Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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

Strasbourg, 25.10.2016

COM(2016) 710 final

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 2017  
  
Delivering a Europe that protects, empowers and defends

{SWD(2016) 400 final}

I.
   Europe is at a critical juncture

Europeans know and see in their daily lives the consequences of the challenges that remain with us. A still-nascent economic recovery, which has yet to deliver benefits for all in our societies, especially when it comes to creating jobs for the young and reducing inequality. Migration flows, which have tested our external borders and remain a challenge for the capacity of the Union to deliver solidarity. A heightened terrorist threat. Ongoing instability in our eastern and southern neighbourhood. To which we now have to add the uncertainty as a result of the UK referendum.

Listening to Europeans, we have understood that they look for a response to these challenges and protection from these threats. They look for the means that can empower them to build a sustainable future for themselves and their families. And they look for perspective: an assurance that governance at local, regional, national and European levels can collectively meet the expectations of today and tomorrow's generations.

A Commission focussed on the important things…

From the start of our mandate, this Commission has set its priorities to focus on the big things, where effective European action can make a concrete difference in addressing the challenges facing Europe's citizens, our Member States and the Union as a whole. Over the last year we have made solid progress in implementing the strategies we have set out in the Investment Plan for Europe, the Digital Single Market, the Energy Union, the European Agenda on Security, the European Agenda on Migration, the Capital Markets Union, the Action Plan for Fair and Efficient Corporate Taxation, the new Trade Strategy, the Steps towards completing Economic and Monetary Union, the Single Market Strategy, and the Action Plan for the Circular Economy.

Focussing on the big things, and sharing these priorities with the European Parliament and the Council, we have delivered tangible and quick results in key areas. In just one year, the European Fund for Strategic Investments has been activated in 27 Member States and has triggered €138 billion in investments, including new financing for almost 300,000 small and medium-sized enterprises. We have made substantial progress in regaining control of irregular migration flows and preventing deaths in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. The European Border and Coast Guard is already working to strengthen control of our external borders just ten months after the Commission proposed it. At the same time Europe has shown solidarity with 1 million Syrians who have found shelter and protection here. And we have relocated and resettled over 15 000 further refugees in the past twelve months. In the last three months we have reached an average of some 1 000 relocations per month. In September the figure has increased up to 1,200 relocations. The gap between current relocation needs and effective relocations from Greece is now decreasing, but these efforts need to be maintained in the coming months, and relocation from Italy should be significantly stepped up.

This Work Programme sets out the key initiatives
[1](#footnote1)
 the Commission commits to delivering by the end of 2017. These concrete proposals are the most visible way in which our work will contribute to the process of renewal ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome in March 2017. And we will be cooperating with the European Parliament and Council to make sure that these and the other key proposals we have made in the past years are adopted swiftly, so they can make a tangible impact on the ground.

… and a Commission focussed on doing things better

But shared priority-setting is just one way in which improving how we work together at European level can demonstrate to Europeans that our governance structures are really at their service. Because doing things better is just as important for citizens' confidence as doing better things.

That is why over the next months we will pay close attention to the operational side of our work: making sure existing European laws are properly applied and enforced and remain fit for purpose; providing structural support, for example in Greece; boosting the roll-out of the European Fund for Strategic Investments and tackling barriers to investment; and cooperating with Member States, the Social Partners and civil society to help create a supportive environment for delivering the Union's policy objectives, including through the effective deployment of the budgetary means at our disposal. This year we will in particular step up our efforts on the enforcement agenda, because even the best law is useless unless it delivers real results on the ground.

We will also continue to apply better regulation principles across all our work, so that what we do is constantly assessed that it is effective and proportionate in achieving the ambitions of the policy goals we have set. Many of the key initiatives we will present in the next year include proposals which follow on from regulatory fitness and performance reviews (REFIT) and which will update and improve existing legislation so it continues to achieve its objectives effectively and without undue burdens.

Beyond the key initiatives, we also propose a number of further REFIT revisions to current laws
[2](#footnote2)
, and for the future we will seek to achieve REFIT goals whenever any existing law is due to be reviewed. In setting our priorities for the coming months, we have taken particular account of the 22 opinions of the REFIT Platform. We are doing or have planned work in all areas covered by the opinions
[3](#footnote3)
. In parallel to this Work Programme, we are publishing a Scoreboard which sets out in detail the follow up to the REFIT Platform opinions and ongoing efforts to evaluate and review existing laws, whilst we are also proposing the repeal of a series of pieces of legislation which are obsolete
[4](#footnote4)
. We also propose to withdraw a series of pending proposals that are technically outdated or no longer serve their purpose, to allow the co-legislators to focus on the proposals that really matter
[5](#footnote5)
.

We will also continue to bed down the other changes we have made to the way we work. In the past two years the Commission has considerably increased our openness and accountability to citizens
[6](#footnote6)
, and that has improved the quality of our work and our proposals. We are now seeking the views of the public across the board, including on draft delegated and implementing acts. We are open about the interest representatives who seek to influence our policy decisions and have invited the European Parliament and Council as co-legislators to join us in a new Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register
[7](#footnote7)
 so that there is accountability to citizens about lobbying across all stages of European law-making.

II.
   Delivering on the 10 priorities

In the coming year, the Commission will work in the framework of the 10 priorities outlined in the Political Guidelines
[8](#footnote8)
 – presented at the start of our mandate following discussions with the European Parliament and inspired by the European Council's 'Strategic agenda for the Union in times of change' – to deliver a targeted and positive agenda that brings concrete results to protect, empower and defend citizens
[9](#footnote9)
.

1.
   A New Boost for Jobs, Growth and Investment

A Europe that preserves our way of life and empowers our young. Some eight million more jobs have been created over the last three years, but unemployment still remains at unacceptably high levels in many Member States, especially among the young. Our priority must be to help Member States to create the best possible conditions for our young people to develop the skills they need and become active on the labour market and in society.

The aim of our new Youth Initiative is that every young person should have real prospects for education, training and employment. We will prioritise youth in the implementation of the New Skills Agenda for Europe. Proposals will address the modernisation of education, improving the quality of apprenticeships and further developing mobility of apprentices, and tracking outcomes for young people in the labour market once they have finished their academic or vocational training. We are also reinforcing the Youth Guarantee as a tool to invest in young people, in their skills and in their first steps in a career
[10](#footnote10)
, as well as the Youth Employment Initiative
[11](#footnote11)
. This will support Member States' actions by reaching out to the regions and young people most in need.

We will launch the European Solidarity Corps by the end of 2016 which will create opportunities for under-30s to contribute actively to society in a spirit of solidarity, and acquire new skills and experience, including language skills, in the process.

It is through innovation and the right investment in our economies that companies create jobs. Building on the initial success of the Investment Plan for Europe
[12](#footnote12)
, the Commission is committed to doubling both the duration and the financial capacity of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI). The original Fund was agreed by the co-legislator in a record-time of four and a half months and the Commission counts on both the European Parliament and the Council to ensure an equally swift agreement on its extension and reinforcement, thereby strengthening sustainable investment. Inspired by the success of EFSI, the Commission has also presented an External Investment Plan for Africa and the EU Neighbourhood to tackle some of the root causes of migration and promote jobs and sustainable growth in these regions
[13](#footnote13)
.

We will continue to work to create the right climate for innovation in Europe, to help create new industries and jobs, tackle societal and environmental challenges and improve people's lives. By mainstreaming innovation across all Union policies and targeting our research and development and structural and investment funds effectively, we aim to make Europe a leader in new technologies and business methods, including through smart specialisation.

The Commission will continue to work to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. The circular economy offers great innovative, growth and jobs potential. The Commission will take forward the implementation of the Circular Economy Action Plan by improving the economics, quality and uptake of plastic recycling and reuse in the EU and reducing plastic leakage into the environment. We will also come forward with a legislative proposal on minimum quality requirements for reused water and a revision of the Directive on drinking water following up on the REFIT evaluation and the European Citizens' Initiative "Right2Water". We will develop a monitoring framework to ensure that progress towards our circular economy ambitions is on track and delivering the mutually-reinforcing benefits both for the environment and our economic growth.

The 2017 European Semester will continue to put focus on the necessary measures that Member States should take to deliver investment, sound public finances and structural reform. In its next recommendation on the economic policy of the euro-area, the Commission will also promote a positive fiscal stance for the euro-area, in support of the monetary policy of the European Central Bank. On the basis of the analysis contained in the country reports to be adopted in February, the Commission will develop a further series of country-specific recommendations to be proposed to the Council in May.

We will follow up with the European Parliament and Council on our proposal to revise the Multiannual Financial Framework (2014-2020)
[14](#footnote14)
. Our ambition is a revised budget that reinforces support for the Union's priorities and is better able to respond rapidly to unforeseen circumstances, with simplified rules for beneficiaries and strengthened focus on results. A comprehensive proposal for the future framework beyond 2020, including on own resources, will follow. This proposal will be guided by the "EU-budget-focused-on-results" initiative and reflect the future challenges and needs of the Union post-2020 on the basis of an assessment of existing spending policies and instruments.

The Commission will take forward work and consult widely on simplification and modernisation of the Common Agricultural Policy to maximise its contribution to the Commission's ten priorities and to the Sustainable Development Goals. This will focus on specific policy priorities for the future, taking account of the opinion of the REFIT Platform, and without prejudice to the Commission proposal to revise the Multiannual Financial Framework. As concerns the position of farmers in the food supply chain, in the light of the outcome of the ongoing work of the Agricultural Markets Task Force and the High Level Forum on the food supply chain, the Commission will consider further action as necessary.

2. 
   A Connected Digital Single Market

A Europe that empowers its citizens and businesses. Digital technologies and digital communications are permeating every aspect of life, bringing new opportunities for creativity, business and employment, but also underscoring the need for trust and cybersecurity. Releasing the full additional growth potential of a connected Digital Single Market by completing the implementation of the Strategy will remain high on the agenda in 2017. As announced in last year's Work Programme we will deliver the remaining proposals in the next few months, such as the Value Added Tax (VAT) REFIT package covering proposals on e-commerce, e-publications and e-books and initiatives on advancing the data economy including addressing unjustified barriers to the free flow of data within Europe.

We will devote particular attention to working closely with the co-legislators in order to advance swiftly on the proposals already put forward. These include digital contracts
[15](#footnote15)
, copyright
[16](#footnote16)
, geo-blocking
[17](#footnote17)
, portability
[18](#footnote18)
, parcel delivery
[19](#footnote19)
, audio-visual media services
[20](#footnote20)
, telecommunications
[21](#footnote21)
, the use of the 700 MHz band for mobile services
[22](#footnote22)
, and our recent proposal on WiFi4EU
[23](#footnote23)
. Connectivity is key, and the Commission will deliver on its promise to bring about the abolition of mobile roaming charges by mid-2017. We will review the progress made towards completing the Digital Single Market and will identify where further efforts are needed by the co-legislators and any necessary further proposals.

3. 
   A Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy

A Europe that takes responsibility for delivery on promises made. The swift ratification of the Paris Agreement has shown that Member States can find common ground when it is clear that acting together the Union's impact is bigger than the mere sum of its parts. Moreover, it has confirmed the EU's global leading role on climate change. Delivery on our commitments is now needed to make the modernisation of our economy a reality whilst ensuring a socially fair transition. The implementation of the Paris Agreement and of the international agreement on emissions from aircraft (International Civil Aviation Organisation) is a priority here.

As already announced, we will continue to deliver on our Energy Union Strategy and present, by the end of this year, a comprehensive package aimed at managing the modernisation of the economy by placing energy efficiency first, pursuing the ambition to become world number one in renewable energies and providing a fair deal to consumers. This will encompass legislative action on energy efficiency, renewable energy including bioenergy sustainability, the design of the electricity market and the governance rules for the Energy Union. An initiative to Accelerate Clean Energy Innovation will support the research and market uptake of technological innovation needed for energy efficiency and renewables to meet the decarbonisation goals set by the Paris Agreement and our 2030 targets. All the Energy Union related legislative proposals presented by the Commission in 2015 and 2016 need to be addressed as a priority by the Parliament and Council. These include the above-mentioned package, the security of gas supply package
[24](#footnote24)
, the EU emissions trading system
[25](#footnote25)
 and related rules on effort-sharing
[26](#footnote26)
 and landuse and forestry
[27](#footnote27)
.

We will also follow up on our Strategy on low-emission mobility presented in July. The aim will be to increase the efficiency of transport by responding to the mobility needs of people and goods and promoting lower emissions, including a gradual shift to zero emission vehicles, which will also enhance the competitiveness of the industry. To achieve this, as a first step we will present REFIT revisions of the car and light commercial vehicles Regulations, presenting strategies establishing zero- and low-emission standards post-2020, and the clean vehicles Directive to improve procurement incentives and rules. Applying the user-pay and polluter-pay principle, we intend to propose improvements for those Member States who choose to use road charging, including for the interoperability of electronic tolling services.

4. 
   A Deeper and Fairer Internal Market with a Strengthened Industrial Base

A Europe that makes a strong contribution to jobs and growth and stands up for its industry, The free movement of goods, people, services and capital is the basis of Europe's economic power. We have the largest single market in the world, and the reforms set out in the Single Market Strategy seek to unlock its full potential. In synergy with our other strategies, this will create the right conditions for the sustainable competitiveness of the European economy and support innovation, digitisation and the industrial transformation.

Upcoming deliverables, already announced, cover action to help SMEs and start-ups to grow, an Intellectual Property Rights Package and a Services package to tackle barriers in the services market. We will present a company law initiative to facilitate the use of digital technologies throughout a company's lifecycle and cross-border mergers and divisions.

Next year the Commission will act to strengthen the single market in goods, notably by facilitating the mutual recognition and addressing the increasing amount of non-compliant products on the EU market through REFIT revisions of the relevant legislation. This will allow entrepreneurs to offer their products more easily across borders while offering incentives to boost regulatory compliance and restoring the level playing field to the benefit of businesses and citizens. We will also introduce an initiative on coordinated health technology assessments.

Building upon the Strategy for low-emission mobility, the Commission will work in an integrated way on mobility, connectivity and the future of the automotive industry, which needs to meet structural challenges and rebuild trust in its commitment and ability to address car emissions. We will notably continue work on the regulatory environment, ecosystem-building, resource efficiency and standardisation to facilitate the market introduction of increasingly efficient autonomous and connected vehicles.

As concerns the space industry, as a follow-up to the European Defence Action Plan and the Space Strategy for Europe, the Commission will put forward in 2017 an initiative to ensure reliable, secure and cost-effective satellite communication services for public authorities (GOVSATCOM – governmental satellite communication) as well as measures to facilitate market uptake of space services and data.

Enforcement of Single Market rules is essential to ensure that they deliver on the ground. In 2017, the Commission will put forward, as part of a wider enforcement focus, proposals to upgrade and streamline problem-solving tools, including the SOLVIT network, and promote awareness among citizens and companies of their rights. This will include the Single Market Information Tool and the Digital Single Gateway to support businesses and to help them to develop cross-border activities throughout the Single Market taking into account an opinion of the REFIT Platform. Proposals will be made to further empower National Competition Authorities to be more effective enforcers of rules that guarantee a competitive environment in the Single Market.

In line with the European Council's call to make swift progress to ensure easier access to finance for business and to support investment in the real economy, the Commission will present a mid-term review of the Capital Markets Union Action Plan, identifying remaining obstacles and any additional measures required. We will propose a simple, efficient and competitive EU personal pension product aimed at reducing barriers to the provision of pension services across borders and increasing competition between pension providers, a REFIT revision of the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR), a strategy on sustainable finance, measures to facilitate funding of infrastructure corporates, and an action plan for retail financial services to break down the national barriers which prevent consumers from getting the best value, choice and prices and to benefit from new financial technologies. The Commission will also ensure follow up on the call for evidence on the cumulative impact of financial legislation, also taking into account the REFIT Platform opinion on reporting requirements. And we will bring forward the remaining proposals that have already been announced, including legislation on business restructuring and second chance to ensure that when business fail they are wound down fairly and efficiently and entrepreneurs get a fresh start.

A sound tax environment must be simple and efficient for companies operating across borders whilst ensuring that these companies are fairly and effectively contributing to taxes in the places where they actually make their profits. In parallel with this Work Programme, the Commission is re-launching the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base with a compulsory common tax base as the first step
[28](#footnote28)
. The Commission is also presenting further measures to tackle tax fraud and evasion, including via third countries
[29](#footnote29)
. Taking account of the ongoing consultation, additional measures in the area of tax transparency over the next year could include a proposal to increase oversight of promoters and enablers of aggressive tax planning schemes. As a key component of the External Strategy for Effective Taxation, the Commission will work with Member States to finalise an EU list of third country jurisdictions which fail to comply with international tax good governance standards and implementation of the relevant international agreements on best practices against profit shifting and base erosion.

Every year, cross-border VAT fraud costs tax-payers in our Member States some €50 billion. At the same time, the administrative burden of VAT compliance for small businesses is high and technical innovations pose new challenges for effective tax collection. The Commission will therefore bring forward measures to implement the VAT Action Plan, to simplify VAT for smaller companies and set the foundations for a modern, more efficient, business-friendly and fraud-proof definitive VAT regime across Europe, taking account of the opinions of the REFIT Platform. A more effective and proportionate approach to VAT rates is a key element of this reform.

5.
   A Deeper and Fairer Economic and Monetary Union

A Europe that protects our economies and ensures a fair playing field for workers and business. As an established global currency the euro brings huge, often invisible economic benefits. Euro area countries saved €50 billion this year in interest payments on their debt, thanks to the low interest rates and the European Central Bank's monetary policy. The Commission stands by the ambition and roadmaps presented in the 5 Presidents' Report on the completion of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

The White Paper on the Future of Europe setting out steps on how to reform an EU of 27 Member States 60 years after the Treaties of Rome will also include the future of the EMU to prepare stage 2 of EMU deepening in the new political and democratic context, including a stability-oriented review of the Stability and Growth Pact and the follow-up to Article 16 of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union (incorporating the substance of this Treaty into the legal framework of the European Union). We will also review the European System of Financial Supervision (ESFS) to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of oversight at both macro- and micro- prudential levels. The adoption of the proposal for a unified representation of the euro area in the International Monetary Fund
[30](#footnote30)
 should be accelerated.

The completion of Banking Union and in that context, finding an agreement on the proposal for a common European Deposit Insurance Scheme
[31](#footnote31)
, remains a priority. The Commission will also, in the light of the latest considerations at international level, review parts of the banking legislation and propose targeted amendments to the Capital Requirement Regulation and Directive, as well as to the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive, to make banks even more resilient while simplifying the rules for those with a less complex business model, promoting investment especially in SMEs, and strengthening existing risk-reduction measures in particular through the implementation of the global standards on total loss-absorbing capacity for systemic banks. Stepping up progress on the delivery of the Capital Markets Union is key to fostering a greater level of private sector risk sharing in EMU. The adoption of the pending proposals on securitisation
[32](#footnote32)
 and prospectus
[33](#footnote33)
 must be accelerated.

The Commission is committed to promoting social upwards convergence and strengthening the social dimension of European integration. Drawing on the evidence gathered by this year's public consultation, we will propose a European Pillar of Social Rights setting out principles for a Union built on social fairness. The Pillar will set out a framework of principles to foster a fair playing field in a European social market economy. This will offer a policy compass for fair and dynamic labour markets, in which everyone has a chance to put their talent to use, and for well-functioning and sustainable welfare systems which reflect today's fast-changing realities. It will be accompanied by related initiatives, such as initiatives to address the challenges of work-life balance faced by working families.

6.
   Trade: A Reasonable and Balanced Free Trade Agreement with the US

A Europe that is open and trading with our partners while strengthening its defence instruments. In today's global economy, trade is essential for growth, jobs and competitiveness. Trade means jobs – for every 1 billion Euros we get in exports, 14,000 extra jobs are created across the EU. And more than 30 million jobs, 1 in 7 of all jobs in the EU, now depend on exports to the rest of the world. That is why the EU remains committed to an open, rules-based trading system.

Building on the Union's successful network of free trade agreements, the Commission will continue negotiations with the US, Japan, Mercosur, Mexico, Tunisia and ASEAN countries. We will seek new mandates to open negotiations with Turkey, Australia, New Zealand and Chile. We will continue work in the WTO, including plurilateral agreements, as well as for a swift ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada.

We are also committed to ensuring that trade remains fair by updating and modernising Europe's trade defence instruments in order to ensure they are fully sustainable in light of new economic challenges such as over-capacity and changing legal realities, as the expiry of certain provisions of WTO accession protocols. It is now urgent that the Council solves the stalemate on our proposal from 2013 to modernise Trade Defence Instruments, including a reform of the lesser duty rule
[34](#footnote34)
. The European Council called on 21 October 2016 for an urgent and balanced agreement on the Council position for a comprehensive modernisation of all trade defence instruments by the end of 2016.

Given the common values of the EU and the United States, as well as the strategic, political, and economic importance of the transatlantic relationship, the Commission stands ready to conclude an ambitious, balanced and high-standards Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement. Given the upcoming elections in the US and the inevitable slowdown of the pace of negotiations, both parties will endeavour to consolidate the progress that has been achieved. The Commission stands ready to engage with the new US administration as soon as possible, on the basis of the mandate given to the Commission, reconfirmed by the European Council on 21 October 2016
[35](#footnote35)
.

The Commission will also play a leading role in the implementation of the Global Forum on steel excess capacity, under the auspices of the G20.

7.
   An Area of Justice and Fundamental Rights Based on Mutual Trust

A Europe that defends and preserves our values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Security at and within our borders is a key and common concern given the current threats Europe faces. The terrorist threat has never before been so widely felt in Europe. We intend to follow up the EU Security Agenda with actions to pave the way towards a Security Union and to strengthen controls at our borders. This will include a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) so that there is automated checking of visa-exempt third country nationals intending to travel to the Schengen area, which will complement the entry and exit system for third country nationals that the Commission has already proposed
[36](#footnote36)
 and which, together with our proposal for systematic controls on EU nationals crossing EU external borders, should be agreed quickly
[37](#footnote37)
. We will also present improvements to the Schengen Information System and will make our existing and future law enforcement and border management systems more interoperable, following up on the ongoing work of the High Level Group on Information systems and interoperability. And we will present an initiative on access to electronic evidence, given its increasing importance for ensuring effective criminal investigations and prosecutions to fight serious crime and terrorism.

Over the next months the Commission will continue to implement the EU Action Plan on tackling terrorism financing, with proposals on harmonised sanctions to deter money laundering, illicit cash movements, illicit trade in cultural goods and the freezing and confiscation of criminals' assets. We are also working to boost Europol and in particular the resourcing of the European Counter Terrorism Centre. We will report on progress towards a Security Union on a monthly basis
[38](#footnote38)
 and will work with the European Parliament and Council for timely agreement on key measures to combat firearms abuse and to criminalise terrorist behaviours including foreign terrorist fighters' travel.

The right to security can never compromise the respect of other fundamental rights, including the right to personal data protection. The European Data Protection Regulation
[39](#footnote39)
 will apply as of 2018 and the Commission will ensure that the same high level of protection of personal data extends to the European institutions, bodies, agencies and offices. In the same spirit, the Commission will also explore new adequacy decisions on exchange of personal data with third countries to ensure high standards when personal data is transferred to third countries. We will present a REFIT revision of the e-privacy Directive to update it in the light of latest technological developments and taking into account the opinion of the REFIT Platform. We will also assess the scope for horizontal or further sectorial action at EU level to protect whistle-blowers who expose illegal conduct.

We will continue to work towards accession of the Union to the European Convention on Human Rights, taking full account of the rulings of the European Court of Justice. And since independent, effective justice systems support economic growth and upholding fundamental rights, we will continue to work together with the European Parliament and Member States to promote and defend the rule of law.

8.
   Towards a New Policy on Migration

A Europe that protects our borders and delivers on a responsible migration policy. Managing migration flows whilst ensuring that those who seek refuge always find safe haven here continues to be a daily challenge. Over the last year the Commission has accelerated work with the European Parliament, the Council and the Member States under the European Agenda on Migration to enable a swift coordinated response to the refugee crisis and to outline a long-term framework based on solidarity and responsibility.

The EU's determination to tackle the impact of the crisis has led to an unprecedented day-to-day engagement on the ground. The Commission, EU agencies and Member States have worked together to save lives at sea and to support Member States in the front line. More than €15 billion from the EU budget has been devoted to the EU response to the refugee crisis. The EU-Turkey statement is proving a decisive step in stopping migrant smuggling, putting order in flows and preventing the loss of lives. In 2017 the Commission will maintain the intensity of its work to bring direct support to refugees and their integration in host communities in Europe and in third countries, to improve migration management at the most exposed border areas, to combat migrant smuggling and trafficking, in particular of unaccompanied minors, and on the return of irregular migrants.

In an area of free internal movement, our external borders are more than ever a matter of common responsibility. Steps have been taken to get the Schengen area of free movement of people back on the path to normality. In less than one year the EU has built a permanent system to ensure the protection of borders and prevent and address weaknesses in controls on persons entering the EU through an operational European Border and Coast Guard.

A permanent capacity to manage migration in a credible and sustainable manner requires a full range of migration instruments to be in place. All of the necessary building blocks are now on the table of the European Parliament and the Council. Rapid adoption of key proposals, such as the reform of the Dublin rules for the Common European Asylum System
[40](#footnote40)
, the transformation of the European Asylum Support Office into a fully-fledged EU Agency for Asylum
[41](#footnote41)
, the reinforcement of Eurodac
[42](#footnote42)
, the new resettlement framework
[43](#footnote43)
, as well as measures for properly managed legal migration
[44](#footnote44)
, is essential to provide the comprehensive and coherent approach the European Union needs to manage the challenge of migration.

Building on the first results of the recent Partnership Framework with third countries under the European Agenda on Migration
[45](#footnote45)
, work needs to be taken forward by the EU institutions and the Member States so that migration issues are at the heart of and a condition for the quality of relations with all key partner countries of origin and transit. Countries of origin and transit have started to engage in deeper cooperation on prevention of irregular migration and on return. We will also need to put in place effective legal pathways into the Union, whether through legal migration or resettlement.

Next year we will take stock across the different work strands under the Strategy, to provide a comprehensive review of the progress made towards more effective and sustainable migration management, and will identify where further efforts are needed.

9.
    A Stronger Global Actor

A Europe that protects also defends our interests beyond our borders. Europe is a soft power of global importance. Through the Global Strategy and the revised European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU will continue to deploy all instruments at its disposal to support its partners in economic and political stabilisation, reforms and resilience building. The Commission will continue to create shared stability and prosperity with candidate countries through its enlargement policy.

However, soft power is not enough in an increasingly conflictual world. Therefore, the Commission will present later this year a European Defence Action Plan, which will explore how EU policies and instruments can ensure that the industrial and skills base will be able to deliver the defence capabilities identified in view of current and future security challenges. Following this, the Commission will propose the creation of a European Defence Fund in order to promote research and innovation and contribute to the strengthening of the European defence technological and industrial base and to further stimulate the development of key defence capabilities. In addition, further measures will be proposed in the field of public procurement for defence.

The Commission's pending proposal to amend the instrument contributing to stability and peace aims at addressing gaps in the European Union's ability to support partner countries in preventing and managing crises on their own, in particular through capacity building in support of security and development. Given the immediate threats to stability and peace and hence development in a number of key partner countries, it is important that the European Parliament and the Council swiftly adopt this proposal.

The European Union will continue to strive to resolve ongoing conflicts and crises in its neighbourhood and beyond, and contribute to ongoing efforts of the United Nations and other international actors in this regard. The Commission and the High Representative will adopt an EU Strategy for Syria which will set out how Europe can continue to provide humanitarian support and contribute to political transition, stabilisation and reconstruction with a view to rebuilding a peaceful Syrian nation and a pluralistic, tolerant civil society in Syria.

Africa will remain one of the EU's key strategic partners, and the recent refugee crisis has once more underlined the importance of investing in sustainable and sound relations with African countries, led by a spirit of shared responsibility. The Partnership Framework and the specific funding provided by the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa and the new European External Investment Plan (EIP)
[46](#footnote46)
 reflect our commitment to work hand in hand with our African partners and to jointly face our global challenges. In view of the 5th EU-Africa Summit which will take place at the end of 2017, we will propose a new approach which should define the EU's strategic objectives and priorities in its relations with Africa. This would also contribute to the African pillar of the post-Cotonou framework, which the Commission will shortly present, and should also emphasise the crucial importance of our trade relations with African partners.

As already announced, the Commission will also propose a renewed European Consensus on Development, aligning our development policy with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and ensuring it plays its full part in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

10. A Union of Democratic Change

A Europe that takes responsibility, listens and delivers. Delivering a Union of democratic change – the most overarching of the 10 priorities this Commission has set itself – has never been more urgent. At this critical time, the future of our Union will depend on giving Europeans the assurance that collectively we are capable of protecting, empowering and defending them, and helping build a positive and sustainable perspective for their futures.

Better regulation, accountability and transparency continue to be the core business model of this Commission and all EU institutions need to apply these principles in a consistent and committed manner if we want to win back the trust of our citizens. The Commission will work closely with the European Parliament and the Council to ensure that the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making is fully implemented and applied, and will also engage in constructive negotiations with both institutions on our recent proposal for an mandatory Transparency Register covering the European Parliament, Council and Commission. The Commission will also bring forward amendments to the Framework Agreement with the European Parliament to ensure that Members of the Commission can stand for European Parliament elections.

The Commission will propose legislation to align existing acts with the Treaty provisions on delegated and implementing acts, thus phasing out the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. We will also assess the democratic legitimacy of existing procedures for the adoption of delegated and implementing acts and consider options for changing existing procedures for the adoption of certain secondary acts.

To ensure that the EU's legal instruments have the intended effect, the Commission intends to step up its efforts on the application, implementation and enforcement of EU law. This includes the package of measures for better enforcement of single market rules and, in the environmental area, a REFIT proposal to simplify environmental reporting following the recent Fitness Check, and measures to facilitate access to justice and support environmental compliance assurance in Member States.

III.
   Accelerating delivery on the 10 priorities by the three institutions

Our agenda, launched by the President's State of the Union address of 14 September 2016
[47](#footnote47)
, not only reflects what we have heard that citizens expect the EU do to, and our dialogues with the directly elected Members of the European Parliament
[48](#footnote48)
 and the Council in which all national governments are represented
[49](#footnote49)
, as well as the inputs of the European Economic and Social Committee
[50](#footnote50)
 and the Committee of the Regions
[51](#footnote51)
, but is also fully aligned with the priorities identified by 27 Heads of State or Government in Bratislava
[52](#footnote52)
.

The focus of this Commission over the coming year is squarely on delivery, but we cannot do it alone. Our constructive dialogue with the European Parliament and Council ahead of the presentation of this Work Programme has built a shared understanding of the priorities ahead, in line with the new Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making
[53](#footnote53)
. The Commission sees this agreement as a joint commitment to focus on big and urgent things, whilst striving for simple, evidence-based, predictable and proportionate laws which deliver maximum benefits for citizens and businesses.

We therefore look forward to working in the next weeks with the European Parliament and the Council to reach an agreement between the three Presidents on a Joint Declaration which will set out the broad objectives and priorities for 2017 and identify proposals that deserve priority treatment in the legislative process. This is a new shared commitment under the Interinstitutional Agreement
[54](#footnote54)
. This Work Programme provides a basis for this shared reflection and highlights the pending proposals
[55](#footnote55)
 on which the Commission considers it most important to advance quickly, enabling the Union to turn proposals into action and deliver where it is most needed.

:   [(1)](#footnoteref1)

    Annex I.
:   [(2)](#footnoteref2)

    Annex II.
:   [(3)](#footnoteref3)

     With the exception of a standard VAT declaration, on which an earlier Commission proposal had to be withdrawn this year due to lack of support from the Council in the legislative procedure. Examples of Commission follow-up in this year’s Work Programme include: the proposals for the amendment of EU legislation on e-privacy and VAT (see Annex I), and the proposal for an implementing act under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive (see Annex II).
:   [(4)](#footnoteref4)

    Annex V.
:   [(5)](#footnoteref5)

     Annex IV.
:   [(6)](#footnoteref6)

    Commission Decision of 25.11.2014 on the publication of information on meetings held between Members of the Commission and organisations or self-employed individuals (C(2014)9051 final) and Commission Decision of 25.11.2014 on the publication of information on meetings held between Directors-General of the Commission and organisations or self-employed individuals (C(2014)9048 final).
:   [(7)](#footnoteref7)

    COM(2016) 627 final.
:   [(8)](#footnoteref8)

    http://ec.europa.eu/priorities/docs/pg\_en.pdf.
:   [(9)](#footnoteref9)

    In this context, the Commission will focus its communication work in 2017 on the priorities of the Commission, on the basis of the corporate communication action in 2017-18 under the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 (C(2016) 6838 of 25.10.2016).
:   [(10)](#footnoteref10)

    COM(2016) 646 final.
:   [(11)](#footnoteref11)

    To further support implementation on the ground, we have recently proposed to top up the existing financing for the Youth Employment Initiative with an additional €2 billion for 2017-2020.
:   [(12)](#footnoteref12)

    As mentioned above, in just one year, the European Fund for Strategic Investments has been activated in 27 Member States and has triggered €138 billion in investments, including new financing for almost 300,000 small and medium-sized enterprises.
:   [(13)](#footnoteref13)

    COM(2016)581 final.
:   [(14)](#footnoteref14)

    COM(2016)603 final.
:   [(15)](#footnoteref15)

    COM(2015)634 final, COM(2015)635/2 final.
:   [(16)](#footnoteref16)

    COM(2016)593 final, COM(2016)594 final, COM(2016)595 final, COM(2016)596 final.
:   [(17)](#footnoteref17)

    COM(2016)289 final.
:   [(18)](#footnoteref18)

    COM(2015)627 final.
:   [(19)](#footnoteref19)

    COM(2016)285 final.
:   [(20)](#footnoteref20)

    COM(2016)287 final.
:   [(21)](#footnoteref21)

    COM(2016)590 final, COM(2016)591final.
:   [(22)](#footnoteref22)

    COM(2016)43 final.
:   [(23)](#footnoteref23)

    COM(2016)589 final.
:   [(24)](#footnoteref24)

    COM(2016)52 final and COM(2016)53 final/2.
:   [(25)](#footnoteref25)

    COM(2015)337 final/2.
:   [(26)](#footnoteref26)

    COM(2016)482 final/2.
:   [(27)](#footnoteref27)

    COM(2016)479 final.
:   [(28)](#footnoteref28)

    COM(2016)683 and COM(2016)685.
:   [(29)](#footnoteref29)

    COM(2016)686 and COM(2016)687.
:   [(30)](#footnoteref30)

    COM(2015)603 final.
:   [(31)](#footnoteref31)

    COM(2015)586 final/2.
:   [(32)](#footnoteref32)

    COM(2015)472 final/2.
:   [(33)](#footnoteref33)

    COM(2015)583 final.
:   [(34)](#footnoteref34)

    COM(2013)192 final.
:   [(35)](#footnoteref35)

    European Council Conclusions – Brussels, 20-21/10/2016, point 14: "…It also invites the Commission to continue the negotiations with the US authorities to be able to present an ambitious, balanced and comprehensive free trade agreement".
:   [(36)](#footnoteref36)

    COM(2016)194 final and COM(2016)196 final.
:   [(37)](#footnoteref37)

    COM(2015)670 final.
:   [(38)](#footnoteref38)

    First Commission report progress report towards an effective and genuine Security Union was adopted on 12 October 2016 – COM(2016)670 final.
:   [(39)](#footnoteref39)

    Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation), OJ L 119 of 4.5.2016.
:   [(40)](#footnoteref40)

    COM(2016)270 final/2.
:   [(41)](#footnoteref41)

    COM(2016)271 final.
:   [(42)](#footnoteref42)

    COM(2016)272 final/2.
:   [(43)](#footnoteref43)

    COM(2016)468 final.
:   [(44)](#footnoteref44)

    COM(2016)378 final.
:   [(45)](#footnoteref45)

    COM(2016) 385 final.
:   [(46)](#footnoteref46)

     COM(2016)581 final.
:   [(47)](#footnoteref47)

     
    <http://ec.europa.eu/priorities/state-union-2016_en>
     . See also the Letter of Intent signed by the President and the First Vice-President and addressed to the Presidents of the European Parliament and of the Council. On this basis, the First Vice-President discussed with the General Affairs Council on 20 September and the Commission met with the Conference of Committee Chairs on 3 and 4 October.
:   [(48)](#footnoteref48)

     
    <http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P8-TA-2016-0312+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN>
:   [(49)](#footnoteref49)

    Letter of 4 October from the President of the General Affairs Council to the President and the First Vice-President of the Commission.
:   [(50)](#footnoteref50)

     
    <http://www.eesc.europa.eu/resources/docs/eesc_contribution-to-ec--2017-workprogramme_en.pdf>
:   [(51)](#footnoteref51)

     
    <https://toad.cor.europa.eu/corwipdetail.aspx?folderpath=RESOL-VI/010&id=24254>
:   [(52)](#footnoteref52)

     
    <http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/09/16-bratislava-declaration-and-roadmap>
:   [(53)](#footnoteref53)

     
    <http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:2016:123:FULL&from=EN>
:   [(54)](#footnoteref54)

    Point 7 of the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making.
:   [(55)](#footnoteref55)

     Annex III.

[Top](#document1)

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

Strasbourg, 25.10.2016

COM(2016) 710 final

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 2017  
  
Delivering a Europe that protects, empowers and defends

{SWD(2016) 400 final}

Annex I: New initiatives

|  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nº | Title | Description [1](#footnote2) |
| A New Boost for Jobs, Growth and Investment | | |
| 1. | Youth initiative | The initiative includes a proposal for the creation of a European Solidarity Corps (legislative/ non-legislative) and priority measures to implement the youth aspects of the Skills Agenda, including a quality framework for apprenticeships and a proposal on increased mobility for apprentices (legislative); modernising school and higher education (non-legislative; Q2/2017); as well as a proposal for improved tracking of outcomes for graduates but also young people who have followed vocational education and training (non-legislative; Q2/2017). |
| 2. | Implementation of the Action Plan on Circular Economy | This includes a strategy on plastics use, reuse and recyling (non-legislative; Q4/2017); measures on water: a proposal for a Regulation on minimum quality requirements for reused water (incl. impact assessment; Art. 192 TFEU; Q2/2017); a REFIT revision of the Drinking Water Directive (incl. impact assessment; Art. 192(1) TFEU; Q4/2017); an initiative to address legal, technical or practical bottlenecks at the interface of chemical, product and waste legislation (non-legislative; Q4/2017); and a monitoring framework for the circular economy (non-legislative; Q3/2017). |
| 3. | Financial framework beyond 2020 | A comprehensive proposal for the next Multi-annual Financial Framework , including on own resources (legislative/ non-legislative; Art. 312 TFU). |
| A Connected Digital Single Market | | |
| 4. | Implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy | Mid-term review of the implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy. |
| A Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy | | |
| 5. | Implementation of the Energy Union Strategy: low-emission travel and mobility | REFIT revisions of several key pieces of legislation hightlighted in the low-emission mobility action plan: post-2020 strategies on cars/vans and on lorries, buses and coaches (legislative, incl. impact assessment; Q2/2017); the Clean Vehicles Directive (incl. impact assessment; Art. 192 TFEU; Q2/2017); and the Eurovignette and European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) Directives (incl. impact assessment; Art. 91 TFEU; Q2/2017). This initiative includes the implementation of the international agreement on emissions from aircraft (ICAO) (legislative, incl. impact assessment; Art. 192 TFEU; Q1/2017) . |
| A Deeper and Fairer Internal Market with a Strengthened Industrial Base | | |
| 6. | Implementation of the Single Market Strategy | Deliverables will include a REFIT revision of the legislation on goods (legislative/ non-legislative, incl. impact assessment; Art. 43/114/207 TFEU; Q2/2017), a company law initiative to facilitate the use of digital technologies throughout a company's lifecycle and cross-border mergers and divisions (legislative, incl. impact assessment; Q3-4/2017), an initiative on coordinated health technology assessments (legislative/ non-legislative, incl. impact assessment; Q4/2017), and measures for better enforcement of single market rules within a wider enforcement package, including proposals for a Single Digital Gateway (legislative/ non-legislative, incl. impact assessment; Art. 114 TFEU; Q1/2017) and for a Single Market Information Tool (legislative, incl. impact assessment; Q1/2017), upgrade of SOLVIT (non-legislative; Q1/2017) and empowering national competition authorities to be more effective enforcers (legislative/ non-legislative, incl. impact assessment; Q2/2017). |
| 7. | Fairer taxation of companies | The initiative includes implementation of the VAT action plan through REFIT proposals for a definitive VAT system and on VAT rates (legislative, incl. impact assessment; Art. 113 TFEU; Q3/2017), better administrative cooperation and a simplification package to reduce burden for businesses and tax administrations (legislative, incl. impact assessment; Art. 113 TFEU; Q4/2017); a proposal for an EU list of third country jurisdictions that do not respect tax good governance standards (non-legislative; Q3/2017); and implementation in EU legislation of the international agremeent on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) (legislative/ non-legislative, incl. impact assessment; Q2/2017). |
| 8. | Implementation of the Space Strategy for Europe | Legislative proposals on governmental satellite communication services (incl. impact assessment; Art. 189 TFEU; Q4/2017) and measures to facilitate market uptake of space services and data (legislative/non-legislative). |
| 9. | Implementation of the Capital Markets Union Action Plan | A mid-term review (non-legislative; Q2/2017) will take stock of progress on the implementation of the Capital Markets Union and identify potential additional measures required to improve the financing of the economy. New measures will include a framework for an EU personal pension product (legislative/ non-legislative, incl. impact assessment; Art. 114 TFEU; Q2/2017); a REFIT revision of the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) (incl. impact assessment; Art. 114 TFEU; Q1/2017); an Action Plan on retail financial services (non-legislative; Q1/2017); and additional delegated legislation to facilitate funding of infrastructure corporates by institutional investors (incl. impact assessment; Q4/2016). |
| A Deeper and Fairer Economic and Monetary Union | | |
| 10. | A strong Union built on a strong EMU | The White Paper on the Future of Europe (non-legislative; Q1/2017) setting out steps on how to reform an EU of 27 Member States 60 years after the Treaties of Rome will also include the future of the EMU to prepare stage 2 of EMU deepening in the new political and democratic context (including a stability oriented review of the Stability and Growth Pact and the follow up to Article 16 of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the EMU (incorporating the substance of this treaty into the EU legal framework). The initiative will also include a review of the European System of Financial Supervision (ESFS) to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of oversight at both macro- and micro- prudential levels. |
| 11. | European Pillar of Social Rights | Following the public consultation, the initiative will set out its proposal for a Pillar of Social Rights (Q1/2017) and will present related initiatives, such as initiatives to address the challenges of work-life balance faced by working families (legislative/non-legislative, incl. impact assessment; Art. 153/ 157 TFEU), on access to social protection (legislative/non-legislative, incl. impact assessment; Art. 153/ 292), and the implementation of the Working Time Directive (non-legislative), as well as a REFIT revision of the Written Statement Directive establishing the employer’s obligation to inform employees of the conditions applicable to the contract or employment relationship (legislative, incl. impact assessment; Art 153.1(b)/154 TFEU). |
| Trade: A Reasonable and Balanced Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. | | |
| 12. | Implementation of the Trade for All Strategy | In parallel to pursuing and completing bilateral negotiations (e.g. with Japan) and to opening new negotiations with Australia (incl. impact assessment; Q1/2017), Chile (incl. impact assessment; Q2/2017) and New Zealand (incl. impact assessment; Q1/2017) for free trade agreements, this initiative includes a further reinforcement of the EU's Trade Defence Instruments with a proposal to amend the EU's antidumping legislation (incl. impact assessment; Q4/2016), in line with the Commission Communication of 18 October 2016. |
| An Area of Justice and Fundamental Rights Based on Mutual Trust | | |
| 13. | Data Protection Package | The package (Q1/2017) will include an alignment of rules on the protection of personal data when processed by EU Institutions to the new general data protection rules (legislative; Art. 16 TFEU), a REFIT revision of the ePrivacy Directive (incl. impact assessment; Art. 114/16 TFEU) as well as a framework for adequacy decisions on exchange of personal data with third countries. |
| 14. | Progress towards and effective and genuine Security Union | Implementation of the Security Union agenda and the Action Plan on terrorist financing, with proposals to harmonise money laundering offences and sanctions (legislative; Art. 83 TFEU; Q4/2016), to strengthen mutual recognition of criminal asset freezing and confiscation orders (legislative, incl. impact assessment; Art. 82 TFEU; Q4/2016) and to tackle illicit cash movements (legislative, incl. impact assessment; Art. 33/114 TFEU; Q4/2016) and illicit trade in cultural goods (legislative, incl. impact assessment; Art. 207 TFEU; Q4/2016). This initiative also includes a proposal for a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) (legislative; Art. 77(2)(b) and (d)a TFEU; Q4/2016) as well as follow-up to the work of the High Level Group on information systems and interoperability. |
| Towards a New Policy on Migration | | |
| 15. | Implementation of the European Agenda on Migration | Mid-term review of the implementation of the European Agenda on Migration, consolidating and taking horizontal stock across different workstrands, including the implementation of the new migration partnership framework with third countries. |
| A Stronger Global Actor | | |
| 16. | Implementation of the European Defence Action Plan | Including a proposal for a European Defence Fund and measures to improve the use and effectiveness of public procurement rules (legislative/ non-legislative). |
| 17. | Implementation of the EU Global Strategy | Including notably efforts to foster state, economic, environmental/climate and societal resilience in third countries, in particular in the EU's neighbours and in wider surrounding regions (non-legislative). |
| 18. | EU Strategy for Syria | The strategy will set out how the EU can help rebuild a peaceful and stable Syrian nation and a pluralistic, tolerant civil society in Syria (non-legislative; Q1/2017). |
| 19. | Africa – EU Partnership: renewed impetus | The initiative will define the EU's strategic objectives and priorities in its relations with Africa (non-legislative; Q2/2017). |
| A Union of Democratic Change | | |
| 20. | Modernisation of Comitology procedures | Proposals to align the rules for secondary legislation to the updated Treaty rules (legislative; Q1/2017); and assessment of the democratic legitimacy of existing procedures for the adoption of delegated and implementing acts (non-legislative; Q1/2017). |
| 21. | A more strategic approach to enforcement of EU law | Measures to step up efforts on the application, implementation and enforcement of EU law (non-legislative; Q4/2016), in line with the Commission's priorities; concrete proposals to ensure better enforcement of single market rules (see under point 6 above) as well as REFIT initiatives to ensure proper implementation and enforcement of environmental regulation, including environmental compliance assurance (non-legislative; Q3/2017), access to justice (non-legislative; Q1/2017) and monitoring, transparency and reporting (legislative/ non-legislative; Q2/2017). |

:   [(1)](#footnoteref2)

    In this annex the Commission provides further information, as far as available, on the initiatives included in its Work Programme, in line with the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-making. This information, which is provided in brackets under the description of each initiative, is indicative only and subject to change during the preparatory process, notably in view of the outcome of an impact assessment process.

[Top](#document2)

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

Strasbourg, 25.10.2016

COM(2016) 710 final

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 2017  
  
Delivering a Europe that protects, empowers and defends

{SWD(2016) 400 final}

Annex II: REFIT initiatives
[1](#footnote1)

|  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nº | Title | Description  [2](#footnote2) |
| A New Boost for Jobs, Growth and Investment | | |
| 1. | Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) | Implementing act on a standard format and frequency of reporting (Directive 2012/19/EU; Article 16(3); Q4/2017). Follow-up to a REFIT Platform Opinion. |
| A Connected Digital Single Market | | |
| 2. | ENISA (European Union Agency for Network and Information Security) | Revision of Regulation No 526/2013 (ENISA's Regulation) setting out the mandate, objectives and tasks for the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security. (incl. impact assessment,, Q4/2017) |
| 3. | Domain Name Regulation | Revision of Regulation EC 733/2002 establishing the “.eu” top-level domain (TLD) and Regulation EC 874/2004 laying down public policy rules concerning the implementation and functions of the .eu TLD (incl. impact assessment; Art. 173 TFEU; Q3/2017). Over the past decade, the TLD market place has undergone significant changes that provide both strategic challenges and opportunities for the .eu TLD.. |
| A Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy | | |
| 4. | Combined Transport | Revision of Directive 92/106/EEC on the establishment of common rules for certain types of combined transport of goods between Member States aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness and ensuring further promotion of intermodal transport in EU (incl. impact assessment; Q4/2017). This revision follows-up on an evaluation concluded in 2016. |
| A Deeper and Fairer Internal Market with a Strengthened Industrial Base | | |
| 5. | General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) 2015 | Revision of Commission Regulation 651/2014 introducing exemption provisions for ports and airports in the Commission Regulation declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty (Council Regulation 2015/1589; Q1/2017). |
| 6. | General arrangements for excise duty | Revision of Directive 2008/118/EC to align and ensure coherence between customs and excise legislation, improve legal certainty and ensure the uniform application of EU legislation (incl. impact assessment; Art 113 TFEU; Q4/2017). |
| 7. | Revision of the structures of excise duty applied to alcohol and alcoholic beverages | Revision of Council Directive 92/83/EEC on the structures of excise duty applied to alcohol and alcoholic beverages (incl. impact assessment; Art. 113 TFEU; Q4/2017). |
| 8. | Training, Qualification, Licensing in Road Transport | Revision of Directive 2003/59/EC on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain vehicles for the carriage of goods and passengers (incl. impact assessment; Art. 91 TFEU; Q4/2016). Follow-Up to an evaluation completed in July 2016. |
| 9. | Better functioning of the market for bus and coach transport | Revision of Regulation (EC) No 1073/2009 on common rules for access to the International market for coach and bus services and amending Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 in order to improve competion on domestic coach markets, ensure non-discriminatory access to terminals and other infrastructure (incl. impact assessment; Article 91 TFEU; Q4/2017). This revision follows-up on an evaluation concluded in 2016. |
| 10. | Access to the EU road haulage market | Revision of Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 and and Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 in order to simplify, facilitate implementation and strengthen the level playing field (incl. impact assessment; Art. 91 TFEU; Q2/2017). This revision follows-up on an evaluation concluded in 2016. |
| 11. | Enhancement of the social legislation in road transport | Revision of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006, Directive 2002/15/EC and Directive 2006/22/EC in order to ensure a genuine level playing field for the road transport industry and adequate working conditions (incl. impact assessment; Q2/2017).This revision follows-up on an evaluation concluded in 2016. |
| 12. | Small Craft Code | Proposal for a Council Recommendation to facilitate and simplify the construction and cross-border trade of small passenger vessels as well as their registration (Art. 100(2) TFEU; Q4/2017). Follow-up to the REFIT Fitness Check on EU passenger ship safety legislation. |
| 13. | Leasing of Vehicles | Revision of Directive 2006/1/EC on the use of hired vehicles without drivers for the carriage of goods by road in order to optimise the allocation of resources, increase the flexibility in organising freight transport operations and hence companies productivity (incl. impact assessment; Art. 91 TFEU; Q2/2017). This revision follows-up on an evaluation concluded in 2016. |
| 14. | Road Infrastructure and tunnels safety | Revision of Directive 2008/96/EC on road infrastructure safety management and Directive 2004/54/EC on minimum safety requirements for road tunnels in the trans-European road network in order to improve road safety, tunnels infrastructure safety management practices on TEN-T roads, allow for a level playing field in safety management and reduce administrative burdens. Follow-up to two evaluations completed in 2015 (incl. impact assessment; Art. 91 TFEU; Q4/2017). |
| A Deeper and Fairer Economic and Monetary Union | | |
| 15. | Cross-border payments | Legislative Revision of Regulation (EC) N°924/2009 on cross-border payments in order to extend its scope to all non-Euro currencies, improve disclosure and reduce fees in cross-border transactions in particular with respect to and from non-euro Member States (Art. 114 TFEU; Q4/2017). |
| An Area of Justice and Fundamental Rights Based on Mutual Trust | | |
| 16. | Schengen Information System | Revision of Regulation 1987/2006 and Council Decision 2007/533/JHA on the establishment, operation and use of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) (Art. 77 (2) (b) and (d), 82 and 87 TFEU; Q4/2016). The initiative represents a follow up to the evaluation of the implementation of SIS II, as requested by the legal bases (Regulation (EC) No 1987/2006, Council Decision 2007/533/JHA; follow-up to a 2016 evaluation. |
| 17. | Consumer Law | Revision of Council Directive 93/13/EEC on unfair terms in consumer contracts, Directive 98/6/EC on consumer protection in the indication of the prices of products offered to consumers, Directive 1999/44/EC on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees, Directive 2005/29/EC concerning unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the internal market, Directive 2006/114/EC concerning misleading and comparative advertising, Directive 2009/22/EC on injunctions for the protection of consumers' interests and Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights. (incl. impact assessment, Q4 2017) The revision follows-up on a Fitness Check and an evaluation. |
| Towards a New Policy on Migration | | |
| 18. | Visa Information System | Proposal to amend Regulation 767/2008 concerning the Visa Information System (VIS) and the exchange of data between Member States on short-stay visas and Regulation 810/2009 establishing a Community Code on visas (the Visa Code) (incl. impact assessment; Art.77(2) (a) and (b) and 87 TFEU). Follow-up to a 2016 evaluation. |

:   [(1)](#footnoteref1)

    This annex lists legislative initiatives under REFIT foreseen for adoption in 2017. It complements the items listed with new initiatives in Annex I.
:   [(2)](#footnoteref2)

    In this annex the Commission provides further information, as far as available, on the initiatives included in its Work Programme, in line with the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-making. This information, which is provided in brackets under the description of each initiative, is indicative only and subject to change during the preparatory process, notably in view of the outcome of an impact assessment process.

[Top](#document3)

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

Strasbourg, 25.10.2016

COM(2016) 710 final

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 2017  
  
Delivering a Europe that protects, empowers and defends

{SWD(2016) 400 final}

Annex III: Priority pending proposals

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No | Item | Full Title | Reference |
| A New Boost for Jobs, Growth and and Investment | | | |
| 1. | EFSI 2.0 | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) 2015/1017 as regards the extension of the duration of the European Fund for Strategic Investments as well as the introduction of technical enhancements for that Fund and the European Investment Advisory Hub | COM/2016/0597 final -  2016/0276 (COD)  14/9/016 |
| 2. | Circular Economy Package | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Directives 2000/53/EC on end-of-life vehicles, 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators, and 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment | COM/2015/0593 final - 2015/0272 (COD) |
| 3. |  | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste | COM/2015/0594 final - 2015/0274 (COD) |
| 4. |  | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Directive 2008/98/EC on waste | COM/2015/0595 final - 2015/0275 (COD) |
| 5. |  | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste | COM/2015/0596 final - 2015/0276 (COD) |
| 6. | MFF Mid-term Review | Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020 | COM/2016/0604 final -  2016/0283 (APP)  14/9/016 |
| 7. | Financial Regulation/Omnibus | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and amending Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002, Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, EU No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1305/2013, (EU) No 1306/2013, (EU) No 1307/2013, (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014,(EU) No 283/2014, (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Decision No 541/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council | COM(2016)605 final -   2016/0282(COD)  14/9/2016 |
| A Connected Digital Single Market | | | |
| 8. | Cross-border portability of online content services in the internal market | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on ensuring the cross-border portability of online content services in the internal market | COM/2015/0627 final -  2015/0284 (COD)  9/12/2015 |
| 9. | Digital Contracts | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on certain aspects concerning contracts for the supply of digital content | COM/2015/0634 final -  2015/0287 (COD)  9/12/2015 |
| 10. |  | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on certain aspects concerning contracts for the online and other distance sales of goods | COM/2015/0635 final/2 -  2015/0288 (COD)  20/06/2016 |
| 11. | Telecoms reform | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (Recast) | COM(2016)/0590 final -  2016/0288 (COD)  14/09/2016 |
| 12. |  | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications | COM(2016)/0591 final -  2016/0286 (COD)  14/09/2016 |
| 13. | Copyright reform | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on copyright in the Digital Single Market | COM(2016)/0593 final -  2016/0280 (COD)  14/09/2016 |
| 14. |  | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL laying down rules on the exercise of copyright and related rights applicable to certain online transmissions of broadcasting organisations and retransmissions of television and radio programmes | COM(2016)/0594 final -  2016/0284 (COD)  14/09/2016 |
| 15. |  | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on certain permitted uses of works and other subject-matter protected by copyright and related rights for the benefit of persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled and amending Directive 2001/29/EC on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society | COM(2016)/0596 final -  2016/0278 (COD)  14/09/2016 |
| 16. |  | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the cross-border exchange between the Union and third countries of accessible format copies of certain works and other subject-matter protected by copyright and related rights for the benefit of persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled | COM(2016)/0595 final -  2016/0279 (COD)  14/09/2016 |
| 17. | WiFi4EU voucher scheme for local authorities | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 as regards the promotion of Internet connectivity in local communities | COM(2016)/0589 final -  2016/0287 (COD)  14/09/2016 |
| 18. | Audio-visual media services | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services in view of changing market realities | COM/2016/0287 final -  2016/0151 (COD)  25/05/2016 |
| 19. | Proposal to prevent unjustified geo-blocking, | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on addressing geo-blocking and other forms of discrimination based on customers' nationality, place of residence or place of establishment within the internal market and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 and Directive 2009/22/EC | COM/2016/0289 final -  2016/0152 (COD)  25/05/2016 |
| 20. | Use of 470-790 MhZ frequency Band in the Union | Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the use of the 470-790 MHz frequency band in the Union | COM/2016/043 final -  2016/027 (COD)  2/2/2016 |
| A Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy | | | |
| 21. | EU Emissions Trading System | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Directive 2003/87/EC to enhance cost-effective emission reductions and low carbon investments | COM/2015/0337 final/2 - 2015/0148 (COD)  03/09/2015 |
| 22. | Efforts Sharing Decision | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 for a resilient Energy Union and to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement and amending Regulation No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council on a mechanism for monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and other information relevant to climate change | COM/2016/0482 final/2 -  2016/0231 (COD)  20/07/2016 |
| 23. | Security of Gas Supply Package | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL concerning measures to safeguard the security of gas supply and repealing Regulation (EU) No 994/2010 | COM/2016/052 final -  2016/030 (COD)  16/02/2016 |
| 24. |  | Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on establishing an information exchange mechanism with regard to intergovernmental agreements and non-binding instruments between Member States and third countries in the field of energy and repealing Decision No 994/2012/EU | COM/2016/053 final/2 -  2016/031 (COD)  02/06/2016 |
| A Deeper and Fairer Internal Market with a Strengthened Industrial Base | | | |
| 25. | CMU - Securitisation | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL laying down common rules on securitisation and creating a European framework for simple, transparent and standardised securitisation and amending Directives 2009/65/EC, 2009/138/EC, 2011/61/EU and Regulations (EC) No 1060/2009 and (EU) No 648/2012 | COM/2015/0472 final/2 -  2015/0226 (COD)  15/2/2016 |
| 26. | CMU - Prospectus | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading | COM/2015/0583 final -  2015/0268 (COD)  30/11/2015 |
| 27. | Posting of workers | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Directive 96/71/EC of The European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services | COM/2016/0128 final –  2016/070 (COD)  08/03/2016 |
| 28. | Vehicle approval and market surveillance | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles | COM/2016/031 final –  2016/014 (COD)  27/01/2016 |
| A Deeper and Fairer Economic and Monetary Union | | | |
| 29. | European Deposit Insurance Scheme | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EU) 806/2014 in order to establish a European Deposit Insurance Scheme | COM/2015/0586 final/2 -  2015/0270 (COD)  08/06/2016 |
| 30. | Structural Reform Support Programme | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the establishment of the Structural Reform Support Programme for the period 2017 to 2020 and amending Regulations (EU) No 1303/2013 and (EU) No 1305/2013 | COM/2015/0701 final - 2015/0263 (COD) |
| Trade: A Reasonable and Balanced Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. | | | |
| 31. | Swift ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and  Trade Agreement with Canada | Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada of the one part, and the European Union and its Member States, of the other part | COM/2016/0443 final -  2016/0205 (NLE)  05/07/2016 |
|  |  | Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the signing on behalf of the European Union of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada of the one part, and the European Union and its Member States, of the other part | COM/2016/0444 final -  2016/0206 (NLE)  05/07/2016 |
|  |  | Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the provisional application of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada of the one part, and the European Union and its Member States, of the other part | COM/2016/0470 final -  2016/0220 (NLE)  05/07/2016 |
| 32. | Trade Defence Instruments | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1225/2009 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community and Council Regulation (EC) No 597/2009 on protection against subsidised imports from countries not members of the European Community | COM(2013)0192 -  2013/0103 (COD)  10/04/2013 |
| An Area of Justice and Fundamental Rights based on Mutual Trust | | | |
| 33. | European Public Prosecutor | Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office | COM/2013/0534 final -  2013/0255 (APP)  17/07/2013 |
| 34. | Directives on Firearms | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Council Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons | COM/2015/0750 final - 2015/0269 (COD)  18/11/2015 |
| 35. | Directive on Terrorism | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on combating terrorism and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA on combating terrorism | COM/2015/0625 final - 2015/0281 (COD)  02/12/2015 |
| 36. | European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Council Framework Decision 2009/315/JHA, as regards the exchange of information on third country nationals and as regards the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS), and replacing Council Decision 2009/316/JHA | COM/2016/07 final -  2016/02 (COD)  19/01/2016 |
| 37. | Exit/entry system (smart borders) | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES) to register entry and exit data and refusal of entry data of third country nationals crossing the external borders of the Member States of the European Union and determining the conditions for access to the EES for law enforcement purposes and amending Regulation (EC) No 767/2008 and Regulation (EU) No 1077/2011 | COM/2016/0194 final -  2016/0106 (COD)  06/04/2016 |
| 38. |  | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EU) 2016/399 as regards the use of the Entry/Exit System | COM/2016/0196 final -  2016/0105 (COD)  06/04/2016 |
| Towards a New Policy on Migration | | | |
| 39. | Reform of the Common European Asylum System | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national or a stateless person (recast) | COM/2016/0270 final/2 -  2016/0133 (COD)  04/05/2016 |
| 40. |  | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the European Union Agency for Asylum and repealing Regulation (EU) No 439/2010 | COM/2016/0271 final -  2016/0131 (COD)  04/05/2016 |
| 41. |  | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the establishment of 'Eurodac' for the comparison of fingerprints for the effective application of [Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national or a stateless person] , for identifying an illegally staying third-country national or stateless person and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by Member States' law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes (recast) | COM/2016/0272 final/2 -  2016/0132 (COD)  04/05/2016 |
|  |  | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection (recast) | COM/2016/0465 final/2 -  2016/0222 (COD)  15/09/2015 |
| 42. |  | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection and for the content of the protection granted and amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents | COM/2016/0466 final -  2016/0223 (COD)  13/07/2016 |
| 43. |  | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing a common procedure for international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU | COM/2016/0467 final -  2016/0224 (COD)  13/07/2016 |
| 44. | New resettlement framework | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing a Union Resettlement Framework and amending Regulation (EU) No 516/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council | COM(2016)/0468 final -  2016/0225 (COD)  13/07/2016 |
| 45. | Crisis Relocation Mechansim | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing a crisis relocation mechanism and amending Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection lodged in one of the Member States by a third country national or a stateless person | COM/2015/0450 final -  2015/0208 (COD)  09/09/2015 |
| 46. | Safe Countries List | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing an EU common list of safe countries of origin for the purposes of Directive 2013/32/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on common procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection, and amending Directive 2013/32/EU | COM/2015/0452 final -  2015/0211 (COD)  09/09/2015 |
| 47. | Schengen Border Code /  External Borders Checks | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation No 562/2006 (EC) as regards the reinforcement of checks against relevant databases at external borders | COM/2015/0670 final -  2015/0307 (COD)  15/12/2015 |
| A Stronger Global Actor | | | |
| 48. | Capacity building in support of security and development in third countries | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EU) No 230/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing an instrument contributing to stability and peace | COM/2016/0447 final/2 - 2016/0207 (COD)  5/7/2016 |
| 49. | External Investment Plan | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD) and establishing the EFSD Guarantee and the EFSD Guarantee Fund | COM/2016/0586 final - 2016/0281 (COD)  14/9/2016 |
| 50. |  | Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Decision No 466/2014/EU granting an EU guarantee to the European Investment Bank against losses under financing operations supporting investment projects outside the Union | COM/2016/0583 final -  2016/0275 (COD)  14/9/2016 |
| 51. |  | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 480/2009 establishing a Guarantee Fund for external actions | COM/2016/0582 final - 2016/0274 (COD)  14/9/2016 |

[Top](#document4)

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

Strasbourg, 25.10.2016

COM(2016) 710 final

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 2017  
  
Delivering a Europe that protects, empowers and defends

{SWD(2016) 400 final}

Annex IV: Withdrawals
[1](#footnote1)

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No | COM/ Inter-institutional reference | Title | Reasons for withdrawal |
| Agriculture and rural development | | | |
| 1. | COM/2016/0159  2016/0086/COD | REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL fixing the adjustment rate provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 for direct payments in respect of the calendar year 2016 | Obsolete: the matter was dealt with in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1153 of 14 July 2016. |
| Climate Action & Energy | | | |
| 2. | COM/2014/0566  2014/0262/NLE | Proposal for a Council Decision issuing directives to the Commission for the negotiation of amendments to the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) in the framework of a Diplomatic Conference | Obsolete: proposal outdated as the amendments were dealt with in the Vienna Convention on Nuclear Safety. |
| Economic & Financial Affairs, Taxation & Customs | | | |
| 3. | COM/2011/0121  2011/0058/CNS | Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE on a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) | As a follow-up to its Action Plan on Corporate Taxation of June 2015, the Commission is re-launching the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) with a new staged approach. A legislative proposal for a compulsory common corporate tax base has been adopted on 25 October 2016. In line with the announcement already made in the Commission Work Programme 2016, the existing proposal has been withdrawn in parallel. |
| Foreign Affairs & Security Policy | | | |
| 4. | COM/2005/0397 | Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on a Community position in the Joint Committee on the implementation of Article 66 of the Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement on Trade and Cooperation between the European Community, of the one part, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, of the other part | Obsolete: The latest relevant document on the issue is the Decision of the EU-PLO Joint Committee setting up six sub-committees (OJ L 187, 17.07.2012, pp. 64-72). |
| 5. | JOIN/2015/0035  2015/0303/NLE | Joint Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan | It has been replaced with a proposal for a mixed agreement, including provisional application (JOIN (2016)45). |
| Health & Food Safety | | | |
| 6. | COM/2014/0004  2014/0033/COD | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Directives 89/608/EEC, 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEC as regards references to zootechnical legislation | Obsolete: The substance of the proposed Directive was taken over in the newly adopted Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on zootechnical and genealogical conditions for the breeding, trade in and entry into the Union of purebred breeding animals, hybrid breeding pigs and the germinal products thereof (OJ L 171, 29.6.2016, p. 66-143). |
| 7. | COM/2007/0872  2008/0002/COD | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on novel foods and amending Regulation (EC) No XXX/XXXX [common procedure] | Obsolete: The conciliation failed in 2011. |
| Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs | | | |
| 8. | SEC(2010) 312 | Recommendation from the European Commission to the Council in order to authorise the European Commission to open negotiations with non-EU countries with a view to conclude agreements on the installation of Galileo ground stations. | This Recommendation dating from 2010 was not accepted by the Council because an alternative way forward was chosen: instead of negotiating the deployment of Galileo Stations in third countries – the initial aim of this proposal -, Member States preferred to deploy them on EU Member States' territories. |
| Justice, Consumers & Gender Equality | | | |
| 9. | COM/2011/0126  2011/0059/CNS | Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION on jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of matrimonial property regimes | Obsolete: This proposal was superseded by a proposal under the procedure of enhanced cooperation (COM(2016)108) |
| 10. | COM/2011/0127  2011/0060/CNS | Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION on jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions regarding the property consequences of registered partnerships | Obsolete: This proposal was superseded by proposals under the procedure of enhanced cooperation (COM(2016)107/108) |
| Migration, Home Affairs & Citizenship | | | |
| 11. | COM/2013/0097  2013/0059/COD | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing a Registered Traveller Programme | The proposal was already flagged in the list of withdrawals or modifications of pending proposals included in the Commission Work Programme 2016. As indicated in the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES), COM(2016)194 final, when adopting the EES Proposal the Commission withdrew the proposal establishing a Registered Traveller Programme (cf. PV(2016)2172 final). |
| 12. | COM/2013/0619  2013/0305/COD | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on new psychoactive substances | Obsolete: Some elements of this proposal have found their way in the new proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1920/2006 as regards information exchange, early warning system and risk assessment procedure on new psychoactive substances (COM(2016)547); other elements are covered by the Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA of 25 October 2004 laying down minimum provisions on the constituent elements of criminal acts and penalties in the field of illicit drug trafficking, as regards the definition of drug (COM(2013)618). |
| 13. | COM/2009/0703  2009/0190/NLE | Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the United States of America on the processing and transfer of Financial Messaging Data from the European Union to the United States for purposes of the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program | Obsolete: Council Decision of 13 July 2010 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the United States of America on the processing and transfer of Financial Messaging Data from the European Union to the United States for the purposes of the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program was adopted on the basis of another proposal (COM(2010)316). This previous proposal can therefore be withdrawn. |
| Trade | | | |
| 14. | COM/2015/0390  2015/0170/NLE | Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Association Committee in Trade configuration established by the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Moldova, of the other part | Obsolete: This proposal has been replaced by proposal COM(2016)649. |
| Transport | | | |
| 15. | COM/2010/0263  2010/0141/NLE | Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the signature and provisional application of the Agreement on certain aspects of air services between the European Union and the Republic of Peru | Obsolete: Following re-negotiation of the agreement, this proposal has been replaced by proposal COM(2013)423. |
| 16. | COM/2010/0264  2010/0142/NLE | Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the conclusion of the Agreement on certain aspects of air services between the European Union and the Republic of Peru | Obsolete: Following re-negotiation of the agreement, this proposal has been replaced by proposal COM(2013)424. |
| 17. | COM/2010/0803  2010/0388/NLE | Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the conclusion of the Agreement on certain aspects of air services between the European Union and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | Obsolete: On 15 June 2014, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has informed the Commission that it does not intend to sign the Agreement. The proposal can therefore be withdrawn. |
| Codifications | | | |
| 18. | COM/2011/0120  2011/0053/COD | Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL relating to tyres for motor vehicles and their trailers and to their fitting (Codification) | Obsolete As it contains a reference to an outdated provision on comitology. |
| 19. | COM/2015/0157  2015/0082/COD | Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on trade in certain steel products between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan (codification) | Obsolete: The act whose codification was proposed expired (notice of expiry - JO C 425 of 18/12/2015). |

:   [(1)](#footnoteref1)

    This list includes pending legislative proposals, which the Commission intends to withdraw within six months (by April 2017). It also includes two proposals already withdrawn (cf. no 3 and 11), which were already included in the Commission Work Programme 2016 and are listed here for reasons of transparency.

[Top](#document5)

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

Strasbourg, 25.10.2016

COM(2016) 710 final

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 2017  
  
Delivering a Europe that protects, empowers and defends

{SWD(2016) 400 final}

Annex V: Repeals

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nº | Policy Area | Title | Reasons for repeal |
| 1. | Agriculture | Horizontal action replacing a number of outdated Commission Regulations in the area of agricultural markets | The aim of this action is on the one hand to adapt pre-Lisbon Commission Regulations to the rules on the common organisation of the markets in agricultural products as laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 and, on the other hand and to the extend possible, to simplify the existing rules. As a result, a number of Commission Regulations in the area of agricultural markets will be repealed and replaced by new delegated and implementing acts. |
| 2. | Employment | Commission Implementing Decision (EU) No 2012/733 of 26 November 2012 implementing Regulation (EU) No 492/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the clearance of vacancies and applications for employment and the re-establishment of EURES | Replaced by Regulation (EU) No 2016/589, as set out in Chapter II of Regulation (EU) No 492/2011. |
| 3. | Energy | Regulation (EU) No 256/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 concerning the notification to the Commission of investment projects in energy infrastructure within the European Union, replacing Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 617/2010 and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 736/96 | The Regulation provides no added value and overlaps significantly with other legal acts as shown by the Fitness Check of the Reporting, Planning and Monitoring obligations in the EU Energy Acquis. In addition, the REFIT Scoreboard 2015 already identified the regulation as a candidate for repeal. |
| 4. | Food Safety | Commission Decision (EEC) No 92/176 of 2 March 1992 concerning maps to be provided for use for the Animo network | The Decision has since been replaced by the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) online management tool covering all sanitary requirements on intra-EU trade and importation of animals, semen and embryo, food, feed and plants. |
| 5. | Food Safety | Commission Decision (EC) No 2002/623 of 24 July 2002 establishing guidance notes supplementing Annex II to Directive (EC) No 2001/18 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms and repealing Council Directive (EEC) No 90/220 | Commission Decision (EC) No 2002/623 provides guidance on the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) of GMOs referred to in Annex II to Directive (EC) No 2001/18 on the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment. In 2017, the Commission will adopt a new Directive which will integrate key elements of the comprehensive EFSA guidelines of 2010 on ERA in Annex II to Directive (EC) No 2001/18 as required by Directive (EU) No 2015/412. As a result, Decision (EC) No 2002/623 will become outdated. For the sake of simplification for operators and national authorities, it is appropriate to repeal Decision (EC) No 2002/623 in parallel to adopting the new Directive. |
| 6. | Food safety | Commission Decision (EC) No 2005/463 of 21 June 2005 establishing a network group for the exchange and coordination of information concerning coexistence of genetically modified, conventional and organic crops | It is proposed to disband this expert group, in the light of, in particular, the revised horizontal Commission rules on the creation and operation of Commission expert groups adopted in May 2016 and the inactivity of this expert group in the last 5 years. |
| 7. | Internal Market | Council Directive (EEC) No 73/361 of 19 November 1973 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the certification and marking of wire-ropes, chains and hooks | The act as it stands today no longer contains any substantive rules that are still applicable, as some of its provisions were repealed by Council Directive (EEC) No 91/368 amending the previous Machinery Directive (EEC) No 89/392, and others repealed or replaced by Annex III of Council Regulation (EC) No 807/2003. The remaining provisions are obsolete and the relevant safety provisions have been included in the Lifts Directive (EU) No 2014/33. |
| 8. | Internal Market | Commission Decision (EC) No 2009/767 of 16 October 2009 setting out measures facilitating the use of procedures by electronic means through the ‘points of single contact’ under Directive (EC) No 2006/123 of the European Parliament and of the Council on services in the internal market | The obligations and technical specifications set out in Decision (EC) No 2009/767 are now covered by Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market and repealing Directive (EC) No 1999/93, and by the Commission Implementing Decisions (EU) No 2015/1505 and (EU) No 2015/1506. Therefore, the Decision (EC) No 2009/767 has become obsolete. |
| 9. | Internal Market | Commission Decision (EU) No 2011/130 of 25 February 2011 establishing minimum requirements for the cross-border processing of documents signed electronically by competent authorities under Directive (EC) No 2006/123 of the European Parliament and of the Council on services in the internal market | The obligations and technical specifications set out in Decision (EU) No 2011/130 are now covered by Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market and repealing Directive (EC) No 1999/93, and by the Commission Implementing Decisions (EU) No 2015/1505 and (EU) No 2015/1506. Therefore, the Decision (EU) No 2011/130 has become obsolete. |
| 10. | Taxation and Customs | Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3510/80 of 23 December 1980 on the definition of the concept of originating products for purposes of the application of tariff preferences granted by the European Economic Community in respect of certain products from developing countries | This Commission Regulation is obsolete following successive reforms of the preferential rules of origin. The latest and up-to-date preferential rules of origin are now in Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 (Union Customs Code), Delegated Regulation (EU) No 2015/2446 and Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2015/2447 (the latter two Regulations replacing the implementing provisions of the previous Customs Code from 1992). |
| 11. | Taxation and Customs | Council Regulation (EC) No 1147/2002 of 25 June 2002 temporarily suspending the autonomous Common Customs Tariff duties on certain goods imported with airworthiness certificates | The repeal of this Council Regulation will be proposed with the new proposal for a Council Regulation temporarily suspending the autonomous Common Customs Tariff duties on certain goods imported with authorised release certificates. |
| 12. | Taxation and Customs | Commission Regulation (EC) No 209/2005 of 7 February 2005 establishing the list of textile products for which no proof of origin is required on release for free circulation in the Community | This Commission Regulation was an implementing act to Council Regulation (EC) No 1541/98 of 13 July 1998, which itself has been repealed in 2011. |
| 13. | Taxation and Customs | Decision (EC) No 70/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2008 on a paperless environment for customs and trade | The evolution of the customs law and the large degree of detail and harmonization in which the legal obligation to use electronic systems has been established, have rendered the e-customs Decision of 2008 superfluous. The core provisions of the Decision are now superseded with the exception of Art. 4(4)-(7) of the Decision concerning the Single Window. Preparations for a new legal basis for the Single Window have started and a proposal will be made in parallel with the proposal to repeal Decision (EC) No 70/2008. |
| 14. | Taxation and Customs | Commission Implementing Decision (EU) No 2011/544 of 16 September 2011 on establishing a common fiscal marker for gas oils and kerosene | The Implementing Decision will be replaced with a new one as from 2017 and therefore simultaneously repealed. |
| 15. | Transport | Council Directive (EEC) No 89/629 of 4 December 1989 on the limitation of noise emission from civil subsonic jet aeroplanes | This Directive has become redundant since the adoption and transposition of Directive (EC) No 2006/93, which provides for a more extensive and stricter approach. Directive (EEC) No 89/629 allowed for noisy aircraft to continue operation, if they had already been entered in the national registers. But it was no longer allowed to include any new registration of such noisy aircraft (non-addition rule). Older and noisy aircraft could therefore still be used. Directive (EC) No 2006/93 introduced a complete phase-out for all noisy aircraft, including all those covered by Directive (EEC) No 89/629 regardless of whether they were already registered or not, meaning that sub-standard aircraft are no longer allowed to fly in EU skies and had to be removed from the national registers. |
| 16. | Transport | Council Regulation (EEC) No 3572/90 of 4 December 1990 amending, as a result of German unification, certain Directives, Decisions and Regulations relating to transport by road, rail and inland waterway | The legal acts amended by the Regulation have been or are in the process of being repealed. Once the Regulation has thus become obsolete, it should be repealed. |

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