation of Georgia? The modelling results suggest that the MFA had the following impact on Georgia’s economy, although the size of these impacts is small (less than 0.5 per cent): Overall, the results of the modelling exercise show that the net effect of MFA on Georgia’s economy was marginal: the impact on real GDP ranging from -0.2 per cent to +0.2 per cent. The MFA had a bigger impact in conjunction with the IMF-SBA: the impact on real GDP ranging from -1.0 per cent to -1.3 per cent. To what extent has the MFA contributed to returning the external financial situation of Georgia to a sustainable path over the medium to longer-term? The MFA, which was provided in grant form, has contributed to improving Georgia’s external financial situation in the short term. However, given the small size of the effects described above, relative to Georgia’s economy and its balance sheet items, it is difficult to argue convincingly from the model results that MFA contributed substantially to averting a crisis through improved external sustainability. However, the modelling fails to capture confidence effects and conditionality that may well have longer-term implications for the country’s economic trajectory. To what extent has the MFA assistance been effective in terms of supporting structural reform in Georgia? Overall, the MFA has made a positive but marginal difference in promoting PFM reforms in Georgia. The scope and impact of the MFA conditions was limited. The MFA conditions were heavily concentrated on the simpler reform activities or ‘softer and low lying fruit’ such as action plans, capacity development plans, manuals, and training. This narrow focus of conditionality on simpler reforms was relevant and appropriate, given the need for quick disbursement of support and the scale of the assistance. The added value and reinforcing effect of EU support was most clearly evident in the case of internal audit reforms. In other areas, the added value of EU support was less obvious due to existence of strong domestic ownership and/or other donor support. How has the way in which the MFA operation was designed and implemented conditioned its effectiveness and efficiency? The Commission should be more specific in formulating conditionality and be clear about its expectations, especially in the case of softer actions such as development of action plans. The Commission should take steps to improve the visibility of the MFA instrument in the recipient country through, for example, local press releases. 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/evaluation/pdf/mfa_georgia_final_report-apr_en.pdf

Ex-post evaluation of Exceptional Financial Assistance (EFA) operations to Kosovo 1) ABB activities: 01 03 2) Timing: 17/10/2012 (duration: 9/3/2012-17/10/2012) 3) Budget: EUR 50 million (total amount of support) 4) Background, scope and focus: Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) is a policy-based financial instrument of untied and undesignated balance-of-payments support to partner third countries. It takes the form of medium/long-term loans or grants, or a combination of these, and generally complements financing provided in the context of an International Monetary Fund's reform programme. Ex-post evaluations focus on assessing the contribution of EU Macro Financial Assistance to macro-economic and structural adjustment of the recipient country. The exercise covers three main areas of analysis: • Economic impact of the MFA assistance operation on the economy of the recipient country (e.g. GDP growth, Balance of Payments, exchange rates, fiscal balances); with and without IMF involvement. • Value added of EU intervention (stand-alone and/or in combination with IMF intervention) provided through the operation. • Sustainability of the country’s external position as a result of the assistance 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation: The main findings and conclusions of this evaluation are as follows: Macro-Economic Stabilization and External Sustainability The macro-economic performance of Kosovo between 2006 and 2011 was positive, overall. Fiscal deficits fluctuated during the review period, and Kosovo’s public finances remain fragile and exposed to high-probability, high-incidence risks. The EFA helped alleviate the financial situation of Kosovo. The disbursement of the first tranche of EFA in 2010 provided a useful contribution to the stabilization of bank balances following the steep reduction observed in 2009 and 2010. Some recovery of bank balances is visible in the 2012 data, and their level is expected to fully recover in 2013 through the receipts from the expected privatisation of PTK. Paired with the intended reduction in fiscal deficit from 2014 onwards, these recent developments point to the fact that the financial situation of Kosovo has been supported by EFA, also by exercising some soft pressure on GoK towards more prudent spending. The EFA supported the development of a sound economic and fiscal framework. The study concluded that progress was made on the reform items included as EFA conditions due to a variety of factors, including the commitments made in the context of the EFA agreement itself. Kosovo’s level of public debt is low and the risk of debt distress is moderate. Kosovo’s current account deficit was consistently high but the structure of Kosovo’s imports and exports has improved over the period. Structural Reforms The structural conditions attached to the EFA operation were relevant in light of Kosovo’s situation in 2007. The gross effect of EFA conditionality was highest on “quick win” technical issues and more problematic on contentious issues. The political reinforcing effect of EFA’s conditionality is its most important legacy. Design and Implementation The special situation of Kosovo and the strong political commitment of the EC to support it resulted in a number of design peculiarities of the EFA operation which played an important – but not exclusive – role in the disbursement delays. EU Value Added The value added of the EFA was highest through its impact on: • lifting the credibility of the country to the international community and to potential investors; and • tilting the internal balance of power in the GoK in favour of the MoF. The MoF focused on macroeconomic and fiscal stability and was willing to reform along the lines suggested by international community. The EFA conditions helped to put pressure on other members in the cabinet who were less eager to implement reforms. 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/evaluation/pdf/efa_kosovo_eval_final_report_oct_2012.pdf

ABB 02 – Enterprise

Evaluation of the European Chemical Agency 1) ABB activities concerned: 02 03 2) Timing: March 2012. (Period covered by the report: 2007-2010). 3) Budget: ECHA budget 2008-2010: EUR 212,329,000; EU subsidy 2008-2010: EUR 165,071,000 4) Background, scope and focus: The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) created on 1 June 2007 and located in Helsinki plays a central role in the implementation of REACH and CLP. It manages the main processes of both Regulations and its Scientific Committees adopt opinions which serve as a basis for the Commission to take decisions in the context of the restriction and authorisation of hazardous chemicals and with regard to the harmonization of classification and labelling of substances. The Agency also takes decisions, notably in the areas of registration and evaluation under REACH. The purpose of the study was to assess the Agency's efficiency, effectiveness and economy in building up its capacities and in managing its operations as well as assessing the Agency’s role/added value, its acceptability and location. This evaluation was part of a set of studies and reports to be delivered by Member States, the European Chemicals Agency and the European Commission and contributing to the Commission’s review required by the REACH Regulation (REACH review, adopted on 5 February 2013). 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation or evaluation related study: The quality of ECHA’s goal setting improved as the Agency developed; ECHA has met most of its key objectives in terms of outputs but could have improved its performance at the level of outcomes. ECHA’s overall efficiency was reduced by unforeseeable circumstances and by complementary activities that often increased effectiveness. It has responded with flexibility to changing external circumstances and has demonstrated flexibility in the allocation of its resources. The Agency performed well in most work areas during the review period, although dissemination left room for improvement. ECHA has had a good start-up as an organization and implemented most of its REACH and CLP tasks effectively. It has successfully involved all stakeholders, but it could have done more to ensure its perceived independence. In addition to recommendations aimed at drawing lessons from the ECHA experience for other and future agencies, the evaluation report recommends EACH to be more transparent about its contribution to REACH and CLP objectives, to develop scenarios to ensure efficiency and economy in the future, to broaden management activities to prevent disengagement (with a specific focus on SMEs and increasing the number of organizations allowed to attend Committee meetings). The main recommendation to the Commission is to maintain the current role of ECHA under REACH and CLP. The results of this evaluation were further analysed and screened together with the results of other eleven studies and evaluations for the purpose of overall evaluation of Reach in the REACH Review adopted on 5 February 2013 (COM(2013)49). 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/dg/files/evaluation/201203-final-report-echa_en.pdf

Evaluation of the Functioning of the European chemical market after the introduction of REACH 1) ABB activities concerned: 02 03 2) Timing: March 2012. (Period covered by the report: 2007-2010). 3) Budget: not applicable (evaluation of legislation) 4) Background, scope and focus: The objective of the study was to evaluate the implementation of the REACH Regulation (that came into force on 1 June 2007) in relation to its impact on the operation of the single market and the competitiveness of the European chemicals industry. The evaluation aimed to evaluate the relevance, coherence, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and impact of the REACH Regulation in relation to the operation of the market of chemical substances. It also aimed to identify strengths and weaknesses of the REACH implementation with respect to the dynamics of the market, consumer choice and prosperity, costs of compliance and administrative procedures. The impact on SMEs was given particular focus given the presence of relevant provision in REACH Regulation and the expectation that any discrimination against them is avoided. This evaluation was part of a set of studies and reports to be delivered by Member States, the European Chemicals Agency, and the European Commission and contributing to the Commission’s review required by the REACH Regulation (REACH review, adopted on 5 February 2013). 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation or evaluation related study The evaluation concludes that the REACH Regulation is relevant in enhancing the competitiveness of the EU chemical industry and for the development of a harmonized market for chemicals. REACH is clearly relevant to the development of a level playing field and a harmonized market. The costs of compliance are sizeable and appear to have some impact on the profitability of firms and the competitiveness of certain sectors in relation to their access to non-EU markets. The negative impacts are expected to be reduced in the future. The typical cost of registration per substance by one firm has been about EUR70 000; representing about 1% of firms’ total annual turnover. Additional costs arise from the information exchange requirements and the handling of Safety Data Sheets and affect all firms in the chemicals supply chain. It is still too early to identify long term impacts of REACH on the firms’ financial position. Firms active in basic chemicals and metals absorb the costs while in the specialty chemicals markets firms have greater capacity to pass costs down the supply chain. REACH costs and the introduction of substances in the candidate list have led to the withdrawal of some chemical substances; there are only limited cases where this has become problematic for the access of firms to critical raw materials. There are indications that REACH leads to a reduction in the number of suppliers of certain substances increasing concentration in some chemicals markets. The scale of this effect is so far rather limited. On the basis of the limited information available, the overall conclusion is that REACH has not had a sizeable impact on the prices of final consumer products. There is no supportive evidence as to the effect of REACH on consumer confidence or the development of new substances and creation of new business opportunities at this stage. REACH contributes to the strengthening of communication along the chemicals supply chain even though this has yet to materialize. On REACH mechanisms, the operation of consortia appears to be much more effective than Substance Information Exchange Fora. There is no evidence that REACH mechanisms have led to the loss of confidential information. However, the participation in SIEFs provides information that can present important business intelligence. There is generally a positive view on the role of ECHA and national helpdesks and the respective tools developed. Still, firms also need the assistance of Trade Associations and private consultants for more practical and tailored guidance. Overall Only Representatives appear to have a positive role in supporting non-EU firms and facilitating their access to the EU chemicals market. Main recommendations: Avoid, to the extent possible, changes to any of the key or provisions of the Regulation; Aim to clarify any unclear requirements, increase predictability and improve tools and implementation structures to reduce or eliminate unnecessary costs; Prepare for the following registration periods with focus on the needs of SMEs; Expand the awareness raising and information provision tools. Continue monitoring of market and industry developments; Support industry in the use of knowledge. The results of this evaluation were further analysed and screened together with the results of other eleven studies and evaluations for the purpose of overall evolution of Reach in the REACH Review adopted on 5 February 2014 (COM(2013)49). 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/dg/files/evaluation/201203-final-report-chemical-market_en.pdf

Evaluation of the Impact of the REACH regulation on the innovativeness of EU chemical industry 1) ABB activities concerned: 02 03 2) Timing: June 2012. (Period covered by the report: 2007-2010). 3) Budget: not applicable (evaluation of policy/legislation) 4) Background, scope and focus: The overarching objective of the study was to evaluate the changes in the dynamics of the chemicals market after the introduction of the REACH regulation. Specifically the evaluation aimed to: - Identify, test and apply methodologies for evaluating the relevance, coherence, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and impact of the REACH regulation in relation to the ability to innovate by EU chemical industry. - provide recommendations to improve the mechanisms introduced by the REACH regulation to stimulate innovation (by e.g. encouraging private investments, increasing patenting or trade marking, speeding time-to-market, increase communication in the supply chain, secure financing for innovation, etc.); This evaluation was part of a set of studies and reports to be delivered by Member States, the European Chemicals Agency and the European Commission and contributing to the Commission’s review required by the REACH Regulation (REACH review, adopted on 5 February 2013). 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation or evaluation related study: The report concluded that the Regulation's objectives regarding the innovativeness of the EU chemical industry are highly relevant in terms of EU industrial and innovation policies. The industrial information creation, capture and dissemination mechanisms created by the Regulation have acted as stimuli to product conception or innovation to varying degrees. Some 72% of companies surveyed thought it had led to an increase in access and scrutiny of information about chemical substances and 24% indicated that they had been able benefit from this through increased knowledge of substances and properties. However, this has come at a significant cost to the industry. More positive results may be apparent in the longer term, as companies reorient their R&D and innovation programmes. The registration process has had an impact on innovation, but the candidate list is currently creating the greatest deal of innovative activity (with the SIN list, and more recently, possibly the CoRAP). Authorisation and restriction are affecting a smaller part of the industry. It has not been possible to discern overall unequivocal benefits for consumers, the market and society at this stage of implementation. SMEs, and particularly small firms, seem especially affected by the Regulation due to issues surrounding access to input markets such as costs of specialised staff, training, and Letters of Access for formulators; and also access to finance in the view of increased risks and uncertainties associated with innovation. Highly innovative SMEs have a more negative view of the overall effect of REACH on innovation than large firms for the present and the future. Main recommendations: - Enablers: increase awareness of REACH-related innovation, identify and promote research funding into substitution of substances on the authorisation list and encourage private and public funding for REACH-related innovation - Firm activities: address uncertainties surrounding the candidate list, increase encouragement of the development of QSARS and similar alternative testing methods, promote the use of the PPORD (and consider a smaller firms friendly version of the PPORD), consider raising the volume exemption to a level that would provide for higher volume testing and piloting, consider lengthening the consultation times for animal testing, identify bottlenecks in supply at the level of GLP labs, identify ways to make it easier and cheaper for firms to protect IP and CBI within REACH. - Outputs: increase predictability about timing and costs and reduce expected times for registration for phase-in substances, consider developing a new category in REACH, that of a “small chemical company” which could, for example, be subject to reduced REACH registration obligations, or be able to claim reduced costs for Letters of Access. The results of this evaluation were further analysed and screened together with the results of other eleven studies and evaluations for the purpose of overall evaluation of REACH in the REACH Review adopted on 5 February 2013 (COM(2013)49). 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/dg/files/evaluation/final-report-reach-june-2012_en.pdf

Evaluation of the Ecodesign directive (2009/125/EC) 1) ABB activities concerned 02 02 2) Timing: March 2012 (Period covered by the report: 2009-2011). 3) Budget: not applicable (evaluation of policy/legislation) 4) Background, scope and focus: Under Article 21 of the Ecodesign Directive, the Commission was required to review, no later than 2012, the effectiveness of the Ecodesign Directive and of its implementing measures and to assess the appropriateness of extending the scope of the Directive to non-energy related products. The evaluation was aiming at the review of the effectiveness of (i) the Directive and its implementing measures, (ii) the Ecodesign methodology, (iii) the threshold for implementing measures as described in Article 15 of the Directive, (iv) market surveillance, and (v) self-regulation measures. 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation or evaluation related study: The evaluation study concluded that, in general, the Ecodesign Directive is achieving its policy objectives (free movement of goods and environmental protection) and that no revision of the Directive is deemed appropriate at the moment or necessary to increase its effectiveness and that of its implementing measures. The study has, in particular, pointed out that: - In principle, the Directive is achieving its policy objectives. Since 2005 the main focus of the implementing measures has been on energy efficiency. The available data illustrates a move towards energy efficiency for all products regulated by the Ecodesign implementing measures. - It is too early to correctly evaluate the full effect of the Directive and of the implementing mandatory and self-regulation measures because of the insufficient period of their application. For one out of the twelve ecodesign Regulations adopted at the time of the evaluation, Tier-1 requirements had not yet entered into force and for eight implementing measures, Tier-2 requirements had not yet entered into force. Furthermore, out of two proposed voluntary agreements, none has so far been officially endorsed by the Commission. - It is considered that the indicative criteria for adopting implementing ecodesign measures, defined in Article 15 of the Ecodesign Directive, remain appropriate. As pointed out, there have been some limitations on the conduct of the evaluation: the early timing of the evaluation and data related issue, due to the official statistical sources referring to the period before the Implementing Measures were adopted. These limitations need to be taken into account in reading the evaluation report. Based on the findings of the evaluation, the Commission adopted, on 17 December 2012, a Report to the European Parliament and the Council: ‘Review of Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (recast)’ [COM(2012) 765]. The report confirmed that no legislative changes were necessary in the Directive, as it is achieving its policy objectives reasonably well. It also concluded that it would be premature to enlarge the scope of the Directive, but referred to the forthcoming review of the Energy Labelling Directive in 2014 for a wider assessment of the EU's sustainable product policy. 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/dg/files/evaluation/cses_ecodesign_finalreport_en.pdf

Evaluation of Member State Policies to Facilitate Access to Finance for SME 1) ABB activities concerned: 02 02 - 2) Timing: June 2012, (duration 2010-2012) 3) Budget: not applicable (evaluation of policy/legislation) 4) Background, scope and focus: The objective of the study is to evaluate the efficiency, utility, sustainability, effectiveness and impact of existing Member States programmes to facilitate the access to finance of SMEs. This is important to provide recommendations on which (type of) programmes work best and which elements could also be used in other countries. 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation or evaluation related study In the context of the current crisis, it is increasingly difficult and expensive for SMEs to access private sources of finance. Member States and the European Commission have taken comprehensive measures to address the current tensions in financial markets and to safeguard the flow of credit to the real economy. To facilitate access to finance, the study provides information on how to access over EUR 50 billion of public finance in the 27 Member States. The study presents over 120 national or regional financing programmes and provides key information helping SMEs to apply for the different programmes in terms of characteristics, terms, conditions and contact information. The study also provided an evaluation of public financing programmes in 5 Member States (Germany, France, the UK, Poland and Sweden) to exchange good practice and assess which programmes work best and could be used in other countries. The study stresses the importance of having efficient and flexible financing programmes to correspond to changing market conditions and to be well integrated in the local business environment. In terms of operation, public programmes need quick and efficient decision marking processes and a strong collaboration with the private sector. Public financing programmes should also be aligned with business advice services. 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/finance/guide-to-funding/indirect-funding/files/evaluation-of-national-financing-programmes-2012_en.pdf

Evaluation of the Impact of European Space Policy on European Space Manufacturing and the Services Industry 1) ABB activities concerned: 02 03 2) Timing: August 2012 (Period covered by the report: 2007-2011). 3) Budget: not applicable (evaluation of policy/legislation) 4) Background, scope and focus: The evaluation aims were to: - Assess the impacts to date of the European Space Policy adopted in 2007 in strengthening space industrial competitiveness (in manufacturing and services); - Assess the main challenges ahead for the European Space Industry in manufacturing and services in maintaining and strengthening space industrial competitiveness; - Review the strategic importance and specific characteristics of the European Space Industry to assess whether a dedicated European Space Industrial Policy is appropriate; - Develop quantitative and qualitative indicators to measure the future contribution of the ESP to strengthening European space industrial competitiveness in space manufacturing and services and in wider sectors where space-based technologies and applications are a key competitiveness driver; - Identify current and possible future developments in the space industry and on competitiveness issues facing the upstream and downstream space sectors; - Inform the preparation of a European Space Industrial Policy (and possible accompanying Regulations) in accordance with the Lisbon Treaty provisions (TFEU – Art. 173 and 189); - Analyse the potential role of EU regulation in future as an enabler in facilitating the development of new and emerging markets in space services, such as in the distribution of high-resolution satellite data and its commercial distribution. 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation or evaluation related study: The overall conclusions were that: - The adoption of the ESP in 2007 has provided an important framework through which critical precursor steps have been taken towards the development of the future European Space Industrial Policy. It is highly doubtful without the existence of the ESP whether it would have been possible to launch a dedicated industrial policy for the space sector. - Through the frame of the ESP, progress has also been made in strengthening space governance even if some of the achievements predate the ESP’s adoption, such as the 2003 EC-ESA Framework Agreement and the holding of regular Space Council meetings. - Following the adoption of Article 189 of the TFEU, considerable political and legal progress has been made. This gives the EU joint competence, together with ESA and the member states, to pursue a formal European Space Industrial Policy. - Following the Lisbon Treaty’s adoption, space is now formally an EU policy in its own right, rather than part of the broader industrial policy landscape. - Moreover, the Competitiveness Council’s legal jurisdiction has been extended to the space sector. Gaining wider acceptance that space is a key strategic sector and of vital importance in promoting growth and jobs is a major step forward. - Although more could be done to strengthen the ESP’s visibility among industry and wider space stakeholders, it has played an important role in providing strategic direction and a focal point for national space agencies, national authorities and wider stakeholders across the EU. - Progress has also been made through the frame of the ESP in promoting industrial competitiveness through EU expenditure programmes and specific policy initiatives. While the ESP has not had a dedicated budget of its own, seen through the ESP’s prism, various EU research and innovation and operational programmes have contributed to the achievement of objectives relating to industrial competitiveness. The evaluation’s recommendations deal with: - the definition of the European Space Industry Policy, - the prerequisites for the adoption of a EU regulatory framework, - the need for a stable industrial base with balanced SME participation, - ways to ensure technological non-dependence and independent access to space, - the promotion of the development of new markets for space applications and services, - the need for defining indicators and monitoring the general performance of the European space industry. The results of this evaluation have fed into the Communication on EU Space industrial policy, adopted on 28 February 2013 (COM (2013)108). The recommendations on the EU regulatory framework will be further analysed in an impact assessment and submitted to extensive consultation in 2013. 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/dg/files/evaluation/space_final_report_evaluation_of_the_impact_of_esp_en.pdf

Evaluation of the Pressure Equipment Directive 1) ABB activities concerned 02 03 2) Timing: October 2012 (Period covered by the report: 2002-2012- 10 years of implementation of PED Directive). 3) Budget: not applicable (evaluation of policy/legislation) 4) Background, scope and focus: After ten years of implementation, the evaluation aimed to assess the performance of the Pressure Equipment Directive since its introduction and to make a judgement of the Directive’s continuing relevance. The purpose of the evaluation has been to assess how, and to what extent, the Directive has met its objective of guaranteeing free circulation of stationary pressure equipment within the EU while ensuring a high degree of safety. 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation or evaluation related study: The introduction of the PED has proven relevant for the improved functioning of the Internal Market and successfully combined market integration with maintaining the high levels of product safety that Europe was already accustomed to. One of the core objectives of the Directive, the removal of barriers to trade and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Internal Market, has been realised to a significant extent. The PED has opened up trading opportunities across the Internal Market with the benefit of providing users with greater levels of choice. The conclusion of the report is that no urgent revision of the Pressure Equipment Directive is needed. This gives time to focus on better implementation and prepare gradually for full revision later on. The PED has been well formulated and meets the needs of the target beneficiaries. In relation to other pieces of European legislation, the scope of the PED is generally clear and the Directive fits into a relatively stable and coherent regulatory environment. Overall, the PED has achieved European added value. The largely harmonised legislative framework has had a positive impact on the European pressure equipment sector. This outcome could not have been achieved through Member States acting alone or bilaterally. The issue of market surveillance at national level has been raised as a scope for improvement. The report calls for stronger and more consistent enforcement of the rules with a view to ensuring that the same conformity assessment procedures are correctly applied to the same types of pressure equipment. This and other evaluation recommendations have been taken into account for the subsequent actions in 2013, mainly through the foreseen alignment of the Directive to the New Legislative Framework. The Commission proposal on strengthening market surveillance in the Member States (Product Safety and Market Surveillance Package, adopted in February 2013) is also going to contribute to address weaknesses highlighted in the report. 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/dg/files/evaluation/evaluation-of-the-pressure-equipment-directive_en.pdf

Evaluation of EU Member State Business Angel Markets and Policies 1) ABB activities concerned: 02 02 2) Timing: October 2012. 3) Budget: not applicable (evaluation of policy/legislation) 4) Background, scope and focus: Business Angels play an important role in the economy, and in many countries constitute the largest source of external funding, after family and friends, in newly established ventures. Given the importance of informal investors for the creation and maintenance of an entrepreneurial economy, more data is needed from the angel investment market in order to make rational and well-grounded policy decisions. The objective of the evaluation was to improve policy-making regarding SMEs’ access to seed and early stage capital by increasing the knowledge of the characteristics of the Business Angels market and sharing EU Member States best practices of policies and programmes supporting Business Angel financing. The project aimed to review the existing public policies and to gather evidence concerning the effectiveness of public support. 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation or evaluation related study The project provided an overview of the key characteristics and results of programmes or polices aimed at increasing and supporting Business Angel investment in the selected Member States. It provided interesting details on how Business Angels operate, their number and volume of investment, public policies and support for business angels, as well as providing recommendations on further data collection needs and issues for public policy. The review of the evidence on public policy schemes supporting Business Angels suggested a rather mixed picture. Each of the various types of public policy tool has its own advantages and disadvantages and a combination of tools may be needed in many cases. Given their possible contribution of business angels as a source of finance for both mainstream and technology intensive early stage and new companies, public policy must take into consideration the needs of business angels when new legislation or regulations are introduced. Public support measures that directly provide risk capital to early stage business should be designed in a way to attract investment by business angels, complementing their role and making use of the non-financial aspect of their involvement including management expertise and networking. It was also suggested that existing data collection procedures be continued, and continually improved to create more comparability, consistency and completeness, as the existing data sources regarding Business Angels’ market. These should be supplemented with a series, or well-designed programme, of specific studies aimed at meeting gaps in existing knowledge which are quite fundamental to the notion and support of Business Angels. The Commission's policy is to identify and spread good practices that can help improve the conditions for business angel investment across the EU. The evaluation contributes to the specific objective of facilitating access to finance for the creation and growth of SMEs. 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/dg/files/ba-rep_en.pdf

ABB 03 – Competition

Study on the Implementation of the existing Broadband Guidelines 1) ABB activities concerned: 03 AWBL 03 2) Timing: 7 December 2011, (Duration: 6/2011 to 11/2011) 3) Budget: not applicable 4) Background, scope and focus: The Commission prepared a review of the Broadband Guidelines of 2009 by December 2012. The core objective of the study was to support the revision process by drawing lessons from the implementation of past decisions and by clarifying a given set of technological issues. A sample of 10 broadband projects (9 in the EU, 1 in New Zealand) was selected. Five of the selected EU case studies were approved before the Guidelines were adopted in 2009 (between 2005 and 2007) and four were approved during the validity of the Guidelines (in 2010). Based on the case studies and the expert opinion on technical issues the contractor identified several challenges associated with the Guidelines: basic principles (definition of NGA, harmonisation of SMP regulation and State aid rules), State aid and broadband projects in general (compatibility conditions in point 51 of the Guidelines, amendments with regard to broadband networks in general), State aid and NGA projects (distinction of NGA areas, additional conditions for NGA networks, amendments with regard to NGA networks) and separation. 5) Summary of findings: The Guidelines provide appropriate demarcations of the respective terms, distinct between basic, NGA and ultra-fast broadband and request a proper reporting to the Commission on aid projects. Time lag between the implementation of the projects and the evaluation: The case studies did not provide the same level of detail regarding their empirical information. Quantity and quality of the information received from the case studies depend on the concrete implementation of the measures (e.g. internal monitoring/reporting procedures, status/progress of implementation). 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/competition/consultations/2011_broadband_guidelines/final_report_en.pdf

Study on co(re)insurance and on ad-hoc co(re)insurance agreements on the subscription market 1) ABB activities concerned: 03 AWBL 02 2) Timing: 15 November 2012. 3) Budget: not applicable 4) Background, scope and focus: The study constitutes a first step in the process to prepare for the potential review of the BER, which will expire on 31 March 2017, as well as for the report which the Commission will have to submit to the European Parliament by 31 March 2016. It is also a follow up to the Commission's report on the Business Insurance Sector Inquiry ("BISI"), published on 25 September 2007. The Commission performed the study in order to collect empirical knowledge concerning the functioning of co(re)insurance pools and co(re)insurance agreements on the subscription markets and to gather information on the application of the BER. Its aim was also to contribute to the Commission`s market monitoring of the operation of these co(re)insurance schemes. 5) Summary of findings : The study provides an overview of the functioning of co(re)insurance pools and ad-hoc co(re)insurance agreements in the EEA. It identifies the types of risks which are usually insured by the above mentioned structures and explains the functioning and specificities of co(re)insurance pools and ad-hoc co(re)insurance agreements. Therefore it constitutes a key basis to undertake the work necessary to review the functioning of the existing BER and make appropriate proposals for its potential modification. A number of respondents were difficult to identify. Some respondents declined to reply and others provided incomplete information, in particular with regards to questions of the functioning of the BER. 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/competition/sectors/financial_services/insurance.html

ABB 04 – Employment and social affairs

Analysis of costs and benefits of active vs passive labour market measures 1) ABB activities concerned: 04 02 2) Timing: March 2012 (duration: December 2010 - March 2012; Period covered 1990- 2010 with a focus on the recent crisis period (2008-10). 3) Budget: not applicable 4) Background, scope and focus: The study analysed the use of active and passive Labour Market Policies (LMP) since 1990 to help formulate LMP in the framework of the Europe 2020 strategy and the exit strategy from the 2008 crisis. It covers the following elements: · the rationales and theoretical impacts of active and passive measures (APM); · trends in public expenditure on active and passive LMP; · the origin of funding and the main institutions responsible for key LMP delivery in the EU as well as the implications of the different funding mechanisms. · an analysis the effectiveness of active labour market measures · conclusions on the priorities, pitfalls and timing of the implementation of a mixture of active and passive measures. · identification of gaps in the knowledge of the measures effectiveness and the implications of the gaps for future policy measure design and research. 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation or evaluation related study The study was not an evaluation of an existing Programme. It was a study (funded under the PROGRESS Programme) analysing the efficiency of labour market measures and expenditures (active as well as passives), notably on the basis of a review of the literature of existing evaluations. The final recommendations are structured around the following points: · Mobilizing labour: integration of benefits to avoid unemployment trap; extensions of job search and acceptance requirements for other benefits such as social assistance; reduction of the implicit benefit of a non-working spouse; sanctions; continuous job search assistance oriented on employer demand; training for all groups that lack specific skills needed in the labour market; controlled expansion of training activities; mid-term job placement targets. · Supporting employment especially of young people: reducing legal differences between temporary and permanent contracts; rewarding the actor investing in activation of hard-to-place (young) workers; promote quality apprenticeships and traineeship contracts; discontinue/decrease employment incentives for work experience when the economy recovers. · Protecting the vulnerable: extend coverage and eligibility of social protection; organise coverage on the basis on "apparent employment relationship" rather than on specific forms of contracts; more generous social assistance with strict job search and acceptance criteria; apply active measures from the start for vulnerable groups; focus employment incentives on long-term unemployed · Improving effectiveness of measures and funding: anticipate crisis period by raising tax/contribution rate sufficiently in advance; address potential risks associated with combination central funding and local implementation; build in flexible arrangements to facilitate budget shifts; if budget cuts , focus on fewer costlier measures to assist larger number of unemployed; offer public sector job at min wage to tackle recipient of benefits having informal job; make continuation of measures contingent on evaluation results Finally the last point was more specifically about evaluations : · Improving quality of evaluations: include ex ante evaluations of policy proposals; experiments in specific regions to measure results and compare different options; take inspiration from US evaluations; distinguish initial and long-term effect; attempt to estimate deadweight loss, substitution and displacement effects 6) Availability of the report on Europa http://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=7602&langId=en#

Evaluation of the reaction of the ESF to the economic and financial crisis 1) ABB activities concerned: 04 02 2) Timing: March 2012 (duration: December 2010- March 2012). 3) Budget: whole budget for the 2007-2013 programming period is EUR 76.6 billion. 4) Background, scope and focus: For the purpose of this assignment the crisis was – on the basis of GDP and employment growth figures – defined as the period between IIIQ 2008 and IIIQ 2009. This evaluation analysed how ESF management and support was adjusted in reaction to the crisis, whether the changes helped mitigating the effects of the crisis and how the ESF could be made more responsive to the needs of post-crisis recovery. The changes to the ESF implementation were analysed in the context of the labour market and policy developments in the Member States. The focus of the evaluation was on governance. It has not dealt with the effectiveness or impacts of the specific measures undertaken, for which the delays are still too short. An analysis of the effectiveness of different labour market instruments has recently been undertaken in another study.[1] The 2 main criteria were: 1) Coherence: "Have the changes in the use of the ESF been 'coherent' with the short term needs of the labour markets in the Member States?" and 2) Rationality: "Have the changes also helped foster the recovery from the crisis in a longer term perspective?" 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation or evaluation related study The ESF proved to be a flexible instrument which has been used for quick reaction against the crisis. By the end of 2010 84 out of 117 OPs had been adapted in response to the crisis. In only 27 cases a formal change of OP was required. Most of the changes concerned broadening of scope, launching specific calls and including further target groups in the OP. 17 Member States introduced at least one of the simplification measures proposed by the EC: · The most utilized measure was the extension of the use of the 2000-6 funds; used by BE, CZ, DE, ES, HU, PT, SK and SI. Some MS did not take advantage of this option for fear that this upfront liquidity would delay the implementation of the funds for the current programming period. · HU, IE, MT, PT, RO, SI and UK took advantage of advanced payments. · 'Front loading', i.e. a temporary reimbursement of 100%, was reported to be used only by ES, LV, SI and UK, as it has to be counterbalanced later in the implementation and disbursement period by additional national funding. · Further elements of simplification (such as flat-rate costs, standard unit costs, etc.) were introduced in AT, BE, DE, FR, IT, LV, MT, NL, PT, SI and UK. In an emergency situation like the economic crisis MS preferred to stick to already tested solutions. The introduction of any kind of modification to the financial management or the delivery system was considered time-consuming and seemed difficult in the middle of the implementation. Especially in MS with limited administrative capacity the proposed simplification measures could not be really used because the national and regional administrations were not sufficiently flexible to change their procedures. The role of the ESF in mitigating the crisis varied considerably according to the impact of the crisis on the respective economy and to the volume of the ESF in active labour market policy. While in the 'better off' countries, such as AT, BE, DE, SE, UK, it is possible to orient the ESF towards anticipation and innovation, in the other countries the immediate needs and governance issues remain of utmost importance. The evaluation furthermore identifies two groups of Member States where the ESF plays a major role in active labour market policy, but where governance structures will need further attention (BG, EL, RO, where various problems of implementation occurred, and CZ, HU, SK, SL, where the absorption rates are extremely low so far). The reaction of the ESF was coherent with the immediate needs of the labour market in the crisis. The focus of the ESF shifted temporarily from the traditional target groups (young, low skilled, women, disabled, migrants) to the groups that were hit the most in the first phase of the crisis (i.e. prime-aged men having worked in construction or manufacturing), and from more strategic interventions (e.g. means-tested training) to interventions aimed at directly maintaining or creating employment (e.g. combination of short time work with training, supported employment). The ESF improved the consistency of the anti-crisis measures with the long-term perspective requiring structural adaptation. The ESF was broadly used to finance the training schemes offered in the short time working arrangements adding thus a structural/ active component to the otherwise passive measures. 6) Availability of the report on Europa http://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=7671&langId=en

PROGRESS mid-term evaluation 1) ABB activities concerned: 04 04 2) Timing: January 2012 (Duration: June 2010-December 2011. Period covered 2007-mid 2010). 3) Budget: The overall multi-annual budget of PROGRESS is: EUR 683 million (Progress Microfinance budget excluded). 4) Background, scope and focus The mid-term evaluation of PROGRESS was performed by ECORYS. The evaluation covers the five policy sections of the programme: employment, social protection and social inclusion, working conditions, anti-discrimination and gender equality. It focuses on the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and EU added value of the programme for the period 2007-mid 2010. In addition, it reviews horizontal issues, notably the programme management, partnership strategies and gender mainstreaming. It is based on the review of relevant literature, operational reports, interviews with PROGRESS stakeholders, and a survey of grant beneficiaries. One case study for each policy section illustrates key success factors and obstacles and provides illustrative examples of the EU added value. The evaluation also benefited from the data and reports produced in the framework of the on-going PROGRESS monitoring contract. 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation or evaluation related study On the whole PROGRESS has delivered positive results. The nature of PROGRESS-funded activities is often indirect, in the sense that the activities try to improve the quality of debate, processes, cooperation or sharing of best practices, rather than directly aiming at core policy final outcomes (such as employment targets). As a consequence the achievements are also often indirect and dependent on further actions at the Member State level and sometimes causality is difficult to establish. But study findings point to overall positives results; The shift to a single programme has had advantages in terms of reduction of administrative burden and, to some extent, economies of scale, but the development of cross-cutting issues could be improved, as the programme still has silo characteristics between the policy fields; Improvements could be made to the functioning of the PROGRESS Committee. Whilst the Committee is considered a valuable forum for discussions and coordination, there is some frustration among Member States on its working. More substantial and thorough discussions and earlier involvement on the design of the priorities would be desirable; PROGRESS-funded activities have influenced EU policies and legislation (e.g. Europe 2020 anti-poverty targets, reform of pension systems, implementation of law on health and safety at work, labour law). They have also influenced emerging/changing policy areas – the anti-discrimination theme features strongly here; PROGRESS has generated value by operating as a complement to other policies and programmes (for instance the European Social Fund, the European social dialogue). Another strong point is the production of statistical tools/indicators to provide an evidence base for policy making; The findings show that the communication and dissemination of results is an area that needs to be clearly further developed to support awareness raising and mutual learning. Whilst the European Commission is very active in making brochures, newsletters and leaflets to spread the word, on other aspects of dissemination (e.g. the availability of study reports, the use of websites etc.) more could be done; Financial and administrative monitoring is normally well executed. At the same time it is desirable that monitoring becomes more substantive in nature; A particular area where there is substantial room for improvement is gender mainstreaming. There is little evidence of strong support for the concrete implementation of this principle in programme management. This view is further confirmed by poor results in terms of numbers of activities which carry out a gender analysis prior to implementation or which disaggregate project data by gender, and limited examples of gender mainstreaming in activities funded in policy sections other than gender equality. Recommendations As for the different policy sections: Employment: the budget for policy advice, research and analysis and policy debate events should be increased. Provisions should be introduced that allow for more flexible responses to information needs. Social protection and inclusion: the link between PROGRESS and the Flagship Initiative 'European platform against poverty and social exclusion' should be strengthened. The methods for peer reviews used in the SPSI and employment sections should be shared and compared; the involvement of MS officials from public authorities in specialised communities of practice should be more targeted; the co-operation with social partners should be increased. Working conditions: it should be clarified how PROGRESS outputs match the need for initiating preventive actions and fostering a prevention culture in the field of health and safety at work. Tasks on evidence production should be further streamlined and divided with EU-OSHA and Eurofound; external access to studies and reports should be made easier; timeliness of report availability should be improved by streamlining procurement and improving the use of networks of experts; more attention should be paid to gender and discrimination on various grounds and other cross-cutting issues that affect working conditions. Antidiscrimination and diversity: action should focus on the development of comparable data and statistics for all EU27. Even in absence of new legislation, awareness-raising should be continued where necessary in relevant Member States; awareness around legal rights and obligations should be improved. Gender equality: focus on producing statistical tools/indicators should be increased, in order to provide an evidence base; support for the expert networks and the NGOs should continue; the identification and dissemination of good practice should be strengthened, with more structured follow-up to events and better dissemination of successful PROGRESS outputs from other policy sections should contribute more to achieving a better integration of gender equality as a cross-cutting issue. As for horizontal themes: Programme management: a multi-annual, strategic perspective should be added to the annual cycle. Monitoring should be kept distinct from communication and should better trace back outputs to activities and people. A central outputs storage system would facilitate monitoring. Additional instruments could also be produced to communicate PROGRESS` good results, such as thematic best practice directories. The role of the PROGRESS Committee should be rethought: the policy and expert committees could be more deeply closely involved as this would allow reinstating the discussion on policy themes that was possible when separate funding programmes were attached to policy strands. Increasing dissemination of results is recommended for most policy fields, together with the recommendations to: develop good practice dissemination tools; ensure greater diversity in participation in events; widen stakeholder involvement in policy debate, and strengthen role of social partners; increase involvement of local and regional government as stakeholders. Gender mainstreaming: It is necessary to ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed in a meaningful way across all PROGRESS-supported activity. The most effective way to mainstream gender and antidiscrimination is to explicitly incorporate them in policy objectives, not just as a cross-cutting issue. 6) Availability of the report on Europa http://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=7430&langId=en

Evaluation of the ESF support to Lifelong Learning 1) ABB activities concerned: 04 02 2) Timing: July 2012 (Duration: October 2010-July 2012. Period covered: programming period 2000-06 and the first four years of the period 2007-13). 3) Budget: Overall multi-annual budget of the ESF for the 2007-2013 programming period is EUR 76.6 billion 4) Background, scope and focus: The purpose of the evaluation was to analyse the reach and impact of the ESF supported LLL activities on young jobseekers, low skilled workers and older workers. The report identified activities which are more successful in reaching these target groups and other factors of success. Furthermore, the evaluation looked for European Added Value which could be attributed to the ESF support to LLL activities. This information could improve the content and delivery of the ESF supported LLL activities aimed at the three target groups in the 2014-2020 programming period. The work covers the EU27 and comprises an EU-wide overview as well as more detailed case studies on eight Member States (Austria, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the UK). Methodology: The evaluation is on the one hand based on the secondary analysis of the operational programmes, evaluations from these two programming periods, SFC 2007 as well as ESTAT data (such as the LFS) and LLL research, especially concerning the three target groups. On the other hand the consultants undertook own empirical work, mainly in the form of interviews with ESF managing authorities and implementing bodies in the Member States. 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation or evaluation related study ESF is a major funder of LLL across the EU. Approx. EUR 55.3 billion is allocated to expenditure categories related to LLL for 2000-13. An estimated 25 million young people, 18 million individuals with low skills, and 1.9 million older people benefitted from ESF supported LLL activity across the EU between 2000 and 2010. Without the ESF many of these interventions would not have taken place. The ESF has allowed more people to participate in LLL and has ensured that groups which otherwise would not have been reached (in particular subgroups among the low skilled and the young) benefit from targeted interventions. While all MS have some sort of LLL strategy in place, so with considerable qualitative differences, the participation of the adult population in LLL differs between 1.2 % in Bulgaria and 32.8% in Denmark. ESF support to LLL is closely linked with national policy priorities (such as high attention towards transition of young people into the labour market and a much higher social acceptance of older workers leaving the labour market prematurely), traditions and the skills level of the active population (e.g. in Italy and Spain more than 40% of the working age population have at most ISCED level 2, while in Poland or Lithuania the figure is below 15%). The report shows that it is possible to reach these specific groups, but they need to be targeted and prioritised at the level of OPs and during the actual delivery. Delivery arrangements and mechanisms such as: managing and tracking progression of participants between ESF activities, referral systems between different LLL activities, or long term strategies are important to achieve an impact in particular for the more difficult groups. Output targets linked to LLL are important for the success of the interventions. Young people Young people are in general overrepresented in ESF-supported LLL activities compared to their proportion in the working age and active population, which shows that the ESF is overall well equipped to reach this target group. They account for more than 40% of all ESF participations in Germany, Hungary and France and 30% or more in Spain, the UK, Poland, Malta, Belgium and Latvia. In contrast to that, it is 15% or less in Italy, Portugal, Cyprus and Greece, reflecting national policy decisions. Thereby e.g. the low participation in Italy contrasts with low educational attainment of a large group of young people and high youth unemployment. Activities which are particularly successful in attracting and helping young people are: promoting work experience (internships, traineeships), activities to support progression into higher education (providing a taste of what further education is like), career guidance and personal action plans. Informal approaches and social activities are also important elements. The main impacts for this group are transition into employment, to encourage further learning and to develop softer skills linked including increased self-confidence. Older workers With less than 5% of all participations, older workers are underrepresented in ESF supported LLL. This is in line with their general participation in LLL. The proportion of older workers in all participations ranges from 12% or more in Estonia and Sweden to less than 2% in Greece in 2007-10. Attracting older workers to LLL remains a rather low priority in the MS. Even in cases where older workers are targeted, these targets are frequently not met and revised downward. While LLL is important also for this age group, relatively low levels of unemployment amongst this age group provided a welcomed reason to not strongly focus on this group. Updating skills so to increase job-security is particularly important for this target group. It also needs specific motivation and encouragement for older workers to (actively) participate in training events, as their confidence in the ability to learn is often low. Low-skilled Low-skilled workers are under particular pressure in the labour market, they count for about one third of the training related participations. There are huge variations between Member States, ranging from more than 50% in Greece, France, Germany and Malta and Luxemburg to less than 15% in Cyprus, Slovenia and Estonia. Low skilled workers are not at all a homogenous target group. They are often structured into subgroups – such as people with a migration background or long-term unemployed with outdated skill sets, or as single mothers (with little professional experience). Furthermore, well qualified people become low-skilled when they have been out of an adequate job for some time. Thus this group is rather difficult to grasp and this makes personalised instruments (guidance, job matching activities, up skilling in specific sectors) particularly important. Positive impacts of ESF interventions for this group are finding a new job but also increased job-security and quality (by achieving a formally acknowledged qualification) as well as an increased willingness to undertake further training and – more generally – increased confidence and self-esteem. 6) Availability of the report on Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=7922&langId=en

Development of a methodology for the systematic evaluation of Health and Safety at Work Directives and evaluation of the practical implementation of Directive 89/654/EEC "Work Places" testing the new evaluation methodology - Legislation evaluation 1) ABB activities concerned: 04 04 2) Timing: 29.04.2012 3) Budget: not applicable 4) Background, scope and focus: The objective of the contract was to develop a methodology for the systematic evaluation of OSH Directives and testing it in a pilot evaluation of Directive 89/654/EEC concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the workplace. The evaluation methodology and the test on Workplace Directive 89/654/EEC will contribute to the upcoming ex-post evaluation of the implementation of the EU legislation on Health and Safety at Work in the EU Member States. 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation or evaluation related study Development of common methodology for future evaluations of OSH legislation (including the ex-post evaluation ending 2015). The Generic Methodology report presents a viable generic evaluation approach based on a comprehensive set of questions (indicators) using available documents accompanied by focused surveys/interviews. Although no "turn key" method was provided that can be imposed as the only one and sole approach for the evaluation of health and safety at work directives, it provides one possible and workable evaluation approach as well as many useful components which can inform future evaluation efforts. The second objective, namely the cross-nationally comparative evaluation of the Workplace Directive 89/654/EEC in all 27 Member States and a sample of EFTA-EEA countries, has also been achieved. The report contains a fully-fledged and comprehensive evaluation of the impact of Directive 89/654/EEC. The main findings are: Initial relevance The goal of the Directive was clearly to progressively improve the level of occupational safety and health through the harmonisation of already existing national regulations. In a broader sense, the respondents agreed on the high initial relevance with regard to the importance of the requirements of the WPD. Those requirements provide a fundamental basis for guaranteeing occupational safety and health at the workplace. Quality of the preparation On a general level, the good quality of the preparation of the WPD is widely accepted by the stakeholders. The majority of stakeholders agree that the WPD, in general, targets relevant and basic OSH aspects and that the requirements are clearly formulated. The level of detail is sometimes considered as not sufficient but some countries already had details in their national regulation or added details when transposing the WPD, or published practical guides and recommendations for the implementation at company level. Implementation In many countries, the legal implementation did not change the national regulations to a large extent. Many pre-existing legislative frameworks already covered the legislative scope of the WPD. In some cases, the transposition made it possible to modernise the existing legislation and add some missing provisions. Most of the stakeholders mentioned that the transposed requirements were relevant for their national regulation. Overall, the transposition was not the subject of a controversial national debate. The practical implementation (compliance with) of WPD-related OSH obligations can be considered as ‘good’. According to the analysis of the collected data, the level of implementation of the specific WPD-related requirements was better than the level of implementation of the general provisions (such as risk assessment, information, workers’ consultation and training). The global compliance seems therefore to lead to lesser results. Impact OSH results are very difficult to measure in a quantitative way, but the perception of the results among stakeholders tends to indicate a slightly positive result. A number of stakeholders were convinced that the WPD generally contributed to the improvement of the working conditions. Effectiveness If we compare the initial relevance with the overall impact, we can conclude that the Directive has proven its effectiveness. However, it may vary from one country to another as this is related to the corresponding pre-existing legal framework. Current and future relevance There were few suggestions for changes to the WPD in the future. An important part of the stakeholders, employers and workers argued that no changes were needed. The practical improvements on specific topics were linked to the level of detail and concreteness of the provisions. Suggestions to include additional provisions relate to psychosocial risks, ergonomic design, indoor air quality or specific types of mobile workplaces (referring to specific work situations such as telework, transportation). 6) Availability of the report on Europa http://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=8761&langId=en

Evaluation of flexicurity 2007-2010 1) ABB activities concerned: 04 01 2) Timing: December 2012 (Period covered 2007-2010). 3) Budget: not applicable 4) Background, scope and focus: The objectives of the evaluation were twofold: • To assess, more than three years after their publication/adoption the impact of the Communication “Towards Common Principles of flexicurity” and the Common Principles on national policy making in the EU Member States; and • To analyse the impact of the implemented integrated flexicurity policies on labour market outcomes at EU and national level in terms of strengthening employment security, facilitating transitions and reducing labour market segmentation. The evaluation covered the 27 Member States looking at the time frame between the publication of the two key Commission Communications on Flexicurity so far i.e. “Towards Common Principles of flexicurity”, adopted in June 2007, and “An Agenda for new skills and jobs”, adopted in November 2010. However, the evaluation also includes developments occurring after November 2010 when they resulted in significant changes in national policy making, such as Spain’s February 2012 labour market reforms. 12 Member States have been subject to in-depth case study research. 5) Summary of findings and conclusions of the evaluation or evaluation related study The evaluation recommends the Commission to: - Bring the debate and lessons on the implementation of flexicurity from a conceptual to a practical level, by better exploring ways to replicate evaluated best practices in the area of flexicurity; - Stress balanced approaches of policies promoting flexibility and security in labour markets, by shifting the emphasis from flexicurity (which is the outputs / component parts) to ‘mutual responsibility’ and to the concept of policies aimed at restoring "dynamic equilibria"; - Emphasise the link between a balanced approach to flexibil