CELEX: 52019PC0033
Language: en
Date: 2019-01-31
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union, within the EEA Joint Committee concerning an amendment to Annex IX (Financial services) and Annex XIX (Consumer protection) to the EEA Agreement

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
            Brussels, 31.1.2019
            COM(2019) 33 final
            2019/0023(NLE)
            Proposal for a
            COUNCIL DECISION
            on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union,within the EEA Joint Committee concerning an amendment to Annex IX (Financial services) and Annex XIX (Consumer protection) to the EEA Agreement
            (Text with EEA relevance)
            
               
         
         
            
               EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
            
            
               1.CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL
            
            
               •Reasons for and objectives of the proposal
            
            
               
                  The draft Decision of the EEA Joint Committee (annexed to the proposed Council Decision) aims to amend Annex IX (Financial services) and Annex XIX (Consumer protection) to the EEA Agreement in order to incorporate Directive 2014/17/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 February 2014 on credit agreements for consumers relating to residential immovable property.
               
            
            
               •Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area
            
            
               
                  The annexed draft Joint Committee Decision extends the already existing EU policy to the EEA EFTA States (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein). 
               
            
            
               •Consistency with other Union policies
            
            
               The extension of the EU acquis to the EEA EFTA States, through their incorporation into the EEA Agreement is conducted in conformity with the objectives and principles of that Agreement, aiming at establishing a dynamic and homogeneous European Economic Area, based on common rules and equal conditions of competition. 
            
            
               2.LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY
            
            
               •Legal basis
            
            
               The legislation to be incorporated into the EEA Agreement is based on Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
            
            
               Article 1(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2894/94
                  1
                concerning arrangements for implementing the EEA Agreement provides that the Council establishes the position to be adopted on the Union’s behalf on such Decisions, on a proposal from the Commission. 
            
            
               The Commission in cooperation with the EEAS submits the draft Decision of the EEA Joint Committee for adoption by the Council as the Union’s position. The Commission would hope to be able to present it in the EEA Joint Committee at the earliest possible opportunity.
            
            
               •Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence) 
            
            
               The proposal complies with the subsidiarity principle for the following reason. 
            
            
               The objective of this proposal, namely to ensure the homogeneity of the Internal Market, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore, by reason of the effects, be better achieved at Union level. 
            
            
               The process of incorporation of the EU acquis into the EEA Agreement is conducted in conformity with the Council Regulation (EC) No 2894/94 of 28 November 1994 concerning arrangements for implementing the Agreement on the European Economic Area which confirms the approach taken. 
            
            
               •Proportionality
            
            
               In accordance with the principle of proportionality, this proposal does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve its objective.
            
         
         
            
               •Choice of the instrument
            
            
               In conformity with Article 98 of the EEA Agreement, the chosen instrument is the EEA Joint Committee decision. The EEA Joint Committee shall ensure the effective implementation and operation of the EEA Agreement. To this end, it shall take decisions in the cases provided for in the EEA Agreement. 
            
            
               3.RESULTS OF EX-POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
            
            
               Not applicable.
            
            
               4.BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS
            
            
               There are no budgetary implications expected as a result of the incorporation of Directive 2014/17/EU into the EEA Agreement.
            
            
               5.OTHER ELEMENTS
            
            
               The main adaptations requested by the EFTA side 
            
            
               Justification and proposed solution:
            
            
               Adaptation to Article 5(3)(b) – adaption (b)
            
            
               As a consequence of the division of powers between the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the EFTA Surveillance Authority an adaptation to include the EFTA Surveillance Authority in the list of authorities with which national authorities shall cooperate has been introduced.
            
            
               Adaptation to Articles 12(3) and 27(3) – adaptation (c)
            
            
               In line with Article 7 EEA, only acts that have been incorporated into the EEA Agreement are binding upon the EEA EFTA States. Certain obligations contained in the Directive may hence only apply as from the date of entry into force of the Joint Committee Decision incorporating it into the EEA Agreement. Adaptation (c) ensures that the relevant date for the application of Articles 12(3) and 27(3) is the date of entry into force of the Directive in the EEA. 
            
            
               Adaptation to Article 14(5) – adaptation (d)
            
            
               In line with Article 7 EEA, only acts that have been incorporated into the EEA Agreement are binding upon the EEA EFTA States. Certain obligations contained in the Directive may hence only apply as from the date of entry into force of the Joint Committee Decision incorporating it into the EEA Agreement. Adaptation (d) ensures that the transitional periods regarding existing national rules in place prior to the entry into force of the Directive, shall, in an EEA context, be understood to apply in relation to the entry into force of the Directive in the EEA. 
            
            
               Adaptation to Article 26(2) – adaptation (e)
            
            
               In Liechtenstein, only 50 to 100 real estate transactions take place every year according to the figures from the Liechtenstein tax administration. Much more real estate transactions would be needed for reliable and meaningful statistical results on the residential property market as provided for in Article 26(2) of the Directive.
            
            
               In the given situation the statistical monitoring would contradict the following Principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice:
            
            
               •Principle 4: Statistical authorities are committed to quality,
            
            
               •Principle 7: Sound methodology underpins quality statistics,
            
         
         
            
               •Principle 12: European Statistics accurately and reliably portray reality.
            
            
               Accordingly, adaptation (e) exempts Liechtenstein from the obligation to ensure an appropriate statistical monitoring of the residential property market on its territory according to Article 26(2) of the Directive. 
            
            
               Adaptation to Articles 34(2) and (4) and 37 – adaptation (f) and (g)
            
            
               Under the system set-up by point 31g of Annex IX EEA, the competence to adopt decisions binding in the EFTA pillar under Article 19 of the EBA Regulation is vested in the EFTA Surveillance Authority, whereas most of the technical aspects of supervision will be carried out by EBA as regards matters that concern the EFTA States. EBA will also be competent to carry out non-binding mediation pursuant to Art. 19(2) EBA Regulation.
            
            
               Adaptations (f) and (g) clarify that references to the powers of EBA under Article 19 of the EBA Regulation in Articles 34(2) and (4) and 37 of the Directive, respectively, should be understood as referring, as the case may be, to the powers of the EFTA Surveillance Authority. 
            
            
               Adaptation to Article 43 – adaptation (h)
            
            
               In line with Article 7 EEA, only acts that have been incorporated into the EEA Agreement are binding upon the EEA EFTA States. Certain obligations contained in the Directive may hence only apply as from the date of entry into force of the Joint Committee Decision incorporating it into the EEA Agreement. Adaptation (h) ensures that the transitional periods set out in Article 43 of the Directive, shall, in an EEA context, be understood to apply in relation to the entry into force of the Directive in the EEA. 
            
            
               2019/0023 (NLE)
            
            
               Proposal for a
            
            
               COUNCIL DECISION
            
            
               on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union,
                  within the EEA Joint Committee concerning an amendment to Annex IX (Financial services) and Annex XIX (Consumer protection) to the EEA Agreement
            
            
               (Text with EEA relevance)
            
            
               THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
            
            
               Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 114 in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,
            
            
               Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2894/94 of 28 November 1994 concerning arrangements for implementing the Agreement on the European Economic Area
                  2
               , and in particular Article 1(3) thereof,
            
            
               Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
            
            
               Whereas:
            
            
               (1)The Agreement on the European Economic Area
                  3
                ('the EEA Agreement') entered into force on 1 January 1994.
            
            
               (2)Pursuant to Article 98 of the EEA Agreement, the EEA Joint Committee may decide to amend, inter alia, Annex IX (Financial services) and Annex XIX (Consumer protection) to the EEA Agreement.
            
            
               (3)Directive 2014/17/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council 
                  4
                is to be incorporated into the EEA Agreement.
            
         
         
            
               (4)Annex IX (Financial services) and Annex XIX (Consumer protection) to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly. 
            
            
               (5)The position of the Union within the EEA Joint Committee should therefore be based on the attached draft decision,
            
            
               HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
            
            
               Article 1
            
            
               The position to be adopted, on behalf of the Union, within the EEA Joint Committee on the proposed amendment to Annex IX (Financial services) and Annex XIX (Consumer protection) to the EEA Agreement, shall be based on the draft decision of the EEA Joint Committee attached to this Decision.
            
            
               Article 2
            
            
               This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
            
            
               Done at Brussels,
            
            
               
                     For the Council
               
               
                     The President
               
            
         
         
            
                  
                     (1)
                  
                        OJ L 305, 30.11.1994, p. 6–8
               
               
                  
                     (2)
                  
                        OJ L 305, 30.11.1994, p. 6.
               
               
                  
                     (3)
                  
                        OJ L 1, 3.1.1994, p. 3. 
               
               
                  
                     (4)
                  
                        Directive 2014/17/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 February 2014 on credit agreements for consumers relating to residential immovable property and amending Directives 2008/48/EC and 2013/36/EU and Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010, (OJ L 60, 28.2.2014, p. 34).
               
            
      
    ---documentbreak--- 
      
         
               EUROPEAN COMMISSION
            Brussels, 31.1.2019
            COM(2019) 33 final
            ANNEX
            to the
            Proposal for a Council Decision
            on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union,within the EEA Joint Committee concerning an amendment to Annex IX (Financial services) and Annex XIX (Consumer protection) to the EEA Agreement
            
               
         
         
            
               ANNEX 
            
            
               DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE 
                  No 
            
            
               of 
            
            
               amending Annex IX (Financial services) and Annex XIX (Consumer protection) to the EEA Agreement
            
            
               THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE,
            
            
               Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (“the EEA Agreement”), and in particular Article 98 thereof,
            
            
               Whereas:
            
            
               (1)Directive 2014/17/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 February 2014 on credit agreements for consumers relating to residential immovable property and amending Directives 2008/48/EC and 2013/36/EU and Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010
                  1
               , as corrected by OJ L 246, 23.9.2015, p. 11, is to be incorporated into the EEA Agreement.
            
            
               (2)Annexes IX and XIX to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly,
            
            
               HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
            
            
               Article 1
            
            
               Annex IX to the EEA Agreement shall be amended as follows:
            
            
               1.The following indent is added in point 31g (Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council):
            
            
               ‘-32014 L 0017: Directive 2014/17/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 February 2014 (OJ L 60, 28.2.2014, p. 34), as corrected by OJ L 246, 23.9.2015, p. 11.’
            
            
               2.The following point is inserted after point 31i (Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council):
            
            
               ‘31j.32014 L 0017: Directive 2014/17/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 February 2014 on credit agreements for consumers relating to residential immovable property and amending Directives 2008/48/EC and 2013/36/EU and Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 (OJ L 60, 28.2.2014, p. 34), as corrected by OJ L 246, 23.9.2015, p. 11.
            
            
               The provisions of the Directive shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be read with the following adaptations:
            
            
               (a)Notwithstanding the provisions of Protocol 1 to this Agreement, and unless otherwise provided for in this Agreement, the terms “Member State(s)” and “competent authorities” shall be understood to include, in addition to their meaning in the Directive, the EFTA States and their competent authorities, respectively.
            
            
               (b)In point (b) of Article 5(3), the words “or, as the case may be, the EFTA Surveillance Authority” shall be inserted after the words “the European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority) (EBA)”.
            
         
         
            
               (c)In Articles 12(3) and 27(3), as regards the EFTA States, the words “20 March 2014” shall read “the date of entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this decision]”.
            
            
               (d)In Article 14(5), as regards the EFTA States, the words “20 March 2014” shall read “the date of entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this decision]” and the words “until 21 March 2019” shall read “for five years thereafter”.
            
            
               (e)In Article 26(2), the following subparagraph is added:
            
            
               “Liechtenstein is exempted from the statistical monitoring required by paragraph 2 of Article 26.”
            
            
               (f)In the fifth subparagraph of paragraph 2, and in point (b) of paragraph 4 of Article 34, the words “EBA may act” shall be replaced by the words “EBA or, as the case may be, the EFTA Surveillance Authority may act”.
            
            
               (g)In Article 37, the words “EBA may act in accordance with the powers conferred on it by that Article and any binding decision made by EBA” shall be replaced by the words “EBA or, as the case may be, the EFTA Surveillance Authority may act in accordance with the powers conferred on it by that Article and any binding decision made by EBA or, as the case may be, the EFTA Surveillance Authority”.
            
            
               (h)In Article 43, as regards the EFTA States, the words “21 March 2016” and “20 March 2014” shall read “the date of entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this decision]” and the words “21 March 2017” shall read “one year after the date of entry into force of Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No …/… of … [this decision]”.’
            
            
               Article 2
            
            
               The following indent is added in point 7h (Directive 2008/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council) of Annex XIX to the EEA Agreement:
            
            
               ‘-32014 L 0017: Directive 2014/17/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 February 2014 (OJ L 60, 28.2.2014, p. 34), as corrected by OJ L 246, 23.9.2015, p. 11.’
            
            
               Article 3
            
            
               The text of Directive 2014/17/EU, as corrected by OJ L 246, 23.9.2015, p. 11, in the Icelandic and Norwegian languages, to be published in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union, shall be authentic.
            
            
               Article 4
            
            
               This Decision shall enter into force on […], provided that all the notifications under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement have been made
                  2*.
            
            
               Article 5
            
            
               This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European Union.
            
            
               Done at Brussels, .
            
            
               
                     For the EEA Joint Committee
               
               
                     The President
                     
                     
                     
                     The Secretaries
                     to the EEA Joint Committee
                     
               
            
         
         
            
                  
                     (1)
                  
                        OJ L 60, 28.2.2014, p. 34.
               
               
                  
                     (2)
                  *
                        [No constitutional requirements indicated.] [Constitutional requirements indicated.]