ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
3.14.

The Strategy aims to make the voice of unrepresented youth heard by politicians. In order to achieve this, further action is needed to get the young people who are further from the labour market and the educational system integrated into society. Despite a slight improvement in the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), 10,9 % of people aged 15-24 and 17,7 % of youth between 25-29 years were still trapped in this situation in 2017. The improvement of skills and competences has a positive impact on the employability of young people, yet this factor alone is not going to determine the growth of employment. Such disengagement has a significant impact on young people’s lives and aspirations, as it can lead to poverty and social exclusion. Also, public authorities bear a cost for not getting the NEET population into education or employment, which is estimated by Eurofound (2012, 2014) at 1,2 % of national GDP. The NEET population is also more likely to be supportive of extremist and xenophobic ideologies.
4.15.

The Erasmus programme is a crucial element in supporting the efforts and daily work of youth organisations, especially the support for Non-Formal and Informal Learning as well as the development of Youth Work. Therefore the proposal that the youth chapter remain a separate entity in the next programme is to be welcomed. Nonetheless, in order to reach more young people and especially those with fewer opportunities, the activities under the youth chapter are crucial in helping to reach those targets. According to the interim evaluation of the current programme, the actions under the youth chapter, which apply inclusive and non-formal learning approaches, were the most successful in reaching out to young people with fewer opportunities. This should be considered when funding is being allocated for the different chapters. The youth chapter should thus have access to better funding. Also, grants to large-scale European youth events should be considered (by offering a ‘per event’ grant rather than ‘per capita’ grants to such events), as this would significantly increase the number of young people reached by Erasmus+.
4.1.

In line with these considerations the Committee considers that it should be possible to obtain a more concrete picture of the state of the operational radiological protection on each site in question, as well as an ALARA (‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable’) strategy. It is of course the exclusive responsibility of the Member State concerned to make sure this is the case, in accordance with Article 5 of Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom laying down basic safety standards for protection against the risks from exposure to ionising radiation. Maintaining the radiation dose workers are exposed to in the range of an optimised value of the effective dose is a symptomatic indicator, corresponding to one of the objectives of the programmes to focus on radiological safety. This data has to be available in the register of the safety and radiological authorities of the Member States concerned.
The EESC highlights

and welcomes

the progress made at EU level in the fight against aggressive tax planning and tax evasion, and in improving the value-added tax (VAT) system.
3.5.

2 emissions from the transport sector. This should be supported by, among other things, more efficient use of fuel and energy by cars, which will help lower costs for users. At the same time, the growing number of automated cars will require harmonised regulation, since these vehicles entail a high risk (cyber-attacks, data protection, liability in the event of an accident) The Committee backs the proposal to cut COemissions from the transport sector. This should be supported by, among other things, more efficient use of fuel and energy by cars, which will help lower costs for users. At the same time, the growing number of automated cars will require harmonised regulation, since these vehicles entail a high risk (cyber-attacks, data protection, liability in the event of an accident) ( 10 )
2.5.

The EESC believes that while Brexit without an agreement will be a one-off event, its disruptive effects could constitute a major disaster. Although it is difficult to assess exactly, it will have a significant impact on the economy, the labour market and public finances, especially in the short term. Moreover, it is fair to make the assumption that some sectors and areas and some Member States may be more impacted by the event of withdrawal without an agreement than others. The EESC believes that it would be justified to invoke the solidarity principle, together with the subsidiarity principle, in order to mitigate those effects.
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 as regards financial discipline as from financial year 2021 and Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 as regards flexibility between pillars in respect of calendar year 2020’

(COM(2019) 580 — 2019/0253(COD))

(2020/C 97/09)

Referral European Parliament, 13.11.2019 Council of the European Union, 15.11.2019 Legal basis Articles 43(2) and 304 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Section responsible Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment Adopted at plenary session 11.12.2019 Plenary session No 548 Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions) 191/1/1

Since the Committee unreservedly endorses the content of the proposal and feels that it requires no comment on its part, it decided, at its 548th plenary session of 11 and 12 December 2019 (meeting of 11 December 2019), by 191 votes to 1 with 1 abstention, to issue an opinion endorsing the proposed text.
1.8.

The EESC agrees with the Commission proposal on adjusting the transitional arrangements that allow credit institutions to alleviate the impact from expected credit-loss (ECL) provisioning and corrections under IFRS 9 on their own funds. Nonetheless, the EESC considers that the proposal is merely a first step towards meeting the objective of mitigating the impact of the recession but that it is neither effective nor adequate for maintaining the level playing field between European intermediaries. Accordingly, it considers that the following measures should be added to the proposal: — extending the ‘new’ dynamic component as gauged on 1 January 2020 to loans which became non-performing from 1 January 2020 (or any successive date deemed appropriate and in line with the date on which the pandemic began); — not substituting the scale factor with a single weighting of 100 %, used for retail client financing. This would fail to recognise the different degree of riskiness of the categories of typical borrowers of commercial banks in general and, far more importantly, local banks. This specifically concerns households and SMEs. In terms of capital requirements, there is a specific prudential treatment for exposures associated with this category of borrowers. Furthermore, substituting the scale factor with a single weighting of 100 % would pose significant, and at times insurmountable, difficulties in implementation for banks that use the standard method and apply the protocol procedure for reporting purposes. As an alternative to the provision proposed by the Commission, and as an effective streamlining measure, consideration could be given to acting on the treatment of the associated taxation as referred to in paragraph 7(a), rather than deleting point (b); — extending the phase-in period to the static component as measured on 1 January 2018, with the introduction of the new IFRS 9 accounting principle, which requires banks to pay particular attention to the impact on them of First Time Adoption (FTA) and affects the evaluation procedures in the sales scenario, including of impaired positions, which are now the most significant component of the entire amount posted to the FTA.
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Proposal for a Council Regulation opening and providing for the administration of autonomous Union tariff quotas for imports of certain fishery products into the Canary Islands from 2021 to 2027’

(COM(2020) 437 – 2020/0209 (CNS))

(2021/C 10/14)

Referral Council, 16.9.2020 Legal basis Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Section responsible Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment Adopted at plenary 29.10.2020 Plenary session No 555 Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions) 209/0/9

Since the Committee unreservedly endorses the content of the proposal and feels that it requires no comment on its part, it decided, at its 555th plenary session of 27, 28 and 29 October 2020 (meeting of 29 October 2020), by 209 votes with 9 abstentions, to issue an opinion endorsing the proposed text.
4.4

Delivering on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals , which notes: ‘… the SDGs will keep the EU focused on a sustainable growth path compatible with planetary boundaries, on wellbeing, inclusion and equity. This recognises that the economy must work for the people and the planet’. Initiatives for a more social Europe include — amongst many others — a proposal for a directive on adequate minimum wages and an action plan to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights. The EESC has also adopted opinions on a European framework directive on a minimum income Further integration of the single market should remain a top priority. This also includes implementing the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights. Improvement of the business and the social environment must go hand in hand. The EESC points to the Commission working document on, which notes: ‘… the SDGs will keep the EU focused on a sustainable growth path compatible with planetary boundaries, on wellbeing, inclusion and equity. This recognises that the economy must work for the people and the planet’. Initiatives for a more social Europe include — amongst many others — a proposal for a directive on adequate minimum wages and an action plan to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights. The EESC has also adopted opinions on a European framework directive on a minimum income ( 4 ) and European minimum standards in the field of unemployment insurance ( 5 )
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work’

(COM(2020) 0571 — 2020/0262 (COD))

(2021/C 56/11)

Referral Council of the European Union, 21.10.2020 European Parliament, 5.10.2020 Legal basis Articles 153(2) and 304 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Section responsible Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship Adopted at plenary 2.12.2020 Plenary session No 556 Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions) 224/0/6

Since the Committee unreservedly endorses the content of the proposal and has already set out its views on the subject in its earlier opinions, namely SOC/545 — Protection from cancer-causing chemicals, adopted on 21 September 2016, SOC/559 — Protection of workers from carcinogens or mutagens at work, adopted on 31 May 2017, SOC/591 — Protection of workers from carcinogens or mutagens at work, adopted on 19 September 2018, and CCMI/130 — Freeing the EU from asbestos, adopted on 18 February 2015 (1), it decided, at its 556th plenary session of 2 and 3 December 2020, by 224 votes with 6 abstentions, to issue an opinion endorsing the proposed text and to refer to the position it had taken in the abovementioned documents.

Brussels, 2 December 2020. The President of the European Economic and Social Committee Christa SCHWENG

(1) OJ C 487, 28.12.2016, p. 113; OJ C 288, 31.8.2017, p. 56; OJ C 440, 6.12.2018, p. 145; OJ C 251, 31.7.2015, p. 13.
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers (codification)

(COM(2021) 34 final – 2021/0018 (COD))

(2021/C 155/12)

Referrals Council of the European Union, 8.2.2021 European Parliament, 8.2.2021 Legal basis Articles 91 and 304 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Section responsible Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society Adopted at plenary 24.2.2021 Plenary session No 558 Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions) 234/0/8

Since the Committee unreservedly endorses the content of the proposal and feels that it requires no comment on its part, it decided, at its 558th plenary session of 24 and 25 February 2021 (meeting of 24 February), by 234 votes with 8 abstentions, to issue an opinion endorsing the proposed text.
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down conservation and management measures applicable in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Area and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 520/2007

(COM(2021) 198 final — 2021/0103 (COD))

(2021/C 341/17)

Referral European Parliament, 26.04.2021 Council, 06.05.2021 Legal basis Articles 43(2) and article 304 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Section responsible Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment Adopted at plenary 09.06.2021 Plenary session No 561 Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions) 221/0/7

Since the Committee endorses the content of the proposal and feels that it requires no comment on its part, it decided, at its 561st plenary session of 9 and 10 June 2021 (meeting of 9 June), by 221 votes in favour with 7 abstentions, to issue an opinion endorsing the proposed text.
4.6.2.

The list of funds that can be used for integration and inclusion or that are relevant to the actions to support migrants is impressive, including the AMIF, the ESF+ and the ERDF. At the same time, synergies with other funds should be clarified, e.g. with Erasmus+, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the EAFRD, and InvestEU. Once adopted, the Technical Support Instrument will also be able to provide support to Member States for developing or improving integration and inclusion policies. Finally, the upcoming Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme could also play a role in funding specific actions targeting EU citizens with a migrant background. It has been decided to have a large portfolio of possible funds, but a better solution might have been to opt for specific funds for integration matters. The EESC suggests that the Commission make access to funding easier, for instance by creating a dedicated instrument for the integration of migrants.
3.6.4.

The EESC stresses that though OIOO can be an instrument for better regulation, it must not be seen as a ‘stand alone’ burden reduction instrument. Instead, it must serve as a complementary tool to and in synergy with the existing EU better regulation tools including IAs, public consultations, evaluations and regulatory scrutiny. The EESC welcomes the Commission’s assurance that OIOO will not be applied mechanically or based on ex ante numerical targets, but on the basis of a case-by-case evaluation that will determine specifically what can be simplified, streamlined or eliminated, while at the same time bearing in mind the benefit of the legislation. The Committee will remain particularly vigilant that the Commission translates this assurance into practice. Furthermore, the Committee highlights the role of the Fit for Future Platform, of which it is a member, in advising the Commission on simplifying Union legislation and reducing unnecessary burdens while ensuring that the Union’s policies are forward-looking and relevant in the light of new challenges, including social, environmental, geopolitical, technological and digital developments.
4.7.4.

ACTION 4: The Commission will develop technology roadmaps to boost innovation on critical technologies for the defence, space and related civil sectors and stimulate cross-border cooperation using all relevant EU instruments in a synergetic way. These roadmaps will be based on an assessment produced every two years by a new Observatory for Critical Technologies within the Commission. The roadmaps may lead to the launch of new flagship projects. The EESC fully supports the establishment of an observatory and its mission to develop technology roadmaps that bring together defence, space and related civil industries. We also welcome the intention to include value chains in the assessment, as it paves the way towards the coherent and combined use of industrial policy tools to support technological leadership in strategic sectors. At the same time, the success of this action depends on numerous factors. The observatory will have to — develop strong links to relevant capability planning processes; — actively monitor worldwide technology trends and detect at the earliest possible stage technological breakthroughs and disruptions; — establish objectives, rules and criteria for the assessment of technologies; — develop a common taxonomy applicable to all relevant sectors must be developed to ensure that space, defence and security speak the same ‘technological language’. Finally, it must be ensured that the roadmaps generated by the observatory do not end up as pure paper exercises, but are actually implemented into work programmes and flagships. To achieve all this, we recommend that the observatory also build on lessons learned from similar existing processes, such as the Joint Task Force (EDA-ESA-EC) on critical space technologies.
4.13.

It is important to harmonise waste management, as separation and treatment do not work in the same way across all EU regions or locally in each country, reducing the effectiveness of pollution prevention and management. The export of any waste that does not comply with EU standards should be prohibited, regardless of the regulatory measures of the country to which it is intended to be exported. In addition, EU waste should be managed and reused where it is produced or where there are appropriate recycling facilities, in order to avoid it affecting third countries, unless the waste is used as a raw material in environmentally friendly sustainable production.
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Proposal for a Council Decision on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Regional Steering Committee of the Transport Community as regards the adoption of the budget of the Transport Community for 2022

(COM(2021) 479 final — 2021/0272 (NLE))

(2021/C 517/20)

Referral Council of the European Union, 25.8.2021 Legal basis Article 218(9) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Section responsible Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society Adopted at plenary 22.9.2021 Plenary session No 563 Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions) 238/0/7

Since the Committee unreservedly endorses the content of the proposal and feels that it requires no comment on its part, it decided, at its 563rd plenary session of 22 and 23 September 2021 (meeting of 22 September), by 238 votes and 7 abstentions, to issue an opinion endorsing the proposed text.
1.1.

In its ‘New EU forest strategy for 2030’, the European Commission quite correctly states that forests play a multifaceted role and have significant economic, social and environmental potential. The vitality and health of forests are of fundamental importance, for both environmental and climate reasons, and in terms of enhancing forest-based economic development and people’s welfare. While the Committee acknowledges that the forest strategy addresses economic and social opportunities, this should be done in a more comprehensive way. The EESC also notes that there is no answer regarding how to remunerate the non-commercial ecosystem services provided by forests, and thus by forest owners. The strategy describes a few positive examples, and the Committee calls for a truly convincing and sustainable solution for the future.
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Annexes IV and V to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council on persistent organic pollutants’

(COM(2021) 656 final — 2021/0340 (COD))

(2022/C 152/33)

Referral European Parliament, 10.11.2021 Council, 12.11.2021 Legal basis Article 192(1) and Article 304 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Section responsible Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment Adopted at plenary 8.12.2021 Plenary session No 565 Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions) 230/0/3

Since the Committee endorses the content of the proposal and feels that it requires no comment on its part, it decided, at its 565th plenary session of 8 and 9 December 2021 (meeting of 8 December), by 230 votes in favour with 3 abstentions, to issue an opinion endorsing the proposed text.
‘in order to decouple economic development from the consumption of natural resources and environmental impacts, the EU needs to set itself more ambitious targets’

19

It should be clear to all now that we are producing too much waste, which is complemented by the lack of new natural resources. The EESC calls for a regulatory framework that incentivises the use of recycled materials, which in turn will contribute to lower carbon emissions and prevent valuable waste from ending up in landfills. Using waste as a resource is at the core of the Circular Economy Action Plan and the EESC has already stated that
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Decision 2003/17/EC as regards its period of application and as regards the equivalence of field inspections carried out in Bolivia on cereal seed-producing crops and oil and fibre plant seed-producing crops and on the equivalence of cereal seed and oil and fibre plant seed produced in Bolivia

(COM(2022) 26 final — 2021/0016 (COD))

(2022/C 290/26)

Referral European Parliament, 14.2.2022 Council, 8.2.2022 Legal basis Articles 43(2) and Article 304 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Section responsible Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment Adopted at plenary 23.3.2022 Plenary session No 568 Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions) 178/1/7

Since the Committee has already set out its views on the content of the proposal in question in its opinion on Equivalence of inspections — seed produced in Brazil and Moldova (1), adopted on 14 February 2018, it decided, at its 568th plenary session of 23 and 24 March 2022 (meeting of 23 March), by 178 votes in favour with 1 against and 7 abstentions, not to draw up a new opinion on the subject, but to refer to the position it had taken in the abovementioned document.

Brussels, 23 March 2022. The President of the European Economic and Social Committee Christa SCHWENG

(1) OJ C 227, 28.6.2018, p. 76
3.16.

The current market conditions do not provide any incentive to store gas in the summer. The EESC is pleased that the Commission designates gas storage as ‘critical infrastructure’. The EESC strongly supports the Commission’s proposal on gas storage. The Committee urges the Institutions to: — supplement it with a short-term investment instrument to support investment in hydrogen-ready infrastructure such as interconnectors and storage facilities; — consider using gas storage facilities in bordering third countries, including in Ukraine; — create plans for individual Member States, taking under consideration the storage’s size, the country’s consumption, and the capacities of the storage to serve other countries in the region, to avoid unbalanced burden sharing on a regional dimension; — introduce an early implementation mechanism, which will allow national regulatory authorities to start preparatory work on the mandatory certification process as soon as possible. Due to different systems in various Member States, it must also be possible to meet gas storage obligations with alternative fuels.