Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

![european flag](./../../../images/eclogo.jpg)EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 15.11.2011

COM(2011) 777 final

VOL. 1/2

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

Commission Work Programme 2012  
  
Delivering European renewal

1.Introduction

The European Union is confronted with the challenge of a generation. An economic challenge, that affects families, businesses and communities across Europe. But also a political challenge, to show that the European Union is equal to the task. The European Union can and should make a real difference to how Europeans face up to today's crisis.

This was the message of the State of the Union address in September 2011.
[1](#footnote1)
 The speech and the debate in the European Parliament confirmed a broad consensus: that the EU's overriding priority must be to foster a sustainable and job-rich economic recovery. Only by restoring growth and confidence will we develop the EU's unique social model. To succeed, we need active partnership between the EU Institutions and with the national level, we need to work as a true Union, and we need to work through the Community method of decision making as the basis for this true Union. The current crisis again has shown that when these conditions are met, we can muster the determination and adaptability required.

The Commission responds to these imperatives in different ways. Many of its resources are employed in determinedly implementing decisions that have already been taken – ranging from long established tasks such as ensuring that EU law is fully implemented across the EU to administering the EU budget, either directly or in shared management with the Member States, to much newer responsibilities which come directly from the Commission's response to the current crisis.Often, this implementation agenda has a direct impact on growth - an implementation gap exists in the Member States for key legislative initiatives which are essential for the functioning of the single market, but which are not yet implemented.

Recently the Commission has put forward a radically new agenda covering deeper surveillance of Member State budgetary and economic policies, in particular for Euro area Member States, the fundamental reshaping of supervision and financial regulation, and action to ensure that EU structural policies bring immediate benefit. The recently-adopted package to increase economic governance (the "six-pack") represents a major new task for the Commission.

Realising all of these new policies will require a major shift in the way that the Commission works. It will require the reallocation of resources and the need to build up an even deeper working partnership with Member States. The creation of a Commission Task Force to help Greece implement its EU/IMF programme and to re-orient and accelerate spending under the EU's Structural Funds is just one example of new roles for the Commission which stem directly from crisis management.

In drawing up this Commission Work Programme for 2012 the Commission has juggled the need to respond to urgent new needs that become apparent as a result of the crisis, and the ongoing need to work on structural issues where policy-makers, investors and citizens rely on the Commission to look beyond the immediate and help shape a prosperous and sustainable Europe for the future. Most of the new initiatives set out in the annexes to this CWP are focused on this long-term perspective – they add to or will help to put in place the legal framework needed to draw the full benefits from the EU's scale in building and sharing sustainable growth, high levels of employment and a fair society across the EU. This is the goal of a wide range of initiatives to promote competitiveness, help address the social costs of the crisis, and drive recovery towards a sustainable future. It is also the core objective of EU spending policies, through the new generation of programmes put forward by the Commission to last until 2020.

For the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council it will be necessary to take a flexible approach in dealing with these initiatives. New urgencies may arise in the coming months which could not have been foreseen for this work programme. The wide ranging demands of the EU's new economic governance will require much time and attention from all three institutions and, as we have already seen, the previous planning and pace of negotiations may have to be swept aside to make way for urgent decisions. Some of the proposals set out in the annexes are of particular importance and should command greater priority – in particular, proposals which can have a swift impact on growth and jobs, and make a real contribution to recovery. The Commission will give particular energy and attention to these proposals, but to have the desired impact on the ground and in people's daily lives, they also need to be given priority – fast tracking – by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers. The collective capacity of the institutions to show that they share a common understanding of where action is most urgent will send a powerful message about the EU's resolution to tackle the crisis and restore growth. Given the fast-changing nature of events, any list of measures to be fast tracked will need to be kept under frequent review. The Commission's initial proposals for fast-tracking will accompany the Annual Growth Survey for 2012.

2.Building a Europe of stability and responsibility

|  |
| --- |
| The past few years have seen a radical reshaping of the EU's economic landscape. Europe 2020 [2](#footnote2)  is the economic strategy of the European Union. It recognises the interdependence of our Member States and sets out how the EU and national levels can work together to deliver agreed goals and to return the economy to growth and job creation, while laying the foundations for a sustainable future. All Member States have been issued country-specific recommendations to address their most urgent challenges. The second Annual Growth Survey will set the frame for the 2012 European Semester. A comprehensive reform of financial regulation and supervision has put the EU financial system on firm foundations. With the adoption of the legislation improving economic governance (so-called the "six pack"), the EU has broadened and strengthened its surveillance mechanisms of national policies. A number of Member States are subject to increased surveillance under an economic adjustment programme. New tools have been developed to address the unprecedented pressure on public finances. Now the EU has to act with urgency and determination to implement and frontload reform. We need to demonstrate that all the institutions are working together to accelerate the key steps. |

Last month, the Commission set out five interlinked steps in a roadmap to stability and growth
[3](#footnote3)
. These represented both an immediate response to the problems of Greece and of the banking sector, to restore confidence in the Euro area, and action to frontload stability and growth enhancing policies. The conclusions of the European Council and Euro zone summit took up these proposals, and this will continue to be a guiding force shaping the Commission's work in the months to come.

Swift and decisive action is necessary to drive this agenda forward over the next twelve months. By the time the Commission publishes the Annual Growth Survey for 2013, the European Union should be able to see the effect of reforms which have brought a new level of cooperation and surveillance between the linked economies of the Eurozone and the EU as a whole. This will provide the right balance between restoring public finances and advancing growth, with national measures and the EU-level work of the Europe 2020 flagships working in harness to maximise recovery.

2.1.Financial sector reform: Investing in confidence

A well-functioning financial sector is crucial for generating growth and jobs. Since the outbreak of the crisis, the Commission has undertaken a comprehensive overhaul of financial regulation and supervision. The vast bulk of key initiatives are already adopted or on the table, including proposed legislation on derivatives
[4](#footnote4)
, credit rating agencies
[5](#footnote5)
, capital requirements
[6](#footnote6)
 sounder and more transparent securities markets and tackling market abuse
[7](#footnote7)
. An assessment of the cumulative impact of the reforms will also be published.

The EU should have the clear ambition of completing the reform next year. In the early months of 2012, the Commission will propose the remaining pieces of legislation focusing on the protection of investors. A revision of the rules governing collective investment schemes (UCITS) will aim to enhance investor protection and strengthen the internal market. Investor protection and transparency are also at the heart of an initiative on pre-contractual disclosures on complex investment products (PRIPs), as well as on insurance mediation.

2.2.Financing the future: Securing sustainable public revenue

The EU's growth agenda is a central contribution it can make to restoring public finances. But while taxation is primarily the competence of Member States, EU action can help Member States' work to make sure that the European social model can be financed in the future. In 2011, the Commission has tabled a number of important initiatives to rebalance the contribution of the financial sector to public finances (Financial Transaction Tax)
[8](#footnote8)
, shift the tax burden to resource consumption (Energy taxation)
[9](#footnote9)
 and improve the functioning of the Single Market (CCCTB)
[10](#footnote10)
.

In 2012, the Commission will come forward with additional measures to ensure the sustainability and the stability of public finances. The Commission will work on building a modern VAT system, able to combat fraud and lightening the bureaucratic burden for SMEs and other companies operating cross-border.

Tax evasion threatens government revenues in all Member States. Tax evasion skews the competitive environment unfairly against the large majority of citizens and businesses that play by the rules. A reinforced strategy to help Member States tackle "tax havens" will be proposed to bring the EU contribution to stemming the potential losses to public coffers.

In times of budgetary austerity, the protection of taxpayers' money gains renewed importance. Every year, substantial amounts are lost to fraud and other illegal activities affecting EU public money. The Commission will put forward a proposal to ensure the protection of EU financial interests by criminal law.

To respond to the challenges faced by European companies due to the economic crisis, the Commission is carrying out an in-depth evaluation of the need to reform the Insolvency Regulation. Based on its conclusions, the Commission will develop future options for more efficient cross border insolvency rules, including for groups of companies.

3.Building a Union of sustainable growth and Solidarity

|  |
| --- |
| Restoring sustainable growth and job creation requires positive action at EU and national levels to support competitiveness and social inclusion. Delivery will require increased momentum of action to promote the right framework to help business to create jobs and find new markets. This is already a key theme in the proposals now on the table for EU spending programmes. The new generation of cohesion policies [11](#footnote11)  target tomorrow's jobs and growth. Horizon 2020, the next framework programme for research and innovation, will carry the EU's knowledge base into business growth, while action on competitiveness will be targeted in particular to support SMEs. Erasmus for All, the new programme on education, training and youth will boost the modernisation of Europe's education systems.The Connecting Europe Facility [12](#footnote12)  leverages funding to projects with the greatest pay-off for the European economy and underpins infranstructure as a tool for growth. |

3.1.A Single Market for growth

The Single Market remains our most important vehicle for growth and job creation. To reach its potential, it needs to foster the right environment for business – particularly smaller enterprises – and consumers, to fully implement reforms to promote sustainable growth, and to have effective and competitive infrastructure.

That is why the Commission launched an ambitious process to give new momentum to the Single Market, the Single Market Act
[13](#footnote13)
. Swift consideration of the Act's twelve key proposals in the inter-institutional process would ensure that the benefits are felt as early as possible. The Commission will deepen work on implementation and enforcement in the Single Market in 2012. The Commission will propose initiatives to connect up national research systems and create a structured, mobile and efficient European Research Area based on greater competition and collaboration to catalyse excellent science and world beating innovation. It will seek, in particular, to open up recruitment for key university positions to pan-European competition. Full implementation of the Single European Sky would not only end inefficiencies that cost some €3.8bn a year, it would cut CO2 emissions, boost safety, and reduce delays for passengers. Whilst nine out of ten new jobs come from the services sector, and in spite of the many business opportunities that it offers, the Services Directive
[14](#footnote14)
 is far from being fully and adequately implemented. The Commission will also be looking at implementation of the Recommendation on access to basic payment services to assess whether further action is needed.

Completing the internal energy market by 2014 will unlock another key lever for economic growth. New proposals on railway liberalisation will also help modernise and decarbonise European transport through increased competition, and offer new, more innovative and customer-oriented services to passengers.Given the significant investments at stake to renew our energy systems (€ 1 trillion for the period 2011-2020
[15](#footnote15)
), the energy sector is another key lever for economic growth. The Commission will take a number of initiatives in this respect aiming notably at the completion of the internal market by 2014 as requested by the European Council. 

The Digital Agenda
[16](#footnote16)
 is central to the ability of the European economy to take advantage of the opportunities of modern technology and the internet in driving growth. The uptake of electronic services is crucial, and e-commerce will be actively promoted.. In 2012 the Commission will propose an initiative on collective rights management of intellectual property rights. This will include rules on the cross-border licensing of online music to facilitate multi territory licenses. In parallel, an initiative to ensure mutual recognition of electronic identification, authentication and signatures will aim to build consumer confidence and make online payments and electronic transactions easier.

Consumer confidence is the key to boosting demand and restoring growth. The comprehensive European Consumer Agenda will show how consumer rights, consumer safety can offer a secure foundation for consumers in the Single Market. Proposals for revised rules on General Product Safety will offer a clear, coherent approach for both consumers and manufacturers, and bring together different surveillance regimes into a single approach for the Single Market. And when consumer redress is needed, rules on collective redress will set out how consumers and businesses can find effective solutions to large-scale problems.

3.2.Empowering people in inclusive societies

Job creation remains one of the greatest challenges for Europe today, and the EU can make a key contribution. The Europe 2020 flagships on Youth on the Move
[17](#footnote17)
, the Agenda for New Skills and Jobs
[18](#footnote18)
 and the Platform against Poverty
[19](#footnote19)
 have highlighted the need to direct European renewal to those most in need. The new European Social Fund
[20](#footnote20)
 and the Globalisation Adjustment Fund
[21](#footnote21)
 will support Member States' efforts to tackle the jobs crisis in terms of job creation and boosting key skills. "Erasmus for all" will support strategic partnerships between higher education and business to ensure that young students can acquire the mix of skills that the labour market demands. Implementing these initiatives will have a major impact on the EU's work to tackle unemployment, social exclusion, and poverty.

The Commission will soon set out how the EU can contribute to addressing the scourge of youth unemployment, including action to promote the mobility of young job-seekers and assist them in identifying cross-border openings. Apprenticeships can also be a key entry point to the jobs market. This can be of particular value in terms of better exploiting the sectors most likely to create tomorrow's jobs.

With a close involvement of social partners, the Commission will also review the flexicurity principles and launch a new phase in their implementation, fostering job creation and mobility as a way to soften the impact of economic downturns and prepare to exploit the recovery when it comes. This is linked to the need to better anticipate and manage company restructurings. Finally, the Commission will also propose ways to reinforce Public Employment services, including a reform of the European Employment service (Eures) to improve access to employment opportunities across borders.

Looking further ahead, preserving our social model also means ensuring that we can finance welfare in the future and, in this respect, ageing societies are a huge challenge for public policy, while a modern and innovative health care sector is a driver for economic growth. The Commission will follow up on the country-specific recommendations adopted in the area of pensions, and will take initiatives in areas of cross-border relevance. In 2012, this will include an initiative to strengthen the internal market for efficient and safe retirement products. The Commission will also make proposals addressing supplementary pension rights of people who change jobs, as facilitating mobility is key to employment and job creation.

3.3.Paving a path to a sustainable future

Sustainable recovery requires that growth and investment are channelled towards the most dynamic sectors for the future. The Commission's approach to a resource efficient
[22](#footnote22)
 and low-carbon economy
[23](#footnote23)
, which will be integrated into economic policy and the Annual Growth Survey, has set out how smart growth needs to be well directed, to turn the challenge of a sustainable Europe into our competitive advantage. This approach is embedded in Europe 2020, and is a major driver behind the new generation of proposals for agriculture
[24](#footnote24)
 and rural development,
[25](#footnote25)
 as well as fisheries, to give a sustainable footing to sectors critical to both our environment and our economy. An important example of pursuing resource efficiency in sectoral policy areas will be the 2012 proposals on securing access to clean and sufficient water: the Commission will adopt a blueprint to safeguard water resources to focus public policy on tackling the pressures on water today. 

Sustainability is also at the core of the Commission's vision for energy policy. To give one example, quick adoption and implementation of the proposed Energy Efficiency Directive
[26](#footnote26)
 can help unlock benefits worth an average of €1000 a year per EU household, with the potential to create two million jobs as well as addressing climate change. A proposal to enhance the framework for nuclear safety will integrate lessons from the stress tests of EU nuclear power plants, technical progress and international regulatory developments. The Commission will also provide a strategy for accelerating the development of renewable energy in the EU internal market and in its Southern Mediterranean neighbours. Progressing towards adoption of the proposed regulation to facilitate investments in the necessary energy infrastructure to accelerate the integration of renewable sources of energy would be an important signal.

2012 will see the Commission continuing to pursue the goal of a genuine and comprehensive global effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The Commission will continue to manage the transition to the revised Emissions Trading System and develop new and implement existing measures to help achieve the climate and energy targets.The review of the legislation on passenger cars and vans will spur innovation and give manufacturers regulatory certainty. Work will also focus on breaking transport's dependence on oil by galvanising the development of EU infrastructures for alternative fuels.

The Rio+20 summit in June will put the spotlight on the global effort for sustainability and promoting green growth. EU policies will be in the vanguard of that effort..

3.4.An open Europe for citizens

Providing security and justice in a Europe without internal frontiers is one of the biggest priorities for the EU today. The freedom to explore opportunities across borders is a central part of the EU's raison d'être. But for this system to work, the EU needs to cement the mutual trust that the system requires, and to be robust and fair in the face of major challenges as faced in the Mediterranean this year. The EU must press ahead with the delivery of the Stockholm Programme
[27](#footnote27)
, including finding resolution on key issues like asylum and address new challenges such as cyber security.

A Single Market for citizens must tackle unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles to free circulation. Two legislative proposals will facilitate the cross-border recognition of civil status documents as well as simplify legalisation requirements.

The EU's border regime is a key part of the Programme. Modernisation and the use of new technology can ensure that the system both encourages cross-border activity and provides the right safeguards. The next generation of border checks will be more resilient, while allowing frequent travellers to enter the EU more easily. A specific strategy to prevent and fight against trafficking in human beings will be proposed.

4.Giving the EU an effective voice in the wider world

|  |
| --- |
| A united EU provides the best platform for an effective EU on the global stage. The EU is the world's largest economy. The EU and its Member States contribute over half of global development assistance and humanitarian aid. The EU stands for and remains deeply committed to the universal values of human rights and democracy, respect for international law, and an effective multilateral order. When the EU acts in a united way, its influence is substantial. In order to face the challenges and seize the opportunities brought about by globalization, EU action must continue to be strengthened to protect and promote our interests and values, while working to enhance prosperity and security in the wider world.  EU external action takes place within the frame provided by multilateral, regional and bilateral relations, by existing policy frameworks such as trade and development policy, as well as by the external aspects of the EU's many internal policies. The Union will continue to implement these policies while also responding to the challenges of rapidly unfolding global events. |

The EU must be ready to react to a changing global environment. The EU responded quickly and decisively to dramatic change in Southern Mediterranean neighbours
[28](#footnote28)
. The EU response was built on traditions of good governance, openness and solidarity and offered a clear political message and immediate practical support ("more for more"). Aid was swiftly screened and redeployed to ensure coherence with current needs and priorities. The programme of Support for Partnership, Reforms and Inclusive Growth (SPRING) and the Civil Society Facility were adopted in this context. The EU will continue to focus attention on its neighbourhood, offering opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation to foster stability and growth. The Commission will focus on the implementation of the commitments taken in the joint communication with the High Representative on the new approach to the European Neighbourhood Policy
[29](#footnote29)
 which will play an important role in promoting the peaceful and prosperous development in the Southern Mediterranean and in its eastern neighbourhood, deploying a full range of EU policies and programmes to underpin the growth of economic, social and political stability. As well as supporting those Southern Mediterranean countries engaged in democratisation, 2012 will also prioritise the Eastern Partnership Roadmap decided at the Warsaw Summit and stabililty in the Middle East and the Caucasus.

The EU is also contributing to promoting security in Africa. And the EU will stand ready to react in the future as it has recently to natural catastrophes in Turkey, Pakistan, and Japan.

Adapting to the changing global environment and shaping the world order requires the EU to connect the external and the internal elements of our policies. Trade, development, diplomacy, enlargement, neighbourhood policy and crisis response are all policies and instruments which form the backbone of the Union's external action. They can yield their full potential when they are exercised together with our internal policies such as the Single Market, climate policy, energy policy and monetary policy, all of which have major implications for the outside world.

European prosperity relies on the global competitiveness. Efforts to restore growth and jobs are carried out in an environment which is increasingly interconnected and fiercely competitive. The G20 has proved an effective lever to promote a coherent global response to the crisis. The last G20 meeting in Cannes concluded that increasing agricultural production and productivity was essential to promote food security and foster sustainable economic growth. Though the overall objective for EU's trade policy remains a successful conclusion of ongoing multilateral negotiations, the interests of European businesses and consumers also need to be promoted through bilateral agreements with third-country partners. For these reasons a possible free trade agreement with Japan is being explored as well as an investment agreement with China.

Solidarity is a fundamental European value - and it extends beyond our borders. As the world's largest donor of development assistance, the EU will play a leading role in helping the world's poorest societies, by concentrating its efforts on ensuring a rapid and efficient delivery of the revised EU Development policy
[30](#footnote30)
 with particular focus on the Millennium Development Goals. A new, tangible expression of EU's global solidarity is the setting-up of a European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps.

2012 will also see progress in implementing the Union's renewed consensus on enlargement and preparations to welcome Croatia as the 28th member of our family. During 2012 work will continue to allow Croatia to benefit fully from and meet the obligations of membership.

5.Smart regulation and effective implementation

|  |
| --- |
| To realise the reforms set out in this programme, EU legislation needs to work well at every stage. From conception to implementation to evaluation and updating, EU action needs to be tested along the cycle to meet the highest quality standards of effectiveness and efficiency. It must ensure that regulatory burdens are as light as possible.  The Commission's right of initiative and its responsibility as guardian of the Treaty gives it a particular role in keeping these standards high. Both in its own work, and in monitoring and enforcing agreed legislation, the Commission is determined to ensure that the EU's citizens, companies and public authorities enjoy the benefit of reform. |

5.1.Smarter spending together

In times of austerity, we must ensure that our limited resources are directed where the pay-offs in terms of future jobs and growth are the largest. The Commission has proposed a modern budget designed to complement national spending, where there is clear added value of acting at European level. It will continue to work through the negotiation process to ensure that the principles of simplification, rationalisation and added value are maintained in the final package.

5.2.Smart regulation

The Commission's role in proposing regulation has evolved substantially in recent years, with the cementing of impact assessment as a standard part of the Commission's work. 2012 will see another important step in the extension of the minimum time for public consultations from 8 to 12 weeks. This will help to ensure that Commission proposals are well grounded in the views of stakeholders, and that all have had an opportunity to give their opinions on the key public policy choices. The reduction of administrative burdens is particularly relevant in economically challenging times. When completing the administrative burden reduction programme in 2012, the Commission will have successfully exceeded the target of a 25% reduction by presenting proposals equalling a 31% reduction and savings of €39bn. Drawing on this experience, the Commission will continue its efforts to keep regulatory burdens to what is strictly necessary. It will especially look at the impact of EU regulation on small enterprises and propose, where relevant, exemptions or tailored solutions for micro businesses. It will also present the first results of its regulatory fitness checks.

6.Conclusion

The European Commission is determined to use the coming year to do everything in its power to address the economic crisis weighing so heavily on Europeans today. The steps being taken this autumn show the priority the Commission gives to promoting growth and jobs. This top priority also reflected in its work programme for 2012 which also focuses on the long-term objectives of the EU. The imperative is to act in the short term while building the basis for longer term sustainable growth and jobs. Doing both at the same time will help the EU find an exit from the crisis which will leave it stronger, more able to face the demands of global competition, to tap the sources of growth for the future and deliver a successful social market economy.

The EU can build on strong fundamentals. It is the world's largest trading block, it produces one third of global output and it has a proud tradition of social and technological innovation. It shares values and a history that bind us in cooperation. It has institutions sharing a clear vision of how to build a prosperous and sustainable Europe, it has the tried-and-tested approach of the Community method, and it has the flexibility needed to respond to changing circumstances. With political will to turn intention into action, and a determined focus on implementing recent decisions, the EU can prove itself the driver to reverse the risk of downturn and deliver European renewal.

:   [(1)](#footnoteref1)
    See State of the Union Address 2011 of 28 September 2011. (http://ec.europa.eu/commission\_2010-2014/president/state-union-2011/index\_en.htm)
:   [(2)](#footnoteref2)
    COM (2010) 2020, 03.03.2010
:   [(3)](#footnoteref3)
    COM (2011) 669, 12.10.2011
:   [(4)](#footnoteref4)
    COM (2010) 484, 11.09.2010
:   [(5)](#footnoteref5)
    EU Regulation Nº. 513/2011, OJ 2011 L 145/30, 31.05.2011
:   [(6)](#footnoteref6)
    COM (2011) 452, 20.07.2011; COM (2011) 453, 20.07.2011
:   [(7)](#footnoteref7)
    COM (2011) 656, 20.10.2011; COM (2011) 652, 20.10. 2011
:   [(8)](#footnoteref8)
    COM (2011) 594, 28.09.2011
:   [(9)](#footnoteref9)
    COM (2011) 168, 13.04.2011; COM (2011) 169, 13.04.2011
:   [(10)](#footnoteref10)
    COM (2011) 121, 16/03/2011
:   [(11)](#footnoteref11)
    COM (2011) 607 – 612, 614 – 615, 6.10.2011
:   [(12)](#footnoteref12)
    COM (2011) 657, 665, 676, 19.10.2011
:   [(13)](#footnoteref13)
    COM (2011) 206, 13.04.2011
:   [(14)](#footnoteref14)
    2006/123/EC, 12.12.2006, OJ 2006 L 376/36, 27.12.2006
:   [(15)](#footnoteref15)
    COM (2010) 677, 17.11.2010
:   [(16)](#footnoteref16)
    COM (2010) 245, 19.05.2010
:   [(17)](#footnoteref17)
    COM (2010) 477, 15.09.2010
:   [(18)](#footnoteref18)
    COM(2010) 682, 23.11.2010
:   [(19)](#footnoteref19)
    COM (2010) 758, 16.12.2010
:   [(20)](#footnoteref20)
    COM (2011) 607, 6.10.2011
:   [(21)](#footnoteref21)
    COM(2011) 608, 6.10.2011
:   [(22)](#footnoteref22)
    COM (2011) 571, 20.09.2011
:   [(23)](#footnoteref23)
    COM (2011) 112, 08.03.2011
:   [(24)](#footnoteref24)
    COM (2011) 628, 12.10.2011
:   [(25)](#footnoteref25)
    COM (2011) 627, 12.10.2011
:   [(26)](#footnoteref26)
    COM (2011) 370, 22.6.2011
:   [(27)](#footnoteref27)
    OJ C 115/1, 04.05.2010
:   [(28)](#footnoteref28)
    COM (2011) 200, 08.03.2011
:   [(29)](#footnoteref29)
    COM (2011) 303, 25.05.2011
:   [(30)](#footnoteref30)
    COM (2011) 637, 13.10.2011 and COM (2011) 638/2 13.10.2011

[Top](#document1)

![european flag](./../../../images/eclogo.jpg)EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 15.11.2011

COM(2011) 777 final

VOL. 2/2

ANNEX

to the  
  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

Commission Work Programme 2012

Annex I – Forthcoming initiatives 
[1](#footnote1)

Forthcoming initiatives 2012

\* indicates that the Commission commits to deliver this initiative in the course of 2012

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nr | Title | Type of initiative | Description of scope of objectives |
| 1. | Annual Growth Survey 2013\* | Non-legislative | The Commission will present an Annual Growth Survey accompanied by a Communication which will be the main input for discussions at the Spring European Council. The survey will include both a review, reporting on progress, and a forward-looking part proposing strategic policy guidance horizontally across Member States. (4th quarter 2012) |
| Agriculture | | | |
| 2. | Promotion and information for agricultural products | Legislative | Recast and simplify the legislation on promotion and information to propose measures with higher EU added value and designed to address the needs of the different markets (e.g.: need of more information on internal market or need to facilitate access to external markets). This proposal will be a follow-up to the Communication on promotion and information for agricultural products. |
| 3. | Smooth phasing out the milk quota system | Non- legislative | Article 184(6) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 provides for the Commission to present a report before 31 .12.2012 regarding the evolution of the market situation and the consequent conditions for smoothly phasing out the milk quota system. |
| Climate Action | | | |
| 4. | CO2 from cars and vans 2020 targets\* | Legislative | The Regulations (EC No 443/2009 and EU No 510/2011) need to be reviewed to look at the 2020 targets with the aim of assessing the feasibility of the 2020 target for vans and how to reach the 2020 targets for cars and vans. (4th quarter 2012) |
| 5. | Including maritime transport emissions in the EU's greenhouse gas reduction commitment | Legislative | According to the EU's climate and energy legislation, measures should be taken to include maritime transport emissions in the EU's greenhouse gas reduction commitment if these emissions are not included in an international agreement's reduction targets by 2011. |
| 6. | Fluorinated greenhouse gases reduction | Legislative | The aim is to ensure cost-efficient reductions of greenhouse emissions from fluorinated gases in the context of the overall EU objective to cut emissions by 80-95% by 2050. The proposal is a follow-up to an evaluation report mandated by the Regulation (EC) No 842/2006. |
| Competition | | | |
| 7. | Actions for damages for breaches of antitrust law | Legislative | The objective of this legislative initiative would be to ensure effective damages actions before national courts for breaches of EU antitrust rules and to clarify the interrelation of such private actions with public enforcement by the Commission and the national competition authorities, notably as regards the protection of leniency programmes, in order to preserve the central role of public enforcement in the EU. The right of victims of antitrust infringements to such damages has already been established by the Court. |
| 8. | Review of the Reference rate Communication | Non-legislative | Revision following market developments. |
| 9. | Review of the Guarantees Notice | Non-legislative | Revision following market developments. |
| 10. | Review of the State aid guidelines for broadband networks | Non-legislative | The current Guidelines are to be reviewed by 30.09.2012 at the latest. |
| 11. | Council regulation on Strategic initiative in the field of substantive State aid rules | Legislative | Modification of Council Enabling Regulation 994/98 to allow for the enlargement of the scope of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) in 2013. |
| 12. | Review of the State aid rescue and restructuring guidelines | Non-legislative | The current Rescue and Restructuring Guidelines are applicable until October 2012. Although the financial crisis led to a prolongation of the current R&R guidelines, preparatory work for their revision had already started in 2007. |
| 13. | Review of the cinema Communication | Non-legislative | The current Communication is applicable until 31.12.2012 at the latest. |
| 14. | Revision of the Communication on short term export credit insurance | Non-legislative | The current Communication is applicable until 31.12.2012 at the latest. |
| 15. | Revision of guidelines on national regional aid | Non-legislative | The Current Guidelines are in force until 31.12.2013. The revision will cover rules on demarcation of regions, aid intensities allowed and large investment projects. This project will be coordinated with proposals for the future Multiannual Financial Framework post 2013, specifically proposals for Structural Funds. |
| Consumer, Industry and Entrepreneurship | | | |
| 16. | Product safety package:  (1) General Product Safety\* | Legislative | The revision of the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD, 2011/95/EC)) aims to strengthen confidence of consumers and businesses in the internal market of safe products by providing businesses with clearer rules, lower compliance costs, and more generally a genuinely level-playing field for legitimate businesses. It will enable Member States' authorities to better coordinate and prioritize their enforcement actions and provides consumers a more homogeneous internal market of safe goods and better protection of health and safety. (4th quarter 2012) |
|  | (2) New horizontal single legislative instrument for market surveillance | Legislative | The overall objective is to safeguard to a high degree various public interests which may be affected while securing the free movement of goods within the EU. These include ensuring the health and safety of all users of products, protecting the environment and promoting energy efficiency. This requires all necessary mechanisms to be put in place to enable the effective and uniform implementation and enforcement of the EU market surveillance framework. |
|  | (3) Multi-annual action plan for market surveillance | Non -legislative | The aim of the multi-annual plan is to address the current challenges faced by market surveillance in the EU. It will explore appropriate coordination mechanisms, means, actions and ways to enhance the implementation and enforcement of the EU market surveillance framework in order to reduce the number of unsafe and non-compliant products on the market. The goal is to protect citizens, while maintaining the high level of safety required by the sectoral legislation. |
| Consumer and Justice | | | |
| 17. | European Consumer Agenda\* | Legislative/Non-legislative | This Agenda will set out a strategic vision for consumer policy based on the principle of empowerment through safety, information and education, rights, redress and access to justice, and enforcement, in line with the principles of the social market economy. This Agenda will cover all consumer-related initiatives presented by this Commission. (2nd quarter 2012) |
| Development | | | |
| 18. | Overseas Association Decision | Legislative | Council Decision 2001/822/EC of 27.11.2001 on the association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the EC expires on 31.12. 2013 and will need to be replaced by a new Decision. |
| 19. | Social Protection in development policy | Non-legislative | The combined effects of the global financial and economic crisis and the persistence of non-inclusive growth have heightened awareness of the need for development policy to include social protection. Social Protection is essential to inclusive growth and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. This Communication will aim at developing a comprehensive policy framework to support effective social protection systems in partner countries. |
| 20. | Communication on Civil Society and Local Authorities | Non-legislative | The Communication will be built primarily upon the results of the "Structured Dialogue for an effective partnership in development". The consultation was an opportunity for dialogue with a broad variety of traditional and emerging development actors. The objective is to create an updated framework of reference for EU support to Civil Society and Local Authorities in development. The policy Communication will define the nature of the partnership between these development actors and the EU in light of the EU's new strategy. |
| Digital Agenda | | | |
| 21. | Pan European framework for electronic identification, authentication and signature\* | Legislative | The proposal will present legislation to boost trust and facilitate electronic transactions notably by ensuring the mutual recognition of electronic identification and authentication across the EU, and of Electronic Signatures. (2nd quarter 2012) |
| 22. | Shared use of spectrum | Non-legislative | The Communication will describe the shared spectrum management model and its role in the balance of various models. It will give an overview of the current use of shared use of spectrum, the similarities and differences to other management approaches, the advantages and benefits of the model as well as the challenges which need to be addressed. |
| 23. | European Strategy for Internet Security | Legislative/Non-legislative | The initiative will aim to: describe the main risks and challenges as well as the economic and geopolitical opportunities; compare with "preparedness" or political attention given to the topic in other third countries; describe the major issues at stake or problems to be addressed; assess the on-going or planned actions where and when they exist, but also highlight the areas where more EU action. |
| 24. | Spectrum for more efficient energy production and distribution | Non-legislative | Smart energy grids and smart metering systems are potentially an area where an EU wide harmonisation of spectrum use could bring essential benefits to European consumers. The initiative considers an EU wide spectrum harmonisation for smart energy grids and smart metering on the basis of studies to deepen the knowledge in this field to determine what measures should be taken to satisfy the demands, and whether dedicated spectrum would be necessary or if sharing spectrum would be sufficient. |
| 25. | Digital Agenda for Europe – Next steps | Non-legislative | Following the second Digital Agenda Assembly and the 2012 Scoreboard, the mid-term review should look at strategic priorities for the remaining two years of the Digital Agenda for Europe lifecycle. |
| Economic and Monetary Affaires | | | |
| 26. | Public Finances in EMU 2012 | Non-legislative | The Communication on Public Finances in EMU-2012 distils the policy implications/challenges of the annual Public Finance Report (PFR). The PFR reviews fiscal developments in the EU Member States and discusses topical issues in the field of fiscal policy making and fiscal surveillance in the EU. |
| Education, Culture and Youth | | | |
| 27. | Rethinking skills in the context of Europe 2020 | Non-legislative | The Communication will provide policy recommendations for Member States in the areas of basic skills, entrepreneurship, digital e-literacy, media literacy and multilingualism to achieve the EU benchmark to increase performance in reading, mathematics and science. It will promote employability, competitiveness and intercultural dialogue in fostering transversal key competences in lifelong learning policies. |
| Employment, Social Affaires and Inclusion | | | |
| 28. | Employment package:  (1) Towards a jobs-rich recovery | Non-legislative | Umbrella communication of the Employment package setting out the Commission contribution to a growth- and job-rich economy, building on the flagship initiatives adopted as part of Europe 2020 (and in particular "An agenda for new skills and jobs" and "Youth on the Move") and linking in with the orientations of the 2012 Annual Growth Survey. |
| 29. | (2) Specific Flexicurity package | Non-legislative | The Communication will highlight the key role of flexicurity policies in the current economic climate. It will set out concrete proposals to strengthen the different components of flexicurity to address the economic challenges that Europe is facing, with a view to reducing labour market segmentation and supporting labour market transitions. |
| 30. | (3) Reforming the European Employment Services EURES and its legal basis | Legislative/Non-legislative | The proposal will aim to: 1) improve access to employment opportunities and facilitate job creation by establishing EURES as matching placement and recruitment tool for labour mobility across Europe; 2) expand EURES to support the new "Your First EURES Job" scheme; 3) reflect the ECJ jurisprudence on placement services which will need to be opened up to private employment services while widening the range of EURES partners. This may involve revision of Regulation 1612/1968. |
| 31. | Green Paper on Restructuring and Economic Adjustment | Non-legislative | The Green Paper will identify successful practices and policies in the field of restructuring and adaptation to change in order to promote employment, growth and competitiveness. It takes into account recent work by the European Commission, the social partners, Member States and many other stakeholders. The goal is to look afresh at this policy debate in the light of the lessons learned from the economic downturn. |
| 32. | Health and safety | Non-legislative | The Communication will build on the current strategy and build on the final evaluation of the current strategy, in particular in terms of a) enhancing occupational health and safety (OSH) governance at EU level, in particular as regards the establishment of national OSH strategies and the coordination of Member States' policies b) improving implementation of the EU legal framework c) promoting health and safety at the workplace, by supporting the Member States' efforts through European campaigns and awareness raising initiatives. |
| 33. | Include seafaring workers of vessels in the scope of several labour law EU Directives | Legislative | The proposal aims to provide seafarers with the same or equivalent level of employment rights as on-shore workers. Several Directives in the field of labour law currently exclude seafarers from their scope. The amendments, which cover several Directives, will aim at ensuring an equivalent level of protection while taking into account the particular circumstances and the economic environment of this sector. |
| 34. | Protection of supplementary pension rights of people who change jobs | Legislative | The aim is to conclude the negotiations on the 2005 Commission proposal modified in 2007. In particular, the proposal would aim to address the issue of vesting periods (duration of employment before pension rights are irrevocably granted). |
| 35. | Setting up the Tripartite Social Summit | Legislative | This initiative aims at revising the Council Decision 2003/174/EC in the light of the Lisbon Treaty and the Europe 2020 Strategy. |
| 36. | Freedom of movement for workers within the Union | Legislative/Non-legislative | This initiative is aimed at improving the enforceability of Council Regulation 1612/1968 (as codified by Regulation 492/2011) on freedom of movement for workers within the Union. It will remove existing barriers to mobility of EU workers by enhancing the enforcement of rights conferred by EU law and providing information and legal support to migrants facing discrimination based on nationality. |
| 37. | Child poverty (soft law) | Legislative | A Recommendation will support the EU and Member States' efforts to tackle child poverty. It will set out common principles for effective policy intervention in the following key areas: support to families (access to labour market for parents, income support), services (childcare, education, healthcare, housing, social services), participation in society. |
| Energy | | | |
| 38. | Nuclear safety\* | Legislative | As requested by the European Council and following a thorough review of existing rules with all stakeholders, proposal will be made in order to improve the regulatory framework on nuclear safety. (3rd quarter 2012) |
| 39. | Renewable energy strategy (RES) | Non-legislative | This initiative will build on the Energy Roadmap 2050and present policy measures to accelerate the development of renewable energy. It would be integrated with electricity market design discussion and ongoing infrastructure policy, including external policy aspects. |
| 40. | Internal energy market | Non-legislative | This initiative will consider the state of play of the process towards the completion of the internal energy market by 2014 and encourage Member States to step up efforts by underlining benefits of the IEM for the citizens and business, identifying a possible need for further action in order to ensure that this objective is realised. |
| 41. | Carbon capture and storage (CCS) | Non-legislative | Analysis of the current status shows that the CCS demonstration program has been delayed despite considerable efforts. The policy document will analyse possible pathways to phase out unabated fossil fuel plants. |
| Enlargement, Development and Neighbourhood Policies | | | |
| 42. | Annual Enlargement Package 2012 | Non-legislative | The Commission has been invited by the Council to regularly report on the candidate countries and potential candidates. The Commission Strategy Paper allows the European Council to define main strategic orientations on enlargement at the end of each year. The Enlargement Package will also include monitoring of Croatia in advance of its accession. |
| 43. | Supporting sustainable change in transition societies | Non-legislative | Building on experience gained in the enlargement process, this Communication will look at how the EU can help to create the conditions for sustainable stability in societies that have undergone major economical, social and political reforms. The focus will be on neighbourhood countries and other relevant developing countries and in particular on issues linked to the development of an inclusive political process, a vibrant civil society and strengthening of all political actors, as well as economic policies needed for sustainable growth including employment. |
| 44. | European Neighbourhood Policy Package and the Eastern Partnership | Non- legislative | The High Representative and the Commission have been invited by the Council to report in 2012 on the implementation of the proposals set out in the European Neighbourhood Policy review communication of 25.05.2011. The ENP package will include: a Communication setting out the main developments and the strategic orientations for the following year; a separate Communication setting out a Roadmap for the Eastern Partnership; and a number of annexes, including country reports on those partners that have agreed an ENP Action Plan. |
| Environment | | | |
| 45. | Safeguarding Europe's Water Resources\* | Legislative/Non-legislative | To assess the implementation and achievements of current freshwater policy, to identify gaps and shortcomings, and to ensure that water policy makes a good contribution to achieving the objectives of the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe. (4th quarter 2012) |
| 46. | Nagoya Protocol on Biodiversity: (international regime on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing - ABS): Implementing the ABS protocol | Legislative/Non-legislative | These initiatives are part of the preparatory process leading to the signature and ratification by the EU of an international Treaty on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing. Signature and ratification of the ABS Protocol will be accompanied by a Communication on how the Commission would seek to implement the ABS Protocol within the Union through legislative and other measures. |
| 47. | Review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive | Legislative | The global objective of the review is to improve environmental protection at national level by ensuring a more consistent and effective application of the principles of environmental assessment and ensure consistency with the relevant international obligations. |
| 48. | Invasive alien species (IAS) | Legislative | The new dedicated legislative instrument should address the policy gap on invasive alien species and ensure that there is a comprehensive EU framework to effectively tackle the problem. The main objective is to minimise the negative impact of IAS on EU biodiversity. |
| 49. | 7th Environmental Action Programme | Legislative/Non-legislative | This initiative aims to set priorities within the context of the EU 2020 Strategy in the face of the increasingly systemic nature of the environmental challenge, and to address the continuing environmental degradation as set out in the European Environment Agency 2010 and the SOER (European environment – state and outlook) reports. |
| 50. | Strategy on endocrine disruptors | Non-legislative | To provide an adequate policy framework to ensure that within the EU humans and the environment can enjoy a satisfactorily high level of protection from the risks associated with endocrine disruptors (exogenous substances or mixture that alters function(s) of the endocrine system and consequently causes adverse health effects). |
| Environment and Industry | | | |
| 51. | Review of REACH | Non-legislative | The review will reach conclusions a) on the Member States' experience, information on the operation of the REACH Regulation, the status of implementation and use of non-animal test methods and testing strategies, and funding for the development and evaluation of alternative test methods, b) the lessons learnt with a special attention to the costs and administrative burden and other impacts on innovation. It will include a review of the scope and potential overlaps with other EU legislation on chemicals as well as a review of the European Chemicals Agency. |
| European Statistics | | | |
| 52. | European statistics on demography | Legislative | The purpose of this proposal for a Regulation is to establish a common framework for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics on population, vital events and net migration. |
| Foreign Policy Instruments | | | |
| 53. | Regulating trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or certain cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment | Legislative | This initiative proposes to amend Regulation 1236/2005 further to a review in response to Member States', the EP's and NGOs' requests. |
| Health and Consumer | | | |
| 54. | Revision of the Tobacco Products Directive concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale | Legislative | Recent developments in tobacco products will be addressed by an update of the Directive (2001/37/EC), to cover Internal Market issues and look at new products and labelling. |
| 55. | Package on innovation in health:  (1) Promotion of innovation in medical devices for the benefit of patients, consumers and healthcare professionals | Non-legislative | The Communication explains the need for further improving the regulatory environment to foster innovation in medical devices in the light of new developments (such as ageing, ICT etc.). It would also respond to relevant recent Council conclusions. |
|  | (2) Medical devices | Legislative | The aim of the proposal is to ensure that the regulatory framework continues to promote innovation in the sector while guaranteeing patient safety. The regulatory framework will be adapted to technical and scientific progress, include clearer and simpler rules and provide for the necessary instruments for management at EU level. This has become a necessity due to the increasing demand in the market for drug-device combination products. The objectives are to enhance the level of health protection for all European patients and users, reinforce Europe's position in the forefront of innovation in the field and to achieve a smoother functioning of the internal market and international trade. |
|  | (3) In vitro diagnostic medical devices | Legislative | See above. |
| 56. | Clinical trials to foster clinical research and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector | Legislative | The objective of the proposal for a revision on the Directive on clinical trials (2001/20/EC) is to strengthen knowledge and innovation in clinical research. Issues likely to be addressed are: reduction of administrative delays, overcoming divergent decisions throughout the EU and streamlining of reporting procedures. |
| 57. | Animal and plant health package:  (1) Reinforcing the food chain – a modernized and simpler legal framework | Non-legislative | The Communication highlights the main elements of the new package of legislation on animal health, plant health and plant reproductive material and controls related to these sectors, intended to modernise, simplify and streamline rules to better achieve the objectives of the legislation and reinforce innovation and competitiveness of the relevant economic sectors. |
|  | (2) Animal Health Law | Legislative | The proposal aims to provide a more risk-based approach to animal health requirements and removal of administrative burdens in animal movements, a simpler and more flexible regulatory structure for animal health in the EU, and better safety with more focus on disease prevention resulting in fewer economic losses due to disease outbreaks. |
|  | (3) Official controls along the food chain | Legislative | The aim of the proposal for a revision of Regulation 882/2004 is to simplify and streamline the existing legal framework, in order to improve the efficiency of official controls performed by the Member States along the food chain while minimizing burden for operators. A more efficient use of control resources will contribute to preventing crisis, whilst limiting the costs thereof for compliant economic operators and ensuring a level-playing field. Directives 96/23/EC, 97/78/EC and 91/496/EEC are also concerned. |
|  | (4) EU Plant Health Law | Legislative | The proposal aims at simplifying, streamlining and increasing transparency and cost effectiveness. The plant passports for internal movements of plants will be simplified, creating a more transparent and stable system for the growers. Better import control will reinforce the protection against the entry of new pests and diseases from third countries, which resulted in the past in additional burden for pest control by EU growers or damage to the natural environment. |
|  | (5) Marketing of seed and propagating materials to foster innovation in seeds | Legislative | The initiative aims to foster innovation and seeks to reduce overall administrative burden and introduce flexibility within the regulatory framework with a view to globalisation, specialisation and development of new uses of agricultural commodities, together with changes in the societal expectations on the interplay of agriculture and the natural environment. It will modernise and simplify the legislation by replacing 12 Directives on seed and plant propagating material with one single act. |
| 58. | Fees and efficiency of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) | Legislative | The Regulation 178/2002 will be revised in order to improve EFSA's efficiency and efficacy. This may include the possibility to establish fees for processing authorisation dossiers submitted by industry (for services not considered as of public interest). |
| Home Affairs | | | |
| 59. | Next Generation of Border Checks:  (1) Entry/Exit System (EES)\* | Legislative | To define the purpose, the functionalities and responsibilities of the EES, and to establish the conditions and procedures for the register, storage and consultation of entry/exit data of third country nationals crossing the EU external borders. (2nd quarter 2012) |
|  | (2) Registered Traveller Programme (RTP)\* | Legislative | To define the purpose, the functionalities and responsibilities of the RTP and a Registered Traveller System (RTS), to give to the Commission and the Agency for the management of large-scale IT systems the mandate to set up and maintain the RTP and the RTS and to establish the procedures and conditions for examining a RTP application and the exchange of data between Member States on Registered Travellers. (2nd quarter 2012) |
|  | (3) Amendment to the Schengen Borders Code\* | Legislative | To amend the Schengen Border Code to be aligned with the Registered Traveller Programme Regulation and the Entry/Exit System Regulation. (2nd quarter 2012) |
| 60. | Development of a policy on a European Training Scheme for law enforcement officials | Non-legislative | The purpose of furthering EU police training is to foster a genuine European law enforcement culture by means of offering European Training Schemes to all involved. |
| 61. | Framework of administrative measures such as the freezing of funds of persons suspected of terrorist activities inside the EU (art.75) | Legislative | To establish a framework for administrative measures with regard to capital movements and payments, such as for the freezing of funds, financial assets or economic gains belonging to, or owned or held by, natural or legal persons, groups and non-State entities related to terrorist activities inside the EU. This framework would serve as a basis on which the Council could take decisions, upon proposal by the Commission. |
| 62. | Fighting European   Cybercrime | Non-legislative | This initiative aims to increase EU capacity to fight against cybercrime. It will update Union citizens, Member States and the European Parliament on the prerequisites needed to ensure an effective response to cybercrime. |
| 63. | EU Strategy against trafficking in human beings | Non-legislative | The overarching objective of this initiative is to formulate a comprehensive policy framework, through which the main goals of significantly preventing and reducing the phenomenon trafficking in human beings, of prosecuting criminals and of better protecting victims will be pursued. |
| 64. | Legal and technical framework for a European Terrorist Finance Tracking System (TFTS) | Legislative | The initiative will provide for a novel European approach to combat terrorism and its financing through centralised collection and analysis of financial messaging data, and to create the possibility to provide more targeted data to US authorities under the EU-US TFTP Agreement. |
| 65. | Revising the EU framework for data retention | Legislative | This review is a result of the evaluation of the Data Retention Directive. It will ensure that appropriate authorities have swift access to the telecommunications information which is strictly necessary for combating crime; will provide appropriate limitations on data retention and safeguards against unnecessary infringements of right to privacy and the protection of personal data, will remove unnecessary obstacles to the smooth functioning of the internal market and ensure consistent reimbursement of the telecommunications industry across the EU of the costs of applying data retention. |
| 66. | Establishing the European Police Office – EUROPOL | Legislative | Article 88 of the TFEU provides for a new legal basis for Europol. |
| 67. | EU critical infrastructures package:  (1) Review of the European Programme on Critical Infrastructure (EPCIP), and proposal to establish an updated Programme | Legislative/Non-legislative | The EPCIP was first proposed by the Commission in its communication on this topic of 2006. The EPCIP is subject to an ongoing review, which will lead to the presentation of an updated EPCIP. |
|  | (2) Identification and designation of European critical infrastructures | Legislative | Amendment of Directive 2008/114 on the identification and designation of European critical infrastructures and the assessment of the need to improve their protection. |
| 68. | Draft negotiating Directives for visa facilitation and readmission agreements with some South Mediterranean Countries, in the framework of the dialogue for migration, mobility and security to be established with those countries | Legislative | This initiative will support and encourage reforms that the partner countries may engage in, giving their citizens a possibility of enhanced mobility towards the EU Member States, whilst addressing the root causes of migratory flows. |
| 69. | Admission of third country nationals for the purposes of scientific research, studies, pupil exchange, unremunerated training or voluntary service | Legislative | This initiative aims to increase the attractiveness of the EU as a whole as a centre for research, studies, pupil exchanges, training and voluntary service. It will aim at further facilitating scientific, educational, training and cultural exchanges with third-country nationals and making the conditions of their entry, residence and intra-EU mobility more transparent and effective. This initiative will amend Council Directives 2004/114/EC and 2005/71/EC. |
| Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response | | | |
| 70. | Setting-up of the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (EVHAC) | Legislative | The objective is to establish a framework for joint contributions from young Europeans to the humanitarian aid operations of the Union. Preparatory actions from 2011 onwards will help identify possible options. |
| Industry and Entrepreneurship | | | |
| 71. | Registration of motor vehicles previously registered in another Member State | Legislative | The main policy objective is to improve the functioning of the internal market through the elimination of barriers to the free movement of goods, services and workers, caused by the different administrative formalities and requirements for the registration of motor vehicles previously registered in another Member State. |
| 72. | Industrial Policy for the security industry | Non-legislative | Establishing a strong internal market for security by: overcoming the market fragmentation, strengthening of the industrial basis, enhancing the competitiveness of the EU security industry in the world.  These divergent approaches in Member States have led to the creation of different security markets. |
| 73. | Conclusions of the CARS 21 High Level Group | Non-legislative | To assess the policy recommendations made by the CARS 21 High Level Group in their Final Report and announce how the Commission intends to react on these. |
| 74. | Update and review of progress on the integrated industrial policy for the globalization era | Non-legislative | The Commission will review the implementation of the Europe 2020 flagship on industrial policy and update key initiatives to ensure a timely transition to a more sustainable, inclusive and resource-efficient economy and a vibrant industrial base. The mid-term update will take account of the economic recovery, emerging challenges and the MFF. |
| 75. | Industrial policy for the space industry | Non-legislative | Considering the strategic importance of the space industry, its dependence on public funding (both for R&D and sales) and the increasing global competition on the commercial market, the Communication sets out actions to improve the framework conditions for Europe's space industry with a view to strengthening the industry’s competitiveness and contribute to a balanced involvement of capacities in Europe. |
| 76. | Key Enabling Technologies(KET) | Non-legislative | In response to the recommendation of the High Level Group, this initiative will propose a coordinated framework for KETs to ensure continuity across Research & Development & Innovation, including technology transfer for deployment and fostering globally competitive eco-systems. |
| 77. | European label in tourism sector | Legislative | A European label would seek to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of European tourism by bringing transparency and consistency into the quality evaluation of tourism services, to gain consumer confidence and recognise high-quality tourism. |
| Institutional Affairs | | | |
| 78. | Political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding | Legislative | The objective of the revision of Regulation 2004/2003 is to create a European legal status for political parties at European level. |
| 79. | Towards a proposal on the Solidarity Clause | Non-legislative | This initiative will follow up on the provision for a "Solidarity Clause" (Article 222(3)) establishing that the Union and its Member States shall act jointly in a spirit of solidarity if a Member State is the object of a terrorist attack or the victim of a natural or man-made disaster. The TFEU provides for a joint proposal by the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. |
| Internal Market and Services | | | |
| 80. | Protection of investors: Amendment of the UCITS Directive as regards rules on UCITS depositary functions, on manager remuneration policy, and on administrative sanctions.\* | Legislative | The aim is to amend the UCITS Directive (Undertakings in collective investments in transferable securities – 'UCITS V' 2009/65/EC) to (i) create a regulatory regime with robust investor protection, (ii) further strengthen the EU internal market efficiency in the investment fund sector and (iii) ensure that the UCITS legislative framework does not impair financial stability on the market. More concretely, on the operational level, it will aim at providing appropriate solutions for UCITS depositaries as well as for UCITS remuneration policy. (2nd quarter 2012) |
| 81. | Shadow banking | Non-legislative | A communication will be adopted in the second half of the year to complement and implement the G20 workstream. |
| 82. | Protection of investors: PRIPs (pre-contractual disclosures of complex investment products)\* | Legislative | The purpose of this instrument is to ensure a high and consistent level of investor protection embodied in Community law, with a level playing field for the originators and distributors of retail investment products and increased efficiency in cross-border business. (1st quarter 2012) |
| 83. | Follow-up to the Performance Check for services: Deepening the single market for services\* | Non -legislative | Following the carrying out of "performance checks" and other various strands of work (i.e. the assessment on reserved activities, requirement as regards capital ownership and legal form and insurance obligations), this initiative aims at identifying and proposing the measures/actions that are necessary to remove remaining obstacles to the functioning of the Single Market for Services. (2nd quarter 2012) |
| 84. | Collective rights management: Music rights – music online\* | Legislative | The proposed instrument will have a double focus: first, a general level of governance and transparency to apply to all collecting societies; and second, specific rules aimed at licensing of online music in order to foster the digital single market and provide more cross-border services to customers across the EU. (1st quarter 2012) |
| 85. | Single market and pension funds: Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision (IORP)\* | Legislative | The aim of the review of the Directive concerning Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision (IORP) is to maintain a level playing field with Solvency II and promote more cross-border activity in this field. This will help address the challenges of demographic ageing and public debt. (3rd quarter 2012) |
| 86. | Revision of the Insurance Mediation Directive (IMD) | Legislative | The aim of the revision is to improve harmonisation, legal certainty, and precision in definitions and at the same time avoidance of existing difficulties in the application of the current IMD at national level. |
| 87. | Revision of the Community Trade Mark Regulation and of the Directive approximating national trade mark laws | Legislative | The aim is to upgrade, streamline and modernise both the EU Regulation and Directive, where appropriate, and to establish an enhanced cooperation between the Office for Harmonization for the Internal Market (OHIM) and National Trade Mark Offices with the purpose of making the trade mark system in Europe, as a whole, more effective, efficient and consistent. |
| 88. | Initiative on disclosure of non-financial information by companies | Legislative/Non-legislative | The proposal aims at improving transparency of non-financial information by companies, while avoiding unduly increasing the administrative burden. |
| 89. | On-line gambling in the Internal Market | Non-legislative | The Communication is a follow-up to the Green paper on on-line gambling, providing a substantial evaluation of the responses to the consultation, and subsequently identifying 1) key challenges for the co-existence of national regulatory models within the Internal Market and 2) initiatives to be taken at national and EU level. |
| 90. | Enforcement of intellectual property rights | Legislative | The main objective would be to adapt the Directive (2004/48/EC) to today’s challenges in order to make sure that intellectual property rights can be protected effectively and uniformly in the EU, in particular in a digital environment. Several provisions of the Directive should be clarified in order to achieve consistent interpretation and enforcement. |
| 91. | Securities Law Directive | Legislative | The main objective of the measure is to reduce the divergence between national substantive laws on book-entry securities and therefore to make a substantive contribution to the simplification of financial markets operations and to their legal safety. |
| 92. | Close-out netting | Legislative | Close-out netting is an important risk mitigation tool to reduce counterparty credit risk because it gives priority over unsecured creditors to the non-defaulting counterparty in case of insolvency. The objective is to increase legal certainty and safety of bi- and multilateral netting agreements, but also, as part of an EU framework for crisis management in the financial sector (see COM (2010) 579), to empower national authorities to impose a temporary stay on the rights to close-out netting. |
| 93. | Initiative on notice and takedown procedures |  | The main policy objectives are: contribute to a good functioning of Digital Single Market, contribute to combating illegality on the internet, ensure the transparency, effectiveness, proportionality and compliance with fundamental rights of notice and takedown procedures, ensure a balanced and workable approach towards NTD procedures, with focus on fundamental rights and the impact for innovation, growth. |
| 94. | Insurance Guarantee Schemes | Legislative | The aim is to ensure that IGS exist in all Member States and that they comply with a minimum set of design features. |
| 95. | Third Anti Money Laundering Directive | Legislative | Revision of international standards is underway and scheduled for completion by February 2012. COM's own review has also begun and a report is planned in early 2012. It will be necessary to rapidly implement international standards once adopted into EU legislation. |
| 96. | Amending the Financial Conglomerates Directive (FICOD II) (2002/87/EC) | Legislative | Following the Financial Stability Board's (G20) decision of January 2010 to explore regulating the parent entities of financial conglomerates, the Commission commits to agreements and recommendations at the G20 level to enforce supervisors' grip on the parents of complex financial groups, today mostly non-regulated holding companies. The effectiveness of CRD and Solvency 2, as well as related regulations in the financial sector such as those for UCITS and AIFM, and most importantly the crisis management framework, could be much stronger if the parent entity would explicitly be held responsible and accountable for meeting all requirements in a consistent manner at a conglomerate wide level and across the mass of regulated entities in the group. |
| Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship | | | |
| 97. | Advancing Roma integration – First report of the European Commission | Non-legislative | The first annual report will assess the national Roma integration strategies that Member States must submit to the Commission by 31.12.2011. |
| 98. | Special Safeguards in criminal procedures for Suspected or Accused Persons who are vulnerable | Legislative | This initiative aims at ensuring that special attention is shown in criminal procedures throughout the EU to suspected or accused persons who cannot understand or follow the content or the meaning of the proceedings, owing, for example, to their age, mental or physical condition. |
| 99. | Minimum provisions on the constituent elements of criminal acts and penalties in the field of illicit drug trafficking | Legislative | To enable Member States to tackle illicit drug trafficking more efficiently and foster a common EU approach to drug trafficking through approximation of offences and sanctions, addressing shortcomings identified during the assessment carried out in 2009 of Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA, and replacing this instrument. |
| 100. | Information exchange, risk-assessment and control of new psychoactive substances | Legislative | The objective of the proposal to amend Council Decision 2005/387/JHA of 10 May 2005 is to improve the assessment process and some of the procedural steps, taking into account the experiences gathered and limitations encountered with this legislative instrument in the past three years. |
| 101. | European Accessibility Act: improving accessibility of goods and services in the Internal Market | Legislative | Proposal for a Directive to improve the market of goods and services that are accessible for persons with disabilities and elderly persons, based on a “design for all” approach. This business friendly initiative will include binding measures to promote procurement and harmonisation of accessibility standards. |
| 102. | Improving the gender balance in the boards of companies listed on stock exchanges (soft law) | Legislative | Following the gender equality strategy, a Recommendation would aim to improve gender balance in company boards. As well as being a fundamental right, gender equality is crucial for the EU’s growth and competitiveness. |
| 103. | Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours | Legislative | The aim of the proposal is to revise the Council Directive 90/314/EEC and modernise the current rules for the protection of consumers buying package travel, notably over internet, and facilitate the purchase of package travel from other Member States. |
| 104. | Reforming Eurojust's structure | Legislative | This initiative aims at developing and reinforcing Eurojust's functioning and determining arrangements for involving the European Parliament and national Parliaments in the evaluation of Eurojust's activities. |
| 105. | Compensation of crime victims | Legislative | The Commission's proposal for the revision of Directive 2004/80 will ensure that victims of crime receive fair and appropriate compensation in all Member States, thereby helping to promote mutual trust between Member States. The proposal will be based on a comprehensive study on all aspects of compensation to identify existing obstacles, their origin, and possible solutions. |
| 106. | Limitation and prescription periods for cross-border road traffic accidents | Legislative/Non-legislative | This initiative aims at creating more legal certainty for citizens on limitation periods in the context of cross-border road traffic accidents. |
| 107. | E-Justice | Legislative | This initiative will strengthen the e-Justice project as a tool to promote growth and legal certainty in the internal market. The e-justice project aims to underpin justice policy by using information and communications technology to improve and streamline information on justice in the EU, facilitate access to justice throughout all MS and facilitate judicial cooperation and procedures. |
| 108. | Alternative Dispute Resolution instrument for Business to Business (B2B) disputes | Legislative | This measure will complement the Commission’s legislative proposal on Alternative Dispute Resolution for consumers with a mechanism adapted to business-to-business disputes. Promoting ADR will improve confidence among SMEs to engage in cross-border trade and will enhance the functioning of the Internal Market. |
| 109. | Insolvency proceedings | Legislative | Revision of the Insolvency Regulation ((EC) 1346/2000), including the question of insolvency of groups and enterprises, in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of cross-border insolvency proceedings. |
| 110. | Mutual recognition of civil documents:  (1) Mutual recognition of the effects of certain civil status documents | Legislative | The proposal should cover mutual recognition of effects of certain civil status documents (e.g. relating to birth, affiliation, adoption, name, death). |
| 111. | (2) Dispensing with the formalities for the legalisation of documents between Member States | Legislative | Follow-up to Green Paper on the free circulation of documents, civil status documents, authentic acts and the simplification of legislation. The proposal should cover the dispensing with the formalities of legalisation of documents between Member States. |
| Justice, Consumer Affairs and Competition Policy | | | |
| 112. | An EU framework for collective redress | To be determined | This initiative would follow up on the full range of previous Commission work on collective redress at the EU level |
| Maritime Affairs and Fisheries | | | |
| 113. | Setting a framework for Maritime Spatial Planning | Legislative | Ensure that Member States provide a stable, reliable and future-oriented integrated planning framework to optimize the use of marine space to benefit economic development and the marine environment and that in doing so they apply a common approach in order to facilitate cross-border maritime spatial planning. The type of this initiative - possibly a Directive - remains to be confirmed. |
| 114. | Blue Growth: sustainable growth from the oceans, seas and coasts. | Non-legislative | The Communication will build on the findings of an on-going study exploring sustainable growth and employment in established, emerging and prospective maritime sectors based on the innovative use of marine and coastal resources as drivers for innovation and competitiveness. |
| Protection of the Financial Interests of the EU | | | |
| 115. | Protection of the financial interest of the European Union, including by criminal law (PFI)\* | Legislative | This initiative is the legislative follow-up on the Communication on the protection of financial interests of the European Union, including by substantive criminal law, under art 325, § 4 TFEU. (3rd quarter 2012) |
| 116. | Reinforcing the protection of the euro against counterfeiting with criminal law sanctions | Legislative | The initiative could build on and replace the Framework Decision 2000/383JAI. It will aim to increase protection of the euro by providing more efficient criminal legislation and procedures; and to a stronger monitoring of the EU rules in Member States. The citizens should be sufficiently protected against euro-fraud and counterfeiting by means of criminal sanctions. |
| 117. | Mutual assistance between the administrative authorities of the Member States and cooperation between the latter and the Commission to ensure the correct application of the law on customs and agricultural matters | Legislative | Simplify and clarify the legislation, improving accessibility and achieving budget savings, as Regulation 515/97 and Council Decision 2009/917/JHA of 30 November 2009 on the use of information technology for customs purposes partially deal with the same issues. |
| Regional Policy | | | |
| 118. | Future strategy for the Outermost Regions | Non-legislative | Communication on the future strategy for the Outermost Regions (OR) following the joint Memoranda of regions and the Member States "The OR at the horizon 2020" and their other contributions. |
| Research and Innovation | | | |
| 119. | Framework for the European Research Area (ERA) | Legislative/Non-legislative | The ERA framework will be the basis for achieving strategic policy coherence and coordination between EU and Member States, with the aim to increase the efficiency of the European research system through better exploiting the potential for cross-border synergies and complementarities (e.g. researcher mobility and careers, cross-border operations of research performing and funding organizations, research infrastructures, knowledge circulation and cooperation with third countries). |
| 120. | State of the Innovation Union 2012 – accelerating change | Non-legislative | This Communication will mark the next steps to drive growth and jobs through innovation. It will include the following policy proposals: detailed definition of the new indicator on fast-growing, innovative companies with a comparative assessment of the innovation performance of Member States, follow-up actions on Innovation Union commitments where no progress has been made, a proposal to mainstream innovation to EU policies. |
| 121. | Enhancing and focusing international cooperation in Research and Innovation | Non-legislative | Europe needs to engage more strategically in science, technology and innovation cooperation with its main partners, in order to: enhance excellence and promote industrial competitiveness; address global societal challenges; and support external policies. The Communication will set out detailed objectives, criteria and operational principles for implementing, enhancing and focusing EU international cooperation actions under the CSF for Research and Innovation. |
| Taxation and Customs Union | | | |
| 122. | Good governance in relation to tax havens\* | Non-legislative | This initiative will develop a reinforced strategy to protect the EU against the challenges of uncooperative jurisdictions outside the EU (including tax havens and aggressive tax planning). (4th quarter 2012) |
| 123. | Drug precursors | Legislative | The Commission Report (COM (2009) 709) highlighted the risk of diversion of medicinal products containing drug precursors. The Council in May 2010 invited the Commission to propose legislative amendments. The initiative will amend regulation (EC) 273/2004 |
| 124. | Eliminating double taxation on cross-border dividend payments to portfolio investors | Legislative/Non-legislative | Solutions to the double taxation problems raised by the levying of withholding taxes on cross-border dividends paid to portfolio investors. |
| 125. | The state of the Customs Union | Non-legislative | Overall assessment of the functioning of the Customs Union, its challenges and opportunities in safeguarding the Single Market and protecting its citizens. In response to gaps and needs identified in this analysis, the assessment will point to future customs initiatives with the aim of further increasing the value- the that the Customs Union adds to the Single Market. |
| 126. | Car taxation | Non-legislative | To address double taxation and other tax obstacles in cross border situations |
| 127. | A Quick Reaction Mechanism against VAT fraud | Legislative | Recent experience has demonstrated that the Union's capacity to react is not quick enough when confronted with sudden and massive VAT fraud phenomena in certain Member States. Until now, derogations have been granted to individual Member States to stop this type of fraud in the affected sectors, but the procedure for granting derogations is not flexible enough to ensure a prompt and suitable reaction. The proposed new mechanism for adopting derogatory measures - quick reaction mechanism - would considerably increase the speed to deal with these problems. Its ultimate objective is to counter massive fraud schemes before they start having a considerable impact on national budgets. |
| Trade | | | |
| 128. | Trade and Investment Barriers Report | Non-legislative | Report for the European Council to identify important market access barriers for European exporters and investors in third countries and to set out strategies to remove the barriers |
| Transport | | | |
| 129. | Rail package:  (1) Rail market access\* | Legislative | Further market opening in the rail sector (for domestic passenger market) implies adaptation of the existing acquis on rail market access (1st railway package and its subsequent amendments) and appropriate changes to the Regulation on public service contracts in the rail sector (EC 1370/2007), including mandatory award of public service contracts under competitive tendering. This initiative will also ensure non-discriminatory access to rail infrastructure, including rail-related services, in particular through structural separation between infrastructure management and service provision (unbundling). It will be accompanied by a Communication on Review rail market organisation and assess non-discriminatory access to rail infrastructure. |
|  | (2) European Railway Agency (ERA)\* | Legislative | This initiative will enhance the role of ERA in the field of rail safety, in particular its supervision of national safety measures taken by national safety authorities and their progressive harmonisation. It will also aim at achieving a single vehicle type authorisation and a single railway undertaking safety certification. Safety and interoperability directives (2004/49 and 2008/57) might be adjusted as necessary. (4th quarter 2012) |
| 130. | Clean power for transport:  An alternative fuel strategy | Legislative/Non-legislative | The White Paper on transport emphasises the need to break the transport system's dependency on oil. This initiative intends to accelerate the EU market uptake of alternative transport including necessary standards for equipment and storage systems. It will identify possible EU actions to stimulate the use of EU alternative fuels and provide the industry, public sector and consumers with a clear and coherent vision on the market developments of alternative fuel transport systems. |
| 131. | Air Passenger Rights: Denied boarding, long delays and cancellations of flights | Legislative | The revision of Regulation (EC) 261/2004 will protect air passengers' rights by ensuring that passengers are adequately informed, assisted and, if necessary, compensated for all types of flight disruptions and loss/damage of luggage. It will enhance legal certainty and ensure a fair and proportionate economic burden in particular situations for which the air carriers bear no responsibility (force majeure), also via a better sharing of the financial costs. It will be accompanied by the initiative "Air carrier liability in respect of the carriage of passengers and their baggage by air". |

Forthcoming initiatives 2013

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Title | Type | Description of scope of objectives | |
| Agriculture | | | |
| Organic farming | Legislative | Review the organic basic act after the discussion with the European Parliament and the Member States that will take place on the basis of the report presented in 2011 (Report to the Council on the application of Council Regulation 834/2007/EC on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation 2092/91/EEC.) | |
| New EU Forestry Strategy | Non- legislative | The current EU forestry strategy was adopted as a Council resolution in 1998 (1999/C 56/01). The purpose of the initiative is to assess to what extent the strategy still corresponds to the current needs and policy context, and propose a new strategy which takes into account challenges that have emerged since the adoption of the current strategy, in particular climate change and EU policy on renewable energy. | |
| Climate Action | | | |
| EU Adaptation Strategy | Non-legislative | Member States are being affected by the adverse effects of climate change leading to significant economic and environmental impacts. The strategy will brace the EU for dealing with future impacts of climate change. It will focus on actions with an added EU value. Its main objectives are to strengthen the knowledge base on adaptation to climate change and to develop an appropriate EU adaptation policy framework. | |
| Strategy for reducing Heavy Duty Vehicles' CO2 emission | Legislative/Non-legislative | The initiative will address the problem of the growing CO2 emissions from heavy duty vehicles. The general objective is to reduce these emissions in a cost-effective way. This will follow up on the European Strategy on Clean and Efficient Vehicles and the Transport White Paper COM (2011)144. | |
| Competition | | | |
| Initiative in the field of substantive State aid rules: Review of the State aid general block exemption regulation | Legislative | As the current General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) expires at the end of 2013, a revision will have to be carried out. Moreover, the review process of several State aid Guidelines linked to EU 2020 (R&D&I, Risk Capital, Environment) will be aligned to the GBER revision. After 2013, further consolidation of guidelines could be envisaged (General State Aid Guidelines). Possibly, on the basis of a modified Council Enabling Regulation 994/98 (see 2012) the scope of the GBER could be enlarged. | |
| Review of the State aid de minimis Regulation | Legislative | De minimis support constitutes a flexible instrument to grant very limited amounts of aid. The De minimis Commission Regulation covers small amounts of subsidies which do not constitute State aid in the sense of Art. 107(1) TFEU because they do not affect trade and competition, and which are therefore not subject to the notification requirement. The current text expires in December 2013. | |
| Review of the State aid R&D&I framework | Non-legislative | The revised Research, Development and Innovation ("RDI") framework entered into force in 2007. The framework helps Member States wishing to use State aid as a complementary instrument to boost research, development and innovation. The framework will have to be revised by 2013. | |
| Digital Agenda | | | |
| Towards an EU Cloud Computing Strategy | Non-legislative | The Communication will address several aspects of the current regulatory framework, which was conceived considering less demanding applications. In particular, cloud computing is raising specific issues related to data protection and data retention, applicable law and liability, as well as consumer protection. The aspects of interoperability, standardisation and portability of data and applications will also be addressed. | |
| Education, Culture and Youth | | | |
| Internationalisation of Higher Education | Non-legislative | A growing number of higher education institutions enroll students from non-EU countries, exchange students, staff and knowledge, and engage in international academic and research cooperation. The Communication will deal with the internationalisation strategy of the EU higher education sector. In an increasingly interdependent world, a strategic way of addressing global challenges for the EU is through higher education partnerships which can generate research and teaching capacity, and empower universities as agents of knowledge transfer. | |
| Youth on the Move Card (soft law) | Legislative | An action of the Youth on the Move flagship initiative should facilitate both the mobility and participation for all young people aged between 13 and 30 years old residing in Europe. It would build on existing cards which already provide young people with benefits in various fields (travel, culture, goods, accommodation, etc). Existing cards which meet the EU quality criteria could be granted a YoM label. | |
| Employment, Social Affaires and Inclusion | | | |
| Protection of workers against the risks associated to the exposure to Carcinogens and Mutagens at work | Legislative | The purpose is to review the current legal framework (Directive 2004/37) in order to set acceptable cancer risk levels, improve risk management, and assess the extension of the scope of the Directive to cover new risk factors and substances which are toxic for reproduction. | |
| Coordination of social security systems | Legislative | First revision of Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2010 since its entry into force May 2010, in order to complement or adapt the rules on the basis of the first years of implementation | |
| Communication on long-term care | Non-legislative | Following the Commission staff working document in 2011 and discussions in the Social Protection Committee, the Communication will present policy orientations to respond to increasing need for long-term care provision. | |
| Energy | | | |
| Energy Technologies in a future European Energy Policy | Non-legislative | The Communication will identify the options for the role of energy technologies for achieving decarbonisation, develop a fully comprehensive approach to foster energy technologies development according to the energy 2050 vision and strengthen the synergies between Member States and the European Commission in energy policy making by promoting convergence and cooperation between national and EU innovation programmes. | |
| Energy efficiency | Non-legislative | Follow-up to proposal of June 2011, building on current work on the Energy Roadmap 2050, and preparing a general orientation on Energy Efficiency to 2020 and beyond. | |
| Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policies | | | |
| Annual Enlargement Package 2013 | Non-legislative | The Commission has been invited by the Council to regularly report on the candidate countries and potential candidates. The Commission Strategy Paper allows the European Council to define main strategic orientations on enlargement at the end of each year. | |
| Environment | | | |
| Review of air quality policies | Legislative/Non-legislative | To assess the implementation and achievements of current air pollution and air quality policies, revised legislative proposals for Air Quality and National Emissions Ceilings (NEC) EC Directives. | |
| Health and Consumer | | | |
| Use of cloning technique for food production | Legislative | This initiative would follow up on the Commission's report on cloning of animals for food production of 2010 and respond to requests to clarify the law on cloning of animals in the internal market | |
| Expenditure in the veterinary field | Legislative | The objective of the revision of Council Decision 90/424/EC is to develop an EU harmonised cost and responsibility sharing scheme, under the framework of the new EU Animal Health Law that is currently being drafted. | |
| Home Affairs | | | |
| EU Immigration Code | Legislative | Consolidation of all legislation in the area of immigration, starting with legal migration, and where necessary extending the existing provisions foreseen by the Stockholm Programme. | |
| Communication on return policy + Report on the implementation of the return directive | Non-legislative | The Communication will be a stocktaking exercise, assessing progress made to date with the development of a common EU policy on return, and setting out some concrete ideas about how the policy might be further promoted and developed. | |
| Industry and Entrepreneurship | | | |
| Enhancing the implementation of the internal market for motor vehicles | Legislative | | The overall policy objective is to safeguard and strengthen the internal market for motor vehicles by ensuring that all necessary mechanisms are in place for an effective and uniform implementation and enforcement of the framework legislation on the type-approval of automotive products. |
| Internal Market and Services | | | |
| Fair compensation in respect of reproductions of protected works by natural persons for private use | Legislative | | To provide that schemes for fair compensation under the Directive operate in a way which provides the revenue due to right holders while not hampering the functioning of the internal market for electronic media and equipment. |
| Payment services in the internal market | Legislative | | The purpose of the review of Directive 2007/64/EC is to create an integrated, competitive, efficient and user-friendly payments market in Europe. |
| Cross-border payments in the EU | Legislative | | The review of the Regulation (EC) No. 924/2009 will concentrate on issues identified by Article 15. However, the ongoing integration of the EU payments market, changes to the Directive on Payment Services (PSD), which is under simultaneous review by the Commission, and the adoption of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) migration Regulation may also result in important modifications to the text of Regulation 924/2009. The aim is to create an integrated, competitive, efficient and user-friendly payments market in Europe. |
| Follow up to Green Paper: Towards an integrated European market for card, internet and mobile payments | Legislative/Non-legislative | | The integration of the European market for electronic retail payments is one of the priorities defined in the Digital Agenda, more specifically of the Digital Single Market. The follow up to the Green Paper will aim to help creating a more competitive, efficient, innovative and secure payments market in Europe. |
| Possible framework for crisis management and resolution for financial institutions other than banks | Legislative/Non-legislative | | Following a report examining the need for a crisis management regime for financial institutions other than banks (Central Counter Parties (CCPs), insurance companies, hedge funds, etc.) that should be published by the end of 2011, legislation might be proposed to give powers and tools to authorities to deal with the failure of financial institutions other than banks. |
| Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship | | | |
| Regulation on EU hotlines for missing children | Legislative | | This initiative is a follow-up of the Communication on the 116 children hotline of 2010 and aims at ensuring appropriate functioning of the 116 hotline in all Member States. |
| European contract law instrument in the area of insurance services | Legislative | | Facilitating the cross-border trade in certain financial products (in particular insurance) by developing European contract law rules in the area of financial services. |
| Mutual recognition of disqualifications | Legislative | | This initiative aims at ensuring mutual recognition to disqualifications imposed by a judicial decision in criminal proceedings in order to execute such measures in a Member State other than the one that imposed it. |
| Legal aid in criminal proceedings | Legislative | | This initiative will define common minimum rules to ensure that suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings are entitled to legal aid between the charge and the end of the trial, or appeal proceedings. |
| Consultation of the European social partners on the review of the Directive on equal pay | Non-legislative | | In view of the persistent high gender pay gap in Europe (around 18%), the Commission will consult the European social partners on an update of the EU legislation implementing the principle of equal pay. |
| Second stage consultation of the European Social Partners on reconciliation between work, family and private life | Non-legislative | | Depending on the outcome of the consultation, the Commission may propose measures with the double aim of increasing female employment rates (as women bear the main responsibilities for caring for children and other dependants) and tackling the demographic challenge. |
| European Criminal Records Information System regarding convicted third country nationals (ECRIS-TCN). | Legislative | | This initiative aims at setting up a register of third-country nationals who have been convicted by the courts of the Member States. |
| Jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility | Legislative | | Following an assessment on the application of Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003, amend this legal instrument and establish common minimum standards in relation to the recognition of decisions on parental responsibility with a view to abolishing exequatur proceedings for these decisions. |
| Green paper on possible extension of minimum procedural rights | Non-legislative | | Green Paper on whether minimum procedural rights for accused and suspected persons other than those covered by the previous legislative proposals (in the procedural rights' roadmap) need to be addressed. |
| Service in the Member States of judicial and extrajudicial documents in civil or commercial matters (service of documents) | Legislative | | The revision of Regulation (EC) 1393/2007 will pay special attention to the effectiveness of the transmitting and receiving agencies and focus on the practical application of the execution of a request for forwarding a request for service. It could include the establishment of common minimum standards. This initiative will also repeal Council Regulation (EC)1348/2000 |
| Green Paper on the minimum standards for civil procedures and necessary follow-up | Non-legislative | | Observance of certain standards and procedural guarantees is a precondition for trans-border co-operation in civil justice matters. Existing European legal instruments addressing these issues are neither complete nor coherent. The Green Paper should launch a discussion on introducing common minimum standards for civil procedures in the EU. |
| EU Citizenship Report 2013: Progress towards eliminating obstacles to EU citizens' rights | Non-legislative | | This report aims at assessing progress towards ensuring the effective exercise of EU citizens' rights through the implementation of the actions announced in the 2010 EU Citizenship report, and at identifying further measures towards completing the removal of remaining obstacles to the enjoyment of EU citizens' rights. |
| Report on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States | Non- legislative | | This report will aim at presenting a comprehensive overview of how Directive 2004/38/EC is transposed into national law and implemented in all Member States. It will draw an overall assessment of the impact of the Directive's provisions and will indicate possible areas for improvement. |
| Maritime Affairs and Fisheries | | | |
| Conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of marine organisms. | Legislative | | This proposal aims to develop anew technical measures framework for the Atlantic and the North Sea following the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) to ensure the protection of marine biological resources and the reduction of the impact of fishing activities on fish stocks and on marine eco-systems. It aims to simplify and bring together but also, where appropriate, improve the effectiveness of existing technical measures, in particular those laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 and its different amendments, as well as other technical measures included in Council Regulation (EC) No 1288/2009 and recovery plans currently in place. |
| White paper on maritime surveillance | Non-legislative | | This Communication will take stock of progress made and propose further actions. This includes an identification of the financial implications of creating a Common Information Sharing Environment. |
| Integration of maritime surveillance: the implementation of the Common Information Sharing Environment including its financial aspects. | Non-legislative | | This Communication will take stock of progress made and propose further actions. This includes an identification of the financial implications of creating a Common Information Sharing Environment. |
| Establishing or revising long term plans for certain stocks and the fisheries exploiting those stocks (multi-species plans). | Legislative | | These multi-species plans will cover several fish stocks caught by the same fisheries and in the same area. They will be based on the provisions of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy. |
| Protection of the Financial Interests of the EU | | | |
| Protection of the financial interests of the European Union by strengthening administrative and criminal law procedures, including mutual assistance | Legislative | Rules on exchange of information, mutual assistance and collection of evidence in as much as not already covered under the 2012 initiative on the protection of the financial interests; article 325(4) TFEU. | |
| Establishment of a European Public Prosecutor's office (EPPO) to protect the financial interests of the Union | Legislative | This initiative intends to set out the framework and conditions for establishing the European Public Prosecutor's office to focus on the protection of the financial interests of the Union. | |
| Regional policy; Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion; Agriculture and Rural Development; Maritime Affairs and Fisheries | | | |
| Partnership contracts with Member States | Legislative | The partnership contracts between the Commission and each Member State will set out the commitments of partners at national and regional level, as well as those of the Commission. They will be linked to the objectives of Europe 2020 strategy and the national reform programmes. They will establish an integrated approach for territorial development, supported by the funds under cohesion policy, rural development, and the maritime and fisheries policy, and will include objectives, strategic investments and a number of conditionalities. | |
| Taxation and Customs Union | | | |
| Initiative on arbitration in cross-border tax disputes | Legislative | Despite the existing instruments (arbitration convention and double tax conventions between EU MS), too many lengthy double taxation disputes remain unresolved within the EU | |
| Customs penalties | Legislative | This initiative has the dual objective of: strengthening customs compliance by approximating the definition and qualification of offences and the level of corresponding customs penalties and ensuring an equal treatment to the economic operators with regard to customs penalties. | |
| Trade | | | |
| Up-date EU trade defence instruments | Legislative | Amendment of basic anti-dumping and anti-subsidy regulations. | |
| Transport | | | |
| E-freight | Legislative/Non-legislative | The aim of the initiative is to create the appropriate framework to streamline the electronic flow of information associated with the physical flow of goods, in support of planning, execution, monitoring and reporting on multimodal freight transport, to ensure liability for intermodal transport and to promote safe, secure and clean freight transport. | |
| Framework for future EU ports' policy including legislative proposals | Legislative/Non-legislative | This initiative will better enable ports to efficiently handle the increasing freight volumes to enable seamless logistics chains; review the restrictions on provision for port services and enhance the transparency on ports’ financing, clarifying the destination of public funding to the different ports activities with a view to avoid any distortion of competition; and establish a mutually recognisable framework on the training of port workers in different fields of port activities. | |
| Internal Road Market Package:  (1) Report on the road freight market situation | Non-legislative | The report analyses the road freight market situation and evaluates the effectiveness of controls and the evolution of employment conditions in the profession. It will also assess the extent to which harmonisation of the rules in the fields, inter alia, of enforcement and road user charges, as well as social and safety legislation, has progressed and what remains to be done. It will determine how and with which calendar the further opening of cabotage can be pursued. | |
| (2) Access to the road haulage market and access to the occupation of road transport operator | Legislative | The package will further open the cabotage market. Such an opening could achieve important efficiency improvements by reducing unnecessary empty running of the vehicles. It may include rules on the mobile workers engaged in cabotage in order to ensure fair competition. It may also extend the existing rules on the admission to the occupation (e.g. extension to freight forwarders) and further harmonise them (e.g. on establishment and financial capacity). The proposal will modify Regulation 1072/2009 on the access to the market and Regulation 1071/2009 on the admission to the occupation. | |
| (3) Minimal rules on sanctions and their enforcement in commercial road transport | Legislative | The Directive will establish common minimal rules with regard to the definition of offences and sanctions, including criminal offences, in the field of commercial road transport. Such a harmonisation will contribute to reduce distortions of competition and the unequal treatments when committing infringements. | |
| (4) Charging systems for road vehicles | Legislative | The initiative will promote a more systematic use of distance related road charging reflecting infrastructure and external costs based on the polluter-pays and user-pays principles. It will explore phasing in a harmonised charging system for lorries which could replace across the EU existing time-based charges (Eurovignette and national vignettes) and possibly other charges (such as vehicle taxes). The initiative may include a legal framework on charging passenger. It may also include provisions on electronic tolls if their full interoperability has not been achieved on time under Directive 2004/52/EC. | |

Forthcoming initiatives 2014

|  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Title | Type | Description of scope of objectives |
| Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policies | | |
| Annual Enlargement Package 2014 | Non-legislative | The Commission has been invited by the Council to regularly report on the candidate countries and potential candidates. The Commission Strategy Paper allows the European Council to define main strategic orientations on enlargement at the end of each year. The Enlargement Package will also include monitoring of Croatia in advance of its accession. |
| Environment | | |
| Targets of the waste acquis | Legislative | To propose revision of the targets of the waste acquis Waste Framework Directive and waste stream directives) to make the EU more resource efficient. |
| Diversion targets of the Landfill Directive | Legislative | To revise existing landfill diversion targets and to propose new diversion targets for other waste streams in order to gradually move towards zero land filling in 2050. |
| Environmental liability | Legislative/Non-legislative | To assess the implementation of the Directive on environmental liability and revise it if necessary. |
| Biodiversity Strategy | Non-legislative | The follow-up will include the mid-term review of 2020 Biodiversity Strategy. |
| Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship | | |
| Green Paper on private international law | Non-legislative | Green paper on the jurisdiction, applicable law and issues of recognition relating to the registration and movement of companies, associations and other legal persons including: aspects, law, relating to companies, associations and other legal persons. |
| Improving the consistency of existing Union legislation in the field of civil procedural law | Legislative | To ensure that European civil procedures are coherent and to set common minimum procedural standards for civil proceedings. |
| Taxation and Customs Union | | |
| Laying down the definitive system of taxation of intra-EU trade | Legislative | The proposal will define the new VAT definitive system of taxation at destination of intra-EU trade and put an end to the transitional nature of the current arrangements. The proposal is linked to the reform of the EU VAT system leading to a more efficient and robust tax system in the Single Market. |
| Transport | | |
| Smart ticketing, multimodal scheduling, information, on-line reservation | Legislative/Non legislative | This legislative proposal may be comprised of rules on access to information, data exchange, and liability. |
| Limiting nitrogen oxide (NOx) from aviation | Legislative/Non legislative | The Commission will address the nitrogen oxide emissions from aviation after a thorough scientific assessment. |

Annex II: Simplification and Administrative Burden Reduction initiatives

|  |  |  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nr | Title | Type of initiative | Simplification and administrative burden reduction aspects of the initiative | Stakeholder benefitting from the simplification or administrative reduction | Adoption date |
| Agriculture | | | | | |
| 1. | Implementation rules for CAP payments which are subject to cross compliance | Legislative | According to the current legislation, Regulations (EC) No 1122/2009 and No 65/2011, Member States may decide not to apply sanctions under cross compliance where the non-compliance committed by a farmer is considered as minor or where the amount of cross compliance sanctions does not exceed 100 EUR. In both cases, the administration must check subsequently in 100 % of cases if the situation of non-compliance has been remedied. Adaptation to the Lisbon Treaty and simplification by abandoning the obligation to perform follow-up checks for minor infringements and to reduce the rate of follow-up checks to 20% on the basis of a risk analysis for farms where the amount of cross compliance sanction does not exceed 100 EUR. | Member State authorities and farmers | 2012 |
| Digital Agenda | | | | | |
| 2. | PanEuropean framework for electronic identification, authentication and signature | Legislative | Increase the usability of eSignatures and to ensure the possibility of true cross-border interoperability through mutual recognition and acceptance of national eIDs. eSignature should become as easy to use as hand written signature, to facilitate better electronic transactions between citizens, businesses and administrations. The mutual recognition and acceptance of national eIDs throughout the EU would enable all citizens and businesses to use their national eIDs in all Member States to access online services of national public administrations and public authorities and speed up procedures significantly. | Businesses, citizens and public authorities | 2012 |
| Employment, Social Affaires and Inclusion | | | | | |
| 3. | Supplementing the Statute for a European company with regard to the involvement of employees | Legislative | Identify possible improvements of the Council Directive 2001/86/EC of 8 October 2001 and thereby simplify the arrangements for the involvement of employees in the SE (Societas Europea). Subject to the results of the consultation of the Social Partners, possible changes will simplify i.a. employee involvement in case of changes after registration of the SE, the relationship between the national and transnational level of involvement and participation at group level. | Businesses and workers. | 2013 |
| 4. | Supplementing the Statute for a European Cooperative Society with regard to the involvement of employees | Legislative | Identify possibilities for simplification of Council Directive 2003/72/EC. Subject to the results of the consultation of the European Social Partners, possible changes include, i.a., reliance on standard rules at the moment where the European Cooperative Society is established, improved mechanisms to adapt employee involvement in case of changes in the SCE, establishment of a minimum threshold of number of employees in each Member State for the right to participate in the Special Negotiating Body and/or shorten the period of negotiations and better link between European and national levels of employee involvement. | Businesses and workers. | 2013 |
| Energy | | | | | |
| 5. | Reporting of intra-Community transfers of nuclear items | Legislative | Ensure that the European nuclear sector can fully benefit from the single market. The current prior authorisation system for intra-community transfers of non-sensitive nuclear items is a disproportionate means of gathering the necessary information for fulfilling Member States' obligations towards the IAEA under the Additional Protocol (AP). Some of the possible options would replace an authorisation procedure by a reporting procedure. The chosen approach should reduce administrative burden for the Member State administrations and business. | Member State authorities and business | 2012 |
| European Statistics | | | | | |
| 6. | Quarterly non-financial accounts for general government | Legislative | Decrease the reporting burden on Member State authorities as quarterly non-financial accounts (Regulation 1221/2002) for general government will only be collected in one table and not 2 different reporting tables as is currently the case | Member State authorities | 2012 |
| 7. | Farm structure surveys (post 2013) | Legislative | Reduction of burden in Regulation 1166/2008 on respondents through: (a) design of the surveys; (b) possibility to use existing appropriate sources and farm registers. | Farmers and Member State authorities | 2012 |
| Health and Consumer | | | | | |
| 8. | Official controls along the food chain | Legislative | The aim of the proposal for a revision of Regulation 882/2004 is to simplify and streamline the existing legal framework, in order to improve the efficiency of official controls performed by the Member States along the food chain while minimizing burden for operators. A more efficient use of control resources will contribute to preventing crisis, whilst limiting the costs thereof for compliant economic operators and ensuring a level-playing field. Directives 96/23/EC, 97/78/EC and 91/496/EEC are also concerned. | Member State authorities, operators and exporting third countries | 2012 |
| 9. | Marketing of seed and propagating materials to foster innovation in seeds | Legislative | The initiative aims to foster innovation and seeks to reduce overall administrative burden and introduce flexibility within the regulatory framework with a view to globalisation, specialisation and development of new uses of agricultural commodities, together with changes in the societal expectations on the interplay of agriculture and the natural environment. It will modernise and simplify the legislation by replacing 12 Directives on seed and plant propagating material with one single act. | Breeders of varieties, suppliers of seed and plant propagating material (S&PM), farmers and other users of S&PM, processors of agricultural raw products, final consumers, Member State authorities and the Community Plant Variety Office | 2012 |
| 10. | Clinical trials to foster clinical research and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector | Legislative | The objective of the proposal for a revision of the directive on clinical trials (2001/20/EC) is to strengthen knowledge and innovation in clinical research. Issues likely to be addressed are: reduction of administrative delays, overcoming divergent decisions throughout the EU and streamlining of reporting procedures. | Businesses (manufacturers) and Member State authorities | 2012 |
| 11. | Package containing:  (1) Veterinary pharmaceutical legislation | Legislative | Increase the availability of medicines on the market, in particular to treat diseases of minor animal species or those occurring rarely. Decrease the burden on enterprises by streamlining the authorisation processes of veterinary medicines while respecting public health, animal health as well as the environment. | Farmers, manufacturers of VMPs, distributors, Member State authorities | 2012 |
| 12. | (2) Medicated feed legislation | Legislative | The revision of the medicated feed legislation(90/167/EEC) aims to clarify the scope with respect to other parts of the feed law and with the legislation on veterinary medicinal products, to address the relationship between administration via medicines and via medicated feed, and to address the different methods of administering veterinary medicines in terms of cost, safety and efficacy. The initiative seeks to establish a level playing field in the EU that ensures safe and efficient use of medicated feed. | Farmers, manufacturers of MF, distributors, Member State authorities | 2012 |
| 13. | Composite products and meat inspection. (Hygiene Package) | Legislative | Composite products  Align the current animal health rules on import of composite products with the rules for public health and improves competition between third countries and Member States. Introducing one certificate for both public health and animal health certification and for all types of food of animal origin (simplification of administrative burden).  Meat inspection  Review meat inspection to adapt to epidemiological trends of certain zoonoses. New emerging risks should be better covered while attention to limited risks may be reduced in a more risk-based approach, thereby simplifying the process and reducing the burden on administration. The initiative will be developed in consultation with major trade partners in third countries, to facilitate export. | Business operators, internal traders, importers, consumers, Member State authorities, the Commission | 2012 |
| Home Affairs | | | | | |
| 14. | EU Immigration Code  Directive 2009/50/EC, Directive 2005/71/EC, Directive 2004/114/EC, Directive 2003/019/EC and Directive 2003/86/EC | Legislative | Consolidation of all legislation in the area of immigration, starting with the 5 existing Directives on legal migration. Improved coherence between the instruments, increased transparency and identification of any gaps. Account will be taken of the results of the forthcoming application reports on the Directives. | Member State authorities, third country nationals who have already migrated to the EU, and those who are considering doing so, employers, research institutions. | 2013 |
| 15. | Revision of the Schengen Borders Code (81/2009) | Legislative | Compilation of several amendments into one legal text, including that on the use of the Visa Information System and the 2011 amendments. | Member State authorities | 2013 |
| Industry and Entrepreneurship | | | | | |
| 16. | Personal protective equipment | Legislative | Review and align Directive 89/686/EC with the new legal framework for the marketing of products. Clarification of the scope of the Directive to facilitate its application by manufacturers, market surveillance authorities as well as Notified Bodies. Simplification of health and safety requirements and conformity assessment procedures. | Businesses (manufacturers) | 2012 |
| 17. | Cableway installations designed to carry persons | Legislative | Review and align Directive 2000/9/EC with the new legal framework for the marketing of products. Simplifying the text of the Directive clarifying major concepts, definitions and scope to make the text more coherent and facilitate its application by manufacturers, national authorities and all stakeholders. | Businesses (manufacturers) | 2012 |
| 18. | Fertilizers | Legislative | Simplify the procedures for allowing the marketing of fertilizers, including new fertilizers types, growing media and soil improvers, and reduce administrative burdens on companies and authorities repealing Regulation EC 2003/2003. This will also facilitate trade with third countries. | Businesses (manufacturers) | 2012 |
| 19. | Non-road mobile machinery engines | Non-legislative | As from 1 January 2014 a new exhaust emission standard Stage IV becomes mandatory for engines used in non-road machinery; one year before type approvals can only be granted for Stage IV compliant engines. New specifications for testing these engines to be introduced in Directive 97/68/ECthrough this initiative. | Member State authorities (technical services) and businesses (manufacturers) | 2012 |
| Internal Market and Services | | | | | |
| 20. | Statute for a European Company (SE) | Legislative | Simplification of the Statute for a European Company (SE) Regulation 2001/2157/EC, in the broader context of a possible legislative review.  Reduction of the information obligations associated with reporting, publication of information, use of independent experts and requirements for meetings. | EU companies intending to set up an SE and companies with the legal form of an SE. | 2013 |
| Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship | | | | | |
| 21. | EP elections | Legislative | Reduction of administrative burden (Directive 93/109/EC) on citizens and on national administrations in the electoral process and improving efficiency of the current mechanism for enforcing the prohibition of voting in two Member States in the same European elections. | Citizens and Member State authorities | 2012 |
| 22. | Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours | Legislative | Revision of Council Directive 90/314/EEC to modernise the current rules for the protection of consumers buying package travel, notably over internet and facilitate the purchase of package travel from other Member States.  Application of the full regime to small and micro travel agents organising packages in a single member state can be simplified and lightened. | Citizens and consumers | 2012 |
| 23. | Service in the Member States of judicial and extrajudicial documents in civil or commercial matters | Legislative | The revision of Regulation (EC) No 1393/2007 on the service of documents in civil and commercial matters, focussing on the effectiveness of the transmitting and receiving agencies and the practical application of the execution of a request for service. Possible establishment of common minimum standards.  Simplification from the introduction of the electronic mode (faster processes, less paperwork) and of unified modes of service for various instruments. | Citizens and Member State authorities | 2013 |
| 24. | Improving the consistency of existing Union legislation in the field of civil procedural law | Legislative | To ensure that European civil procedures are coherent and to set common minimum procedural standards for civil proceedings. | Citizens and Member State authorities | 2014 |
| Maritime Affairs and Fisheries | | | | | |
| 25. | Long term plans for certain stocks and the fisheries exploiting those stocks (multi-species plans). | Legislative | Reduced number of legal texts for multi-species plans. Simplification and clarity for fishermen improved. Control and enforcement of the plans by the administration facilitated. | Fishermen and Member State administrations. | 2013 |
| 26. | Conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of marine organisms. | Legislative | Simplification achieved through the elimination of elements of the current technical measures regime which are unnecessary or unenforceable and the introduction of a target based approach into elements of the new framework where the burden of proof will rest with the stakeholders. | Fishing industry (fishermen), national administrations, control agencies and scientific research institutes. | 2013 |
| Transport | | | | | |
| 27. | Revising passenger ship safety | Legislative | Improve safety and avoid distortion of competition for several passenger ship types engaged in international/domestic voyages. Simplification and clarification of the current legislative framework by removing excessive provisions currently applicable to small ships and small transport companies. | All actors in the maritime chain: vessels, crews, shipping companies, freight operators, ports' communities, a broad range of Member State authorities (regulators, defence, search and rescue services, anti-pollution services, etc), coastal regions, fishing vessels, marine environment at large, citizens. The Commission and EU Agencies. | 2012 |
| 28. | Single European Sky | Legislative | Better align the two regulatory frameworks on the Single European Sky (SES) (Regulations (EC) No 549-552/2004) and the regulation establishing the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (Regulation (EC) No 216/2008). The 2009 SES2 package did not revise the older SES regulations sufficiently, which caused a lack of clarity on the regulatory approach with regard to technical issues. | All actors in aviation sector | 2014 |

Draft Annex III: List of withdrawals of pending proposals
[2](#footnote2)

|  |  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nr | COM/SEC/ Inter-institutional reference | Title | Justification for withdrawal | Reference of the Commission proposal in OJ |
| Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy | | | | |
| 1. | COM(2007) 0743-part 1 2007/0255/APP 2007/0255 (AVC) | Proposal for a Council Decision on the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Serbia, of the other part | Technical withdrawal. The signing took place on 29 April 2008. This proposal was presented jointly with the proposal COM(2007) 0743-2 concerning the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and its Member States, of the one part and the Republic of Serbia, of the part, which remains valid as the ratification procedure by MS is still ongoing. | Reference to adoption by EC in OJ C 55, 28.02.2008, p. 5 |
| Environment | | | | |
| 2. | COM(2004) 532 2004/0183/COD | Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council introducing humane trapping standards for certain animal species | Rejected by the European Parliament. The Commission will consider other alternatives. | Reference to adoption by EC in OJ C 13, 19.01.2005, p. 6 |
| Home Affairs | | | | |
| 3. | COM(2009) 90 2009/0025/COD | Proposal for a Council Regulation amending the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement as regards long stay visa and alerts in the Schengen Information System | Technical withdrawal. Following a change of the legal basis and procedure in December 2009, it was incorporated in procedure COM(2009) 91. The new proposal was adopted as Regulation (EU) No 265/2010 of 25 March 2010 amending the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement and Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 as regards movement of persons with a long-stay visa. | Reference to adoption by EC in OJ C 076, 25.03.2010, p. 20 |
| 4. | COM(2009) 554 | Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on minimum standards on procedures in Member States for granting and withdrawing international protection (Recast) | Obsolete. Replaced by recast proposal COM(2011) 319. | Reference to adoption by EC in OJ C 26, 28.01.2011, p.16 |
| 5. | COM(2009) 618 | Proposal for a Council Decision establishing the position to be adopted on behalf of the Community concerning a mechanism for the review of implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, to be adopted in the 3rd session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (Doha / Qatar, 9 – 13 November 2009) | Obsolete. At its third session, held in Doha from 9 to 13 November 2009, the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption adopted resolution 3/1, entitled "Review mechanism". | Reference to adoption by EC in OJ C 26, 28.01.2011, p. 14 |
| 6. | COM(2008) 676 | Proposal for a Council Decision on a Critical Infrastructure Warning Information Network (CIWIN) | The CIWIN system has now been defined as a non-compulsory system, which will not process personal data or classified information. Under those conditions a legal basis is not necessary to operate the system and therefore the proposal must be withdrawn. |  |
| Internal Market and Services | | | | |
| 7. | COM(2000) 0412 final - 2000/0177/CNS | Proposal for a Council Regulation on the Community patent | Replaced by more recent proposals: COM(2011) 0215 Proposal for a Regulation implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of unitary patent protection and COM(2011) 0216 Proposal for a Regulation implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of unitary patent protection (translation arrangements). | OJ C 337E, 28.11.2000, p. 278–290 |
| 8. | COM(2003) 827 2003/0326/CNS | Proposal for a Council Decision conferring jurisdiction on the Court of Justice in disputes relating to the Community patent | Outdated by more recent proposals - COM(2011) 0215 Proposal for a Regulation implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of unitary patent protection and COM(2011) 0216 Proposal for a Regulation implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of unitary patent protection (translation arrangements). | Reference to adoption by EC in OJ C 96, 21.04.2004, p.36 |
| 9. | COM(2003) 828 2003/0324/COD | Proposal for a Council Decision establishing the Community Patent Court and concerning appeals before the Court of First Instance | Outdated by more recent proposals - COM(2011) 0215 Proposal for a Regulation implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of unitary patent protection and COM(2011) 0216 Proposal for a Regulation implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of unitary patent protection (translation arrangements). | Reference to adoption by EC in OJ C 96, 21.04.2004 p. 36 |
| 10. | COM(2008) 194 2008/0083/COD | Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directives 68/151/EEC and 89/666/EEC as regards publication and translation obligations of certain types of companies | No agreement reached on the proposal and absence of reasonable expectations for ever having a qualified majority on this proposal. | Reference to adoption by EC in OJ C 76, 25.03.2010, p.1 |
| Legal Issues | | | | |
| 11. | COM(2007) 587 2007/0206/CNS | Proposal for a Council Directive on the structure and rates of excise duty applied to manufactured tobacco (Codified version) | Replaced by amended proposal COM(2010) 641, on the basis of which Council Directive 2011/64/EU of 21 June 2011 was adopted. | Reference to adoption by EC in OJ C 4, 09.01.2009, p. 9 |
| 12. | COM(2008) 691 2008/0206/CNS | Proposal for a Council Directive on the common system of taxation applicable in the case of parent companies and subsidiaries of different Member States (Codified version) | Replaced by recast proposal COM(2010) 784. |  |
| 13. | COM(2009) 323 2009/0083/CNS | Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on the introduction of the euro | The legal basis has been repealed by the Lisbon Treaty; a codified version of the act can therefore not be adopted. | Reference to adoption by EC in OJ C 296, 30.10.2010, p. 11 |
| 14. | COM(2009) 530 2009/0149/COD | Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on statistical returns in respect of the carriage of goods by road (Codified version) | Replaced by recast proposal COM(2010) 505. | Reference to adoption by EC in OJ C 26, 28.01.2011, p. 13 |
| Maritime Affairs and Fisheries | | | | |
| 15. | COM(2009) 120  2009/0038/CNS | Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea | Following the violent suppression by Guinean government forces of citizens' protests on 28 September 2009 the Council adopted a decision to terminate the Protocol's provisional application and to withdraw its intention of concluding the Agreement. Therefore the proposal for the conclusion of the Agreement must be withdrawn. | Reference to adoption by EC in OJ C 296, 30.10.2010, p. 2 |
| Regional Policy | | | | |
| 16. | COM(2005) 108 final  2005/0033/COD | Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund | The proposal remains blocked in the Council since 2006 as MS continue to have reservations about any major changes to the principles and functioning of the Solidarity Fund and no progress can be expected in the future. The Commission announced its intention to withdraw the proposal and explore other possibilities in the Communication adopted on 6 October 2011 on The Future of the European Union Solidarity Fund (COM(2011) 613, point 6). | Reference to adoption by EC OJ C 49, 28.02.2006, p. 38 |
| Taxation and Customs Union | | | | |
| 17. | COM(2007) 52 final  2007/0023/CNS | Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 2003/96/EC as regards the adjustment of special tax arrangements for gas oil used as motor fuel for commercial purposes and the coordination of taxation of unleaded petrol and gas oil used as motor fuel | The proposal has become redundant with the adoption of the energy taxation proposal COM(2011) 169. | Reference to adoption by EC in OJ C 181, 03.08.2007, p. 5 |

:   [(1)](#footnoteref1)
    Roadmaps on the individual initiatives can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/governance/impact/planned\_ia/roadmaps\_2012\_en.htm
:   [(2)](#footnoteref2)
    The withdrawals will take effect on the date of the publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

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