BETA

1208 Amendments of David MARTIN

Amendment 20 #

2018/2656(RSP)


Citation 18 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 20 July 2017 on the impact of international trade and the EU's trade policies on global value chains3a _________________ 3a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2017)0330.
2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE
Amendment 88 #

2018/2656(RSP)


Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the EU has developed binding rules in the area of corporate due diligence in specific sectors where there is a high risk of human rights abuses, such as timber and conflict minerals, which are now helping to set global standards but can still be developed further;
2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE
Amendment 116 #

2018/2656(RSP)


Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Acknowledges the important role played by EU businesses in exporting best practices in corporate social responsibility and welcomes recent initiatives taken by the Commission on corporate due diligence such as on conflict minerals;
2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE
Amendment 180 #

2018/2656(RSP)


Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on the EU to engage with our strategic partners to ensure there is enough support within the UN to proceed with meaningful negotiations in pursuit of the SDGs;
2018/06/06
Committee: DEVE
Amendment 3 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
— having regard to the statement by the co-chairs adopted at the 14th meeting of the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC), held in Podgorica on 18-19 December 2017 and the joint recommendations adopted at its 15th meeting held in Podgorica on 16-17 July 2018,
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 6 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas important work on alignment with the acquis and the ability to assume the obligations of membership has taken place in most areas;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that fundamental freedoms were respected in the April 2018 presidential elections although the lack of analytical reporting and proper TV debates between candidates limited the possibility of voters to make an informed choice; calls for shortcomings identified by the OSCE ODIHR to be comprehensively addressed in order to improve public trust in the electoral process;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that fundamental freedoms were respected in the April 2018 presidential elections; calls for shortcomings identified by the OSCE ODIHR to be comprehensively addressed in order to improve public trust in the electoral process; calls in that respect and in addition to the legislation adopted in December 2017 for the full transposition in the national legislation of the recommendations of the OSCE ODIHR;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Recalls that Montenegro has to make further efforts in ensuring the effective protection of the right to property in line with the EU acquis and international human rights standards; is concerned, in this context, that the process of restitution of properties expropriated by the previous regime remains slow;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. ENotes the capability of Montenegro to handle asylum requests until now, while underling that further progress has to be made; encourages Montenegro to work in closer cooperation with Frontex in order to improve border management, address irregular migration and disrupt migrant smuggling networks; calls for intensified efforts and cross- border cooperation to prevent and dismantle organised criminal networks related to human trafficking, as well as drug and tobacco smuggling;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 86 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Montenegrin authorities to continue to improve the climate of societal inclusion and tolerance and to take effective measures against hate speech, social exclusion and the discrimination of minorities, including LGBTI people; notes that Montenegro is still not fully aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Person with disabilities; encourages the competent authorities to continue to strengthen efforts to safeguard the rights of LGBTI people; remains concerned from the difficulties about acceptance of sexual diversity within Montenegrin society;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6
Economy, social policy, employment and education
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Welcomes regulatory changes in the field of education; urges the authorities to address the high long-term unemployment rate among youth and womenthe successful implementation of the first operational programme for human resources by the European Social Fund in December; urges the authorities to address the high long-term unemployment rate among youth and women; notes the preparation of a white paper to promote youth employment, in cooperation with the International Labour Organisation; stresses the need to introduce active labour market measures for women negatively affected by the repeal of the social benefits;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 107 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Notes that social partners should be effectively and systematically consulted on issues concerning employment and social affairs; underlines the need to further strengthen the capacities of the Social Council; welcomes the adoption of rulebooks in the area of health and safety at work but remains concerned about the high percentage of fatal accidents at work and the low number of work inspectors;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 109 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes regulatory changes in the field of education; welcomes Montenegro’s strengthened participation in the Erasmus+ programme and expresses its support for the Commission’s proposal to double the Erasmus+ budget;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7
Environment, climate change and energy
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. RCalls for the identification and designation of marine protected areas; repeats its call for the Ulcinj Salina site to be given protected status in line with the EU’s Natura 2000 network;
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2018/2144(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Commends the intention of Montenegro to establish the EU Emissions Trading System in the next three years and the adoption of secondary legislation on fuel economy and emissions from new cars; Notes the importance of incorporating in the national legislation aspects of the EU Emissions Trade System (ETS), the Effort Sharing Regulation and the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM);
2018/09/03
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2018/2107(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the acknowledgement of the need to enhance transparency and accountability by the participation of civil society in monitoring the effective implementation of human rights commitments set out in international conventions; calls on the Commission to consider establishing joint oversight commissions or domestic advisory groups with the participation of local civil society and trade union representatives; in this respect, recalls the importance of a continued engagement with the relevant monitoring bodies established under the relevant conventions such as those of the ILO and the UN;
2018/12/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 60 #

2018/2107(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Supports more engagement with least developed countries under the Everything But Arms scheme with regard to preventing and addressing cases of serious and systematic violation of human rights; notes that the threat of withdrawal of trade preferences may in itself not be a sufficient measure to promote real compliance with international human rights principles. ; stresses that the withdrawal of trade preferences should be seen as a last resort measure; in particular, considers that preferences should be withdrawn when the EBA beneficiary lacks a concrete willingness and necessary engagement to address the serious shortcomings in the effective implementation of the GSP conventions;
2018/12/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2018/2107(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Acknowledges that GSP+ plays an important role in promoting international labour rights, human rights, good governance and environmental protection standards in its beneficiary countries not only by offering incentives to comply with these standards but also by establishing a platform for regular dialogue in the areas covered by the conventions and promoting engagement in substantive reforms;
2018/12/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2018/2107(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Calls for a structured monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with relevant GSP conventions applying also to the GSP general arrangement and EBA;
2018/12/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2018/2080(INI)


Recital 10
(10) Whereas provisions should be laid down regarding the officials and servants of the Ombudsman´s secretariat which will assist him and the budget thereof; whereas the seat of the Ombudsman should be that of the seat of the European Parliament;
2018/10/19
Committee: PETI
Amendment 39 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that in the course of globalisation, international value chains have emerged; points out that these value chains restructure the international division of labour as well as the interdependence of countries; recalls that their extremely complex nature, lack of transparency and dilution of liabilities may lead to a higher risk of human and labour rights violations, factual impunity for environmental crimes and large-scale tax avoidance and tax fraud;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes that as a side effect of globalisation, finance has tended to generate huge private rewards disproportionate to its social returns and non-financial corporations have also become adept at using rent-seeking strategies to bolster their profits, therefore contributing to rising inequality; Notes with concern that despite the efforts since 2009 to address the excesses of the financial sector the underlying macro- financial structures have remained broadly intact and there has been almost no effort to tackle the connections between inequality and instability that have marked the rise of unregulated finance;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the benefits of globalisation are unequally distributed between regions and within societies; some regions and sectors profit to a large extent, while others suffer from structural change and rising unemployment; notes that this is a reason for the rising scepticism or rejection of globalisation within societies; notes that the financial and economic crises had a particularly negative effect on mid-range incomes; notes that the middle class has shrunk in many EU Member States, while their share of the overall income equally decreased; expresses the view that the combination of a declining middle class, citizens’ fears over losing their social and economic position, and scepticism towards globalisation, can result in nationalist and authoritarian tendencies, which then lead to the promotion of protectionism as an easy answer to common fears; notes that in this context, neither nationalist-protectionist nor business-as-usual policies are the adequate response;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 64 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the economic importance of China and other Southeast Asian countries is growing significantly; points out that this trend will persist within the next years, while understands that this leads to a relative loss of importance for the present global economic centres of Europe and North America;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 68 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that the Chinese new silk road strategy is China’s attempt at becoming the leading world economic power, while the America First strategy is an attempt at confronting the United states’ downturn that willingly accepts its own destructive force for the rule-based world economic order;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 83 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. NThe EU is presented with the challenge to function successfully in this changed world economic setting, meaning that it needs to assure its competitiveness and increase its cooperation with the rising economies in South East Asia as well as India and China and to meet the increasing arbitrary protectionism of the United States; notes the importance of engaging 6. in the restructuring of the world economic order and of respecting the needs of developing countries, while stressing that the aim of fulfilling the SDGs and the conditions of the Paris Agreement must provide the overarching framework;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 95 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. NAgrees with the Commission that the preservation of the international competitiveness is a prerequisite for a successful European strategy; notes that strengthening the EU’s internal market as well as consolidating the economic union is vital, since a solid internal market is a prerequisite for the successful implementation of international strategies; points out that being internationally competitive depends strongly on shaping digitalisation successfully and in a socially and environmentally responsible manner; notes that the shift to renewable energies needs to happen as soon as possible;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 108 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. APoints out that there is no level playing field for SMEs; asks the Commission to create a European trade strategy for SMEs in order to integrate SMEs into international value chains and overcome trade-specific hurdles such as non-tariff barriers; points out that access to information is one of the biggest obstacles to the market participation of SMEs, meaning that transparency and support need to increase; notes that the utilization rate of Free Trade Agreements, especially by SMEs, needs to increase as well;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 114 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that effective trade defence instruments are needed, welcomes the recent reform of EU trade defence instruments which must be checked regarding its capacity as a protective measure against arbitrary protectionism, on top of its ability to protect against dumpingeffectively implemented in order to protect industries and jobs from dumped and unfairly subsidised imports; supports the Commission's measures put in place following the US imposition of steel and aluminium tariffs; points out that the rules on investment screening need to be put in place as soon as possible in order to prevent foreign investments that are merely motivated by industrial policy and serve to acquire European technologies;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 122 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that, as a minimum reply to globalisation-induced job losses, a reform of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund is needed; stresses that the EGF must become more proactive tool aiming at preparing workers and companies to fight the negative impacts of globalisation; points out that the Commission needs to reform the preconditions for receiving support; notes that employees of smaller enterprises must have access to EGF funding; notes that the resources of the fund must be increased ; points out that its scope should be widened to other policy-induced adjustments; calls for a reform of the programs monitoring and evaluation- mechanism;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 130 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission to meet scepticism towards globalisation with a credible initiative on transparencywhich strengthens transparency on trade agreements, monitoring of EU rules and legislations and inclusiveness towards its citizens; Calls on the Commission to conduct negotiations in full transparency, through constant dialogue with European Parliament, national parliaments, social partners and civil society; Calls on the Council to inform and involve national parliaments and civil society before the approval of the negotiating mandate and during the negotiations until after the implementation of a new agreement; ; Regrets that the Council has decided, in its 22 May Conclusions, to maintain the status quo by deciding to publish the negotiating directives of EU FTAs on a case by case basis; calls on the Council to make all negotiating mandate's public;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 143 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission to make the SDGS and the Paris agenda the guiding principles of trade policy, notes that in order to do so, reforms that were mentioned in the trade for all strategy are not sufficient; Calls on the Commission to include sustainability-related measures in every chapter of trade agreements and not to reduce them to one toothless chapter;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 149 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Recalls that the European Court of Justice stated, in its 2/15 Opinion on EU- Singapore FTA, that sustainable development forms an integral part of the common commercial policy of the EU and therefore the EU has a legal obligation to integrate the objective of preserving and improving the quality of the environment and the sustainable management of global natural resources into the EU’s common commercial policy, that trade and sustainable development chapters have a direct and immediate effect on trade and that a breach on sustainable development provisions authorises the other Party to terminate or suspend the liberalisation provided for on other provisions of the FTA;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 158 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that impact assessments conducted before the start of negotiations must take their possible effects on the fulfilment of the SDGs into account; notes that national sustainability strategies and implementation plans for the Paris Agreement must form the starting point for impact assessments; points out that every single provision of an agreement and its possible impacts must be checked on its compatibility with the SDGs; notes that if parts of an agreement hamper the fulfilment of the SDGs or the Paris Agreement, adjustments must be made; notes that breaches of sustainability provisions must be counterweighted by corrective measures or lead to a sanction- based dispute settlementwithin the monitoring process the effect of the agreement on the fulfilment of the SDGs equally needs to be checked; calls for corrective measures or a sanction based dispute settlement in case of infringements of all trade and sustainable development related provisions throughout the entire agreement; Therefore reiterates its call on the EU to always include in its TSD-chapters binding and enforceable provisions which are subject to suitable and effective dispute settlement mechanisms, and consider, among various enforcement methods, a sanctions-based mechanism;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 163 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that, in lincoherence with SDG 17, the Commission mustneeds to reform its system foron implementing policy coherence for development; points out that the reciprocal effects of trade-, agricultural-, external-, fisheries-,environmental-, tax- and other policy areas must be evaluated on an equal footing between civil society, commission and parliaments; notes that breaches of sustainability provisions must be counterweighted by corrective measures and lead to a sanction-based dispute settlement;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 176 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. ANotes that the EU has regulated the supply chains of timber, fish and conflict minerals and several Member States have developed due diligence frameworks in different sectors, showing the need to develop a broad EU framework in order to ensure a level playing field; therefore asks the Commission to meet the growing complexity of value chains and the increasing interdependence of producers with clear transparency and due diligence obligations for the whole supply chain; since the weak enforcement of existing labour laws and occupational safety standards – introduced to protect workers from exhaustive working hours and unacceptable conditions – in sourcing countries remains a pressing issue; notes that GVCs have also propelled some supplier firms to ignore labour laws, reallocate their economic activities outside the EU, engage workers in unsafe and unacceptable conditions, demand exhaustive working hours and deny workers their fundamental rights; recalls that these practices create unfair competition for suppliers that are compliant with labour laws and international labour and environmental standards, and for governments that want to improve wages and living standards; calls on the Commission to study the impact of the rise of GVCs and to present concrete proposals to improve conditions in them and to work towards a legally binding framework for corporate accountability and responsible business conduct (RBC) with regard to decent work, environmental sustainability and respect for human rights in close cooperation with the ILO and the OECD;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 183 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Points out that active measures aiming to enhance opportunities for women to benefit from the opportunities provided by an FTA are necessary to reach the goal of gender equality; calls for trade agreements that include a specific chapter on trade and gender equality and women's empowerment, foreseeing to provide for measures aimed at, inter alia, a better work-family life balance and access to social and health services, to pursue an enhanced participation of women enterprises (particularly micro-enterprises and SMEs) in public procurement, to support the internationalisation of women enterprises and the participation of women in Mode 4 opportunities;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 194 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that, in view of attacks on the multilateral world economic order, it is vitally important to preserve this order since any backsliding into protectionism would be damaging and would lead to trade war; notes that the multilateral order can only be upheld if it is reformed; notes that it is not the goal to secure free trade but to secure fair trade that fulfils the SDGs and gives room to the needs of developing countries, as referenced in the trade for all strategy; notes that, since multilateral initiatives currently bare little chance for success, the EU should strive for bilateral and plurilateral agreements in the meantime, in which fair trade is one of the guiding principles;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 201 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that free, fair and sustainable trade is economically desirablerelevant and has vital political implications; notes that it isn the light of the America First strategy as well as the new silk-road strategy it is of vital strategic importantce for Europe, to use trade as an instrument for the promotion of a democratic and sustainable development in the states of the Eeastern Ppartnership as well as the African states; points out that trade and investments need to be interlinked with strategies for sustainable development, both in the eastern and the African states; calls on the Commission to push for coherent implementation of the association agreements with the states of the eastern partnership in order to develop stable economic relations with the Eurasian economic union; notes that in the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreements with the African regions and states not only the trade related aspects are important but that interlinking them with the requirements of sustainable development in the African states is the vital element;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 207 #

2018/2005(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Notes that this is the first Commission paper mentioning the importance of enhancing animal welfare standards through the EU trade and investment agenda; welcomes the willingness expressed by the Commission to work towards enhanced global governance in the field; calls on the Commission to expressly include animal welfare in its next trade policy strategy and to use the review clauses in existing FTAs to further improve animal welfare provisions; calls on the Commission to ensure trade preferences are conditional upon compliance with EU animal welfare standards, guaranteeing a better level playing field and respecting the wishes of most EU citizens; calls on the Commission to recognise the important role higher animal welfare standards can play in achieving several SDGs, notably on health in connection with antimicrobial resistance, and on climate change;
2018/07/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 16 February 2012 on the death penalty in Japan,
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas Japan led efforts to revise the Trans-Pacific Trade Agreement (TPP-11) and ratifiedPartnership (TPP) following the withdrawal from the US and ratified the revised agreement, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans- Pacific Partnership (CPTPP or TPP-11) in July 2018; whereas Japan has also shown interest in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which includes China;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 15 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas Japan has over the last decades won international acclaim for its policy of military restraint which has by no means stood in the way of its rise to become one of the most important economic and political players in the world;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas tensions exist between Japan and its neighbours over islands in the East China Sea, the Sea of Japan and the Pacific, northeast of Hokkaido; whereas the peaceful settlements of disputes in the region in accordance with the international law is highly important;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 23 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights the linkages between the SPA and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which together form the world’s largest bilateral free trade agreement; considers the conclusion of the two agreements as an upgrade in partnership and supports further cooperation in the multilateral fora; welcomes the mutual respect and confidence that were strengthened during the negotiation process;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes that Japan has not ratified two ILO core conventions (on Discrimination and the Abolition of Forced Labour) and welcomes Japan’s decision to establish an inter-ministerial framework to deal with the implementation of sustainable development commitments under the EPA, including the ratification of such conventions;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 34 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Recalls that Article 43.6 of the SPA would allow the EU to suspend the EPA in case of Japan’s violation of the SPA essential elements i.e. the human rights and non-proliferation clauses;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 45 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for the expansion of bilateral EU- Japan and plurilateral cooperation with South Korea, the United States and China in support of efforts to secure peace and maintain stability in the region, peaceful coexistence in the Korean peninsula, and the complete, irreversible and verifiable denuclearisation of the DPRK; expresses preference for further Japan-South Korea cooperation which could contribute to regional stability and address security risks such as the DPRK; emphasises that the stability of the global economic powers in north-east Asia is in the core interest of Europe;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 69 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes Japan’s ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement in 2016 and urges its effective implementation;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Regrets Japan’s attempt to end the moratorium on commercial whaling at the September 2018 IWC meetings and calls for the suspension of whaling for scientific purposes;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Stresses that Japan is the second biggest cosmetics market in the world; recalls that cosmetics testing on animals and the sale of imported cosmetic products tested on animals are banned in the EU; in this context encourages the Parties to exchange information and cooperate with a view to ending cosmetics testing on animals in Japan;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12c. Notes the serious illegal logging problem in Japan; calls for an enhanced cooperation between the Parties to put an end to this practice and for the effective implementation of Japan's Clean Wood Act adopted in 2017;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 81 #

2018/0122M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls on the EEAS to enter into a dialogue with the Japanese Government on a moratorium on capital punishment with a view to its eventual abolition;
2018/11/08
Committee: AFET
Amendment 21 #

2018/0101(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) The follow up and review of the Agreements, the conduct of investigations and, where appropriate, the imposition of safeguard measures should be carried out transparentlyin the most transparent manner possible. The European Parliament should be kept informed and involved at all stages of the procedure and, in particular, prior to the adoption of any safeguard measures.
2018/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 57 #

2018/0101(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. Upon a duly justified request by the Union industry concerned or the trade unions, the Commission may extend the scope of the monitoring to other products and sectors, if any, than those mentioned in the Annex.
2018/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 58 #

2018/0101(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The European Commission shall monitor the observance by third countries of the social and environmental standards as laid down in their respective trade and sustainable development chapters.
2018/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 59 #

2018/0101(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Upon request by the responsible committee of the European Parliament, the Commission will report to it on any specific concerns relating to the implementation by the countries concerned of their commitments on trade and sustainable development.
2018/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 60 #

2018/0101(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall present an annual monitoring report to the European Parliament and to the Council on statistics on imports of sensitive products, and those products and sectors, if any, to which monitoring has been extended as well as on the fulfilment of obligations by the countries concerned under the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter.
2018/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 64 #

2018/0101(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. An investigation shall be initiated by the Commission upon request by a Member State, by any legal person or any association not having legal personality acting on behalf of the Union industry and by trade unions, or on the Commission's own initiative, where there is sufficient prima facie evidence, as determined on the basis of factors referred to in Article 6(5).
2018/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 66 #

2018/0101(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. An investigation may also be initiated where there is a surge of imports concentrated in one or several Member States or outermost regions, provided that there is sufficient prima facie evidence, as determined on the basis of factors referred to in Article 6(5).
2018/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 67 #

2018/0101(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Where the European Parliament adopts a recommendation to initiate a safeguard investigation, the Commission shall carefully examine whether the conditions for ex-officio are fulfilled and if so, then proceed as laid down in this regulation. If the Commission considers that the conditions are not fulfilled, it shall present a report to the responsible committee of the European Parliament including an explanation of all the factors relevant to the rejection of such an investigation.
2018/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 68 #

2018/0101(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. The investigation shall, where possible, be concluded within sixfour months of its initiation. That time limit may be extended by a further period of threewo months in exceptional circumstances such as the involvement of an unusually high number of interested parties or complex market situations. The Commission shall notify all interested parties of any such extension and explain the reasons therefor.
2018/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 73 #

2018/0101(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 10
10. Where information is not supplied within the time limits set by the Commission, or where the investigation is significantly impeded, the Commission may reach a decision on the basis of the available facts. Where the Commission finds that any interested party or any third party has supplied it with false or misleading information, it shall disregard that information and, may make use of the facts available and assess the potential actions to be taken against that party.
2018/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 87 #

2018/0101(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 a (new)
Article 11a Outermost regions of the Union Where any product is being imported in such increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause serious deterioration in the economic situation of one or several of the Union’s outermost regions, as referred to in Article 349 TFEU, a safeguard measure may be imposed, in accordance with the procedure laid down in this regulation.
2018/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 89 #

2018/0101(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The report shall include information on the activities of the various bodies responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Agreement, as well as information regarding the fulfilment of obligations under the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter and on activities with civil society advisory groups.
2018/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2018/0093M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Recalls, in relation to the liberalisation of financial services, that the agreement includes a prudential carve-out clause which allows the Parties to adopt or maintain measures for prudential reasons and notably to protect depositors and investors, and to ensure the integrity and stability of the Parties’ financial systems.
2018/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
– having regard to the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the role of civil society in the EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement of October 2014,
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)
– having regard to the analysis on the economic impact of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement of the European Commission’s Directorate- General for Trade of June 2018,
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has a strategic dimension and is the most important bilateral trade agreement ever concluded by the Union as it covers nearly a third of world GDP, almost 40 percent of world trade and more than 600 million people;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 83 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the fact that Japan will, notably, grant non-discriminatory access for EU suppliers to the procurement markets of 48 cities54 core cities, and may enlarge the number of cities covered even further, remove the ‘operational safety clause’, which has in practise prevented EU rail suppliers to access the Japanese market, and maximise transparency in tendering for public contracts;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 89 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes that the agreement provides significant export opportunities for EU agri-food products, such as wine, pig meat and cheese, and that it protects 205 European geographical indications (GIs), with the possibility to add further GIs, which is particularly important for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food sector;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 99 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights the fact that the agreement promotes best practices for providing safe and high-quality food and products for consumers; recalls the EU’s application of the precautionary principle and welcomes the inclusion of a clear reference to the precautionary approach in the agreement; calls on both partners to mainstream consumer protection and consumer welfare in the implementation of the agreement;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 103 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that both parties are committed to ensure high levels of environmental and labour protection and that those high standards should not be regarded as trade barriers; recalls Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, welcomes the fact that both Japan and the EU have adhered themselves to the “Buenos Aires Declaration on Women and Trade” and calls on both parties to strongly reinforce commitments on gender and trade in this agreement; expects the EU and Japan to show their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals in all their actions, including the implementation of this agreement;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 114 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the commitment to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change and of other multilateral environmental agreements, as well as to the sustainable management of forests (including fighting illegal logging) and fisheries (combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing); recalls that EU legislation remains applicable to products imported into the European market; calls on both parties to cooperate closely under the sustainable development chapter to exchange best practices and to strengthen the enforcement of legislation in these matters;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 131 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Highlights the fact that the agreement includes the clear commitment to pursue the ratification of fundamental ILO conventions; regrets that Japan has not yet ratified two ILO core conventions (on discrimination and on the abolition of forced labour) and expects, in light of commitments made in the EPA, concrete progressand swift progress in a reasonable timeframe on the part of Japan towards the ratification of these conventions;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 134 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Welcomes that Japan will establish an inter-ministerial framework to deal with the implementation of sustainable development commitments, including the ratification of the ILO core conventions, and that the trade and sustainable development committee foreseen by the agreement is tasked with interacting with civil society on the implementation of the sustainable development chapter;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 169 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Points out that the EPA foresees the temporary movement of professionals across borders (so-called mode 4), committing both sides to intra-corporate transfers in about 40 sectors and for independent professionals in about 20 sectors, which contributes to facilitate EU-Japan foreign direct investment ties;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 183 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Underlines that the EPA includes an anti-fraud clause, which makes it possible for the EU to withdraw trade preferences in cases of fraud and refusal to cooperate on customs matters, while ensuring that legitimate traders are not adversely affected;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 205 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Takes note that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement, which the European Parliament will monitor closely, and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanism;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 216 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Notes that the agreement includes a rendezvous clause to assess the issue of cross-border transfer of data provisions within three years and recognises the growing importance of the digital economy for growth and jobs; calls on the Commission to fully respect the EU law on data protection and on the protection of privacy and stresses that any future outcome must be subject to the consent of Parliament and safeguard EU citizens’ fundamental rights;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 218 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls on the Commission to enhance cooperation and coordination with Japan on multilateral issues, in close cooperation with other strategic partners, to defend and to develop further the global trading system based on the respect of WTO law and other international norms;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 221 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Calls for the prompt establishment of the SME contact points and website to make sure that relevant information on market access is made available to small companies;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 227 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Urges both partners to ensure the active involvement of social partners and civil society in the monitoring and implementation of the EPA, notably through the joint dialogue with civil society and the domestic advisory group; calls on the Commission to actively establish and share best practices with Japan on the functioning of domestic advisory groups and the joint dialogue; calls on both parties to ensure a speedy set-up of well-functioning, effective and balanced domestic advisory groups with a proper code of conduct and to ensure that their views are taken into account in a transparent manner in the government to government consultations foreseen in the agreement;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 233 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Expects full transparency on the functioning of the sectorial committees to be established under the agreement both with regard to the Parliament and the general public;
2018/10/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2018/0000M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses the Parties’ commitment to promoting sustainable development, to cooperating to address climate change as well as globalisation and to contributing to the Millennium Development Goals; welcomes Singapore’s ratification of the Paris Agreement on 21 September 2016 and expects it to meet the planned emission reduction targets by 2030;
2018/12/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2018/0000M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Welcomes Singapore’s signing on 21 June 2017 of the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA) for implementing the global standard for the automatic exchange of information for tax purposes and its notification to the OECD on 30 June 2017 of its intention to activate automatic exchanges under that agreement with all the EU Member States for which there was no bilateral agreement for the same purpose in place; encourages the Parties to make full use of the tax cooperation provisions in the PCA;
2018/12/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2018/0000M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls for the EU to enter into a dialogue with the Singapore Government on a moratorium on capital punishment with a view to its eventual abolition;
2018/12/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 26 #

2018/0000M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Acknowledges that Singapore has not yet ratified the core ILO conventions on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise and on Discrimination respectively and denounced the one on Forced Labour, and expects Singapore to further engage with the ILO with a view to progressing towards full alignment with their content and ultimately pursuing their ratification;
2018/12/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 30 #

2018/0000M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Recalls that Article 44 of the PCA would allow the EU to suspend the EU- Singapore free trade and investment protection agreements in case of systematic and serious violations of the human rights and non-proliferation clauses;
2018/12/11
Committee: AFET
Amendment 3 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Citation 15 a (new)
- having regard to special paragraph in the ILO Committee on Application of Standards of the ILO Conference of 2016, the ILO High Level Tripartite Mission Report and the 2017 observations of the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations concerning Conventions 87 and 98
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Citation 15 b (new)
- having regard for the complaint filed in 2017 with the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association concerning the government's crackdown on garment workers in Ashulia in December 2016 and the complaint filed with the UN special mandates concerning the crackdown in Ashulia
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Recital C b (new)
C b. Whereas approximately 10% of the workforce in the RMG sector is employed in Export Processing Zones (EPZ), whereas under the EPZ Labour Act falls short of granting sufficient basic rights to workers in comparison to those elsewhere in Bangladesh, whereas a vast expansion of EPZ is planned.
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Recital D
D. whereas the EU’s generous unilateral trade preference under the so- called “Everything, but arms” initiative for least-developed countries (LDCs) enshrined in the EU GSP regulation granting tariff-free access for Bangladesh textiles under flexible rules of origins have significantly contributed to this success story;growth in export and employment
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Recital E a (new)
E a. Whereas Bangladesh will cease to be eligable for EBA in 2021, due to its good growth performance, and will have to apply for GSP+ to maintain the current level of market access; whereas GSP+ obligates the receiving country to strict compliance with 27 international conventions on, among others, good governance, labour law and freedom of association; whereas Bangladesh does not meet all of these criteria at the present;
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas the Directorate-Generals of EMPL, DEVE and TRADE of the European Commission send a letter on March 16 2017 to the Goverment of Bangladesh demanding tangible progress by May 18 2017 on the following four points: 1) Undertake amendments to the 2013 Labour Act, 2) ensure that the law governing the EPZs allows for full freedom of association, 3) investigate as a matter of urgency all acts of anti-union discrimination and 4) ensure that applications for union registration are acted upon expeditiously and are not denied unless the fail to meet clear and objective criteria set forth in law;
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Recital F b (new)
F b. Whereas the International Labour Organisation gave Bangladesh a special paragraph in the ILO Committee on Application of Standards of the ILO Conference in 2016 stating that the country is in serious breach of its obligations under convention 87 (freedom of association); Whereas in 2015, the ILO reported that 78% of trade union registration applications were rejected due to a mix of hostility to unions by factory managers, certain politicians and an administrative incapacity to register them.
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Recital G
G. whereas, according to various reports, hundreds of garment workers died in various factory fires in Bangladesh since 2006, for which regrettably many culpable factory owners and managers have never been brought to justice, whereas it is estimated that 11.7 thousand workers suffer from fatal accidents and a further 24.5 thousand die from work related diseases across all sectors each year;
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Recital I
I. whereas since 21st December 2016, following strikes and demonstrations by Bangladeshi garment workers seeking higher wages, the Bangladeshi authorities havearbitrarily arrested orand detained at least 1435 unions leaders and worker rights advocatesadvocates, shut union and NGO offices and put them under police surveillance, and suspended or dismissed 1600 workers for protesting the low wages in the garment industry;
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Recital K
K. whereas a number of promising initiatives led by the private sector such as the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety (the Accord) have contributed moderately positively to improving supply chain standards and workforce safety over the last 20 years in terms of increasing workers’ rights in the garment supply chain;
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Recital L
L. whereas the conclusions of successive reviews of the Compact in 2014, 2015 and 2016 are reporting tangible improvements achieved by the Bangladeshi authorities in some areas, and are recognizing the contribution of the Compact in moderately improving health and safety in factories and working conditions in the RMG industry; whereas progress relating to worker's rights has been more challenging and no substantial progress has been witnessed for the last monthyears in this area;
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Recital M a (new)
M a. whereas global trade unions (ETUC, ITUC, Uni Global Union, IndustriAll) have been calling for the European Commission to carry out a GSP investigation due to, as the unions state: 'the government [of Bangladesh] has demonstrated beyond any doubt that continued dialogue mechanisms have failed and will do little if anything to improve conditions of the more than 4 million garment workers and the many millions more in other sectors'
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 56 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Supports the Commission's stated intent to launch an official GSP investigation when by May 18 2017 if no tangible progress is put in place by the GOB;
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 58 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Paragraph 9 b (new)
9 b. Calls on the European Commission to use the leverage granted by the future GSP+ negotiations with Bangladesh to the fullest extend and firmly hold the country to the international obligations it has to meet before being considered for GSP+;
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 60 #

2017/2636(RSP)


Paragraph 9 c (new)
9 c. Underlines that failure to improve the security situation and systematically confront the threats posed by extremists in Bangladesh will have a direct effect on investment in the country, which will ultimately hold back long term development and the lives of ordinary people.
2017/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2017/2283(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Regrets the lack of progress in the approximation to EU animal welfare standards and calls on Ukraine to urgently adopt a strategy to fulfil that commitment.
2018/05/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2017/2283(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Calls on Ukraine to urgently appoint its domestic advisory group to ensure the monitoring of the implementation of the agreement by civil society organisations.
2018/05/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 1 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that Chinathe People's Republic of China, hereinafter PRC, is the EU’s second-largest trading partner and that the EU is Chinathe PRC’s largest trading partner, and that the trade balance has a significant deficit in China’s favour;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that Chinathe PRC is a major global trade player and that this could represent a good opportunity for EU businesses;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that EU outward foreign 3. direct investment in Chinathe PRC has steadily decreased since 2012, while Chinathe PRC’s investment in the EU has grown exponentially over the past years, including some high profile takeovers such as the port of Piraeus, has grown exponentially over the past years; acknowledges that since 2016 the PRC became a net investor into the EU; takes note that in 2017 68 percent of Chinese investments into Europe came from state-owned enterprises; is concerned about state-orchestrated acquisitions that might hinder European strategic interests, public security objectives, competitiveness and employment; in this regard welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for an investments’ screening mechanism and calls for its swift adoption;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on China to act onthe PRC to fulfil the commitments enshrined in China’s Accession Protocol to the WTO and those made by President Xi Jinping’s commitments, as a result of increased trade tensions, to further open up the Chinese market to foreign investors, strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights and level the playing field by making China’s market more transparent and better regulated, and by ceasing all the discriminatory practices against foreign investors, in this respect recalls that those reforms will benefit both Chinese and European businesses, especially MSMEs;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 41 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recalls that Chinese companies benefit from the openness of European public procurement market while, on the contrary, European businesses suffer discrimination and lack of access to the Chinese market; calls on the PRC to allow non-discriminatory access to European businesses and workers on public procurement; calls on the Council for a swift adoption of the International Procurement Instrument; calls on the Commission to be vigilant and eventually take action against contracts awarded to foreign enterprises suspected of dumping practices;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for coordinated cooperation with Chinathe PRC on the Belt and Road Initiative on the basis ofbased on reciprocity, sustainable development, good governance, and open and transparent rules, in particular regarding public procurement; in this respect regrets that the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the European Investment Fund and China’s Silk Road Fund (SRF) and the one signed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the New Development Bank, and the World Bank have not yet improved the business environment for European enterprises and workers;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 56 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Supports the on-going negotiations on a comprehensive EU-China PRC Investment Agreement; calls for further reciprocity in market access that were launched in 2013; calls on the Parties to renew efforts to advance in the negotiations aimed at achieving a genuine level playing field for European businesses and workers and to ensure reciprocity in market access; calls for the inclusion of a binding and enforceable Trade and Sustainable Development chapter;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 72 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on Chinathe PRC to strive to play a responsible role on the global stage, including giving its active support to the multilateral rules-based trading system and the WTO; in the context of increasing bilateral trade tensions, reiterates the need to pursue multilateral solutions; in this respect calls for the fulfilment of WTO obligations and the protection of its operative mechanisms;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 75 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls for the resumption of negotiations, in line with the European Parliament’s resolution, on the Trade in Service Agreement (TiSA) and on the Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA), building on the fruitful EU-PRC cooperation in the fight against climate change and the strong joint commitment towards the implementation of the Paris Agreement;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 78 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Regrets that the PRC, despite the conclusion of the procedure on the reform of the European calculation methodology for anti-dumping duties, has not yet withdrawn its case against the EU at the WTO appellate body;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 81 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Expresses concern about the number of restrictions that European companies, and MSMEs in particular, continue to face in Chinathe PRC, especially in sectors covered by the ‘Made in China 2025’ plan; in this regard takes note of the PRC’s preference towards the creation of an alternative economic model rather than the integration of China into the existing global trade system;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 88 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses concern about market access being increasingly conditional on forced technology transfers, as stated in the EU Chamber of Commerce in China’s 2017 position paper;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 90 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Takes note with concern of the conclusions of the Commission’s report on the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in third countries that indicates the PRC as the chief concern; reiterates the need to ensure protection to European knowledge-based economy; calls on the PRC to fight the illicit use of European licences by Chinese companies;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 92 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Welcomes the EU-PRC’s 2017 joint announcement over a list of 200 Chinese and European GIs whose protection will be negotiated; however, considering that negotiations were launched in 2010, considers it a very modest result and regrets the lack of progress in this regard;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 94 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Expresses concern about industrial overcapacity in Chinathe PRC’s steel sector; recalls the commitments made at the first ministerial meeting of the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity in 2017 to refrain from providing market-distorting subsidies. ; regrets that the Chinese delegation has failed to deliver the data on capacity at the Global Forum on Excess Capacity; calls on the PRC to fulfil its commitment to identify and disclose data on its subsidies and support measures to the steel and aluminium industries by June 2018; takes note of the proposed tripartite action by the US, Japan and the EU at the WTO level;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 98 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Recalls its 2015 report on the relations between the EU and China with which it called for the launch of negotiations for a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan; points out that the Commission has announced on more than one occasion the launch of negotiations about investment with Hong Kong and Taiwan, and deems it regrettable that no such negotiations have yet begun;
2018/05/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2017/2271(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates its support for the WTO’s role within the multilateral system, as the best option for guaranteeing an open, fair and rules-based system, which takes account of, and balances, the many varying interests of its members; calls on the Commission to further work with the US on a positive response to the current institutional and systemic challenges;
2018/05/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 54 #

2017/2271(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Reasserts the importance for the EU and the US to address, in a coordinated and constructive manner, the necessary modernisation of the WTO, with a view to make it more effective, transparent and accountable, as well as to ensure that, in the process of elaborating international trade rules and policies, the gender, social, environmental and human rights dimensions are adequately integrated;
2018/05/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 62 #

2017/2271(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Regrets President Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action(JCPOA); supports all EU's efforts aimed at preserving the interests of EU companies investing in Iran notably the Commission's decision to activate the Blocking Statute. Believes that the same statute could be used in the context of sanctions against Russia.
2018/05/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 64 #

2017/2271(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on the EU and the US to reinforce cooperation and efforts to implement and expand due diligence schemes for enterprises to reinforce the protection of Human Rights internationally, including in the area of trade in minerals and metals from conflict-affected areas;
2018/05/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 65 #

2017/2271(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Deplores the US disengagement on the protection of the environment. In this respect, being the US the largest importer of elephant hunting trophies, regrets President Trump's decisions to remove restrictions on imports of such trophies from certain African countries.
2018/05/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
- having regard to the European Commission´s study of 15 November 2016 on the Cumulative Economic Impact of future trade agreements on EU agriculture;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas the EU concluded negotiations on the EU-New Zealand Partnership Agreement on Relations and Cooperation (PARC) on 30 July 2014;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas New Zealand is among the EU’s oldest and closest partners, sharing common values and committed to promoting prosperity and security within a rules-based system globally;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas New Zealand is one of only six WTO members for which there is still no preferential access to the EU market or negotiations in progress to that end;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
H a. Whereas New Zealand made significant commitments in TPP (Trans- Pacific Partnership) to promote the long term conservation of certain species and to tackle illegal wildlife trafficking through enhanced conservation measures, as well as requirements to effectively enforce environmental protections and engage in enhanced regional cooperation;whereas such commitments should serve as a benchmark for the EU-New Zealand FTA;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas the conclusion of the EU- New Zealand free trade agreement will deepen the trade and investment relationship and whereas it could not be contemplated if the agreement adversely affected the ability of the parties to introduce, maintain or enhance their social, environmental or labour standards;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
H b. whereas, the Belgian national government has on the 6 September 2017 requested the European Court of Justice to review if ICS is compatible with EU treaties;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H c (new)
H c. whereas following the EU-New Zealand draft negotiating mandate investment-protection is not included;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H d (new)
H d. whereas the European Parliament will be required to decide whether to give its consent to the potential EU-New Zealand-FTA;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H e (new)
H e. whereas the European Court of Justice opinion on the EU-Singapore agreement of 16 May 2017 clarifies that, except for portfolio investment and investor-to-state-dispute stellment, the agreement is of EU exclusive competence, showing the need to strengthen the democratic accountability of EU trade policy by enhancing the role of the EP in negotiating trade agreements at all stages;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 39 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that the full potential of the Union’s bilateral and regional cooperation strategies can only be realisbe improved by concluding a high-quality FTA, balanced and fair trade agreement with New Zealand in a spirit of reciprocity and mutual benefit while under no circumstances undermining the ambition to achieve progress multilaterally or the implementation of already concluded multilateral and bilateral agreements;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that the negotiation of a modern, ambitious, balanced, fair and comprehensive FTA is a pragmatic way of deepening the bilateral partnership and further reinforcing the existing, already mature bilateral trade and investment relationships; while keeping social and environmental concerns high on both partners´ agendas;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 50 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to conclude, as soon as possible, its assessments of the potential impact of such a trade deal, with a view to being able to evaluate thoroughly evaluathe possible gains and losses from the enhancement of the EU- New Zealand trade and investment relationships, for the benefit of citizens and businesses on both sides, including in the outermost regions and the overseas countries and territories, and paying special attention to environmental and social impacts, including the EU labour market and to take into account the impact Brexit might have on the increase of exportations from New Zealand to the EU;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 57 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls on the Commission to duly take into account and to respect the opinion of the European Court of Justice about the compatibility of ICS with EU treaties;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 62 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Council to authorise the Commission to start negotiations for a trade and investment agreement and an investment protection agreement with New Zealand on the basis of the outcome of the scoping exercise, the conditions set out in this resolution, the impact assessment and with clear targets;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 63 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Welcomes the Commission's step to publish the proposed negotiating directive and considers this a positive precedent;urges the Council to follow suit and publish the negotiating directive as soon as it is adopted;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 66 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission and the Council to clearly distinguish between an agreement on trade and the liberalisation of foreign direct investment (FDI),to make as soon as possible a proposal about the future architecture of trade agreements taking into account the ECJ opinion on the FTA-Singapore and if there will be in future a distinction between a trade and investment agreement which only containings issues under EUthe Union´s exclusive competence, and a second agreement on investment protecwhich covers subjects whose competences are shared with Member States; stresses that such distinction would have implication,s including on FDI and non-direct investment, which would be subject to an Investment Court System the parliamentary ratification process and that it should not be perceived as a way to circumvent national democratic processes; calls for stronger EP involvement in all ongoing and future FTA negotiations at all stages of the process;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 77 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission to conduct negotiations asin full transparently as possible and fully respect best practice as established in ocy, through constant dialogue with EP, social partners and civil society and calls on the Council to inform and involve national parliaments before the approval of ther negotiations; requests thatng mandate; Calls on the Council to make the negotiating mandate public;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 84 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that an FTA must lead to genuine market openness and trade facilitation on the groundimproved market access, creating decent jobs, gender equality for the benefit of citizens on both sides, sustainable development, upholding EU standards, safeguarding services of general interest, and respecting democratic procedures whilst boosting EU export opportunities;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 86 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Emphasises that an ambitious agreement must address, in a meaningful way, high quality sanitary and phyto- sanitary standards and other norms in agricultural and food products, without weakening EU´s high standards; robust and enforceable commitments on labour and environmental standards, the fight against tax avoidance and corruption, investment, trade in goods and services (drawing on recent European Parliament recommendations as regards reservations of policy space and sensitive sectors), e- commerce, public procurement, energy, state-owned enterprises, competition, regulatory issues such as sanitary and phytosanitary barriers, as well as technology research and, especially, the need of micro-enterprises and SMEs;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 91 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls on the Council to recognise explicitly the other Party's obligations towards indigenous peoples in the negotiating directives and to allow for reservations for domestic preference schemes in this regard;the Agreement should reaffirm both Parties' commitment to ILO Convention 169 on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 92 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Underscores that the EU is a world leader on animal welfare policy advancement and that because the EU- New Zealand FTA will impact millions of farm animals, the Commission must ensure that the parties undertake robust commitments to improve the welfare and protection of farm animals;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 93 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13 b. Emphasises that illicit wildlife trade has significant environmental, economic and social impacts, and that an ambitious agreement must promote the conservation of all wildlife species and their habitats and strongly combat the illegal take of, trade in, and transhipment of wildlife;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 94 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13 c. Stresses that inadequate fisheries management and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing can have significant negative impacts on trade, development and the environment, and that the parties must undertake meaningful commitments to protect sharks, rays,turtles and marine mammals and to prevent overfishing, overcapacity, and IUU fishing;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 95 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)
13 d. Underlines that the principle of the Three Rs (3R), to Replace, Reduce and Refine the use of animals for scientific purposes is firmly anchored in EU legislation;stresses that it is vital that existing EU measures on animal testing and research are not dismantled or diminished, nor that future regulations on animal use are restricted or EU research establishments put at a competitive disadvantage;contends that the parties seek the regulatory alignment of 3R best practice to increase testing efficiency, reduce costs and reduce the need for animal use;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 98 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point a
a) Real market access opportunities for both sides to each other’s goods and services market through the elimination of regulatory barriers: nothing in the agreement however should prevent either side from regulating to achieve legitimate policy objectives; considering in this respect that no EU trade agreement has ever privatised public services, such as water, education, health and social services, nor decreased our high European health, food, consumer, environmental, labour and safety standards, nor constrained public funo address unnecessary barriers, while applying a positive list schedule to both market access and national treatment commitments; to consider that commitments should be taken building ofn the arts and culture, education, and health and social servicesGeneral Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS);
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 105 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point a a (new)
a a) to ensure and explicitly foresee that this agreement does not prevent the parties’ ability to define, regulate, provide and support services of general interest, that it will by no means require governments to privatise any service nor preclude governments from expanding the range of services they supply to the public, and that it will not prevent governments from providing services of general interest previously supplied by private service suppliers or from bringing back under public control services that governments have previously chosen to privatise;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 107 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point a b (new)
a b) to ensure that the right and the ability of the parties to adopt and apply their own laws and regulations in the public interest is enshrined throughout the entire text in order to achieve legitimate public policy objectives such as the protection and promotion of public health, social services, public education, safety, the environment, public morals, social or consumer protection, privacy and data protection, and the promotion and protection of cultural diversity;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 110 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point a c (new)
a c) in as far as the Agreement may include a domestic regulation chapter calls on the negotiatiors not to include any necessity tests;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 115 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point b
b) The reduction of unjustified non- tariff barriers and the strengthening and extension of regulatory cooperation dialogues with binding disciplines to improve respect for intbut to ensure that any cooperation on regulatory matters remains voluntary, respects the autonomy of regulatory authorities, must be purely based on enhanced information exchange and administrative cooperation with a view to identifying unnecessary barriers and administrative burdens; to recall that regulatory coopernational standards and regulatory harmonisation, in particular through the adoption and implementation of the standards set by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) must aim to benefit governance of the global economy by intensified convergence and cooperation on international standards for example through the adoption and implementation of the standards set by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) while guaranteeing the highest level of consumer (e.g. food safety), environmental (e.g. animal health and welfare, plant health), social and labour protection;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 117 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point c
c) Significant concessions on public procurement guaranteeing market access for European companies in strategic sectors and the same degree of openness as that of the EU’s public procurement markets; to consider that simplified procedures and transparency for bidders, including those from other countries, can also be effective tools to combat corruption and foster integrity in public administration while providing value for money to taxpayers, in terms of the quality of delivery, efficiency, effectiveness and accountability; to guarantee that ecological and social criteria, including gender equality criteria, are applied in awarding public procurement markecontracts;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 123 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point d
d) A separate chapter taking into account the needs and interests of micro- enterprises and SMEs with regard to market access facilitation issues in order to generate concrete business opportunities;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 126 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point d a (new)
d a) relating to the ECJ-opinion on the FTA-Singapore that trade and sustainable development is an EU-exclusive competence and that sustainable development forms an integral part of the common commercial policy of the EU a robust and ambitious sustainable development chapter with a sanction- based mechanism, covering, among other things, core labour standards, the four ILO priority governance conventions and multilateral environmental agreements, is an indispensable part of any potential trade agreement;considers that the agreement should also include the establishment of a joint civil society forum that monitors and comments on its implementation and how the parties respect their commitments and obligations on human rights, labour standards and environmental protection;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 129 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point d b (new)
d b) to include in the negotiating directives the requirement for the parties to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) via binding standards, including with regard to internationally recognised instruments, and the uptake of sectorial OECD guidelines and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 131 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point d c (new)
d c) to ensure that the parties include a specific chapter on trade and gender equality and women’s empowerment, foreseeing active measures aiming to enhance opportunities for women to benefit from the opportunities provided by the FTA;to provide for measures aimed at, inter alia, a better work-family life balance and access to social and health services;to pursue an enhanced participation of women enterprises (particularly micro-enterprises and SMEs) in public procurement;to support the internationalisation of women enterprises and the participation of women in Mode 4 opportunities;to ensure, inter alia, that the parties commit to collecting disaggregated data allowing for thorough ex ante and ex post analysis on the impact of the FTA on gender equality;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 134 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point f
f) EStrong and enforceable measures covering the recognition and protection of intellectual property rights, including geographical indications (GIs) for agricultural and foodstuff products, and for wines and spirits; to simplify rules of origin and customs procedures with a view to adapting them to the reality of increasingly complex global value chains, including in terms of enhancing transparency and accountability within them;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 155 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point g b (new)
g b) to increase cooperation in the fight against corruption and therefore include commitments to multilateral Anti- Corruption Conventions, such as the UNCAC and the OECD Anti-bribery Convention;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 156 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point g c (new)
g c) to include digital innovations and data flows, as they are crucial drivers of the services economy and an essential element of the GVC of traditional manufacturing companies and therefore forced localisation requirements should be curbed to the extent possible within and outside Europe while accommodating necessary exemptions based on legitimate public purposes such as consumer protection and the protection of fundamental rights;recalls that data protection and privacy are not a trade barrier but fundamental rights, enshrined in Article 39 TEU, Articles 7 and 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union as well as Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 157 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point g d (new)
g d) to incorporate robust provisions on animal welfare issues such as housing, transport and slaughter and to promote continued cooperation and exchanges on animal welfare through the FTA;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 160 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Looks forward to the launch of negotiations with New Zealand and to following them closely and contributing to their successful outcome;stresses that following the ECJ opinion on the EU-Singapore FTA, the EP should see its role strengthened at all stages of EU FTA negotiations, from the adoption of the mandate to the final conclusion of the agreement, and calls for necessary arrangements to be made in the interinstitutional agreement; in this regard, reminds the Commission of its obligationthe need not only to inform the Parliament immediately and fully at all stages of the negotiations (both before and after the negotiating rounds)but also to associate Parliament fully at all stages; is committed to addressexaminge the legislative and regulatory issues that may arise in the context of the negotiations and the future agreement without prejudice to its prerogatives as a co-legislator; reiterates its fundamental responsibility to represent the citizens of the EU, and looks forward to facilitating inclusive and open discussions during the negotiating process;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 164 #

2017/2193(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Recalls that the European Parliament will endeavour to monitor the implementation of the future agreement;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
- having regard to the European Commission´s study of 15 November 2016 on the Cumulative Economic Impact of future trade agreements on EU agriculture,
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 6 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas the EU concluded negotiations on the EU-Australia Framework Agreement (FA) on 22 April 2015;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas Australia is among the EU’s oldest and closest partners, sharing common values and committed to promoting prosperity and security within a rules-based system globally;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas Australia is one of only six WTO members for which there is still no preferential access to the EU market or negotiations in progress to that end;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
H a. Whereas Australia made significant commitments in TPP (Trans- Pacific Partnership) to promote the long term conservation of certain species and to tackle illegal wildlife trafficking through enhanced conservation measures, as well as requirements to effectively enforce environmental protections and engage in enhanced regional cooperation;whereas such commitments should serve as a benchmark for the EU-Australia FTA provisions;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas the conclusion of the EU- Australia free trade agreement will deepen the trade and investment relationship and whereas it could not be contemplated if the agreement adversely affected the ability of the parties to introduce, maintain or enhance their social, environmental or labour standards;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
H b. whereas, the Belgian national government has on the 6 September 2017 requested the European Court of Justice to review if ICS is compatible with EU treaties;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H c (new)
H c. whereas following the EU- Australia draft negotiating mandate investment-protection is not included;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H d (new)
H d. whereas the European Parliament will be required to decide whether to give its consent to the potential EU-Australia- FTA;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H e (new)
H e. whereas the European Court of Justice opinion on the EU-Singapore agreement of 16 May 2017 clarifies that, except for portfolio investment and investor-to-state-dispute stellment, the agreement is of EU exclusive competence, showing the need to strengthen the democratic accountability of EU trade policy by enhancing the role of the EP in negotiating trade agreements at all stages;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that the full potential of the Union’s bilateral and regional cooperation strategies can only be realisbe improved by concluding a high-quality FTA, balanced and fair trade agreement with Australia in a spirit of reciprocity and mutual benefit while under no circumstances undermining the ambition to achieve progress multilaterally or the implementation of already concluded multilateral and bilateral agreements;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that the negotiation of a modern, ambitious, balanced, fair and comprehensive FTA is a pragmatic way of deepening the bilateral partnership and further reinforcing the existing, already mature bilateral trade and investment relationships, while keeping social and environmental concerns high on both partners´ agendas´;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to conclude, as soon as possible, its assessments of the potential impact of such a trade deal, with a view to being able to evaluate thoroughly the possible gains and losses from the enhancement of the EU- Australia trade and investment relationships, for the benefit of citizens and businesses on both sides, including in the outermost regions and the overseas countries and territories, and paying special attention to environmental and social impacts, including the EU labour market and to take into account the impact Brexit might have on the increase of exportations from Australia to the EU;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 49 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls on the Commission to duly take into account and to respect the opinion of the European Court of Justice about the compatibility of ICS with EU treaties;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 54 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Council to authorise the Commission to start negotiations for a trade an investment agreement and an investment protection agreement with Australia on the basis of the outcome of the scoping exercises, the conditions set out in this resolution, the impact assessment and with clear targets;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 55 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Welcomes the Commission's step to publish the proposed negotiating directive and considers this a positive precedent;urges the Council to follow suit and publish the negotiating directive as soon as it is adopted;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 57 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Welcomes the inclusion in the proposed negotiating directive ofthe clarification that payments under the Common Agricultural Policy should not be targeted by (i) anti-subsidy and (ii) anti-dumping measures;takes note of the ongoing investigative proceedings undertaken by the counterpart on European exports of processed tomatoes and therefore, calls on the Commission to engage with the counterpart to avoid any further discrimination against European workers and businesses;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 60 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission and the Council to clearly distinguish between an agreement on trade and the liberalisation of foreign direct investment (FDI),to make as soon as possible a proposal about the future architecture of trade agreements taking into account the ECJ opinion on the FTA-Singapore and if there would be in future a distinction between a trade and investment agreement which only containings issues under the Union´s exclusive EU competence, and a second agreement on investment protecwhich covers subjects whose competences are shared with Member States; stresses that such distinction would have implication,s including on FDI and non-direct investment, which would be subject to an Investment Court System the parliamentary ratification process and that it should not be perceived as a way to circumvent national democratic processes; calls for stronger EP involvement in all ongoing and future FTA negotiations at all stages of the process;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 73 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission to conduct negotiations asin full transparently as possible and fully respecting best practice as established in ocy, through constant dialogue with EP, social partners and civil society and calls on the Council to inform and involve national parliaments before the approval of ther negotiations; requests thatng mandate; Calls on the Council to make the negotiating mandate public;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 79 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that an FTA must lead to genuine market openness, and trade facilitation on the groundimproved market access, creating decent jobs, gender equality for the benefit of citizens on both sides, sustainable development, upholding EU standards, safeguarding services of general interest, and respecting democratic procedures whilst boosting EU export opportunities;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 82 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Emphasises that an ambitious agreement must address, in a meaningful way, high quality sanitary and phyto- sanitary standards and other norms in agricultural and food products, without weakening EU´s high standards, robust and enforceable commitments on labour and environmental standards, the fight against tax avoidance and corruption, investment, trade in goods and services (drawing on recent European Parliament recommendations as regards reservations of policy space and sensitive sectors), e- commerce, public procurement, energy, state-owned enterprises, competition, regulatory issues such as sanitary and phytosanitary barriers, as well as technology research and especially, the need of micro-enterprises and SMEs;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 86 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Underscores that the EU is a world leader on animal welfare policy advancement and that because the EU- Australia FTA will impact millions of farm animals, the Commission must ensure that the parties undertake robust commitments to improve the welfare and protection of farm animals, including the phasing out of intensive animal production methods, which unavoidably lead to poor welfare outcomes, such as battery cages, individual sow stalls and veal crates;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 88 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls on the Council to recognise explicitly the other Party's obligations towards indigenous peoples in the negotiating directives and to allow for reservations for domestic preference schemes in this regard;the Agreement should reaffirm both Parties' commitment to ILO Convention 169 on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 90 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13 b. Emphasises that illicit wildlife trade has significant environmental, economic and social impacts and that an ambitious agreement must promote the conservation of all wildlife species and their habitats and strongly combat the illegal take of, trade in, and transhipment of wildlife;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 91 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13 c. Stresses that inadequate fisheries management and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing can have significant negative impacts on trade, development and the environment, and that the parties must undertake meaningful commitments to protect sharks, rays, turtles, and marine mammals and to prevent overfishing, overcapacity, and IUU fishing;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 92 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)
13 d. Underlines that the principle of the Three Rs (3R), to Replace, Reduce and Refine the use of animals for scientific purposes, is firmly anchored in EU legislation;stresses that it is vital that existing EU measures on animal testing and research are not dismantled or diminished, nor that future regulations on animal use are restricted or EU research establishments put at a competitive disadvantage;contends that the parties seek the regulatory alignment of 3R best practice to increase testing efficiency, reduce costs and reduce the need for animal use;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 95 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point a
a) Real market access opportunities for both sides to each other’s goods and services market through the elimination of regulatory barriers: nothing in the agreement, however, should prevent either side from regulating to achieve legitimate policy objectives; considering, in this respect, that no EU trade agreement has ever privatised public services, such as water, education, health and social services, nor decreased our high European health, food, consumer, environmental, labour and safety standards, nor constrained public funo address unnecessary barriers, while applying a positive list schedule to both market access and national treatment commitments; to consider that commitments should be taken building ofn the arts and culture, education, and health and social servicesGeneral Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS);
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 103 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point a a (new)
a a) to ensure and explicitly foresee that this agreement does not prevent the parties’ ability to define, regulate, provide and support services in the general interest, that it will by no means require governments to privatise any service nor preclude governments from expanding the range of services they supply to the public, and that it will not prevent governments from providing services in the general interest previously supplied by private service suppliers or from bringing back under public control services that governments have previously chosen to privatise;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 105 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point a b (new)
a b) to ensure that the right and the ability of the parties to adopt and apply their own laws and regulations in the public interest is enshrined throughout the entire text in order to achieve legitimate public policy objectives such as the protection and promotion of public health, social services, public education, safety, the environment, public morals, social or consumer protection, privacy and data protection, and the promotion and protection of cultural diversity;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 108 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point a c (new)
a c) in as far as the Agreement may include a domestic regulation chapter calls on the negotiatiors not to include any necessity tests;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 113 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point b
b) The reduction of unjustified non- tariff barriers and the strengthening and extension of regulatory cooperation dialogues with binding disciplines to improve respect for intbut to ensure that any cooperation on regulatory matters remains voluntary, respects the autonomy of regulatory authorities, must be purely based on enhanced information exchange and administrative cooperation with a view to identifying unnecessary barriers and administrative burdens; to recall that regulatory coopernational standards and regulatory harmonisation, in particular through the adoption and implementation of the standards set by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) must aim to benefit governance of the global economy by intensified convergence and cooperation on international standards for example through the adoption and implementation of the standards set by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) while guaranteeing the highest level of consumer (e.g. food safety), environmental (e.g. animal health and welfare, plant health), social and labour protection;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 116 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point c
c) Significant concessions on public procurement guaranteeing market access for European companies in strategic sectors and the same degree of openness as that of the EU’s public procurement markets; to consider that simplified procedures and transparency for bidders, including those from other countries, can also be effective tools to combat corruption and foster integrity in public administration while providing value for money to taxpayers, in terms of the quality of delivery, efficiency, effectiveness and accountability; to guarantee that ecological and social criteria, including gender equality criteria, are applied in awarding public procurement markecontracts;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 122 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point d
d) A separate chapter taking into account the needs and interests of micro- enterprises and SMEs with regard to market access facilitation issues in order to generate concrete business opportunities;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 125 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point d a (new)
d a) relating to the ECJ-opinion on the FTA-Singapore that trade and sustainable development is an EU-exclusive competence and that sustainable development forms an integral part of the common commercial policy of the EU a robust and ambitious sustainable development chapter with a sanction- based mechanism, covering, among other things, core labour standards, the four ILO priority governance conventions and multilateral environmental agreements, is an indispensable part of any potential trade agreement;considers that the agreement should also include the establishment of a joint civil society forum that monitors and comments on its implementation and how the parties respect their commitments and obligations on human rights, labour standards and environmental protection;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 128 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point d b (new)
d b) to include in the negotiating directives the requirement for the parties to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) via binding standards, including with regard to internationally recognised instruments, and the uptake of sectorial OECD guidelines and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 130 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point d c (new)
d c) to ensure that the parties include a specific chapter on trade and gender equality and women’s empowerment, foreseeing active measures aiming to enhance opportunities for women to benefit from the opportunities provided by the FTA;to provide for measures aimed at, inter alia, a better work-family life balance and access to social and health services;to pursue an enhanced participation of women enterprises (particularly micro-enterprises and SMEs) in public procurement;to support the internationalisation of women enterprises and the participation of women in Mode 4 opportunities;to ensure, inter alia, that the parties commit to collecting disaggregated data allowing for thorough ex ante and ex post analysis on the impact of the FTA on gender equality;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 135 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point f
f) EStrong and enforceable measures covering the recognition and protection of intellectual property rights, including geographical indications (GIs) for agricultural and foodstuff products, and for wines and spirits; to simplify rules of origin and customs procedures with a view to adapting them to the reality of increasingly complex global value chains, including in terms of enhancing transparency and accountability within them;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 157 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point g b (new)
g b) to increase cooperation in the fight against corruption and therefore include commitments to multilateral Anti- Corruption Conventions, such as the UNCAC and the OECD Anti-bribery Convention;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 160 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point g c (new)
g c) to include digital innovations and data flows, as they are crucial drivers of the services economy and an essential element of the GVC of traditional manufacturing companies and therefore forced localisation requirements should be curbed to the extent possible within and outside Europe while accommodating necessary exemptions based on legitimate public purposes such as consumer protection and the protection of fundamental rights;recalls that data protection and privacy are not a trade barrier but fundamental rights, enshrined in Article 39 TEU, Articles 7 and 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union as well as Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 162 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 – point g d (new)
g d) to incorporate robust provisions on animal welfare issues such as housing, transport and slaughter and to promote continued cooperation and exchanges on animal welfare through the FTA;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 164 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Looks forward to the launch of negotiations with Australia and to following them closely and costresses that, following the ECJ opinion on the EU-Singapore FTA, the EP should see its role strengthened at all stages of EU FTA negotiations, from the adoption of the mandate to the final conclusion of the agreement, and calls for necessary arrangements to be made in the inteributing to their successful outcome;nstitutional agreement; in this regard, reminds the Commission of its obligationthe need not only to inform the Parliament immediately andbut to associate Parliament fully at all stages of the negotiations (both before and after the negotiating rounds); is committed to addressexaminge the legislative and regulatory issues that may arise in the context of the negotiations and the future agreement without prejudice to its prerogatives as a co-legislator; reiterates its fundamental responsibility to represent the citizens of the EU, and looks forward to facilitating inclusive and open discussions during the negotiating process;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 169 #

2017/2192(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Recalls that the European Parliament will endeavour to monitor the implementation of the future agreement;
2017/09/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C
C. whereas exports from Africa are dominated by unprocessed products, and whereas a high proportion of these exports are covered by trade preference arrangements andwhich have dcone nothing to boosttributed to boosting the albeit limited industrialisation in the countries concerned;
2017/09/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)
Ca. Whereas the preferential access to the EU market has provided scope to enhance the export performance of the African beneficiary countries depending on their ability to actually take advantage of such preferences.
2017/09/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on the EU to reinforce its financial commitment to Aid For Trade and technical assistance and capacity building initiatives which are essential to provide African countries with the instruments necessary to take full advantage of EU’s trade preferences. Welcomes in this respect the entry into force in February 2017 of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement which should facilitate customs procedures and thereby decreasing trade costs.
2017/09/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Urges the EU always toto continue to constantly take account of the different levels of development among African countries when defining and implementing its trade polices vis-à-vis Africa and to support measures which enhance production and processing capacity, particularly in agriculture;
2017/09/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 57 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the EU to continue to support Africa’s ambitions of creating a genuine intra- African market and avoid taking steps which might hinder these ambitionsto further cooperate with the countries concerned with a view to achieving this objective;
2017/09/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Supports regional integration and the creation of an African free trade area. Acknowledges that, although the EU’s policies are crucial in assisting them in pursuing such objectives, the political commitment by African countries remains of course essential.
2017/09/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 72 #

2017/2083(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for transparency in trade agreements and for the full participation of the civil societies and parliaments of the countries concerned in future negotiations as well as ind the implementation of agreements currently under negotiationconcluded agreements. Calls on the Commission and the Council to provide appropriate funding so as to ensure the full participation of civil society.
2017/09/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 5 July 2016 on the implementation of the 2010 recommendations of Parliament on social and environmental standards, human rights and corporate responsibility (2015/2038(INI));
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 3 February 2016 containing the European Parliament’s recommendations to the Commission on the negotiations for the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) (2015/2233(INI));
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 12 September 2017 on the impact of international Trade and the EU’s trade policies on global value chains (2016/2301(INI));
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 12 December 2017 Towards a Digital Trade Strategy (2017/2065(INI));
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the Common Commercial Policy comprises a body of trade agreements and legislative measures to safeguard the Union’s offensive and defensive trade interests, contribute to sustainable shared growth and decent job creation, ensure that EU rules and standards are observed, safeguard states’ right to regulate and citizens’ well-being, and promote EU values; and whereas adherence to these aims requires that Union trade policy be implemented and monitored fully and effectively;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the implementation and enforcement phase is of crucial and fundamental importance in ensuring that Union trade policy is effective;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the involvement of civil society and social partners in the implementation of trade agreements can benefit the legitimacy and effectiveness of the Common Commercial Policy;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the questions raised in public debate about the legitimacy and effectiveness of the Common Commercial Policy and the way it is implemented need to be answered clearly and precisely by the European Institutions;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 37 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas the Union’s trade policy must be consistent with its other external and internal policies and the Union’s overarching principle of policy coherence for development;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 41 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that the international context has changed profoundly since the Trade for All strategy was published and that new trade challenges now need to be addressed; is concerned to see protectionist practices being pursued and reiterates its support for an open, balanced, fair, sustainable and rules- based tradeing system;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Takes note of the growing might of Asia and of the USA’s gradual withdrawal on the trade front, as well as increasing domestic criticisms to the EU trade agenda, which were made evident by developments such as the decision of the ECJ to authorise a European Citizens’ Initiative against the TTIP negotiations, a referendum in the Netherlands which rejected the Ukraine-EU association agreement, or the referral of CETA to the ECJ by Belgium generating uncertainty for trade internationally; calls on the Commission to adapt its trade policy to address these developments at international level and to be more responsive;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 49 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the growing importance of services, especially digital services, and of e-commerce in international trade, and underscores the need to strengthen the domestic and international rules governing these sectors, in particular with respect to data flows and labour rights so as to secure real benefits for European workers and consumers, improve European companies’ access to international markets and safeguard the observance of fundamental rights in the EU and throughout the world; insists that rules for cross-border data transfers must fully comply with the EU’s existing and future data protection and privacy rules; calls on the Commission to incorporate into the EU’s trade agreements a horizontal, unambiguous and legally binding provision, which fully maintains the right of a party to protect personal data and privacy, provided that such a right is not unjustifiably used to circumvent rules for cross-border data transfers for reasons other than the protection of personal data; stresses that any disciplines in this regard should be exempted from the scope of application of any chapter dealing with investment protection;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 55 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU will have consequences for internal and external trade; calls on the Commission to take immediate steps to anticipate the impact of Brexit on the Union’s trade policy so as to ensure continuity in its implementation; calls on the Commission to publish impact assessments of the various options envisioned for the future EU-UK relationship prior to the conclusion of the article 50 negotiations;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 58 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Takes note of Opinion 2/15 of the CJEU, of 16 May 2017, establishing that, apart from the question of portfolio investment and the arrangements for investor-state dispute settlement, the Free Trade Agreement with Singapore lies within the exclusive competence of the Union; asks the Commission and Member States to clarify at the earliest possible date itstheir decision on the structure of free trade agreements in the future, taking account of the limits of EU exclusive competence set by the Court ruling; points out that Parliament must be involved from the onset of all trade negotiations, prior to the adoption of negotiating guidelines and must be kept fully informed, in a timely manner, at all stages in the negotiation and implementation of trade agreements; demands that the necessary arrangements are made through an inter-institutional agreement to enhance the legitimacy and accountability of the EU’s CCP;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 64 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Deplores the failure to reach agreement at the WTO ministerial meeting in Buenos Aires; recalls its previous demands to the Commission to actively engage in framing the WTO agenda, in particular with respect to Corporate Social Responsibility and Trade and Sustainable Development; reiterates its support for the multilateral system and calls on the Union actively to advance proposals for updated, multilateral rules; welcomes the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement; considers it regrettable that certain multilateral agreements are not being observed and calls on the Commission to work harder, within the WTO, on the effective implementation of multilateral rules and agreements;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 71 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Is concerned at the stand-off in plurilateral negotiations on the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) and the Environmental Goods Agreement; asks the Union to take the initiative to get the negotiations moving again on the basis of the European Parliament’s position on TiSA;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 77 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Emphasises that the agreements concluded and the Union’s ongoing and forthcoming bilateral negotiations represent opportunities for market access and the lifting of trade barriers while at the same time they should prevent threats and challenges to the EU’s social model and the environment; issues a reminder that priority must be given to the substance of the negotiations rather than their pace, that the aims of reciprocity and mutual benefit must be guiding threads, that EU rules and standards cannot be watered down, and that current and future public services including services of general interest and services of general economic interest, as well as audiovisual services, must be fully excluded from the scope of all trade agreements, in line with Articles 14 and 106 TFEU and Protocol 26, irrespective of how the public services are provided and funded; stresses that the Commission must ensure in all trade negotiations that EU, national and local authorities retain the full right to introduce, adopt, maintain or repeal any measures with regard to the commissioning, organisation, funding and provision of public services;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 85 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Asks the Commission and Member States to update their negotiating mandates every five years to reflect the changing context and challenges, and to include review clauses in trade agreements to ensure that they are implemented as effectively as possible and that they are adaptable, provided that full parliamentary scrutiny and transparency are guaranteed;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 89 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Points out that the Commission has announced on more than one occasion the launch of negotiations about investment with Hong Kong and Taiwan, and deems it regrettable that no such negotiations have yet begun; urges the Commission to finish the preparatory works and to formally start negotiations on investment agreements as soon as possible;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 93 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the publication by the Commission of its recommendation for a Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for a Convention establishing a multilateral court for the settlement of investment disputes (MIC); highlights the importance to the European economy of internal and external investment and the need to ensure that EU investors abroad are protected; asks the Commission to pursue its work on the new system for ruling on investment disputes, which must be based, inter alia, on a guarantee of states’ right to regulate and on transparency while points out that this can be normally achieved through the domestic legal systems of our trading partners when they respect the rule of law; also acknowledges that, while the MIC will benefit developing countries which have concluded old-fashioned BITs with ISDS, those countries will have to continue to strengthen their judiciary systems; asks the Commission to pursue its work on the new system for ruling on investment disputes, which must be based, inter alia, on a guarantee of states’ right to regulate and on transparency, and provide for an appeal mechanism, strict rules on conflict of interest, a code of conduct, sanctions in case of non-compliance and to explicitly allow for the possibility of counterclaims; this new system must address investors’ obligations, avoid regulatory chill, prevent frivolous litigation and guarantee judicial equality (with particular attention to micro- enterprises, SMEs and domestic investors), judicial independency, transparency and accountability and the possibility for other actors, such as civil society organisations and trade unions, to use the system if their rights are infringed by investors;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 98 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls on the Member States to finally unblock the procedure regarding the Mauritius Convention on Transparency in Treaty-based Investor- State Arbitration now that the European Court of Justice has brought clarity regarding questions of competence and on the Commission to redouble its efforts in this respect; also request to bring forward from 2020 the review of the grandfathering regulation for bilateral investment treaties maintained by the Member States and to couple it, if opportune, with a legislative proposal discontinuing the application of Chapter III;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 100 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Expects a reinforced engagement of the EU and its Member States in deliberations within the UN regarding a Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 101 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Urges that an updated and easily applicable rules-of-origin system be developed; cConsiders it regrettable that no progress has been made on negotiating the Regional Convention on pan-Euro- Mediterranean rules of origin; reiterates its call to the Commission to draw up a report on the state of play with regard to rules of origin, and to endeavour to provide a rules of origin calculator tailored to SMEs that should specifically enable them to use the preferences available under existing agreements with a view to increasing the preference utilisation rate;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 104 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Points out that, in the implementation of Union trade policy, special attention needs to be paid to agricultural products and to the interests of European producers and consumers, in particular in light of the cumulative impact of all FTAs on the sector; emphasises that trade agreements, and notably the agreement with Japan, can open up new business horizons for the agrifood sector; highlights the importance of striking the right balance between protecting sensitive agricultural products and advancing the Union’s offensive interests in relation to agrifood exports, with provision for, inter alia, transition periods and suitable quotas, and in certain cases for the exclusion of the most sensitive products; points out that it is essential to safeguard a robust system of health and plant-health rules while combating any form of discriminatory treatment in this area;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 115 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the multiple references to the principle of reciprocity in the report on implementation of the Union trade strategy; reiteratdeplores that reciprocity must beis still not guaranteed as a pillar of Union trade policy; emphasises the importance for the Union of having an international instrument on public procurement, and deplores the fact that the relevant proposal has been held up in the Council; takes the view that the Commission proposal on the monitoring of foreign investment could make for greater reciprocity in the area of access to markets;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 118 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Points out that trade policy must be implemented in such a way as to help ensure that companies can compete fairly on a level playing field; welcomes the adoption of the new method for calculating anti-dumping duties in cases of distortion of competition in third countries; takes note of the interinstitutional agreement reached on the modernisation of trade defence instruments; highlights the importance of ensuring that these new instruments are implemented properly by intervening immediately to rectify any dysfunctions or abusesencourages the Commission to make the most of these reforms and use the new possibility they offer, in particular with respect to imposing duties above the injury margin; highlights the importance of ensuring that these new instruments are implemented properly by intervening immediately to rectify any dysfunctions or abuses; welcomes the Commission pro-active stance in the deployment of trade defence instruments in 2016, and calls for similar resolve and reactivity when these instruments are used unduly against EU exports by some of our trading partners, in particular the United States of America;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 120 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Considers it regrettable that the Commission report on the implementation of the trade policy strategy makes scarcely any mention of the task of coordination which needs to be undertaken with customs services; makes the point that trade policy must work to combat unlawful trading in order to keep EU companies competitive and to underpin consumer safety; also points to the important role of competition policy in this respect, and the need for bilateral and multilateral negotiations to this end;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 123 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Urges the Commission, in cases of dysfunction or hindrance or where a partner fails to observe a commitment, to make immediate use of the tools at its disposal, particularly through recourse to the disputes settlement procedure as well as the existing ad-hoc processes foreseen for Trade and Sustainable Development provisions in the Union’s FTAs;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 129 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission to invest more human and financial resources in improvinge the way that trade policy is implemented, and asks that a special trade policy implementation monitoring unit be set up within the Commission;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 130 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Urges the Commission and Member States to do more, particularly through the use of IT, to eliminate all administrative obstacles and red tape, to simplify technicalsimplify technical and administrative procedures and to support companies taking steps to benefit from trade agreements and instruments;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 131 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Highlights the vital work done by Union delegations, in conjunction with Member State embassies, enabling swift and direct action to be taken to ensure that trade provisions are properly implemented; believes that Union delegations would benefit from a streamlined system based on a single set of rules and guidance in this respect, as the effectiveness of delegations in the monitoring of FTAs varies markedly from country to country; encourages the Commission and the EEAS to pursue their work in the field of economic diplomacy;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 135 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Asks the Commission to conduct a study of the cumulative impact of trade agreements, sector by sector and country by country, as a contribution to the evaluation of our trade policy and with a view to anticipating and amending its effects;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 136 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Highlights the fact that certain sectors may experience economic difficulties which are trade related; calls on the Commission and Member States to develop effective support policies such as social flanking measures in order to maximise the benefits and minimise the potential negative effects of trade liberalisation, and to re- evaluate the EU’s trade strategy in this light; asks the Commission, in this context, to reinforce the effectiveness of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund and make it more pro-active, anticipating those cases where negative effects have to be accounted for instead of purely reactive;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 138 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Encourages the Commission to pursue and intensify its cooperation with international organisations and forums, including the G20, the United Nations, the OECD, the ILO and, the World Bank and the International Organisation for Standardisation, on the development of international standards, their implementation and the monitoring of trade; in particular with respect to its social and environmental impact;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 140 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Welcomes the publication by the Commission of the first report on implementation of FTAs; asks the Commission to continue publishing the report annually and to cover the topic in greater depth, including interpretations of data, placing in context the figures published and providing additional qualitative information; but regrets its many shortfalls, in particular the lack of qualitative analysis and concrete recommendations; notes that while the Commission is increasingly acknowledging the negative impact of trade liberalisation on certain sectors, the report is entirely biased towards presenting “success stories” and therefore fails at providing a balanced and comprehensive assessment of the implementation of the EU’s FTAs; asks the Commission to continue publishing the report annually and to cover the topic in greater depth, including interpretations of data, placing in context the figures published and providing additional qualitative information, most importantly on the implementation of the rule parts of FTAs such as TSD and Government Procurements, so as to make this report effective in guiding the EU institutions in the definition and conduct of the Union’s trade strategy;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 143 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Points out that various elements of information, as well as figures, are missing from the report; notes that, when it comes to quantitative analyses the implementation report fails to provide an economic assessment of: the impact on growth and jobs of all FTAs; the contribution of FTAs to the evolution of trade flows, compared to other factors such as internal demand in the EU partners’ domestic markets; the impact of trade and investment agreements on investment flows and Mode 3 trade in services; asks the Commission to work more closely with the Member States and partner countries in order to obtain more data and information on the implementation of the agreements;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 144 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Is concerned by the fact that European companies are making relatively poor use of trade preferences by comparison with companies in partner countries which can therefore be deemed to benefit more from the EU’s FTAs than the EU itself; asks the Commission to determine the causes of the imbalance as quickly as possible and to address them; calls on the Commission and Member States to move swiftly on developing measures to give economic operators more information about the trade preferences provided for in the FTAs; believes that detailed information, including at micro level, is required in order to properly assess the implementation of the EU’s FTA, and that the experience of companies failing to use the possibility offered by FTAs matters just as much as the experience of those companies benefiting from them;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 148 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Invites the Commission to take a diversified approach to the various sectors studied and to set out the consequences of the implementation of trade agreements for those sectors which are considered sensitive, including an analysis of the cumulative impact of all FTAs;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 149 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Welcomes the announced introduction of implementation roadmaps for all trade agreements, and asks the Commission to involve all the interested parties in preparing them including civil society and social partners; calls on the Commission to set out intended objectives as well as specific criteria on which to base a clear evaluation, such as the state of progress on the removal of non-tariff barriers, the rate of use of quotas, or the situation with regard to regulatory cooperation; asks that the state of progress with the roadmaps be published to coincide with publication of well as progress in terms of Trade and Sustainable Development ; expects the implementation roadmaps to be transmitted to Parliament in parallel to the saisines for concluded agreements so that they may be taken into account during the consent procedure and asks that the state of progress with the roadmaps be incorporated into the annual report on implementation of FTAs;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 153 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. CWelcomes the introduction of specific chapters dedicated to SMEs in FTAs currently in negotiation; calls on the Commission to evaluate the entire toolkit for SMEs, with a view to developing a more integrated overall approach and a real SME internationalisation strategy, supporting them in becoming exporters; encourages the Commission to promote this approach in international forums;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 158 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Notes that the protection of geographical indications is one of the Union’s offensive points in trade agreement negotiations; highlights the finding in the report on implementation of FTAs that certain partners are not complying with provisions on the protection of geographical indications, and calls on the Commission to act without delay to ensure compliance with these provisions; also calls on the Commission to reassess its communication on the benefit of trade agreement, in light of these poor compliance outcomes;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 162 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Points out that the Union’s public procurement markets are the most open in the world; is concerned at certain partners’ non-compliance with provisions on public- procurement market access, to the detriment of EU companies; asks the Commission to work to secure greater access to third countries’ public procurement markets and to consider, as part of a range of measures, the introduction of rules al measures directed at third countries which give domestic companies priority access to their public procurement markets; also calls ong the lines of a ‘Buy European Act’, directed at third countries which give domestic companies priority access to their public procurement marketCommission to collect and publish company-level data on the use of public procurement provisions in FTAs (e.g. percentage of EU companies applying for and winning tenders abroad), so as to better understand the difficulties encountered by EU businesses;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 165 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Points out that the Common Commercial Policy must contributes to the promotion of the values for which the Union stands, set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, and to the pursuit of the aims enumerated in Article 21, including the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law, respect for human rights, as well as fundamental rights and freedoms, equality, respect for human dignity and the protection of the environment and of social rights; believes that achieving these objectives requires resolute and sustained actions from the Commission, and a radical change in the way human rights and sustainable development are dealt with in FTA negotiations;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 167 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. Calls on the Commission systematically to monitor the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), particularly the GSP+, and to continue publishing reports every two years; calls on the Commission to work harder with beneficiary countries, the EEAS, the Union delegations, international organisations, companies, the social partners and civil society in order to improve its information gathering and provide more in-depth analysis of the monitoring exercise so that the implementation of all aspects of the system can be clearly evaluated; stresses that the credibility and thus effectiveness of the GSP rests on the ability of the Commission to implement the provisions of the legislation in full in cases of failure to implement international labour or environmental conventions, including conducting formal investigations when required and removing or suspending preferences;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 169 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
40. Points out that the new-generation agreements include human rights clauses and sustainable development chapters, to be implemented comprehensively in their entirety in order to safeguard and promote the observance of human rights, the Union’s values and high social and environmental standards; notes thetherefore calls for a timely implementation of existing TSD provisions; regrets the insufficient evaluation of the sustainable development chapters included in the Commission report on implementation of FTAs; asks the Commission to develop a precise and specific method of monitoring and evaluating the implementation of these chapters, given that such an evaluation cannot be made on the basis of quantitative data only; recalls in this context the important role of Domestic Advisory Groups and calls on the Commission for a more inclusive involvement of civil society in monitoring processes; underlines in particular the importance of civil society contributions regarding the negative consequences of Free Trade Agreements, especially when they concern developing countries or regions; also reiterates its call to strengthen the enforcement of TSD chapters, in particular through a greater involvement of social partners and civil society organisations, as well as the use of sanctions as a last resort in case of non- compliance; expresses in particular concern about the ineffective implementation of the TSD provisions in the case of the EU-Korea FTA;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 172 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
41. Welcomes the review of the Aid for Trade strategy and supports the aim of capacity building for developing countries so that they can take greater advantage of the opportunities offered by EU trade agreements; emphasises, too, that the strategy must help to promote fair and ethical trade, and retain sufficiently asymmetrical liberalisation schedules to support economic development in the EU partner countries;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 175 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Reaffirms its support for the inclusion in all future trade agreements of ambitious provisions on combating corruption and protecting whistle-blower; welcomes the inclusion of anti- corruption provisions in the ongoing negotiations on updating the EU-Mexico FTAand EU-Chile Association Agreements; stresses that FTAs must address the fight against money laundering, tax fraud and evasion while remaining within the scope of the Union’s exclusive competence;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 179 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Welcomes the fact that gender equality has been taken into account in the Commission’s report on the implementation of its trade strategy; underscores the aim of ensuring that women benefit from trade to the same extent as men; stresses that this requires a proactive approach by the Commission, and as a first step the application of a gender mainstreaming strategy to trade policy;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 182 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. Emphasises that the Common Commercial Policy must be implemented in such a way as to ensure that the global value chain is managed responsibly; asks the Commission to continue including and promoting corporate social responsibility as part of its trade policy; reiterate its demand to the Commission to include CSR in all trade agreements and to work on new provisions for greater enforcement; reasserts its support for international initiatives such as the Bangladesh Sustainability Compact, and asks the Commission to concentrate as of now on the implementation of that initiative;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 184 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Recalls, however, that voluntary CSR may also lead to unfair competition for suppliers that have chosen to comply with international labour and environmental standards and is not sufficient per se to ensure that companies fully comply with international standards and obligations by implementing due diligence policy; reiterates its call for seeking ways to develop global value chains transparency strategies and rules, including the possible consideration of immediate action towards developing binding and enforceable rules, associated remedies and independent monitoring mechanisms involving the EU Institutions, Member States and civil society;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 186 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
47. Repeats its call to the Commission to framtable a proposal for banning the importation of goods produced using child labour or any other form of forced labour or modern slavery;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 187 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47a. Reiterates its call on the EU to work towards adequate and efficient solutions for the introduction of a transparent and functioning mandatory ‘social and environmental traceability’ labelling system along the entire production chain, in compliance with the WTO TBT Agreement, while in parallel promoting similar action at international level;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 189 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
48. Takes note of the Commission’s work on transparency; believes that achieving full transparency must become the top priority for the Commission; calls on the Commission and Member States to publish moreall of the relevant documents relating to the negotiation and implementation of agreements;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 190 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
49. Calls on the Commission and Member States to develop a proper strategy for communication about trade policy and about each agreement, so that as much information as possible is transmitted and information is adapted for specific stakeholders, enabling them to benefit from the agreements; stresses that such a strategy must address the issue of availability of information prior to and during trade negotiations, and reiterates its call to the Commission to conduct extensive consultations with civil society and social partners and publish Sustainability Impact Assessments in a timely manner, i.e. in time for them to be used in the course of parliamentary debates; calls on the Commission and Member States to come up with measures for raising economic operators’ awareness about agreements concluded and for sustaining dialogue on a regular basis with professional associations, companies, social partners and civil society;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 191 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
50. Welcomes the publication by the Council of the negotiating mandates for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and for the agreements with Japan, Chile and Tunisia, as well as the Commission’s publication of its draft negotiating mandates for agreements with Australia and New Zealand and for the creation of the MIC; calls on the Council and the Member States to publish all negotiating mandates, and on the Commission to publish all draft mandates for the opening of future negotiations; asks the Council and the Commission, when they are drafting and adopting negotiating mandates, to incorporate Parliament’s recommendations; supports the opening of negotiations for an inter-institutional agreement to lay out a formal process to that effect;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 194 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
51. Reiterates its request that Member States, Parliament, national parliaments, economic operators and representatives of civil society and social partners should be more closely involved in trade policy monitoring including on but not limited to TSD provisions; calls on the Commission to publish an action plan and details of the ‘Enhanced Partnership’ model for the implementation of trade agreements;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 195 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
52. Asks the Commission to improve the quality of the impact studies carried out for each trade agreement and to include in them sectoral and geographical analysis; stresses that better and more timely communication about the information contained in ex ante and ex post impact studies on trade agreements is essential;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 197 #

2017/2070(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
53. Welcomes the announcement that a consultative group is being set up to monitor trade policy; stresses the importance of establishing the new body rapidly and in a transparent, public and inclusive way; asks the Commission to publish the consultative group’s meeting and working documents on a regular basis; also calls on the Commission to define processes to ensure that issues raised by the consultative group are properly responded to and contributions are taken into account during negotiations;
2018/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
– having regard to the announced Agreement in Principle on the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement of 6 July 2017,
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15
– having regard to the deletter of 11 ‘like-minded countries’ to Commission Vice-President Timmermans on 16 May 2017 regarding the rules on data flows and data localisation measures in trade agreements,d
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)
– having regard to the upcoming 11th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 10 - 13 December 2017 where E-commerce is likely to be discussed,
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas technological developments and access to the open internet enable companies, particularly SMEs,and the digitisation of the economy could enable companies, particularly start-ups, micro-enterprises and SMEs, to create new opportunities for business, to improve their capacity to export, to participate in global value-chains and to reach customers all over the globe at a faster pace and lower cost than ever before;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the internet and internet- based technologies play an important role in developing, ordering, producing, marketing or delivering products and services;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas counterfeiting is a global and growing phenomenon, particularly online;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the digitisation of traditional industries affects supply chains, manufacturing and services models, which could lead to job creation in new industries, but could also lead to job losses, as more and more tasks traditionally performed by humans are either automated or off-shored, or both;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the current tax framework does not account for large online businesses who are avoiding taxes by routing most of their profits to tax havens;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas access to a free, open and secure internet is a prerequisite for rules- based trade andthe development inof the digital economy which can contribute to rules-based trade;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the UN’s SDGs stress that providing universal and affordable access to the Internet for people in least developed countries by 2020 will be crucial in terms of fostering development, as the development of a digital economy could be a driver for jobs and growth, e- commerce being one opportunity to increase the numbers of small exporters, export volumes and export diversification;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 37 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas women as entrepreneurs and as workers can benefit from better access to global markets and as consumers from lower prices, still many challenges and inequalities prevent women´s participation in the global economy, as many of the women in low- and middle-income countries, still have no access to internet;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 38 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas electronic commerce is also booming in developing countries;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 41 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas governments around the world are engaging in digital protectionism by putting up unjustified and disproportionate barriers that hinder market access and direct investment, or create unfair advantages for domestic companies;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 44 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas geo-blocking should be ended and no forms of unjustified discrimination based on a customer’s nationality, place of residence or place of establishment within the internal market should appear in future;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 70 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses the need to bridge the digital divide in order to minimise potential negative social and development Impacts; underlines in this regard the importance to promote female participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), to remove barriers to lifelong learning, to close gender gaps in access to and in the use of new technologies; calls on the Commission to explore further how current trade policy and gender equality are linked and how trade can promote women´s economic empowerment;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 72 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Notes that while intensified digital trade can lead to welfare benefits the digital economy has already shown a troubling tendency towards excessive market and power concentration; considers therefore that a digital trade strategy must be complemented by a reinforced and effective international framework for competition policy including by increased cooperation between competition authorities and strong competition chapters in trade agreements;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 75 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that businesses and companies comply with competition rules and that there is no discrimination against competitors to the detriment of consumers’ welfare; highlights in this regard that manufacturers and retailers, acting in a competitive market, must respond to consumers’ preferences rather than stipulate the terms on which consumers may access products;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 79 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Considers that trade agreements should provide for increased cooperation between consumer protection agencies and welcomes initiatives to foster consumer trust-enhancing measures in trade negotiations such as disciplines on electronic signatures and contracts and unsolicited communications; highlights that the rights of consumers must be protected and must not be diluted in any case; stresses in this regard that the processing of services has to comply with high standards such as the protection of data and privacy, and underlines in this regard the importance of the fight against Internet crime;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 81 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Recalls the need to put in place simplified, tax- and duty-free customs treatment of items sold online and returned unused, since a customer’s opportunity to return the item is a pillar of the competitiveness of e-commerce retailers; Calls on the Commission to address public concerns through better information on regulations such as data security, privacy, intellectual property protection, consumer protection and the safeguarding of cultural values;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 82 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2d. Points out that a digital development strategy should include investment in digital infrastructure, such as internet access, devices and computers as well as in digital enterprises, including relevant trainings; stresses that such investments are particularly important for local firms, especially in developing countries to be able to interact digitally with MNEs and to access global value- chains; highlights in this regard, that sustainable development should not be seen as a barrier for investments in the digital economy, but rather as a means to achieve a rules-based investment regime that aims at sustainability and inclusiveness;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 83 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 e (new)
2e. Underlines that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries make up the majority of businesses and employ the majority of manufacturing and service sector workers; Recalls that facilitating cross-border e-commerce can have a direct impact on improving livelihoods, fostering higher living standards and boosting economic development.
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 84 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 f (new)
2f. Recalls that the digital economy generally and digital trade specifically can cause disruption in other sectors and do not automatically lead to equitable and shared growth; stresses in this regard that the necessary social flanking measures must be put in place for them to benefit the whole society, such as strong education and training policies, active labour market policies and measures to overcome the digital divide;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 85 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 g (new)
2g. Recalls that the new digital labour market claims to be flexible and cost- efficient, for both clients and independent contractors; stresses in this regard, that this new flexibility often goes hand in hand with precarious working conditions and undermines hard-won legal and social standards of decent work; Calls therefore on the Commission to focus on increasing protection of workers in the field of crowd working, including minimum wage, a form of social and health insurance, privacy protection and liability insurance;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 86 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 h (new)
2h. Stresses that rules and regulations on digital commerce must be feasible not only for online monopolists and big companies, but also for micro-enterprises, SMEs and start-ups to achieve fair competition and a level playing field in the digital economy;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 88 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that adequacy decisions, including partial and sector- specific ones, are a fundamental mechanism in terms of safeguarding the transfer of personal data from the EU to a third country; notes that the EU has only adopted adequacy decisions with four of its 20 largest trading partners; recalls that instruments other than general disciplines in trade agreements exist to enable the transfer of data from one country to another such as binding corporate rules or standard contractual clauses;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 93 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to prioritise and speed upcontinue with the adoption of adequacy decisions while ensuring that each individual adequacy decision is fully in line with the Union’s data protection legal framework and ensures a high level of protection for personal data; in order to facilitate the adoption of adequacy decisions; calls on, the Commission should consider the possibility to adopt, and to make public, updated and detailed binding procedures for reaching these decisions;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 99 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that the ability to access, collect, process and transfer data has become a prerequisitemore important for every type of company that delivers goods and services internationally;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 106 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to draw up ambitious rules for cross-border data transfers, including through FTAs, in full compliance with, and without prejudice to, the EU’s current and future data protection and privacy rules; stresses that any disciplines in this regard should be exempted from the scope of application of any future chapter dealing with investment protection;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 116 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to prohibit unjustified and disproportionate data localisation requirements in FTAs;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 120 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the Commission proposal for a regulation on a framework for the free flow of non-personal data in the European Union; Calls on the Commission to put forward its position on cross- border data transfers and unjustified and disproportionate data localisation requirements in trade negotiations before the end of the year; agreements and underlines the need to ensure consistency between EU approach on free flow of non-personal data in the European Union and the provisions on cross border data transfers and data localisation in trade agreements; in the case of trade agreements where it is not yet possible to include provisions on cross border data transfers and data localisation due to the fact that the negotiations are nearly concluded, encourages the Commission to use review clauses that would allow for a prompt alignment to EU’s horizontal approach to data transfers and data localisation.
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 137 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Underlines that a digital trade strategy must be fully in line with the principle of net neutrality and safeguard the equal treatment of Internet traffic, without discrimination, restriction or interference, irrespective of its sender, receiver, type, content, device, service or application and recalls that traffic management measures should be allowed only in exceptional cases where they are strictly necessary, and only for as long as necessary, to comply with legal requirements, preserve the integrity and security of the network or prevent impending network congestion;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 138 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. DeploresRegrets unjustified third country practices which make market access conditional on the disclosure and transfer to state authorities of the source codes of the software that companies intend to sell; considers that such measures are disproportionate as a blanket requirement for market access; calls on the Commission to prohibit signatory governme, while there should be certain necessary public policy exemptions since source code disclosure should be mandated in cases of operation of critical infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants, to FTAs from engaging in such activities; safeguard cyber security or for patent registration; recalls also that in some cases competition authorities could require the disclosure of source code as a remedy for anti-competitive conduct which should continue to be possible;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 142 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Recalls that in some cases local presence requirements are necessary to ensure effective prudential supervision or regulatory oversight and enforcement; reiterates therefore its call on the Commission to undertake limited commitments in Mode 1, in particular in the fields of digital services and financial services so as to avoid regulatory arbitrage;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 143 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Notes that pro-development technology transfer requirements should not be ruled out by disciplines on digital trade;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 145 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that the protection of trademarks, intellectual property (IP), geographical indications (GIs) and investments in R&D is a precondition of the EU’s knowledge-based economy, and that international cooperation is key to combating the trade in counterfeited goods; recalls that legal protection, online and offline throughout the EU is needed for new creations since this will encourage investment and lead on to further innovations; stresses that access to medicines in third countries should not be challenged on the basis of IP protection; Highlights that international cooperation is key to combating the trade in counterfeited goods; stresses, however, that trade agreements are not the place to extend the level of protection for rights holders by providing for more extensive copyright enforcement powers; stresses that access to medicines in third countries should not be challenged on the basis of IP protection;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 159 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Recalls that, since 1998, members of the WTO have upheld a moratorium on tariffs on electronic transmissions; stresses that such tariffs would entail unnecessary additional costs for businesses and consumers alike; calls on the Commission to transform the moratorium into a permanent agreement on banning tariffs on electronic transmissions subject to careful analysis of the implication in the area of 3D printing;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 162 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission to use trade agreements to promote the interoperability of ICT-standards that benefit both consumers and producers, notably in the context of a secure Internet of things, while not circumventing legitimate fora for multi stakeholder governance which have served the open internet well;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 168 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Recognises that the principle of intermediary liability protections has been crucial in developing the digital economy, in creating favourable conditions for innovation and in guaranteeing freedom of speech; calls on the Commission to ensure in its trade negotiations that online intermediaries must nevercannot be made strictly liable for hosting unlawful third-party content, nor should they ever be required to monitor content proactively as part of an intermediary liability regime unless they have knowledge of the infringing nature of the content, nor should they be subject to a general monitoring requirement as part of an intermediary liability regime while appropriate specific monitoring should be called for in line with the EU e-commerce directive; underlines that these disciplines should clearly exclude criminal matters; calls therefore on the Commission to overcome the current difficulties in assigning liability and to enhance legal certainty with regard to liability in the context of emerging technologies; therefore welcomes the launching of a broad evaluation of the Products Liability Directive, to assess its overall functioning and whether its rules remain appropriate for emerging Technologies such as the Internet of Things and autonomous connected Systems;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 178 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Strongly supports the further mainstreaming of digital technologies and services in the EU’s development policy; calls on the Commission to stimulate public-private partnerships to increase investinvestments and cooperation for developments in digital infrastructure in the Global South; urges the Commission to make investments in broadband infrastructure in developing countries conditional upon respect forto achieve the establishment of a free, open and secure internet; calls on the Commission to use trade agreements to improve and promote digital rights;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 180 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Stresses the imperative that any digital trade strategy must be fully in line with the principle of policy coherence for development, and should in particular seek to promote and enable start-ups and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises engaging in cross border e-commerce recalling the contribution this could make to gender equality since a great number of these companies are women owned and operated;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 182 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Considers that digital issues should also feature more prominently in the EU’s Aid for Trade policy to facilitate the growth of e-commerce via increased support for innovation and infrastructure and access to financing, notably via micro finance initiatives, as well as assistance in increasing online visibility for developing country e-commerce businesses, facilitating platform access and promoting the availability of e-payment solutions and access to cost-effective logistics and delivery services;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 184 #

2017/2065(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Stresses that any digital trade strategy, including its flanking measures, must be fully in line with and contribute to the realisation of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; notes that SDG 4 on quality education, providing free, equitable and Quality primary and secondary education to all girls and boys, SDG 5 to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, SDG 8.10. on promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, in particular via strengthened capacity of domestic financial institutions and access to financial services, as well as SDG 9.1. on developing reliable and resilient infrastructure with a focus inequitable access for all and SDG 9.3. on increasing access of small enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets are particularly relevant in this regard;
2017/10/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2017/2057(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Recital F
F. whereas any EU trade negotiation must preserve the right and ability of all parties to regulate in order to achieve legitimate public policy objectives, such as the protection and promotion of public health, social services, social and consumer protection, public education, safety, environment, animal welfare, public morals, privacy and data protection, and the promotion and protection of cultural diversity;
2017/06/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 35 #

2017/2057(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to note that both the EU and Chile have concluded more modern, ambitious and comprehensive trade agreements since their bilateral AA entered into force and that a number of areas remain unaddressed by it, which are important to ensure that it delivers shared growth, equal opportunities, decent jobs and sustainable development, including the respect and promotion of labour and environmental standards, animal welfare, and gender equality for the benefit of citizens on both sides;
2017/06/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 94 #

2017/2057(INI)

Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1 – point a a a (new)
(aa a) to adopt negotiating directives which reinforce the animal welfare provisions included in the current AA through the establishment of effective bilateral cooperation on the matter and conditional liberalisation where animal welfare is put at risk in the production of certain products;
2017/06/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2017/2028(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that trade agreements should be seen as a key mechanism for promoting anti-corruption measures and good governance; calls for such agreements to include commitments to multilateral anti-corruption conventions in all trade deal, such as the UNCAC and the OECD Anti- bribery Convention; calls on the Commission to consider developing assistance projects to help states overcome constraints complying with these international conventions;
2017/05/10
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2017/2028(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Recognises the major role of the Trade Facilitation Agreement in fighting corruption at ports of entry which was adopted in Bali in 2013 and entered into force in February 2017;
2017/05/10
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2017/2028(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for whistle-blower protection to be addressed in EU trade deals; therefore recalls that proper European legislation is needed and urges the Commission to propose legislative instruments ensuring effective measures to protect whistle-blowers acting in the public interest when disclosing confidential information of companies and public bodies; stresses that signatory parties of trade agreements should take measures to promote the active participation of the private sector, civil society organisations and domestic advisory groups in the implementation of anti-corruption programmes and clauses in international trade and investment deals;
2017/05/10
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2017/2028(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Insists that EU trade partners lose benefits granted by trade agreements where they fail to comply with anti-corruption commitments or with international standards in the field of anti-corruption such as the Common Reporting Standard of the OECD, the Action Plan on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting of the OECD, the central register of beneficial ownership and FATF recommendations; calls on the Commission to set clear and relevant conditions and performance indicators allowing better assessment and demonstration of results; calls, furthermore, on the Commission to respond firmly, proportionally and quickly where the beneficiary government shows insufficient commitment to comply with what has been agreed.
2017/05/10
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2017/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
— having regard to the negotiations on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, and with Malaysia which are currently on hold, the expected conclusion of FTAs with Singapore and Vietnam in the coming months and the negotiations on an investment agreement with Myanmar,
2017/05/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2017/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 29
— having regard to its recent human rights urgency resolutions on ASEAN member states, in particular those of 6 October 2016 on Thailand, notably the situation of Andy Hall9 , of 9 June 2016 on Cambodia10 , of 26 November 2015 on the political situation in Cambodia11 , of 9 July 2015 on Cambodia’s draft laws on NGOs and trade unions12 , of 8 October 2015 on the situation in Thailand13 , of 21 May 2015 on the plight of Rohingya refugees, including the mass graves in Thailand14 , of 15 December 2016 on the situation of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar15 , of 7 July 2016 on Myanmar, in particular the situation of the Rohingya16 , of 17 December 2015 on Malaysia17 , of 19 January 2017 on Indonesia, notably the case of Hosea Yeimo and Ismael Alua and the Governor of Jakarta18 , and of 15 September 2016 and 15 March 2017 on the Philippines19 , _________________ 10 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0274.
2017/05/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2017/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the EU experience has in the past served as a source of inspiration for other regional integration processes; whereas the ASEAN countries, however, have been waiting to see whether the EU will be able to overcome its problems and divisions;
2017/05/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2017/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas at present centrifugal forces are threatening the integration processes in both regions; whereas the EU is struggling with several overlapping crises ranging from the euro to migration and Brexit, and whereas ASEAN, in spite of the goal of fostering ASEAN centrality, saw intra-ASEAN trade decline in 2016 and has been beset with problems, including diverging foreign policy trajectories and spillover effects from domestic problems pertaining to religious relations, social inequalities and human rights;
2017/05/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2017/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights the political value of strong trade and investment relations between ASEAN and the EU and exhorts both partners to further strengthen economic relations; highlights that the EU is the top foreign investor in ASEAN; highlights also the opportunities for cooperation on implementing the SDGs; emphasises the pursuit of a high level of EU-ASEAN cooperation in multilateral institutions such as the UN;
2017/05/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 120 #

2017/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that negotiations on a regional EU-ASEAN free trade agreement should be re-launched, and welcomes the ongoing stocktaking exercise by the Parties to explore the prospects towards the resumption of region-to-region negotiations;
2017/05/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2017/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Suggests celebrating this year’s ASEAN-EU anniversary with an EU initiative for an ‘EU-ASEAN young leaders exchange programme’, to be realised under Singapore’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2018; if successful, suggests creating an annual forum to allow young leaders from the EU and ASEAN to exchange ideas and build relationships to support EU-ASEAN relations in the future;
2017/05/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 144 #

2017/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Is deeply concerned about the erosion of democracy and human rights in certain countries in the region and the restrictions on space for civil society, particularly for environmental and labour rights activists and media workers; hopes that specific and verifiable targets and measures will be included in the AICHR’s five-year work plan and that human rights violations will be actively monitored, investigated and prosecuted; urges all ASEAN member states to ratify further UN human rights conventions and the Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC); encourages the AICHR to consider and discuss the establishment of a complementary ASEAN Court of Human Rights, in a similar model to those in Europe, Africa and the Americas, to help focus, develop, and assert human rights norms and protections in the region;
2017/05/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2017/2026(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Calls on the European Commission and the EEAS to use all available instruments to enhance compliance with human and labour rights and environmental standards in the region, including through relevant provisions in Partnership and Cooperation Agreements, Free Trade Agreements and unilateral preferential arrangements such as the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus;
2017/05/05
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2017/0007(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 17
(17) The Union's macro-financial assistance should support Moldova's commitment to values shared with the Union, including democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect for human rightsan independent judiciary, respect for human rights, the freedom and pluralism of the media, sustainable development and poverty reduction, as well as its commitment to the principles of open, rules-based and fair trade.
2017/04/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2017/0007(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 18
(18) A pre-condition for granting the Union's macro-financial assistance should be that Moldova respects effective democratic mechanisms – including a multi-party parliamentary system – and the rule of law, and guarantees respect for human rights. In addition, the specific objectives of the Union's macro-financial assistance should strengthen the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the public finance management systems, ensure an effective fight against corruption and money laundering, the governance and supervision of the financial and banking sector in Moldova and promote structural reforms aimed at supporting sustainable and inclusive growth, employment creation and fiscal consolidation. The Union's macro- financial assistance to Moldova should also include measures to support the implementation of the Association Agreement, including the DCFTA. To ensure that such conditions are properly assessed, it is crucial that they are set out in a verifiable and measurable manner. Both the fulfilment of the preconditions and the achievement of those objectives should be regularly monitored by the Commission and the European External Action Service.
2017/04/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2017/0007(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 19
(19) In order to ensure that the Union’s financial interests linked to the Union’s macro-financial assistance are protected efficiently, Moldova should take appropriate measures relating to the prevention of, and fight against, fraud, corruption and any other irregularities linked to the assistance. Moldova should regularly inform the Commission about the implementation of the macro- financial assistance on the basis of full disclosure and strict compliance with Union financial rules. In addition, provision should be made for the Commission to carry out checks and for the Court of Auditors to carry out audits.
2017/04/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2017/0007(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 24
(24) The Union's macro-financial assistance should be subject to economic policy conditions, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding. Such conditions should be linked to the disbursement of each of the three instalments. In order to ensure uniform conditions of implementation and for reasons of efficiency, the Commission should be empowered to negotiate such conditions with the Moldovan authorities under the supervision of the committee of representatives of the Member States in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. Under that Regulation, the advisory procedure should, as a general rule, apply in all cases other than as provided for in that Regulation. Considering the potentially important impact of assistance of more than EUR 90 million, it is appropriate that the examination procedure be used for operations above that threshold. Considering the amount of the Union's macro-financial assistance to Moldova, the examination procedure should apply to the adoption of the Memorandum of Understanding, and to any reduction, suspension or cancellation of the assistance,
2017/04/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2016/2301(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) stipulates that the EU’s trade policy must be built on the principles and objectives of EU external policy; whereas Article 208 of the TFEU establishes the principle of policy coherence for development and sets the eradication of poverty as the main objective; whereas the ‘Trade for All’ communication bases EU trade policy on three key principles – effectiveness, transparency and values – and has a dedicated section on the responsible management of supply chains;
2017/06/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2016/2301(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital Aa (new)
Aa. Whereas today free trade has come under increasing public scrutiny and concerns about the inequitable distribution of the benefits and loads of trade have brought to the forefront a largely shared view that trade policy needs to put social and environmental values, as well as transparency and accountability at its core;
2017/06/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2016/2301(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
E a. Whereas the EU is the world’s largest exporter and importer of goods and services taken together, the largest foreign direct investor and the most important destination for foreign direct investment (FDI).Whereas the EU should use this strength to benefit both its own citizens and those in other parts of the world, particularly those in the world’s poorest countries.
2017/06/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 57 #

2016/2301(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas a global holistic approach to corporate liability for human rights abuses is needed in the context of GVCs; Whereas the EU has positioned itself as a front runner in reforming the investors to state dispute settlement mechanism, notably through the development of a Multilateral Court System, and equal progress is expected in other critical areas of concern such as setting up a mechanism to enforce investors obligations in relation to Human Rights;
2017/06/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2016/2301(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
H a. Whereas the he UN Environment Programme estimates that up to 90% of e- waste is dumped in Africa, with a large proportion of this coming from the EU; whereas despite the EU's commitment to policy coherence and promoting sustainable development in third countries, many EU rules are being circumvented so that tonnes of e-waste are falsely declared as second-hand goods and exported to developing countries, being falsely described as plastic or scrap metal; whereas this poses serious public health risks, severe environmental degradation and a barrier to development;
2017/06/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 82 #

2016/2301(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
K a. whereas the full observance of human rights in the production chain and full respect of food safety standards of goods released for free circulation in the European market should be respected by both States and enterprises and whereas the burden of responsibility should not only lay on consumers, whose choice is constrained by both individual resources (economy, time, knowledge) and external elements (information, offer);
2017/06/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 83 #

2016/2301(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas Rules of Origin (RoO) have become increasingly important in the context of GVCs in which the production spans across several countries; whereas lax rules of origin can create additional hurdles towards establishing full transparency and accountability throughout supply chains;
2017/06/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 86 #

2016/2301(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L
L. whereas better, harmonised and more efficient customs procedures in Europe and abroad help facilitate trade and meet respective trade facilitation requirements, and help prevent forgeries and illegal, dumped and counterfeit goods from entering the single market, which undermines EU economic growth, and seriously exposes EU consumers; whereas making customs data on imports entering the EU publicly available would increase GVC transparency and accountability;
2017/06/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 103 #

2016/2301(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Reiterates its call to the Commission and Member states to adopt reinforced trade defence instruments to combat unfair commercial practices, taking into account social and environmental dumping
2017/06/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 114 #

2016/2301(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the ongoing negotiations on a binding UN Treaty for Transnational Corporations and Human Rights; calls for the EU to engage constructively in these negotiations and to encourage trading partners to equally engage ;
2017/06/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 126 #

2016/2301(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Acknowledges the smart mix of regulatory and voluntary action, but recalls that voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) creates unfair competition for suppliers that have chosen to comply with international labour and environmental standards; reiterates its call for the systematic inclusion of binding and enforceable rules, associated sanctions, remedies and independent monitoring mechanisms; therefore reiterates its call for binding due diligence obligations to be put in place; Stresses that mandatory human rights due diligence should follow the steps required in the UN Guiding Principles and the OECD Guidelines related to the proactive identification of risks to human rights, the drawing up of rigorous and demonstrable action plans to prevent or mitigate these risks, adequate response to known abuses, and transparency;
2017/06/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 159 #

2016/2301(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Calls on the EU to step up international cooperation and legislative coherence regarding end of life products and materials at the very end of the GVC and help partner countries develop stronger national regulations and enforcement capacities ;calls on the EU to ensure that traceability applies to this spectrum of the GVC;
2017/06/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 225 #

2016/2301(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. stresses the need for harmonised rules and a reinforced EU coordination and supervision of the application of import duties by Member States (including conventional, anti-dumping and countervailing duties) on all types of commodities and goods, especially involving false declarations of origin (in both preferential and non-preferential regimes) and undervaluation and wrong description of goods;
2017/06/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 30 #

2016/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that following the WTO challenge by Canada and Norway to the EU ban on seal products, the measure has been strengthened to bring it into line with the WTO Appellate Body ruling of 2014, and that its legitimacy can no longer be called into question; highlights that similar trade bans are in force in particular in the US and Russia and that these measures will contribute to preserve wildlife in the Arctic as seals are integral to their local ecosystem;
2016/11/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2016/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Recalls that under the EU- Greenland Fisheries Partnership Agreement of 2007 the EU grants Greenland financial support for securing responsible fishing and the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources in the Greenlandic exclusive economic zone;
2016/11/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 47 #

2016/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Stresses that companies operating in the Arctic should comply with binding corporate social responsibility standards which could be developed in cooperation with the Arctic Economic Council and should be based, among others, on the Arctic Investment Protocol and the UN Global Compact.
2016/11/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 48 #

2016/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Calls on the Commission to explore wider international finance cooperation instruments to develop infrastructures such as railways, ports and satellites, which are essential to allow for new economic activities and monitor their effects on the environment.
2016/11/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 49 #

2016/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 d (new)
8d. Recalls that shipping in the Arctic is subject to specific requirements established by the International Maritime Organisation and welcomes the entry into force of the Polar Code expected on 1 January 2017.
2016/11/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas in 2013 the Government of D. Uzbekistan authorised the ILO to monitor the cotton harvest, whereas since 2013 the ILO has annually undertaken several monitoring, initially focused on child labour and later extended to also cover forced labour and drecent workruitment conditions;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 6 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas according to the ILO, awareness of forced labour in Uzbekistan is still at an early stage, but recent ILO surveys nonetheless show that a vast majority of workers participate voluntarily when invited to pick cotton and that people who refuse to pick cotton are only rarely finednonetheless surveys carried out by the ILO indicate that most workers pick cotton voluntarily and have the possibility to refuse to do so;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas the eradication of forced labour is an ongoing process which needs to be supported by the EU and the international community, including with the participation of human rights and labour rights civil society organisations;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas the Government of Uzbekistan has presented various Action Plans, has taken measures to raise awareness (including theadopted Action Plans to change the recruitment process for picking cotton, and together with employers' organiszation of round tables), has set up a feedback mechanism in order to eradicate child labour, and is changing the recruitment process in the country for picking cottons and trade unions, promoted awareness raising and developed feedback mechanisms to prevent forced and child labour;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas, in contrast to the ILO’s observations, NGOs are still reporting breaches of human rights in the country, in particular in the field of the cotton harvest where, according to them, massive forced mobilisation of students and public employees at cotton harvest time is reported, as well as violations of freedom of association and expression, in particular arrests and violent harassment and interrogations of citizens reporting on the harvest;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 30 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates the Union’s commitment to further and deepen bilateral relations, which include trade, as well as all areas related to democratic principles, respect for human and fundamental rights and the rule of law; calls on the Government of Uzbekistan to create more space for independent civil society and to take more into consideration concerns of Uzbek and international NGOs;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2016/2226(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission to submit to Parliament a legislative proposal for an effective traceability mechanismsupply chain transparency in the garment sector;
2016/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 6 #

2016/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that palm oil accounts for about 40 % of global trade in all vegetable oils and that the EU, with around 7 million tonnes per year, is the second largest global importer; calls on the Commission, in this connection, to reduce the amount of imported unsustainably produced palm oil from third countries by applying different customs duty schemes for certified sustainable palm-oil productsproposing similar legislation to the one adopted in order to stop the imports of conflict minerals or illegal timber;
2016/12/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2016/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that Malaysia and Indonesia are the main producers of palm oil, with an estimated 85-90 % of global production, and that the growing demand for this commodity puts pressure on land use and has significant effects on local communities, health and climate change; stresses, in this context, that the EU- Indonesia Free Trade Agreement should noto cover palm oil and its derivatives within the current negotiations with Indonesia and Malaysia;
2016/12/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2016/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Commission to include binding labour and environmental commitments in a sustainable development chapter in trade agreements and to provide strong and enforceable measures to tackle human rights abuses, child and forced labour, forced evictions, discrimination of indigenous communities and unsustainable forestry practices in palm oil production; demands the Commission to include such binding commitments in the FTA-negotiations with Indonesia and Malaysia;
2016/12/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2016/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the importance of improving the situation through appropriate certification, easily accessible for SMEs, confirming that the palm oil in question has been produced without undue harm to the environment and society, biodiversity, local communities, indigenous people and workers and that the product is effectively and transparently traceable throughout the entire supply chain;
2016/12/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2016/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recalls the key role of sustainable palm oil certification but stresses the need for the current certification schemes to be further strengthened, using stricter criteria than current standards;
2016/12/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2016/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Calls on the Commission to submit a proposal for a mandatory due diligence system in the whole supply chain in the palm oil production, similar to the FLEGT and to the Conflict-Minerals- Regulation;
2016/12/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2016/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ban EU imports of biodiesel derived from palm oil and to introduce a mandatory labelling scheme for biodiesel ingredients and their origins, and for other palm oil products;deleted
2016/12/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 54 #

2016/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Commission to push for the use of vegetable oils including palm oil as a component of biodiesel to be phased out by 2020 the latest;
2016/12/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 58 #

2016/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that sustainability of palm oil is legally defined in the Renewable Energy Directive for bioliquids and in the Fuel Quality Directive for biofuels while no legal criteria exist for palm oil used in food industry; therefore calls for an EU sustainable palm oil definition in food industry;
2016/12/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 60 #

2016/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Commission to launch information campaigns and to provide consumers with comprehensive information on the consequences of the unsustainable production of palm oil; urges the Commission to ensure that information about the sustainable production of vegetable oils including palm oil is provided on products including food, cosmetics or fuels;
2016/12/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 1 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A
A. whereas the global apparel tradetrade in ready- made garment (RMG) is worth an estimated USD 3EUR 2.8 trillion and employs up to 75 million people; whereas about three quarters of these workers are female; whereas gender equality is a driver of development; whereas women rights fall under the human rights spectrum; whereas the complex nature of garment supply chains leads to low level of transparency, increases the risk of human rights violation and exploitation;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 6 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the clothing and textile sector in Europe provides for 1.7 million workplaces and generates an output of EUR 166 million; whereas the EU imports about half of the world's total clothing production; whereas the manufacturing countries are mostly emerging economies;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union demands the EU's trade policy to be built on EU's external policies principles and objectives; whereas Article 208 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union establishes the principle of policy coherence for development and set the poverty's eradication as the main objective; whereas the 'Trade for All' communication bases EU's trade policy on three key principles – effectiveness, transparency and values – and has a dedicated section on responsible management of supply chains;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 8 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas it is firmly established in Article 8 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union that "In all its activities, the Union shall aim to eliminate inequalities, and to promote equality, between men and women" and, therefore, the EU has a duty to mainstream gender equality in all its policies, guaranteeing that men and women benefit equally from social changes, economic growth and the creation of decent jobs, doing away with discrimination and promoting respect for women's rights in the world;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas 289 people perished in a blaze in Karachi, Pakistan, in September 2012; whereas, in the same year, a fire at the Tazreen Fashions factory, in Bangladesh, caused the death of 117 people and injured more than 200 workers; whereas the Rana Plaza's structural failure, in 2013, resulted in 1 129 casualties and caused injuries to approximately 2 500 people;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas following these dramatic events European consumers' demand for increased transparency and traceability over the entire supply chain has strongly increased;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B d (new)
Bd. whereas, despite the various commitments undertaken by the EU, international organizations, local governments and private operators, labour rights' protection in suppliers countries continue to fall well short of international standards;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B e (new)
Be. whereas Export Processing Zones (EPZs) are often exploited in order to circumvent national labour laws and international commitments;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B f (new)
Bf. whereas the ILO Decent Work Agenda has, from 2015, become integral part of the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B g (new)
Bg. whereas many Member States, such as Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and France, giving the lack of a EU wide initiative, have promoted national programs;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C
C. whereas all recently concludnewly negotiated EU free trade agreements aim to include 'Trade and sustainable development' chapters, which have to be binding and enforceable; whereas the EU is committed to sustainable development through its trade facilitation agreements, such as the economic partnerships agreements, the GSP and the GSP+ programmes;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. SupportsCalls on the Commission’s examination of a possible EU-wide initiative on the garment sector; notes, in addition, that the current multiplication of existing initia to develop a EU-wide mandatory due- diligence system congruent with OECD guidelines; believes that the proposal should address human rights related issues, with a particular focus on social and labour rights and gender equality, promote the traceability and the transparency of value chains, enhance conscious consumption, supporting the improvement of consumer knowledge and participation; to this objective the Commission should further promote dialogue between public authoritives could result in an unpredictable environment for companieand all key actors -including women and women's rights organizations-, with a view not only to identify possible risks linked to the value chain, but also to improve the dissemination of any new opportunities created by EU trade policies both within and outside our borders;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Believes that the proposal should enable a harmonic cooperation with international organisation as the UN, the WTO, the ILO and the OECD, establishing common definitions to allow for more clear and coordinated actions and evaluations; calls for the recognition and valorisation of the existing successful initiatives, for example, through sustainable public procurement, linking access to public procurement to compliance with Corporate Social Responsibility schemes; and in this regard, values the 'Compact for Continuous Improvements in Labour Rights and Factory Safety in the Ready- Made Garment and Knitwear Industry in Bangladesh' (the Sustainability Compact) as a step forward in regards to the monitoring activity but calls on the actors involved to reach the full compliance and demands the European Commission to take action against the shortfalls indicated by the evaluation reports;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the need for a unifin integrated approach to the collection of data on social, environmental and labour performance, to be applied along the whole supply chain; points out that the industry-driven Higg Index covers all nevertheless notes that the supply chain's complexity and the diversity among the different players operating in the sector should be takeyn impact areasnto account;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 38 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to take into account the special needs of SMEs and base its approach on the scalability principle, with particular regard to their capacity to deliver on traceability and transparency, and base its approach on the scalability principle; therefore invites the Commission to establish a specific helpdesk for SMEs and to support them with tailored capacity-building programs;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that the traceability and transparency of the supply chain is the key to achieving sustained change; recommendgnizes that trustworthy, clear and meaningful information on sustainability be made available to consumershe lack of access to information is crucial in preventing public awareness over human rights violations; therefore reiterates the need of a due diligence system that provides information on the whole supply chain linking each products to the respective producers; invites the European Commission to amend the relevant regulations in order to make customs registers public;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 54 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that theCalls on supplier countries' governments to engage with all the stakeholders to development of industrial relations and collective bargaining, and to commit the producers for the establishment of easy- to-access and effective grievances mechanisms, that, according to internationally agreed standards, are among the main guarantees for the proper respect of labour standards and human rights in supplier countries; calls on the European Commission to further promote the ratification and the effective control over the implementation of the core ILO conventions and the ILO Decent Work Agenda; to this aim, calls the Commission to support the ILO, local governments and labour organizations providing capacity-building assistance in industrial relations, as well as in the enforcement of labour rights and labour laws, with a special focus on the eradication of child labour and forced labour, as well as the promotion of the highest standards of health and safety protection; considers unacceptable the suspension of workers' rights in the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and calls on the European Commission to take concrete actions in this regard;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 62 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the gender aspect to be taken into account in the EU garment initiative. mainstreamed in the EU garment initiative; therefore believes that the proposal should promote women empowerment, non-discrimination, gender equality, with a particular focus on women's social and labour rights and international standards, including the promotion of equal pay for equal job, maternity protection and women participation in collective bargaining, and pursue the eradication of and harassments in workplaces as already envisaged by European and international commitments;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 66 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Reiterates its request for sustainable impact assessments for every newly negotiated agreement and calls for a gender-disaggregated collection of data;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 67 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Calls on the Commission to engage with multinational companies, retailers and brands and encourage them to commit for an enhanced corporate social responsibility; expects EU companies to guaranty full respect of ILO core labour standards, across their supply chains in line with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, demands them to engage in fruitful dialogues with local workers and organisations; invites the European Commission to favour the exchange of best practices;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 68 #

2016/2140(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Acknowledges the need of a global level playing field to protect workers from environmental and social dumping; taking into account its critical mass, trusts the EU capacity to be a global champion and to drive the change; believes that only a multilateral framework could prevent human and labour rights' violations; therefore encourages the European Commission to engage with international partners at the next World Trade Organisation ministerial meeting to launch a global initiative;
2017/01/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2016/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking which will play a crucial role in combating the alarming rise in the illegal trade in wildlife; underlines, in particular, that the EU remains a significant destination market and transit route for illicit wildlife products; notes Priority 2 concerning the implementation and enforcement of the relevant existing rules and legal frameworks;
2016/09/05
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2016/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Emphasizes the principle of policy coherence for development in order for the Common Commercial Policy to make a significant contribution in the Union's action against Wildlife Trafficking both as a tool to underpin efforts directly related to the action plan and to create overall conditions conducive to preserving biodiversity, particularly by creating alternative revenue options for people living in rural areas in partner countries affected by poaching;
2016/09/05
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2016/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for the better use of existing resources, the use of up-to-date technology and adequate training for customs authorities in source, transit and destination countries, especially developing countries, in order to successfully combat the illegal trade in wildlife; considers that the customs dimension should be further emphasized within the action plan both with regard to cooperation with partner countries as well as uniform implementation within the Union;
2016/09/05
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2016/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls for resource allocation toward critical capacity building efforts in source, transit and destination countries – such as training, public outreach, establishment and maintenance of wildlife rescue centres and ecotourism programmes.
2016/09/05
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2016/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the inclusion of provisions ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (FTA) and insists on including enforceable wildlife protection provisions in all future EU FTAs, including, but not limited to, those with the US and Japan, Japan and ASEAN countries; calls on the Commission to include the analysis of these provisions in its implementation reports as well as to emphasize reporting on implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in the context of the GSP+ scheme;
2016/09/05
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2016/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Commission to consider funding under the Partnership Instrument for initiatives aimed at reducing demand for illicit wildlife products in key markets in line with Priority 1 of the Action Plan; highlights that civil society involved in the monitoring structures under the trade and sustainable development chapters of EU trade agreements can make significant contributions in this regard;
2016/09/05
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2016/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights the importance of ensuring the private sector's involvement in the fight against wildlife trafficking, considering the role played by e-commerce platforms, distribution networks, transport and courier companies but emphasizes that appropriate guidance must be issued to private sector actors;
2016/09/05
Committee: INTA
Amendment 37 #

2016/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the EU to explore, within the scope of the WTO framework, how global trade and environmental regimes can better support each other, especially in the light of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, which opens new avenues for cooperation between customs, wildlife and trade officials, especially in developing countries. In addition, further opportunities for cooperation between the WTO and CITES should be explored in particular in offering technical assistance and capacity building on trade and environment to officials from developing countries.
2016/09/05
Committee: INTA
Amendment 41 #

2016/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission to engage with partners in the context of CITES and elsewhere to ensure traceability of wildlife products as many trophies resulting from deplorable poaching activities leave the black market and end up introduced into legal commercial streams;
2016/09/05
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2016/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Strongly urges the EU to oppose the current proposal to remove the existing annotations on elephant ivory from Namibia and Zimbabwe at the upcoming CITES COP17 which would make it commercially tradable and to support the proposal to include all African elephants in Appendix I;
2016/09/05
Committee: INTA
Amendment 44 #

2016/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Calls on the Commission to consider proposals for limiting the imports of ivory and rhino horn into the EU including a possible ban on ivory and rhino horn products which should comply both with EU internal market and WTO rules.
2016/09/05
Committee: INTA
Amendment 1 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
– having regard to the Commission communication entitled "Action Plan for strengthening the fight against terrorist financing (COM(2016) 50 final),
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 b (new)
– having regard to the Commission communication entitled "Developing the EU Customs Union and Its Governance" (COM(2016)813 final),
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
– having regard to the European Court of Auditors Special report No 23/2016: Maritime transport in the EU: in troubled waters — much ineffective and unsustainable investment,
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
– having regard to the OECD report entitled "Illicit Trade, Converging Criminal Networks",
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the progress Report on the implementation of the EU Strategy and Action Plan for customs risk management highlights that insufficient financing to upgrade the existing IT systems and develop the required new systems is a major issue hampering progress, most notably in relation to the new Import Control System; whereas in the absence of additional resources, a number of actions will not be able to be implemented by the end of 2020, as envisaged in the Strategy and Action Plan; whereas a delay would also affect the implementation of commitments to Customs related aspects in the context of the EU Agenda on Security;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the proposed directive for a Union legal framework for customs infringements and sanctions does not take into due account the current differences between the Member States’ criminal and administrative sanctions, allowing operators to make strategic choices when importing from third countries, causing a distortion in tax collection and a negative environmental impact;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas effective customs cooperation between the Member States’ customs administrations, authorised economic operators, police forces and judicial authorities, with third countries and at multilateral level, plays a vital role, given the significant trade volumes, and is a cornerstone in the fight against illicit trade terrorism, money laundering, wildlife trafficking, tax evasion, drugs trafficking, falsified medicines and in the protection of EU intellectual property rights (IPR);
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the EU has concluded customs cooperation and mutual administrative assistance agreements with Korea, Canada, USA, India, China and Japan;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas International free trade zones, together with those third countries most frequently source of illicit trade, represent potential background areas for a continued proliferation of trade of illegal products in the EU, responsible for more intensive border controls and may therefore require further and specific analysis;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Gb. whereas counterfeiting trade may contribute to the financing of criminal organisations active in drugs, fire arms, human trafficking and terrorism;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G c (new)
Gc. whereas the role played by customs in the security area is particularly relevant in preventing terrorist organisations from moving their funds and in disrupting their sources of revenue, as recognised in the Commission Action Plan for strengthening the fight against terrorist financing;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the Commission to work closely with the Member States to ensure a coordinated, uniformed and efficient implementation of the new system set by the UCC, avoiding divergent practices among the Member States during the transition period and developing benchmark analysis and information on customs operations and enforcement procedures in force in the Member States;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 39 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on the Commission to ensure greater uniformity in the application of the Union Customs Code and the implementation of customs procedures by setting out common basic guidelines for all European customs;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Highlights that there is no system in place for identifying and monitoring differences in how customs authorities treat economic operators; calls on the Commission to require Member States to provide specific information on the type and number of customs checks at individual core port level;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Invites the Commission to continue cooperation with the Member States and relevant trade stakeholders further to develop customs simplifications while ensuring appropriate, effective, efficient and harmonised control at EU borders in order to guarantee EU security, safety and economic interests, with a particular effort regarding IPR protection and the fight against illicit trade, terrorism, money laundering, wildlife trafficking, tax evasion, drugs trafficking and falsified medicines;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 52 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recalls that the development of the required IT systems needs sufficient financing and calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure the availability of resources for the necessary IT systems in order to meet the objectives of the EU Strategy and Action Plan for customs risk management;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 53 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Calls on the Commission to advance in the implementation of an EU Single Window environment for customs;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 60 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Asks the Commission to coordinate and cooperate with customs and other, border agencies on the ground and stakeholders in a better way, within the EU as well as with its trade partners on data sharing, in particular as regards recognition of custom controls and trusted trade partners;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Commission to promote increased cooperation and coordination between customs and other law enforcement authorities, in particular in the area of organised crime, security and fight against terrorism both at the national and EU level;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 63 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Invites the Commission to present a communication on better practises on custom control and trade rules enforcement for the interim period, in order to bolster convergence between control and enforcement bodies, highlight best practices and results, and analyse the counterfeiting trade flows at border points;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 67 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission to establish a set of key performance indicators to provide a detailed performance evaluation of customs activity;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 68 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Urges the Commission to continue working on the implementation of the EU Strategy and Action Plan for customs risk management, notably in the areas of availability of data, access to and exchange of information for customs risk management purposes and the strengthening of capacities;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 69 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission to periodically report to the responsible committees of the European Parliament on the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the EU Strategy and Action Plan for customs risk management;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 71 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Urges the Commission to investigate the different practices for customs controls, criminal and administrative sanctions and enforcement in the EU and on their impact on trade diversion, focusing in particular on EU customs at external borders;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 73 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Regrets that there is currently important divergences in the type of controls within the Union that favours some access ports to the detriment of others, resulting in goods being delivered to their final destination via an unusual route, seeking clearance in a Member State other than the one importing the goods, either to reduce the likelihood of being subject to checks or to complicate any potential recovery procedure, undermining a level playing field for economic operators in the European Union, causing a distortion in tax collection and with a negative environmental impact;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 75 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Highlights that the different customs procedures, in particular regarding customs clearance, inspections and sanctions create fragmentation, additional administrative burdens and delays, cause uncertainty, market distortion and a negative environmental impact;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 76 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Considers that it is necessary to guarantee homogeneous and standardised control techniques among Member States customs; calls on the Commission to ensure uniqueness of criteria for customs inspections, by facilitating harmonisation of procedures and working methods, both in operating hours and in economic and human resources;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 79 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Insists on the need to advance from the current paper-less to a paper- free customs environment;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 80 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Requests the Commission to work closely with the Member States, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Custom Organisation (WCO) in addressreducing the existing gaps in the customs control systems by ensuring that illicit trade is tackled using more systematically co- ordinated risk-based controls based on harmonised criteria and interoperable IT systems, with timely and appropriate support provided by other competent authorities; recalls, in this regard, the importance of ensuring inquiry powers to all EU customs and border agencies, and of guaranteeing appropriate training to their operators;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 88 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Urges the Commission to work further with the Member States on aligning, where appropriate, policies as regards customs and VAT, reinforcing the cooperation between tax, customs and other authorities to fight VAT fraud, with a view to ensuring synergies, including in finding and applying legal and practical solutions to challenges relating to small consignments, e- commerce and simplifications;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 94 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Call on the Commission to create a single EU control body to ensure harmonised treatments along the EU points of entrance; and to monitor the performance and activities of customs administrations, inform upon best practices, collect and process customs data, coordinate customs and trade facilitation specific interests within the EU institutions, reflecting on the provisions of article 23 of WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, which calls for a Trade Facilitation body;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 98 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Encourages the Commission and the Council to ensure an early adoption of the Sanction Directive with a view to enabling, within the Customs Union, a level playing field and equal treatment of trade stakeholders infringing customs rules, furthermore, invites the Commission to further develop an accurate cost-benefit analysis on the implications connected to the harmonisation of the enforcement of criminal sanctions in place in the Member States to fight illicit trade activities;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 111 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Invites the Commission to reinforce international cooperation to further develop the implementation of the EU Strategy and Action Plan for customs risk management of the supply chain;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 113 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Invites the Commission to reinforce its cooperation in customs matters with its main trading partners customs authorities, with a view to collaborating in the fight against threats to society and the economy, and to further facilitating bilateral trade, beyond strict TFA commitments; points out that this can be achieved as part of free trade agreements or through specific customs agreements;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 117 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Invites the Commission to continue and deepen customs cooperation on IPR with Cthina and Hong Kongrd countries and free trade zones most frequently source of illicit trade;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 120 #

2016/2075(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Invites the Commission to strengthen cooperation with the European Observatory on infringements of IPRs and with EUIPO Agency in order to support initiatives on IPR enforcement, such as facilitation procedures for right holders through electronic exchange of data, which would especially benefit SMEs;
2017/02/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6
– having regard to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), in particular Article XX(a) and (g) thereof,
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 8 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)
– having regard to the outcomes of the Hanoi Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas wildlife cybercrime poses serious threat to endangered wildlife species, including elephants, rhinos, reptiles, amphibians and birds.
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that under WTO law, countries are permitted to introduce exceptions to the general rules of the GATT in Article XX(g) in order to regulate exhaustible natural resources and Article XX(a) to protect public morals;; underlines that the WTO Appellate Body has broadly interpreted this to include living species that may be vulnerable to depletion, and that WTO jurisprudence has specifically evidenced inclusion of species in CITES annexes as evidence of their exhaustibility;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 37 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Welcomes the EU efforts in the WTO to reduce harmful fishing subsidies, which can undermine the sustainable management of fisheries and endanger the conservation of species like turtles, sharks, seabirds and marine mammals;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 39 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Customs and online trade
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Considers that online wildlife crime poses a serious threat to endangered animals including elephants, rhinos, amphibians, reptiles and birds and that governments, companies and non-governmental organisations should work together against this.
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes workable solutions that, when integrated into existing supply chain and trade management systems, will allow the private sector to play a role as a true partner to governments and international bodies; stresses, however, that this should be underpinned by the promotion of binding corporate social responsibility standards inter alia via the common commercial policy; considers that these standards are of particular importance within transport networks;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 49 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Stresses the crucial role played by non-governmental organisations within the domestic advisory groups foreseen under EU free trade agreements to monitor the implementation of the trade and sustainable development provisions.
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 58 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Considers that the existing domestic legal framework remainsis not sufficient at this stage, andnd stresses, however, that the key challenge for EU Member States remains mainly implementation of the existing rules, rather than wholesale legal changes that could, rather, create instability and further problems with implementation;and enforcement of the existing rules.
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 59 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls on the Commission to adopt new legislation to prohibit wildlife that has been illegally harvested or traded in third countries from transiting through or entering the EU market as well as the acquisition and possession of such products.
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Calls for an EU ban on trade, export or re-export within and outside the EU of ivory products, including 'pre- Convention' ivory in full compliance with WTO law;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 63 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a chapter on trade and sustainable development in TTIP, as part of its ongoing commitment to ensure sustainable development; notes that up till now the US has sought in its trade agreements, notably the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), to negotiate higher standards covering trade in wildlife than the EU has; including by limiting fishery subsidies; stresses that robust provisions on wildlife protection should be negotiated in TTIP as well as in all future EU free trade agreements.
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 66 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Welcomes the EU's more ambitious approach on wildlife protection in the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement, which includes not only commitments to the proper implementation of and enforcement of MEAs such as CITES, CBD and ICRW but also provisions related to trade capacity building, information exchange and awareness raising; considers, however, that such provisions should be subject to the general dispute settlement mechanism foreseen under the agreement in order to ensure their effective compliance.
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 72 #

2016/2054(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Supports an approach to EU trade policy that not only prioritises the issue of combating the illegal wildlife trade but includes in all future agreements provisions aimed at its reduction and ultimate elimination and which should be subject to the general dispute settlement mechanism foreseen under the agreements;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2016/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for an effective post-Cotonou framework adapted to global challenges, based on ownership by the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals; highlights that the post-Cotonou framework must be defined in close cooperation with ACP states, including civil society, and drawn on the lessons learnt from the Cotonou Partnership Agreement; stresses that a revised general framework agreement, with legal binding value, together with the regional Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and other trade instruments, namely the "Everything But Arms", must support fair and sustainable trade and, ultimately, sustainable development and poverty reduction;
2016/06/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2016/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. SNotes that trade is one of the three pillars of the Cotonou agreement and stresses that the post-Cotonou process should offer a framework within which to discuss trade issues of common concern with all the ACP countries; calls for a post-Cotonou Agreement as a political umbrella agreement under which binding minimum requirements for the EPAs are set, including structured civil society monitoring mechanisms; calls for a strengthening of trade cooperation, but with a values-driven approach and improved Policy Coherence for Development; believes that inclusive growth, job creation, the development of the private sector and regional integration must b as proposed in the "Trade for All" Communication; calls for a post- Cotonou framework that takes into consideration the gender dimension of trade; believes that inclusive growth, job creation, the development of the private sector, sustainable agricultural development, regional integration, the diversification of industries and the promotion of infant industries are central in a future economic partnership;
2016/06/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2016/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for strong, legally binding sustainable development provisions; asks for theStresses that the post-Cotonou framework must promote sustainable development, human rights and good governance, including by tackling corruption and illicit financial flows; calls for strong, legally binding sustainable development provisions, and a proper framework for corporate social responsibility; asks, in particular, for human rights 'essential elements' clause to remain in the future agreement, so that the linkage clauses in the EPAs - especially the non-execution clauses - continue to function after 2020;
2016/06/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 56 #

2016/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls the Financing for Development commitments; calls for of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda; notes the importance of trade capacity building as industrialisation and diversification of ACP economies remains limited; asks the EU to ensure more and effective funding for Aid for Trade and trade-related matters in order to support the ACP countries' efforts to move up the global value chain. implement the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and to move up the global and regional value chains, while financial aid has to be intertwined with concrete cooperative projects directed at improving infrastructure, educational and social systems in the ACP countries.
2016/06/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A (new)
Aa. whereas Turkey is a candidate country since 2005, but in the framework of the accession process the opening of eight negotiating chapters has been blocked due to the non-application of the Additional Protocol of the Ankara Association Agreement to one Member State, Cyprus;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the Customs Union has shown that it clearly fails to meet the requirements of trade relations between the parties and has not been implemented effectively;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas Turkey has been implementing an ever increasing number of tariff and non-tariff barriers over time; in breach of the provisions of the Customs Union and to the detriment of European companies;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas sectors that are currently excluded from the customs union, such as agriculture, services and public procurement, are importantcould offer new opportunities for both parties;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 60 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
(ii) the strengthening of trade relations between the EU and Turkey should be set against the background of the common will of the parties to share the set of values and principles laid down in the EU's founding treaties, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and to work together to implement them fully and comprehensively; in this respect, a suspension clause on human rights and fundamental freedoms should be included in the upgraded customs union between Turkey and the EU;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 67 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
(iii) with a view to the start of the negotiations, the economic, social, political and legal conditions under which they are to take place and which, in any case, will determine the effects of those negotiations on citizens' lives, should be specifically and carefully considered; to this aim, the results of the public consultation and of the impact assessment should be duly taken into account; similarly, the findings of the Sustainability Impact Assessment - resulting from several consultations with civil society, social partners, NGOs and all relevant stakeholders - will have to effectively feed into the negotiations, notably regarding flanking measures identified to compensate possible negative impacts;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 71 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
(iv) the current structure of the Ankara agreement should be considered inadequate in terms of the evolution of the EU’s trade policy, in that: (a) it does not consider specific issues such as sustainable development, protection of social rights and labour, child labour, gender equality, protection of food safety and health, SMEs or the protection of foreign investmentsand environmental standards, to which specific chapters and provisions should be dedicated; (b) it does not take account of the specific role of the European Parliament and of the national parliaments; (c) the provisions concerning the settlement of disputes reflect the political nature of the agreement and have made the mechanism de facto ineffective;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 74 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
(iv) the current structure of the Ankara agreement should be considered inadequate in terms of the evolution of the EU’s trade policy, in that: (a) it does not consider specific issues such as sustainable development, protection of social rights and labour, gender equality, protection of food safety and health, animal welfare, wildlife trafficking, SMEs or the protection of foreign investments; (b) it does not take account of the specific role of the European Parliament and of the national parliaments; (c) the provisions concerning the settlement of disputes reflect the political nature of the agreement;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 82 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point vi
(vi) the entire negotiating process should be based on the principles of transparency and full access to the proceedings allowing adequate monitoring from the European Parliament; calls on the Council to publish the negotiating mandate as soon as possible;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 93 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point i
(i) a prerequisite for the modernisation of the Customs Union is that Turkey should refrain from adopting any protectionist or restrictive measures, such as the unilateral imposition of customs duties and non-tariff barriers on goods produced in the EU, including goods released for free circulation coming from third countries, or government policies to reduce imports;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 98 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) the fight against counterfeiting, piracy, the trade in wild animalsillegal wildlife trade and food fraud are important aspects of the Customs Union and need to be properly addressed in the modernisation process;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 103 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
(iv) the harmonisation of customs systems is vital for the development of trade between the EU and Turkey; to that end, the Commission should strengthen customs cooperation and the exchange of information between the Member States and Turkey; in this respect the European Parliament welcomes the swift ratification by both parties of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation that has entered into force on the 22nd of February 2017 and will allow standardisation and simplification of trade-related procedures at the multilateral level;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 110 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point v
(v) it is important to introduce an effective dispute settlement mechanism that is able to operate within a framework of impartiality and legal certainty in keeping with the rules and practice of the WTO;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 115 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point vi
(vi) in order to enable Turkey to become more involved in the decision- making process related to the EU's trade policy, and provided there is significant progress in terms of convergence and legislative harmonisation, where appropriate, it would be helpful to allow Turkey access as an observer in technical meetings and working committees;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 120 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point vii
(vii) in relation to the negotiation of trade agreements between the EU and third countries in which Turkey does not participate, methods of involvement that respect the sovereignty and negotiating independence of the EU need to be considered as well as the means to foster the parallel conclusion of trade agreements between Turkey and such third countries;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 135 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
(ii) the liberalisation of the sectors that are not currently included in the Customs Union should take place in a progressive and binding manner, by measuring its impact on businesses, particularly SMEs, workers, consumers and the environment. To that end, parliamentary institutions, both at EU level and nationally, can play an active role in liaising and holding talks with stakeholders and civil society;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 139 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point iii
(iii) negotiations shouldmust focus on the active promotion of decent work for all and the effective fight against national practices which seek to undermine the social and environmental substance of work for the purpose of promoting domestic production and attracting foreign investment by means of a specific chapter on sustainable development that includes binding provisions and a sanctions based mechanism;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 148 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point iv
(iv) the liberalisation of agricultural products should be conditional upon reform of Turkish legislation on grants and export subsidies in order to avoid distortionary effects on the CAP systemagri-food markets. Special consideration should be given to the impact on small-scale farmers regarding those categories of product that are vulnerable to competition;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 154 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point v
(v) the lack of harmonisation of plant health and animal welfare rules is a major barrier to trade in agricultural products; removal of that barrier should, however, be contingent upon compliance with the high quality standards applied by the EU, also taking into account the risk of fraud;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 157 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point vi
(vi) owing to its importance and impact, the services sector should be liberalised preferably on the basis of a positive list approach and of stringent transparency criteria, full reciprocity, non-discrimination and legislative harmonisation, with the exclusion in the negotiating mandate of audiovisual services and services of general economic interest;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 167 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point vii
(vii) in areas such as the digital economy, telecommunications, postal services and financial services, great attention shouldhas to be paid to aspects relating to data protection; in the transport sector, the current quota system should be maintained;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 174 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point viii a (new)
(viiia) being the European public procurement market largely open, negotiations should aim at obtaining full reciprocity at all levels of government, restoring thus a level playing field, and further alignment and approximation of Turkish legislation to the acquis communautaire in that sector;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 175 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point viii b (new)
(viii b) on rules, it will be important to negotiate specific provisions for SMEs, binding and enforceable provisions on sustainable development and a proper protection of European GIs;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 178 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point ix
(ix) the new EU-Turkey trade framework should lay down specific provisions for the protection of investments;deleted
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 188 #

2016/2031(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) Any removal of barriers to trade in animal products must be contingent upon compliance with the EU animal welfare standards; removal of barriers to trade in live animals must be conditional upon effective enforcement of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport as interpreted by the European Court of Justice in case C-424/13 Zuchtvieh- Export GmbH v Stadt Kempten;
2017/03/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 56 #

2016/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph c
(c) to explore new prospects for strengthened cooperation between the EU and the UN in the context of reshaping their strategic visions on security, through, on the one hand,welcomes the coming publication of the new EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy and, on the other, the UN’s revision of its peace operations, peacebuilding architecture and women, peace and security agenda (Security Council Resolution 1325) and encourages the UN and EU High Representative to work together to create synergies between them;
2016/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 121 #

2016/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph q a (new)
(qa) welcomes the first ever UN Security Council meeting on LGBTI rights in 2015 and the joint statement to the UNHCR signed by 72 member countries calling for an end to violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation; notes that in several countries LGBTI communities’ ability to live openly and freely has deteriorated due to Government-led persecution including, inter alia, Russia, Egypt, The Gambia and Nigeria;
2016/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 122 #

2016/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph q b (new)
(qb) acknowledges the tools at the UN’s disposal to promote equality and non- discrimination; urges the UN to use its influence to actively support and promote gender mainstreaming initiatives in its activities and programmes;
2016/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2016/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph t
(t) to recall the obligation of the General Assembly, when electing the membership of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), to take into account candidates’ respect for the promotion and protection of human rights; notes that current and previous members of the UNHRC systematically violate human rights;
2016/03/22
Committee: AFET
Amendment 25 #

2016/0392(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
(17) Concerning the protection of geographical indications, it is important to have due regard to the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (‘TRIPS Agreement’), and in particular Articles 22 and 23 thereof, and to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (‘GATT Agreement’) including Article V thereof on freedom of transit, which were approved by Council Decision 94/800/EC.12Within such legal framework, in order to strengthen geographical indication protection and to combat counterfeiting more effectively, a facility should be introduced to permit the seizure of spirits suspected of infringing the protection given to geographical indications which are in transit through the Union customs territory. _________________ 12 Council Decision 94/800/EC of 22 December 1994 concerning the conclusion on behalf of the European Community, as regards matters within its competence, of the agreements reached in the Uruguay Round multilateral negotiations (1986- 1994) (OJ L 336, 23.12.1994, p. 1).
2017/07/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2016/0392(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. Where the origin of a spirit drink is indicated, it shall correspond to the country or territory of origin in accordance with Article 60 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council16 . _________________ 16Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1)place or region where the stage in the production process of the finished product which conferred on the spirit drink its character and essential qualities took place.
2017/07/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 56 #

2016/0392(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The protection for geographical indications referred to in paragraph 2 shall be extended to goods brought, in the course of trade, into the Union without being released for free circulation, where such goods, including packaging, come from third countries.
2017/07/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 81 #

2016/0392(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 3
Geographical indications of spirit drinks produced in third countries that are protected in the Union pursuant to an international agreement to which the Union is a contracting party may be entered in the Register as geographical indications only after the Commission has adopted an implementing act to that effect.
2017/07/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 87 #

2016/0392(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1
1. The registration of a trademark which contains or consists of a geographical indication listed in the Register shall be refused or invalidated if its use would lead to any of the situations referred to in Article 18(2).
2017/07/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2016/0351(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) Articles 2(7)(a) and 2(7)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 stipulate the basis on which normal value should be determined in the case of imports from non-market economy countries. In view of developments with respect to certain countries that are Mmembers of the WTO, it is appropriate that, for those countries, normal value should be determined on the basis of paragraphs 1 to 6a of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036, with effect from the date on which this Regulation enters into force, and subject to the provisions of this Regulation. In the case of countries which are, at the date of initiation, not Members of the WTO and listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2015/7552 , norma1 value should be determined on the basis of paragraph 7 of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036, as amended by this Regulation. This Regulation should be without prejudice to establishing whether or not any WTO Member is a market economy. Furthermore, it should be without prejudice to the terms and conditions set out in protocols and other instruments in accordance with which countries have acceded to the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation. _________________ 2 Regulation (EU) 2015/755 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 on common rules for imports from certain third countries (OJ L 123, 19.5.2015, p. 33).
2017/05/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2016/0351(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) In the light of experience gained in past proceedings, it is appropriate to clarify the circumstances in which significant distortions affecting to a considerable extent free market forces may be deemed to exist. In particular, it is appropriate to clarify that this situation may be deemed to exist, inter alia, when reported prices or costs, including the costs of raw materials, are not the result of free market forces because they are affected by government intervention. It is further appropriate to clarify that in considering whether or not such a situation exists regard may be had, inter alia, to the potential impact of the following: the market in question is to a significant extent served by enterprises which operate under the ownership, control or policy supervision or guidance of the authorities of the exporting country; state presence in firms allowing the state to interfere with respect to prices or costs; public policies or measures discriminating in favour of domestic suppliers or otherwise influencing free market forces; and access to finance granted by institutions implementing public policy objectives. It is further appropriate to provide that the Commission services may issue a report describing the specific situation concerning these criteria in a certain country or a certain sector; that such report and the evidence on which it is based may be placed on the file of any investigation relating to that country or sector; and that interested parties should have ample opportunity to comment on the report and the evidence on which it is based in each investigation in which such report or evidence is used. and other factors of production, are not the result of free market forces because they are affected by government intervention, or when there is a situation of overcapacities 1a. It is further appropriate to clarify that in considering whether or not such a situation exists regard should be had, inter alia, to the potential impact of the following: government influence over the allocation of resources and decisions of enterprises, whether directly or indirectly (e.g. public bodies), for example through the use of state-fixed prices, or discrimination in the tax, trade or currency regimes; state- induced distortions in the operation of enterprises linked to privatisation and the use of non-market trading or compensation system; the lack of a transparent and non-discriminatory company law which ensures adequate corporate governance (application of international accounting standards, protection of shareholders, public availability of accurate company information); the lack of a transparent and effective set of laws that prevents the respect of property rights and the operation of a functioning bankruptcy regime; the lack of a genuine financial sector which operates independently from the state and which in law and practice is subject to sufficient guarantee provisions and adequate supervision; wage rates are not the result of free bargaining between labour and management; the absence of a transparent set of laws produces discriminatory effects with regards to joint-ventures and other foreign investments and access to finance granted by institutions implementing public policy objectives; the lack of ratification and of correct implementation of core International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) to which the Union is party; the non- compliance with the relevant OECD recommendations pertaining to the field of taxation (e.g. the BEPS initiative); and any other circumstance the Commission considers appropriate in order to evaluate the existence of significant distortions. For indicative purposes, a detailed list of the examples of significant distortions is available in the Annex. That list should be updated after each case. The existence of one or more significant distortions in the economy as a whole or in one or several sectors of the economy of the exporting country should lead automatically to the use of undistorted third country, international or Union prices, costs or benchmarks for each and every factor of production in the construction of the normal value, as well as to the disapplication of the lesser-duty rule for the calculation of the anti-dumping duty to be imposed on imports from exporting producers from that country. In the absence of undistorted third country or international costs or benchmarks, the Commission should determine the normal value on any other reasonable basis, including on the basis of relevant prices and costs in the Union. This is especially the case where a significant portion of the complaining industry is made up of SMEs. The reliability of the costs and prices of a given factor of production to be considered undistorted should be assessed, inter alia, by reference to the quantities involved, their proportion in relation to the total costs of that factor, and actual use in production. Under this methodology, the burden of proving the absence of significant distortions on every factors of production falls on the exporting country's producers. If an exporting producer from a country where one of more significant distortions exist conclusively demonstrates at an early stage of the investigation that the costs of one or more of its factors of production are not distorted, those individual factors of production costs should be used in the construction of the normal value, without prejudice to the use of undistorted third country, Union or international prices, costs or benchmarks for those individual factors of production that are significantly distorted. It is further appropriate to provide that the Commission services should, at their own initiative or on the request of the European Parliament, of a Member State or of the Union industry (including Trade Unions and SMEs), issue a report describing the specific situation concerning these criteria in a certain country (departing from horizontal country distortions and then focussing on factors of production and sector distortions) or a certain sector; for those countries for which a substantial number of anti-dumping cases have been recorded, the report should be completed three months before the entry into force of this Regulation and adopted fifteen days within its entry into force. Union industry, including Trade Unions and SMEs, should be consulted during the report drafting process. When drafting a report, the Commission shall coordinate with the Union's major trading partners. Such report and the evidence on which it is based may be placed on the file of any investigation relating to that country or sector; interested parties should have ample opportunity to comment on the report and the evidence on which it is based in each investigation in which such report or evidence is used. In accordance with its role, the European Parliament is to monitor the report drafting process. On the request of the European Parliament, of a Member State, of the Union industry (including Trade Unions and SMEs) or in the case of a change of circumstances in a specific country or sector, the Commission should adopt a specific report or update an existing one. In any event, the Commission should carry out a review of the report every two and a half years. _________________ 1a Overcapacities are defined when the commercial surpluses start being structural without any comparative advantage in the country, when domestic prices and costs are lower than the prices in the world market or when investments in new production capacities are realised in discordance with a growing commercial surplus
2017/05/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2016/0351(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) It is further appropriate to recall that costs should normally be calculated on the basis of records kept by the exporter or producer under investigation. However, where there are one or more significant distortions in the exporting country with the consequence that costs reflected in the records of the party concerned are artificially low, such costs may be adjusted orshould be established on any reasonable basis, including information from other representative markets or from, from markets in the Union or from undistorted international prices or benchmarks. In the light of experience gained in past proceedings, it is appropriate to further clarify that, for the purposes of applying the provisions introduced by this regulation, due account should be taken of all relevant evidence, including relevant assessment reports regarding the circumstances prevailing on the domestic market of the exporting producers and the evidence on which they are based, which has been placed on the file, and upon which interested parties have had an opportunity to comment. In applying the rules, it is essential, in order to maintain the balance of the rights and obligations which the WTO and its Agreements and Protocols establish, that the Union take account of how they are interpreted, and applied by the Union's trading partners.
2017/05/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2016/0351(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point a
(a) In case it is determined, when applying this provision or any other relevant provision of this Regulation, that it is not appropriate to use domestic prices and costs in the exporting country due to the existence of one or more significant distortions in the economy or in one or several sectors of the economy, the normal value shall be constructed on the basis of costs of production and sale reflecting undistorted prices or benchmarks. For this purpose, the sources that may be used include undistorted international prices, costs, or benchmarks, or corresponding costs of production and sale in an appropriate representative country with a similar level of economic development as the exporting country, provided the relevant cost data are readily available. The constructed normal value shall include a reasonable amount for administrative, selling and general costs and for profits. for each and every factor of production, and the lesser-duty rule shall not apply for the calculation of the anti-dumping duties to be imposed on imports from the exporting producers from that country. For this purpose, the sources that may be used include: – corresponding costs of production and sale in an appropriate representative producer country where the prices and costs concerned by the investigation are the result of free market forces, including those in the Union or – if considered inappropriate by the Commission, undistorted international prices, costs, or benchmarks, provided the relevant cost data are readily available. The constructed normal value shall include a reasonable amount for administrative, selling and general costs and for profits. In the absence of undistorted international or third country costs or benchmarks, the Commission shall determine the normal value on any other reasonable basis, including on the basis of relevant prices or costs in the Union. This is especially the case where a significant portion of the complaining Union industry is made up of SMEs. The reliability of the costs and prices of a given factor of production to be considered undistorted shall be assessed, inter alia, by reference to the quantities involved, their proportion in relation to the total costs of that factor, and actual use in production. Under this methodology, the burden of proving the absence of significant distortions on every factors of production falls on the exporting country's producers. If an exporting producer from a country where one or more significant distortions exist conclusively demonstrates that the costs of one or more of its individual factors of production are not distorted, those individual factors of production costs should be used in the construction of the normal value, without prejudice to the use of undistorted third country, Union or international prices, costs of benchmarks for those individual factors of production that are significantly distorted.
2017/05/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 62 #

2016/0351(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point b
(b) Significant distortions for the product concerned within the meaning of point (a) may be deemed to exist, inter alia, when reported prices or costs, including the costs of raw materials and other factors of production, are not the result of free market forces as they are affected by government intervention, or when there is a situation of overcapacities 1b. In considering whether or not significant distortions exist regard mayshall be had, inter alia, to the potential impact of the following: the market in question is to a significant extent served by enterprises which operate under the ownership, control or policy supervision or guidance of the authorities of the exporting country; state presence in firms allowing the state to interfere with respect to prices or costs; public policies or measures discriminating in favour of domestic suppliers or otherwise influencing free market forces; and access to finance granted by institutions implementing public policy objectivegovernment influence over the allocation of resources and decisions or enterprises, whether directly or indirectly (e.g. public bodies), for example through the use of state-fixed prices, or discrimination in the tax, trade or currency regimes; state-induced distortions in the operation of enterprises linked to privatisation and the use of non- market trading or compensation system; the lack of a transparent and non- discriminatory company law which ensures adequate corporate governance (application of international accounting standards, protection of shareholders, public availability of accurate company information); the lack of a transparent and effective set of laws that prevents the respect of property rights and the operation of a functioning bankruptcy regime; the lack of a genuine financial sector which operated independently from the state and which in law and practice is subject sufficient guarantee provisions and adequate supervision; wage rates are not the result of free bargaining between labour and management; the absence of a transparent set of laws produces discriminatory effects with regard to joint- ventures and others foreign investments and access to finance granted by institutions implementing public policy objectives: the lack of ratification and of correct implementation of core International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) to which the Union is party; the non- compliance with the relevant OECD recommendations pertaining in the field of taxation (e.g. the BEPS initiative), and any other circumstance the Commission considers appropriate in order to evaluate the existence of significant distortions. For indicative purposes, a detailed list of examples of significant distortions found during previous anti-dumping cases is available in the Annex. This list shall be updated after each case. _________________ 1b Overcapacities are defined when the commercial surpluses start being structural without any comparative advantage in the country, when domestic prices and costs are lower than the prices in the world market or when investments in new production capacities are realised in discordance with a growing commercial surplus.
2017/05/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 81 #

2016/0351(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6a – point c
(c) When appropriateAt their initiative or on the request of the European Parliament, of a Member State of or the Union industry (including Trade Unions and SMEs), the Commission services mayshall issue a report describing the specific situation concerning the criteria listed in point (b) in a certain country or a certain sector. Such report and the evidence on which it is based may be placed on the file of any investigation relating to that country or sector. Interested parties shall have ample opportunity to supplement, comment or rely on the report and the evidence on which it is based in each investigation in which such report or evidence is used. The determinations made shall take into account all of the relevant evidence on the file. (departing from the horizontal country distortions and then focussing on factors of production distortions and sector distortions) or a certain sector. For those countries for which a substantial number of anti-dumping cases have been opened, the report shall be completed three months before the entry into force of this Regulation and adopted fifteen days within its entry into force. The Union industry, including Trade Unions and SMEs, shall be consulted during the report drafting process. When drafting a report, the Commission shall coordinate with the Union's major trading partners. Such report and the evidence on which it is based may be placed on the file of any investigation relating to that country or sector. Interested parties shall have ample opportunity to supplement, comment or rely on the report and the evidence on which it is based in each investigation in which such report or evidence is used. The determinations made shall take into account all of the relevant evidence on the file. In accordance with its role, the European Parliament shall monitor the report drafting process. On the request of the European Parliament, of a Member State, of Union industry - including Trade Unions and SMEs - or on the Commission's own initiative when the circumstances in a specific country or sector have changed, the Commission shall adopt a specific report or update an existing one. In any event, the Commission shall carry out a review of the report every two and a half years.
2017/05/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 97 #

2016/0351(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6 a – point d
(d) The Union industry may rely on the report referred to in point (c) for the calculation of normal value when filing a complaint in accordance with Article 5 or a request for a review in accordance with Article 11 or in a request for reinvestigation in accordance with Article 12. When the conclusions of the report show the existence of one or more significant distortions, the report pursuant to the paragraph 6 (b) shall constitute sufficient evidence in order to justify the calculation of the normal value pursuant to the methodology referred to in subparagraph (a). In any event, no additional burdens shall be requested from the Union industry. In the absence of a report, the Commission shall use any available information or data to establish the existence of significant distortions and use the methodology referred to in subparagraph (a) if the relevant requirements are met. A helpdesk and special mechanisms (e.g.: free legal advice, explicit user-friendly guidelines, especially regarding confidentiality rules) are put in place in order to help SMEs in the process of making use of the reports and filing complaints.
2017/05/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 113 #

2016/0351(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6 a – point e
(e) The parties to the investigation shall be informed shortly after initiation about the relevant sources that the Commission intends to use for the purpose of point (a) and shall be given 10 working days to comment. For this purpose, interested parties shall be given access to the file, including any evidence on which the investigating authority relies, without prejudice to Article 19. A disclosure regarding the methodology to be used shall be communicated to the parties no later than three months from initiation of the investigation.
2017/05/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 115 #

2016/0351(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036
Article 2 – paragraph 6 a – point e a (new)
(ea) During the investigations phase, in case of less than full cooperation by an exporting producer from a country in which one or more significant distortions are deemed to exist, and without prejudice to the application of Article 18, the lesser- duty rule shall not apply for the determination of the anti-dumping duties to be imposed on imports from that exporting producer
2017/05/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2016/0308(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) In view of the economic and political reform efforts undertaken by Ukraine, and in order to support the development of closer economic relations with the European Union, it is appropriate to increase the trade flows concerning the import of certain agricultural products and to grant concessions in the form of autonomous trade measures in selected industrial products in line with the acceleration of the elimination of customs duties on trade between the European Union and Ukraine.
2017/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2016/0308(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) Ukraine is to abstain from introducing new duties or charges having equivalent effect or new quantitative restrictions or measures having equivalent effect or from increasing existing levels of duties or charges or from introducing any other restrictions. In the event of failure to comply with any of these conditions, or if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that economic operators benefitting from the temporary autonomous trade measures are undermining the fight against corruption or are engaged in illegal economic activities, the European Commission should be empowered to suspend temporarily all or part of the autonomous trade measures;.
2017/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2016/0308(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) It is necessary to provide for the reintroduction of normal Common Customs Tariff duties for imports of any products which cause, or threaten to cause, serious difficulties to the European Union producers, including when an impact on prices in the internal market is foreseeable, of like or directly competing products, subject to an investigation by the European Commission;
2017/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2016/0308(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
(9 a) The Commission should report annually to the European Parliament and to the Council about the economic and social impact of this Regulation in the context of the implementation of the Association Agreement, including at regional level. That report should clearly identify the economic operators which have benefited from the temporary autonomous trade measures contained in this Regulation.
2017/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2016/0308(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms and respect for the principle of the rule of law as well as continued and sustained efforts with regard to the fight against corruption and illegal economic activities provided for in Article s 2, 3 and 22 of the Association Agreement.
2017/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2016/0308(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) continued respect for obligations to cooperate on employment, social policy and equal opportunities in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title IV (Trade and Sustainable Development) and Chapter 21 of Title V (Cooperation on employment, social policy and equal opportunities) of the Association Agreement, and the goals set out in in Article 420 thereof.
2017/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2016/0308(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 a (new)
Article 2 a Reporting Requirements The Commission shall monitor the economic and social impact of this Regulation in Ukraine and in the Union. That monitoring shall extend to regional and sectorial level and identify those actors profiting from trade preferences. The results of this monitoring shall be included in overall annual reporting to the European Parliament and to the Council on the implementation of the Association Agreement.
2017/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 41 #

2016/0308(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The Commission shall put in place close monitoring of any effects on prices in the internal market of products covered by this Regulation and, where any such effects have been detected, shall immediately initiate procedures with a view to reintroducing the Common Customs Tariff duties.
2017/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2016/0308(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. At the request of a Member State or of the European Parliament, or on the Commission’s initiative, the Commission shall take a formal decision to initiate an investigation within a reasonable period of time. Where the Commission decides to initiate an investigation, it shall publish a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union announcing the investigation. The notice shall provide a summary of the information received and state that any relevant information should be sent to the Commission. It shall specify the period, which shall not exceed four months from the date of publication of the notice, within which interested parties may make their views known in writing.
2017/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2016/0308(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall seek all necessary information it deems necessary and may verify the information received with Ukraine and any other relevant source. It may be assisted by officials of the Member States on whose territory verification might be sought, if that Member State so requests.
2017/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 50 #

2016/0308(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7
7. Where exceptional circumstances requiring immediate action make an investigation impossible, the Commission may, after informing the Committee, take any preventive measure which is strictly necessary.
2017/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 51 #

2016/0308(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4 a 1. The Commission shall assess the impact of this Regulation on the Union market of the products set out in Annex I and II, annually from the date of its entry into force, and the Commission shall present the conclusions of such assessment to the European Parliament and to the Council. 2. Where the Commission concludes in its assessment under paragraph 2 of this Article that the application of this Regulation negatively affects the Union market of the products set out in Annex I and II, the Commission shall, by means of an implementing act, adopt appropriate compensatory measures for the Union producers or other economic operators concerned. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 5(2).
2017/02/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) Additional Union general export authorisations should be introduced in order to reduce administrative burden on companies, especially SMEs, and authorities while ensuring an appropriate level of control of the relevant items to the relevant destinations. A global authorisation for large projects should also be introduced to adapt licensing conditions to the peculiar needs of industry.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 37 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
(21) Pursuant to and within the limits of Article 36 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and pending a greater degree of harmonisation, Member States retain the right to carry out controls on transfers of certain dual-use items within the Union in order to safeguard public policy or public security. For reasons of proportionality, controls on the transfer of dual-use items within the Union should be revised in order to minimise the burden for companies, especially SMEs, and authorities. Moreover, the list of items subject to intra- Union transfer controls in Section B of Annex IV should be periodically reviewed in light of technological and commercial developments and as regards the assessment of the sensitivity of transfers .
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 38 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
(29) Export controls have an impact on international security and trade with third countries and it is therefore appropriate to develop dialogue and cooperation with third countries in order to support a global level-playing field and enhance international security. As Member States make up the majority of signatories to the Wassenaar Arrangement, setting high standards at Union level can also have positive knock-on effects on global standards.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
(b) cyber-surveillance technology items which can facilitate violations of human rights such as the right to privacy, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and be used for the commission of serious violations of human rights law or international humanitarian law, or can pose a threat to international security or the essential security interests of the Union and its Member States., as previously assessed and reported by the Commission;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 54 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 21 – introductory part
21. 'cyber-surveillance technology' shall mean items specially designed to enable the covert intrusion into information and telecommunication systems with a view to monitoring, extracting, collecting and analysing data and/or incapacitating or damaging the targeted system. This includes items related to the following technology and equipment with the exception of:
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 55 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 21 – point a
(a) mobile telecommunication interception equipmentitems specially designed for any of the following: - billing; - data collection functions within network elements (e.G. Exchange or HLR); - marketing purposes; - telecommunication software, technology and equipment that is designed for operation in a service providers network, but which can function as an intercept access point within the public provider's network to support lawful intercept as may be required by national law; - quality of Service of the network (QoS); - user satisfaction (QoE); - operations at telecommunications companies (service providers); - network protection (e.g. firewalls);
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 56 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 21 – point b
(b) intrusion softwartems installed, used or otherwise intended to improve the security posture of a computer, system, or network-capable device or for other legitimate purposes such as to protect the confidentiality, integrity, availability, auditability and authenticity of data or of a computer, system or network-capable device;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 57 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 21 – point c
(c) monitoring centersdigital forensic software or technology or equipment items related or destined to industrial software quality assurance or software development not specially designed for cybersurveillance;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 21 – point d
(d) lawful interception systems and data retention systemsitems destined or designed for the building, functioning, maintenance or protection of: - smart infrastructures for public energy, gas- or water use; - smart mobility management of civil rail, road, air and water transportation; - plant engineering and e-health; - industrial manufacturing in the discrete industries such as automotive, chemical, pharmacy, machine builders, food and beverage industry etc.; - building technologies such as smart home (residential houses) and smart building (commercial building);
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 59 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 21 – point e
(e) digital forensics;deleted
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 61 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. 'due diligence' shall mean the process through which businesses can identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for how they address their actual and potential adverse impacts on human rights as an integral part of business decision-making and risk management systems as laid out in the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 70 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) for use by persons complicit in or responsible for directing or committing serious violations of human rights law or international humanitarian law in situations of armed conflict or internal repression in the country of final destination, as identified by relevant public international institutions, or European or national competent authorities, and where there is evidence of the use of this or similar items for directing or implementing such serious violations by the proposed end-user;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 73 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph new2
new2. If an exporter, under his obligation to exercise due diligence, is aware that dual-use items which he proposes to export, not listed in Annex I, armay be intended, in their entirety or in part, for any of the uses referred to in paragraph 1, he must notify the competent authority , which will decide whether or not it is expedient to make the export concerned subject to authorisation.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 76 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. Authorisations for the export of non-listed items shall be granted for specific items and end-users. The authorisations shall be granted by the competent authority of the Member State where the exporter is resident or established or, in case when the exporter is a person resident or established outside the Union, by the competent authority of the Member State where the items are located. The authorisations shall be valid throughout the Union. The authorisations shall be valid for onetwo years, and may be renewed by the competent authority.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 78 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph new4 – subparagraph 1
A Member State which imposes an authorisation requirement, in application of paragraphs 1 , 2 and 3 on the export of a dual-use item not listed in Annex I, shall immediately inform the other Member States and, the Commission and the exporter and provide them with the relevant information, in particular concerning the items and end- users concerned . The other Member States shall give all due consideration to this information and shall make known within 10 working days any objections they may have to the imposition of such an authorisation requirement. In exceptional cases, any Member State consulted may request an extension of the 10-day period. However, the extension may not exceed 30 working days.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 82 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph new4 – subparagraph 4
The Commission and the Member States will maintain an updated register of authorisation requirements in place, available to exporters upon request.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 84 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. An authorisation shall be required for the provision, outside the territory of the Union, directly or indirectly, of technical assistance related to dual-use items, or related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance and use of dual- use items, if the supplier of technical assistance has been informed by the competent authority that the items in question are or may be intended, in their entirety or in part, for any of the uses referred to in Article 4.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 85 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
If a supplier of technical assistance is aware that the dual-use items for which he proposes to supply technical assistance outside the territory of the Union are intended, in their entirety or in part, for any of the uses referred to in Article 4, he must notify the competent authority which will decide whether or not it is expedient to make such technical assistance subject to authorisation.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 94 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3
3. Individual export authorisations and global export authorisations shall be valid for onetwo years, and may be renewed by the competent authority. Global export authorisations for large projects shall be valid for a duration to be determined by the competent authority.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 102 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) respect for human rights law in the country of final destination as well as respect by that country of international humanitarian law;
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission and the Council shall, in cooperation with the EEAS, make available guidance and/or recommendations to ensure common risk assessments by the competent authorities of the Member States for the implementation of those criteria by ... [ the entry into force of this Regulation].
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 120 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) The list of dual-use items set out in Section B of Annex I may be amended if this is necessary due to risks that the export of such items may pose as regardsfacilitate violations of human rights such as the right to privacy, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and be used for the commission of serious violations of human rights law or international humanitarian law, or can pose a threat to international security or the essential security interests of the Union and its Member States, as previously assessed and reported by the Commission and the EEAS.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 121 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(b a) The Commission may remove items from the list, in particular if in the course of the fast-changing technological environment the products meanwhile become a lower tier or mass product, easily available or technically easily modifiable.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 139 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The Commission shall ensure that penalities laid down by Member States are similar in substance and equal in effect.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 142 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission and the Council shall, where appropriate, make available guidance and/or recommendations for best practices for the subjects referred to in this Regulation to ensure the efficiency of the Union export control regime and the consistency of its implementation . The competent authorities of the Member States shall also, where appropriate, provide complementary guidance for exporters, especially SMEs, brokers and transit operators resident or established in that Member State.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 148 #

2016/0295(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission and the competent authorities of the Member States shall, where appropriate, maintain regular and reciprocal exchange of information with third countries, including in the context of the dialogue on dual-use items provided for in the Union's partnership and cooperation agreements and strategic partnership agreements.
2017/05/09
Committee: AFET
Amendment 11 #

2015/2317(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that trade liberalisation is not positive, per se, in terms of reducing poverty and could have negative effects on sustainable development if it is not accompanied by re-distribution through fair and progressive tax systemshe final outcome of the Addis Ababa conference and the SDG agenda describes trade as an important means of implementing the global sustainable development goals (SDGs); recalls that fair trade can play a positive role in reducing poverty and inequality; urges the EU to work towards the reinforcement of international fiscal cooperation as agreed by the G20 and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda;
2016/02/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2015/2317(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Welcomes that the Commission, in its recent communication "Trade for All", reaffirms the principle of policy coherence for development and aims at 'a more responsible' trade and investment policy, namely by contributing to the SDGs and the inclusive growth in developing countries;
2016/02/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2015/2317(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Urges the Commission to align all EU trade-related instruments to the SDGs: free trade agreements, in particular the Economic Partnership Agreement with African countries, plurilateral and multilateral agreements under the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), Aid for Trade, EU Regulations, as well as international standards and code of conducts;
2016/02/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2015/2317(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. CRecalls on the Commission to take measures to prevent the potential negative effects of mega trade deals, such as the Transatlantic Tthat fair and properly regulated trade if aligned with SDGs could have potentialities for development; calls on the Commission to include strong and comprehensive sustainable development chapters, which are effectively implemented and enforced, in EU's trade and Iinvestment Partnership (TTIP) and the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA), on developing countrieagreements; calls on the Commission to propose measures to ensure that the potential benefits of trade agreements trickle down to developing countries; welcomes the commitment of the Commission in the communication "Trade for All" to undertake in-depth analysis of the potential effects of new FTAs on LDCs;
2016/02/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2015/2317(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Regrets that the level of ambition displayed by successive TSD chapters in EU trade agreements has often not met the best standards; stresses the importance of ensuring proper monitoring and enforcement of the provisions contained in such chapters, and calls for the full involvement of civil society organisations and social partners in this respect, both in partner countries and in the EU;
2016/02/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2015/2317(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Recalls the European Commission's commitment to carry out Sustainability Impact Assessments (SIAs) on all trade negotiations; regrets that SIAs have not been carried out in a timely fashion; calls on the Commission to deliver on its commitment and to ensure that the impact of potential trade agreements on developing countries is properly taken into account;
2016/02/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 35 #

2015/2317(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Welcomes the progress made since the establishment of the Bangladesh Sustainability Compact while acknowledges that important challenges remain and need to be addressed; calls on the Commission to expand binding frameworks to other sectors; urges, in this regard, the Commission to go beyond corporate social responsibility and propose a mandatory legal framework for due diligence initiatives that complement the existing EU timber regulation, for other sectors, thereby ensuring the EU and its traders and operators live up to the obligation to respect human rights and the highest social and environmental standards;
2016/02/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 37 #

2015/2317(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Calls the EU and its Member States to commit to increase Aid for Trade (AfT) support for developing countries, particularly least developed countries (LDCs), while addressing fair and ethical trade in the upcoming revision of its Aid for Trade strategy, as announced in the communication "Trade for All"; calls EU Aid for Trade and technical assistance to empower poor producers, micro and small enterprises, women-led enterprises and cooperatives in order to boost their benefits from trading in local and regional markets;
2016/02/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2015/2317(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to monitor the implementation of the WTO's Bali and Nairobi Packages, namely with regard to the elimination of agricultural export subsidies at multilateral level, the decisions of specific benefit to the LDCs as well the Agreement on Trade Facilitation;
2016/02/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 47 #

2015/2317(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Recalls that EU investment policy, especially when involving public money, must contribute to the realisation of the SDGs; recalls the need to enhance transparency and accountability of development finance institutions (DFIs), and public-private partnerships (PPPs) to effectively track and monitor the money flows, debt sustainability and the added value for sustainable development of their projects;
2016/02/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 51 #

2015/2317(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the importance of participation through broad and transparent consultations of civil society organisations and trade unions, both from the European Union member states and from third countries, in the negotiation, implementation and monitoring of EU trade and investment agreements and policies;
2016/02/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 60 #

2015/2317(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to develop a complaint mechanism as a basis for sanctions to channel the voices of those whose human rights armay be jeopardised by EU trade policies and which will form an essential element of the EU's role in the implementation of the sustainable development goals;
2016/02/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 65 #

2015/2317(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the EU and its Member States to promote the multilateral debate on investment treaties, to take into account UNCTAD´s Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development recommendations to stimulate more responsible, transparent and accountable investments, as well as to actively engage with the UN Human Rights Council in its work towards an international treaty that would hold transnational corporations accountable for human rights abuses.
2016/02/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 142 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point i
i. to consider the TiSA negotiations as a stepping-stone towards renewed ambitions at WTO level and therefore to secure the commitment of all TiSA participants to multilateralising the outcome of the negotiations; to present a concrete plan to achieve multilateralisation to the European Parliament before the conclusion of the TiSA negotiations;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 157 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
ii. to reiterate its support for a comprehensive and balanced agreement, which should unleash the untapped potential of a more integrated global services market, while preventing social and economic dumping and fully guaranteeing compliance with the EU acquis; to shape globalisation and to create international standards, while fully preserving the right to regulate; to secure increased market access for European services suppliers in key sectors of interest, while accommodating specific carve-outs for sensitive sectors including all public services;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 170 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
iii. to push forguarantee multilateralisation by crafting GATS-compatible provisionsrejecting any provision that would be incompatible with the GATS and by accepting new parties conditional on their acceptance of the agreed rules and level of ambitions; to incentivise wider participation in the talks by granting interested parties observer status; to note that both the highest barriers and the highest growth potential regarding trade in services are to be found in the BRICS and the MINT countries; to recognise the importance of those countries for the EU, as export destinations with a rising middle class, as sources of intermediate inputs and as key hubs in global value chains; to open the way for the participation of China;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 182 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
iv. to carry outacknowledge that, as the negotiations are carried out on a preferential basis and to limit, the benefits of the agreement will be limited to TiSA parties until it is multilateralised; to take into account that unanimous approval is required from WTO members in order to multilateralise a plurilateral agreement;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 257 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point iv a (new)
iva. to use positive listing for all market access and national treatment commitments;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 260 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point v
v. to undertake extremely limited commitments in Mode 1 so as to avoid regulatory arbitrage and social dumping; to ensure that European rules are fully respected when a company provides a service from abroad to European consumers; , particularly concerning sensitive sectors such as ICT; to ensure that European rules are fully respected and enforced on foreign providers established in third countries when a company provides a service from abroad to European consumers; to include provisions guaranteeing easy access to redress for consumers;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 338 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
ii. to acknowledge that data protection is not a trade barrier, but a fundamental right, enshrined in Article 39 TEU and Article 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, as well as in Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; to acknowledgensure that GATS Article XIV, which fully exempts the existing and future EU legal framework for the protection of personal data from these negotiations, will be replicated in the TiSA core text; in addition, to insert a legally binding horizontal clause in TiSA to guarantee full respect of these fundamental rights, taking due account of recent developments in the digital economy and in full compliance with the European Court of Justice's ruling with respect to the Safe Harbour Agreement;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 383 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point viii
viii. to strongly support provisions on international mobile roaming; to increase publicly available information regarding retail rates in the short run; to make the case for maximum caps in the long run; to push for online consumer protection, in particular vis-à-vis unsolicited commercial electronic messages; to include provisions directly aimed at lowering the cost of international calls and messages and to provide for effective means of redress for consumers;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 386 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point i
i. to ensure that nothing will prevent the EU and its Member States from maintaining, improving and applying their labour and social regulations, as well as their legislation on entry and temporary stay; and that international labour standards, as defined in the International Labour Organisation's fundamental conventions, as well as collective agreements, are respected; to guarantee that these labour rights are made fully enforceable through a monitoring process that has the full involvement of trade unions; to guarantee Member States' sovereign right to take or refuse to take commitments under Mode 4;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 389 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point i a (new)
ia. to include a clause on control and enforcement mechanisms so as to deter and prevent companies from infringing labour and social rights, including collective agreements and to propose EU legislation ensuring liability in sub- contracting chains, covering EU companies as well as companies from third-countries;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 392 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point i b (new)
ib. to urge Member States to increase the staffing levels of, and the resources available to, their labour inspectorates and to meet the target of one inspector for every 10 000 workers, as recommended by the ILO, as well as to impose more severe penalties on firms that fail to comply with their obligations concerning fundamental rights (including remuneration, working hours and OHS); considers that the penalties in such cases must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 393 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point i c (new)
i c. to guarantee full compliance with the principle of equal remuneration for equal work in TISA; to ensure that all workers, irrespective of their home country must, as a minimum, enjoy the same rights, conditions of employment and salaries as nationals in the place of work;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 394 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point i d (new)
id. to include a clause preventing companies from circumventing or undermining the right to take industrial action, through the use of workers from third countries during negotiations on collective agreements and labour disputes;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 400 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point ii a (new)
iia. to guarantee that Directive 96/71/EC on the posting of workers, together with other national and EU labour and social legislation as well as collective agreements, should be applicable to contractual service suppliers and business sellers accessing the EU, today and in the future, through the Mode 4 provisions in GATS;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 426 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e – point i
i. to aim at reinforcing financial stability, ensuring adequate protection for consumers, including their data privacy, and guaranteeing fair competition between financial services providers;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 436 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e – point ii
ii. to step upcommit parties to TiSA to the implementation and application of international standards for the regulation and supervision of the financial sector, such as those endorsed by the G20, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the Financial Stability Board, the International Organisation of Securities Commissions and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors; to bind TiSA parties not signatory to the WTO Understanding on Financial Services to equivalent rules;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 445 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e – point iv
iv. to ensure that this agreement does not limit the EU’s ability to ban certain financial products in line with its regulatory framework or to adopt any measure it deems necessary to regulate financial markets;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 487 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g – point i
i. to fully preasservet that European, national and local authorities have the right to regulate to adopt policies in the public interest and that this should not be subject to additional necessity tests beyond those foreseen in GATS article VI; provisions on domestic regulations should not be more restrictive than the general proportionality obligation enshrined in the EU Treaties;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 532 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g – point x
x. to oppose any proposals calling for the mandatory submission of legislative proposals to third parties prior to their publication; to bear in mind that stakeholders have different access to resources and expertise, and to ensure that the introduction of a voluntarily stakeholder consultation process in TiSA does not create a bias towards the better funded organisations;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 534 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point g – point x a (new)
xa. to reject the inclusion of a Most Favoured Nation Clause (MFN) in TiSA;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 540 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h – point i a (new)
ia. to allow participating countries to modify or withdraw a commitment in their schedule if they can negotiate a substitute commitment with all other parties, by analogy to the provisions of GATS article XXI;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 543 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h – point i b (new)
ib. to include a dispute settlement mechanism in TiSA to be used until the agreement is multilateralised and the WTO dispute settlement mechanisms become available;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 546 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h – point ii
ii. to endeavour to include a regulatory chapter on government procurement with a view to maximising the participation of European companies in foreign tenders and to safeguard the ability of public authorities in the EU to discriminate on the basis of environmental and social criteria; to deplore the lack of transparency regarding non-European calls for tenders and to denounce the lack of reciprocity in this area, as illustrated by the preferential treatment granted to domestic companies in several countries; to encourage the ratification and implementation of the WTO Government Procurement Agreement and its 2011 revision; to call upon the Member States to reinvigorate discussions on the proposed international public procurement instrument;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 560 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i – point i
i. to ensure the highest level of transparency, dialogue and accountability, and to emulate the document disclosure policy of the WTO, whereby all negotiating documents are made available to the public;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 580 #

2015/2233(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i – point iv
iv. to welcome theensure serious and continuous engagement of the EU institutions with social partners and a wide range of stakeholders throughout the negotiation process;
2015/11/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 99 #

2015/2132(BUD)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67 c (new)
67c. Stresses that Parliament and the Council must address the need for a roadmap to a single seat, as requested by the large majority of this Parliament in several resolutions, in order to create long term savings in the Union budget;
2015/10/06
Committee: BUDG
Amendment 2 #

2015/2128(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Believes firmly that, at a time of ongoing fiscal consolidation and restraint in the Member States with the objective of bringing finances onto a more sustainable footingwhen all available resources are needed for investment in the Member States with the objective of stimulating sustainable economic growth, all necessary steps must be taken to prevent and stop any fraudulent activities in the field of trade policy and its associated appropriations;
2015/11/05
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2015/2128(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Notes the problems of smuggling, trafficking and other forms of illegal and illicit trade, which not only have an impact on Member States’ collection of customs duties and consequently on the EU budget, but are also strongly associated with organised international crime, threats to consumers and negative effects on the functioning of the single market, and which undermine a level playing field for all competing companies, particularly SMEs; requests, therefore, better coordination between the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), customs authorities and market surveillance authorities in order not only to combat these problems but also to curb the trade in products that infringe intellectual property laws in the EU; stresses the importance of distinguishing between legitimate generic medicine and fraudulent counterfeiting drugs in order not to interrupt the legitimate flow of medicines;
2015/11/05
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2015/2128(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the key role played by the EU’s macro-financial assistance (MFA) programme in encouraging anti-corruption and anti-fraud reforms in the EU’s closest trading countries; requests that the Commission continue to report to Parliament and the Member States with a view to ensuring that all funds are spent in full compliance with the basic regulation; further requests an long-term assessment of the effect MFA programmes have on tackling corruption and fraud in recipient countries.
2015/11/05
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
– having regard to its recommendations to the Commission for the negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and the Trade in Services Agreement of 8 July 2015 and 3 February 2016 respectively,
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
– having regard to the opinion of the Committee on International Trade to the report on Transparency, accountability and integrity in the EU institutions,
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
– having regard to Article 24 § 2 of the EU regulation 2015/478 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2015 on common rules for imports,
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15
– having regard to the principle of policy coherence for development as stated in the TFEU,
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas openness to trade is a necessity for the European economy as most of the global wealth will be created elsewhere in the future but this must go hand in hand with a robust framework at home that ensures trade delivers for citizens consisting of effective trade defence and social flanking policies;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris agreement are of the highest importance for global sustainable development and EU trade policy has to contribute to the fulfilment of their key elements;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the common commercial policy (CCP) has undergone a profound change since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in December 2009; whereas trade does not operate in isolation, but rather is linked to and dependent on many other polices; whereas negotiations on trade and investment agreements have changed and evolved over time; must go beyond simply cutting tariffs as complex challenges lie today in regulatory matters and convergence on international standards;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas, in times of low economic growth, the contribution of foreign trade to the recovery of the European economy is of key importance in delivering concrete and measurable results and contributing to decent jobs and sustainable economic growth and equality in Europe and beyond;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas trade can be a tool to increase potential economic output by permitting businesses to increase their supply to satisfy a growing external demand and without increasing public spending;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas new-generation trade policy needs to respond to people's concerns; whereas trade can help fighting poverty and improve the living and working conditions of the people in Europe and in our trading partner countries whereby a fair and equitable wealth distribution in society is indispensable;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2015/2105(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the importance of preventing the EU’s trading partners from engaging in anti-competitive practices, including social or environmental dumping, or the dumping of cheap products in Europe, as this could de-stabilise European industry, and for the EU to take all necessary measures to defend itself against unfair trading practices;
2016/02/25
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 38 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas on-going trade negotiations such as ACTA, TTIP, CETA and TiSA have brought European trade policy increasingly to the public's attention, and whereas more and more citizens are worried that European regulation and standards could be undermined by the CCP;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the European Commission made a clear pledge that no trade agreement will ever lower levels of regulatory protection, that any change to levels of protection can only be upward and that the right to regulate will always be protected;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas regulatory cooperation in trade agreements has to secure the highest level of protection of health and safety in line with the precautionary principle laid down in Article 191 TFEU;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2015/2105(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. In light of the rapidly deteriorating situation in crucial industrial sectors, such as steel or ceramics, urges the European Commission and the Council of Ministers of the European Union to expedite as a matter of priority the reform of the EU’s trade defence instruments initiated in 2013; stresses that the European Parliament adopted its position on this reform on 5 February 2014 (2013/0103(COD)), which notably called for shortening the duration of anti- dumping investigations, extending the right to request trade defence investigations to workers’ representatives as well as employers’, and introducing exemptions to the lesser-duty rule in order to properly address cases of social and environmental dumping, in full compliance with WTO rules;
2016/02/25
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 51 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas by 2050 the EU-28 will account for only 15 % of the world's GDP, down from 23.7 % in 2013, and whereas by 2015 90 % of world economic growth will be generated outside Europe;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 79 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to regularly update its trade and investment strategy and to publicly present a detailed annualmid-term implementation report to Parliament to ensure it delivers on its promises;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 83 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Urges the Commission to expedite its procedures so that negotiated trade agreements can be referred to Parliament within a shorter period of time and can therefore be provisionally applied or enter into force more swiftly;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 84 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Stresses that enhanced cooperation between regulators is key to facilitate trade and investment through the identification of technical barriers to trade and duplicated or redundant administrative burdens and formalities, which disproportionately affect SMEs, while not compromising the technical procedures linked to fundamental standards and regulations or procedures serving a public policy objective, preserving European standards on health, safety, consumer, labour, social and environmental legislation and cultural diversity and fully respecting the regulatory autonomy of national, regional and local authorities;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 90 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the Commission's attempts to increased transparency and openness at all stages of trade negotiations, such aand supports the Commission's TTIP transparency initiative; acknowledges that, after a number of requests from Parliament, the Commission enhanced the transparency of negotiations by providing all Members of the European Parliament and of the national parliaments access to classified negotiating documents and providing more information to stakeholders; recalls that enlarged access to classified information by Members of Parliament in the TTIP negotiations has strengthened parliamentary scrutiny, thereby allowing Parliament to assume its responsibility under the CCP even better; calls therefore for a widening of the Commission's transparency initiative to extend its key elements to all ongoing trade negotiations;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 94 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Council to publish all existingpreviously adopted and future negotiating mandates as soon as they are adoptedwithout delay;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 96 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that the involvement of civil society and stakeholdocial partners, including through appropriate public online consultations and communication campaigns, is crucial in order to strengthen the legitimacy of trade policy and to improve its content;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 97 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that, where possible, EU institutions documents should be published. Reminds that where confidential information is beyond the reach of public access it must be available to parliamentarians who scrutinise trade policy on behalf of citizens; considers that there should be clear criteria for classifying documents to avoid ambiguity and arbitrary decisions; notes that the case law of the ECJ makes it clear that where a document originating in an EU institution is covered by an exception to the right to public access, the institution must clearly explain why access to this document could specifically and effectively undermine the interest protected by the exception, and that this risk must be reasonably foreseeable and not purely hypothetical; calls on the Commission to implement the recommendations of the European Ombudsman of July 2015 with particular regard to access to documents for all negotiations;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 100 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Asks the Commission to where possible, conduct negotiations with no less transparency than those organised in the World Trade Organisation (WTO); stresses, however, that the Commission must also persuade negotiating partners to increase transparency at their end to make sure that this is a reciprocal process in which the EU's negotiating position is not compromised and to include the aspired level of transparency in its scoping exercises with potential negotiating partners; stresses that meaningful transparency can strengthen global support for rules-based trade;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 102 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the CCP is to be conducted in the context of the principles and objectives of the Union's external action as set out in Article 21 TEU; recalls that the EU's trade and investment policy must be consistent with other external policies, such as development policy; stresses that the EU has a legal obligation to respect human rights, and should foster the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of trading countries; points out that in some cases trade and investment agreements may have negative effects contrary to the EU's external objectives as enshrined in the Treaties; is of the opinion that the EU has a responsibility to help tackle any negative impact caused by its CCP; recalls that only fair and properly regulated trade, if aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), could have potentialities for development and reduce inequality;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 111 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses the co-legislator role played by the Parliament and therefore calls on the Commission to build upon and improve its cooperation with the Parliament and to enhance its efforts in order to constructively work with the other Institutions prior to taking decisions;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 112 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Urges the Commission to develop a comprehensive 'access to medicines- policy' across the policy areas such as trade, development, research and innovation and public health, which supports the effective implementation and realisation of Sustainable Development Goal 3;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 113 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Welcomes the Commission's support of the extension request for pharmaceutical intellectual property by LDCs until these countries no longer are considered LDCs; regrets the final WTO TRIPS Council decision to grant only a time limited extension of 17 years; asks the Commission follow through on its initial position by supporting all developing countries in making full and effective use of all flexibilities built into the TRIPS Agreement and recognised by the TRIPS Agreement and affirmed by the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS agreement and Public Health adopted on 14 November 2001, in order to be able to provide affordable medicines under their domestic public health programmes;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 114 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Recognises the Commission's efforts to strengthen sustainable development and promote human rights, labour and social standards and environmental sustainability worldwide through its trade and investment agreements but urges determined efforts to fully implement and enforce the corresponding chapters in practice; shares the Commission's view that the EU has a special social responsibility as regards the impact of its trade policies on least- developed countries (LDCs); calls on the Commission to adopt accompanying measures in trade agreements with developing countries;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 121 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Considers that in particular for partner countries undergoing an economic crisis above all the objective of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTA) must be tangible and sustainable improvements to the living conditions of ordinary people;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 122 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that provisions on human rights and social and environmental standards, and a binding chapter on labour rights based on the ILO's core labour rights and corporate social responsibility (CSR), including the OECD principles for multinational companies and the UN Principles on Business and Human rights, must form an essential part of EU trade agreements9 [9]; calls on the Commission to include sustainable development chapters that are not only legally binding but also enforceable in all EU trade and investment agreements; points out that labour and environmental standards are not limited to Trade and Sustainable Development Chapters but must be effective throughout all areas of trade agreements; calls on the EEAS to systematically include dedicated labour attachés in its delegations abroad; [9] OJ C 99E, 3.4.2012, p. 31. __________________ 9 OJ C 99E, 3.4.2012, p. 31.
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 129 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Stresses that Everything But Arms (EBA), the General System of Preferences (GSP) and the GSP+ schemes are tools which enable fundamental values to be upheld; insists on the importance of their effective implementation and monitoring and welcomes the Commission's commitment to strengthening cooperation with beneficiary countries in this regard;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 131 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Calls on the Commission to develop legislation with the aim of forbidding imports of goods produced with any form of forced labour or modern slavery and in the meantime, strengthen import and supply chain controls on ethical grounds;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 136 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on the Commission to establish a structured and depoliticised process whereby consultations with a partner for suspected violations of obligations under trade and sustainable development chapters have to be launched according to clear criteria;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 137 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Highlights the importance of Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs) and the involvement of civil society in joint fora under the free trade agreements (FTAs) that monitor and comment on the agreements' implementation and the parties respect for their commitments and obligations on human rights, labour standards and environmental protection; calls for the further strengthening of the work of DAGs; stresses that they should be fully independent; calls on the Commission to take measures to improve the work of DAGs such as providing financial resources, prior information and the possibility of using more advanced media in order to facilitate civil society participation; and to thoroughly take into account the Domestic Advisory Group's recommendations; calls on the EU to reinforce its monitoring capacity in the EPAs dedicated to sustainable development and human rights that ensure the proper and transparent involvement of civil society organisations;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 142 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Notes with concern that there has been little interest on the EU side so far among civil society to participate in certain EU civil society advisory groups provided for under the Agreements and calls on the Commission to draw appropriate conclusions to invigorate these mechanisms and ensuring their representative character in line with recommendations from the European Economic and Social Committee;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 143 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Recalls that the ILO estimates that 865 million women around the world, if better supported, could contribute more robustly to economic growth; notes that women-owned businesses represent an underutilised lever to boost competitiveness, accelerate business and sustain growth; states that trade policy can have differing gender impacts across the various sectors of the economy; and that more data on gender and trade is needed regrets that the Commission does not address the gender dimension of trade agreements in its 'Trade for All' communication; calls on the Commission to step up its efforts to use trade negotiations as a tool to promote gender equality worldwide, as well as to ensure that both women and men can take advantage of the benefits of trade liberalisation and be protected from its negative effects; to this aim, the Commission should make sure that the gender perspective is included, horizontally, in all future trade agreements and also, as an essential part of the EU mainstreaming strategy and proposes, the Commission should guarantee a thorough monitoring and evaluation of the gender impact of the trade agreements in force;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 151 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the Commission to make its trade and investment policy fully aligned with the ILO Decent Work Agenda;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 154 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Stresses that given the increased importance of animal welfare for EU citizens in terms both of public morals and consumers informed choice and its implications for the competitiveness of EU producers, animal welfare provisions should be strengthened in our free trade agreements;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 155 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13c. Recognises that the export of live farm animals to the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey entails great suffering both during the long journeys and at slaughter; believes that this trade is not in line with the Commission's strategy that calls for trade to be responsible and consistent with European values; calls on the Commission and the Member States to bring this trade to an end and in the meantime to ensure that it is conducted in compliance with EU law on the protection of animals during transport and that exported animals are slaughtered in accordance with the animal welfare standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE);
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 160 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Acknowledges that the internationalisation of the world's production system has resulted in new openings for economic development and an employment-based path out of poverty for hundreds of millions of people; recalls that, according to the ILO, around 780 million active women and men are not earning enough to be lifted out of poverty; underlines that the expansion of GVCs has created job opportunities but also propelled some supplier firms to ignore labour laws, engage workers in unsafe and unacceptable conditions, demand exhaustive working hours and deny workers their fundamental rights; recalls that these practices create unfair competition for suppliers that are compliant with labour laws and international labour standards and for governments that want to improve wages and living standards; concludes therefore that mutual respect for labour and environmental standards is an indispensable tool to ensure there is no race to the bottom; calls on the Commission to improve conditions in GVC in close cooperation with the ILOs; emphasises that the EU's further integration into GVCs must be driven by the dual principles of safeguarding the European social and regulatory model and securing and creating sustainable and equitable growth and decent jobs in the EU and for its partners;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 165 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Underlines that the emergence of GVCs has also led to a substantial increase of imported components in exports; consequently there are less incentives for countries to levy high tariffs as trade policy should not just open up exports, but also facilitate imports in order to stabilise value chains without prejudice to the legitimate use of trade defence instruments;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 167 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Believes that trade policy must ensure a transparent production process throughout the value chain, as well as compliance with fundamental environment, animal welfare, social and safety standards; stresses the need for mandatory due diligence throughout the supply chain; welcomes the Commission's desire to work closely with the ILO and the OECD to develop a global approach to improving working conditions especially in the garment sector; underlines the importance of identifying and assessing new sectoral or geographic opportunities for additional responsible supply chain partnerships; looks forward to the Commission's upcoming communication on CSR; and calls on the Commission to move from voluntary initiatives to binding obligations;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 187 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Commission not to request provisional application of trade agreements, including trade chapters of association agreements, before European Parliament gives its consent; recalls that it cwould seriously undermine Parliament's rights and create potential legal uncertainty vis-à- vis the agreement's other signatory and the economic operators concerned; recalls and welcomes the Trade Commissioner's commitments in this regard but strongly urges to formalise this arrangement in the new inter-institutional agreement;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 190 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Considers that in the case of mixed agreements the already tested practice whereby an agreement is only applied provisionally after the European Parliament has granted consent while awaiting national parliaments' ratification is the best balance of democratic oversight and efficiency;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 192 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Insists that the monitoring, evaluation and follow-up of existing agreements become a key priority of the CCP; calls on the Commission to reallocate resources in order to enable DG Trade to better monitor trade agreements which need to be implemented considering the growing negotiating agenda;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 195 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission to improve the quality and accuracy of both ex-ante and ex- post assessments and to review their methodology; stresses the need to always submit a deep sustainability impact assessment, including on human, social and environmental rights, for any trade policy initiative, in particular in light of the recent Ombudsman's recommendation in complaint 1409/2014/JN on the EU-Vietnam FTA; welcomes the commitment of the Commission to undertake in-depth analysis of the potential effects of new FTAs on LDCs and calls on the Commission to put forward measures to ensure that the benefits of trade accrue to developing countries; expresses its concern at the lack of interim and ex-post assessments and that the quality of the existing ones is very low, as demonstrated in the European Court of Auditors Special Report 02/2014; insists that high-quality interim and ex-post evaluations be carried out in respect of all trade agreements in order to allow policymakers, stakeholders and European taxpayers to assess whether trade agreements have achieved the intended results; asks the Commission to provide data on the impact of the trade agreements which have been concluded with special regard to SMEs and the creation of decent jobs;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 209 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that limited improvements were achieved at the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in 2015; recognises the differences among WTO members on how to proceed as regards the Doha Round, including the need to consider new approaches to solve outstanding issues; welcomes the interest of some WTO members in starting to address new negotiating areas; believes that the outcome of the Nairobi Ministerial Conference provides an opportunity to give new life to the WTO's negotiating function; urges the Commission to take the initiative in reforming and strengthening the WTO in order to ensure greater effectiveness, transparency and accountability including by strengthening coordination with the ILO and other Environment and Human rights related UN Agencies;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 213 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Believes that it is vital to conclude the longstanding Doha Round with its developing mandates fulfilled; recalls the crucial role of Aid for Trade (AfT) in trade-related capacity building and technical assistance to developing countries and LDCs; in this regard, calls on the EU and its Member States to commit to increase AfT, enabling developing countries to benefit from a bigger share of the value added in GVCs; calls on the Commission to address fair and ethical trade in the upcoming revision of Aid for Trade strategy; welcomes the EU engagement of targeting EUR 400 million in funding over 5 years to support and provide technical assistance to developing countries, especially LDCs, in their efforts to implement the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 217 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Considers plurilateral negotiations within the WTO such as the Information Technology Agreement and the Environmental Goods Agreements to be the second-best option; emphasises that trade policy should also be used as a tool for increasing the competiveness of environmentally beneficial products; stresses the importance of maintaining an open door of any plurilateral initiative so interested WTO members can join and of multilateralising the 'green goods' initiative and of considering whether bilateral or unilateral trade agreements could provide premium preferences for environmental goods;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 223 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls for a strong and effective parliamentary dimension of the WTO in order to enhance the transparency of the organisation and to strengthen the democratic legitimacy of global trade policy; urges the WTO to make full use of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO, ensuring that parliamentarians have access to all the information they need to carry out their oversight role effectively and contribute meaningfully to trade policies;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 225 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the Commission to focus in a balanced way on the conclusion of the on-going trade negotiations while being mindful of their cumulative effects, in particular via the different rules of origin, and finding an appropriate balance between protecting sensitive agricultural sectors and the offensive interests of the Union as one of the biggest agri-food exporters , and to show the potential benefits of the concluded trade agreements before launching new FTA negotiations; reminds the Commission to carry out a thorough, impartial and unprejudiced ex- ante evaluation of European interests before deciding on future FTA partners and negotiation mandates;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 252 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Underlines, in the context of the current talks on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the EU- Japan FTA, the high importance of focusing on core soffensitive issuenterests such as the protection of geographical indications (GIs) and public procurement when negotiating FTAs as part of ambitious, balanced and comprehensive packages;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 265 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Insists that trade negotiations follow a tailor-made regional trade strategy, in particular vis-à-viswithin Asia, Africa and Latin America, which have been identified by the Commission as crucial regions for European economic interests; recalls that Europe and Latin America are natural allies with a combined population of one billion people generating a quarter of global GNP; points out that the potential of this partnership has been insufficiently exploited; welcomes the fact that the Commission's new trade and investment strategy puts a key focus on Latin America;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 275 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Calls on the Commission to start negotiations for an investment agreement with Taiwan in parallel with the one with China; underlines that, in the context of the migration challenges, special focus should be put on the post-Cotonou framework and regrets that this aspect was not mentioned in the communication; asks for further impetus to be given to negotiating FTAs with both Australia and New Zealand;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 278 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Stresses the importance of deepening and redefining the EU's relationships with its partners on the African continent and in the Caribbean and Pacific region; regrets that the communication "Trade for All" does not make any reference to the Cotonou Agreement, which expires in 2020, and stresses that the human rights clauses in the EPAs and trade agreements with a link to the Cotonou Agreement should not lose their effect after the 2020 expiration date; calls on the EU to engage in a broad consultation and dialogue process, including with ACP countries, about the post-Cotonou framework;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 287 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Stresses that further trade liberalisation measures require the EU to be able to respond even more effectively to unfair trading practices and ensure a level playing field; underlines that TDIs must remain an indispensable component of the EU's trade strategy; recalls that the current EU trade defence legislation dates back to 1995; stresses that the Union's trade defence system needs to be modernised urgently; points out that EU trade defence law must be more effective, adapted to today's challenges and trade patterns, investigations must be shorter, and also increase transparency and predictability; regdeplorets that the TDI modernisation proposal is blocked in the CouncilCouncil has been unable to deliver on this essential piece of legislation; regrets that the Commission does not refer at all to the need for TDI modernisation in its 'Trade for All' communication; calls on the Council to boost its effortsreak the stalemate regarding TDI modernisation urgently on the basis of the European Parliament's position, especially at a time when China is firmly requesting recognition of MES, and asks the Commission to present a new proposal;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 292 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls on the Commission to quicken the pace of investigations in order to accelerate the adoption of provisional and definitive trade defence measures, to open investigations "ex officio" and to impose measures on the ground of the "threat of injury" where the evidence justifies this, to eliminate the lesser duty rule which is not an obligation under WTO law, and to allow all European social partners, including not only business leaders but also trade unions, to urge the Commission to open anti-dumping investigations;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 303 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Calls on the Commission not to take any measures without a prior deep and comprehensive impact assessment tackling all the possible effects and consequences on employment, growth and the environment; recalls that it is fundamental that the Commission coordinates closely with other WTO partners on the issue;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 305 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Regrets that not enough hasConsiders that more needs to been done to comprehensively address European industries' needs and that the EU manufacturing sector is too often placed behind the services and financial sectors; emphasises that trade policy must ensure a level playing field for European industry, provide access to new and emerging markets and facilitate upward convergence on standards while reducing double certification; calls on the Commission to ensure coherence between the EU's trade and industrial policies and to promote the development and competitiveness of European industry with particular reference to the reindustrialisation strategy;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 309 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Recalls the importance of GIs in promoting traditional European agri-food products, protecting them from harmful free-riding practices, guaranteeing consumers´ rights and conscious choices, and safeguarding rural producers and farmers, with particular reference to SMEs;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 310 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 b (new)
33b. Acknowledges the success story of GIs in protecting European workers and producers from unfair practices and therefore calls on the Commission to extend GIs to non-agri products;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 313 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Recalls that the EU plays a leading role in the services sector; stresses that the opening up of new market opportunities must be an essential element of the EU's international trade strategy; stresses that including services in trade agreements is of the utmost importance, as it gives opportunities to European companies and domestic employees; while also excluding, in line with Articles 14 and 106 TFEU and Protocol 26, current and future services of general interest and services of general economic interest from the scope of application of any agreement; fully reiterates its recommendations for the negotiations of a Trade in Services Agreement in this regard with the emphasis on the ultimate goal of a multilateral agreement;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 324 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Shares the Commission’s viewConsiders that the temporary movement of professionals has become essentialis a factor to increasing business internationally; stresses that a labour mobility chapter should be included in all EU trade and investment agreements; recalls however that Mode 4 commitments must only apply to the movement of highly skilled professionals for a specific purpose, for a limited period of time and under precise conditions stipulated by the domestic legislation of the country where the service is performed and by a contract respecting such domestic legislation while ensuring that nothing will prevent the EU and its Member States from maintaining and improving labour standards and collective agreements";
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 329 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Welcomes the Commission's intention to use trade policy to tackle new forms of digital protectionism and to set rules for e-commerce and cross-border data flows in compliance with EU data protection and privacy law and safeguarding fundamental rights; believes that much more needs to be done to create a climate favourable to e-commerce and entrepreneurship within the EU; stresses that ensuring regulatory cooperation, reducing online fraud, mutual recognition and harmonisation of standards in the digital trade sector is vital;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 338 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
37. Is aware that the inclusion of provisions relating to financial services in trade agreements has raised concerns regarding their potential negative effects where money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance are concerned; supports the Commission in its fight against corruption; insists that clauses on corruption, money laundering and tax fraud be included in all trade and investmentthe Commission and Member States address anti money laundering, anti-corruption and anti-tax evasion and tax avoidance rules, including country-by- country reporting obligations and automatic exchange of information in appropriate international agreements;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 345 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Emphasises that a forward-looking trade policy must pay greater attention to the specific needs of SMEs and ensure that they can fully benefit from trade and investment agreements; recalls that only a small share of European SMEs are able to identify and exploit the opportunities that globalisation and trade liberalisation offer; notes that only 13 % of European SMEs have been internationally active outside the EU but recognises that SMEs already account for one third of EU exports; supports initiatives to facilitate the internationalisation of European SMEs , therefore insists on the benefits of a Chapter on SMEs in all future FTAs, also, but believes that new ways need to be explored on how to better assist SMEs in their sale of goods and services abroad; stresses that SMEs need more tailor-made support, starting in Member States;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 347 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Asks the Commission to better support the internationalisation of SMEs by developing specific and clear guidebooks for SMEs about the opportunities and benefits offered by each trade agreement concluded by the EU;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 351 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Reminds with regard to regulatory cooperation that the corresponding mechanisms must be based on enhanced information exchange and improved adoption and implementation of international instruments and lead to increased convergence on international technical standards whilst under no circumstances undermining or delaying the democratically legitimised decision- making procedures of any trading partner;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 354 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
41. Calls on the Commission to assess and improve the existing tools regarding subsidiarity, non-duplication and complementarity in relation to respective Member State programmes and European value-added before developing further instrumentstand-alone actions to support the internationalisation of SMEs; stresses that the Commission should submit an independent evaluation of all the existing programmes to Parliament;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 359 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Stresses the importance of further debate with stakeholders and Parliament on the Commission's proposal for the Investment Court System in order to better clarify its impact on the 'right to regulate', the annual costs for the EU budget and its compliance with the EU legal order, the power of the EU courts in particular, and more specifically the EU competition rules; shares the ambition of establishing in the medium term a multilateral solution to investment disputes and calls on this to be built-in to all on-going bilateral negotiations; regrets that the ICS proposal does not include an investors' obligation provision;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 370 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Emphasizes that the EU investment policy has to tackle broader issues than merely investment protection but addressing also investment facilitation and governance, thus, ensuring foreign direct investment serves the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals; considers investor obligations based on inter alia the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Corporate Social responsibility and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights an indispensable part if a such an investment policy; urges Member States to work towards progress within the UN on the elaboration of a legally binding instrument on business and human rights;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 373 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 b (new)
43b. Considers the connection between trade and investment agreements and double taxation treaties to be seriously underexplored and calls on the Commission to study closely any effects such tools may have on each other and on wider policy coherence in the fight against tax evasion;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 375 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
44. Calls for the elimination of the current imbalances as regards the degree of openness of public procurement markets between the EU and other trading partners; calls on the Commission to go even further in seeking an ambitious and reciprocal opening up of international public procurement markets, while guaranteeing the exclusion of services of general economic interests and making sure states remain free to adopt qualitative rules for their procurement procedures including social and environmental criteria; stresses that European economic operators, but especially European SMEs, need better access to public contracts in third countries;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 382 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
45. Welcomes the Commission's amended proposal for a regulation on the access of third-country goods and services to the Union's internal market in public procurement, which is an important tool for ensuring a level playing field in the market access of third countries and strongly regrets that Member States governments have been holding up the original proposal; calls on the Commission to achieve reciprocity in access to public procurement markets with all trading partners;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 392 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
47. BelievEmphasises that better harmonized and more efficient customs procedures in Europe and abroad could help to facilitate trade, to meet respective trade facilitation requirements, and to fight against forgeries, illegal and counterfeiting of goods entering in the single market, which distortundermines EU economic growth and seriously exposes EU consumers; welcomes the Commission's intention to enhance cooperation between customs authorities; calls once more on the Commission and the Members States to set up a unified EU customs service for a more effective application of customs rules and procedures throughout the customs territory of the EU;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 394 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
48. Underlines that trade agreements and the decline in tariff rates that follows expose customs to greater security and protection concerns; emphasises that adequate communication and strong coordination is essential; Customs agencies should treat trade transactions involving non-cooperative tax jurisdictions with the highest level of scrutiny;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 404 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
50. Shares the OECD's view that open trade and investment policies need a range of effective flanking policies in order to maximise the gains and minimise the losses; urges the Members States and the Commission to do much more to complement trade opening by a range of supporting measures in order to ensure inclusive growth such as education, active labour market policies, public investment, supporting research and development, infrastructure development and social protection;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 410 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
51. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to conduct thorough ex ante and ex post analysis on the basis of sector-by-sector and regional impact assessments for all trade agreements and relevant legislative files to anticipate negative effects on the labour market within the Union and to find more sophisticated ways of introducing mitigating measures to redevelop industries and regions that lose out, with a view to achieving a more equitable distribution of and ensuring broad-based gains from trade; emphasises that in this respect the European Structural and Investment Funds, and in particular both the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund, can play an outstanding role; points out that the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund could also be an important instrument if reformed and shaped in a way that it is adequately funded;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 413 #

2015/2105(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)
51a. Points out that the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund could also be an important instrument; believes however that the current use of the EGF to tame the adverse impacts in some sectors resulting from increased international competition is not satisfactory; stresses that this instrument should be reformed and adequately funded whereby it proactively anticipates risks and adaptation of sectorial, regional and national production structures in cases in which the sustainable impact assessment indicates that these might be endangered as a consequence of trade agreements;
2016/04/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 312 #

2015/2104(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Is of the opinion that the European Parliament must be in position to address these challenges in the same comprehensive and overarching way, and organize its work accordingly; considers that the Committee on Foreign Affairs must be entrusted the coordination of all policy fields relevant to the external action of the EU, with other Committees being requested to express their opinion;deleted
2015/09/17
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
– having regard to its resolutions of 5 July 2016 on a new forward-looking and innovative future strategy for trade and investment (2015/2105(INI),
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 b (new)
– having regard to the 380th report of the Committee on Freedom of Association of the ILO,
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 6 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 c (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 5 July 2016 on the implementation of the 2010 recommendations of the European Parliament on social and environmental standards, human rights and corporate social responsibility,
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the new Commission's trade strategy "Trade for all" emphasizes the importance of ensuring the effective implementation of EU free trade agreements including also through the use of their dispute settlement mechanism;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D – indent 10
– seven special committees, seven working groups and a dialogue on intellectual property were formally established;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement, like other agreements on free trade, services and investments, hascan have a positive impact on the socio-economic development of the parties to the Agreement, on economic integration, on sustainable development, and on bringing countries and their citizens closer togetherbringing countries and their citizens closer together; emphasizes however that progress on the objectives enshrined in the trade and sustainable development chapter are greatly unsatisfactory with regards to respect for labour rights;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recalls that commitments taken within the trade and sustainable development chapter are an integral part of the overall package of a Free Trade Agreement;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Notes that the repeated imprisonment of trade unionists is not in line with the commitments made in the Chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development and makes for a retrograde step on labour rights instead of the promised progress;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Points out that the organisers of an otherwise peaceful protest should not be held accountable under the criminal code for the unlawful behaviour of a few individuals during those protests;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the efforts of the Civil Society Forum and of the internaldomestic advisory groups set up in accordance with the provisions set out in the chapter on trade and sustainable development; recalls that both parties are obliged to uphold, promote and implement commitments on core labour rights in their laws and practiceshave committed under Article 13.4 to respect, promote and realize in their laws and practices, the principles concerning the fundamental rights, namely freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, the effective abolition of child labour and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation as well as to make continued and sustained efforts towards ratifying the fundamental ILO Conventions as well as other Conventions that are classified as 'up-to- date' by the ILO;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that with regard to a complaint by ITUC, KCTU and FKTU against the government of the Republic of Korea, the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association has requested from the Government to abstain from taking any further actions to achieve changes in collective agreements in areas that should rest within the autonomy of the bargaining partners and expected that any guidelines on collective bargaining would be the result of full tripartite consultation;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point d
(d) the chapter on trade and sustainable development: ratification and implementation by the Korean party of the fundamental Conventions of the International Labour Organisation; recalls that the South Korean government committed at the occasion of the 4th meeting of the Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development to promptly provide information on its next concrete steps in this regard;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 41 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point d a (new)
(da) calls on the Commission to regularly present reports to parliament indicating the effects of the agreement on the European labour market by drawing up a list of all existing EGF-cases related to the FTA with the Republic of Korea;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 (new)
(e) customs-related matters including origin verification procedures and appropriate enforcement within the spirit of the agreement;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 49 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Supports theWithholds its support for any further deepening of trade and investment relations between the EU and Korea and the involvevia further negotiations or amendments ofn the parties to the Agreement in creating further economic growth and development for the benefit of EU and Korean citizensFTA until the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter is fully implemented in the sense that all provisions and commitments have been translated into national law and are being implemented;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 53 #

2015/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Stresses that in case of negotiations on an investment chapter between the European Commission and the government of the Republic of Korea not to use the old ISDS-method, but to build instead on the proposal, made by the European Commission, of developing a multilateral-investment-court-system;
2016/12/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas the European Parliament issued recommendations to the European Commission related to social and environmental standards, human rights and corporate responsibility in 2010; whereas a number of these recommendations have been implemented, while others have not;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A a (new)
-Aa. whereas the European Parliament’s 2010 recommendations which were not implemented notably included: - the consolidation of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) concept in the EU’s Common Commercial Policy (CCP), including elements that are binding on companies such as a requirement to publish CSR balance sheets and a requirement for undertakings to show due diligence; - the inclusion of CSR in all EU trade agreements and provisions for greater enforcement, notably the possibility to carry out investigations on alleged cases of breaches of CSR commitments and the establishments of EU contact points modelled on the OECD contact points; - the inclusion of comprehensive, legally binding and enforceable Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD)chapters in all EU trade agreements; - the reorientation of TSD chapters towards greater implementation, in particular through enhanced monitoring by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Social Partners, including complaint procedures directly accessible to Social Partners, appeal mechanisms to independent bodies to settle disputes and the recourse to trade agreements’ general dispute settlements on an equal footing with the others parts of the agreements, with provisions for fines or at least temporary suspension of trade benefits; - the launch of investigations under GSP+ if consistent evidence indicates that some countries are not implementing their commitments; - the inclusion in the GSP regulation of CSR conditionality; - active support by the European Commission to set up a Trade and Decent Work Committee at the WTO;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A b (new)
-Ab. whereas the European Parliament acts as a co-legislator with respect to measures defining the framework for implementing the Union’s CCP; whereas the consent of the European Parliament is required for the ratification of every trade agreement negotiated by the Union; the implementation of the European Parliament’s recommendations is therefore necessary to ensure the success of any initiative undertaken by the European Commission in the field of the CCP;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas EU trade policies couldthe EU has the ability to contribute positively to the harmonisation process in the direction of implementation and development of human rights (HR), social and environmental sustainabigreater respect for human rights (HR) and sustainable development globally through its trade politcy; whereas it must be ensured that trade and investment agreements not reduce their ability to meet their HR obligations, which must prevail over investors and profits interests; whereas there is public concern about the detrimental impact on the concrete enjoyment of HR and labour standards of non-tariff barrier reduction; whereas the new generation of trade agreements risks acting as a back-door deregulation instrumentthis requires proactive and resolute action on the part of the European Commission; whereas trade and investment agreements may also be detrimental to human rights and sustainable development, and should therefore be designed in such a way as to support rather than hinder social and environmental progress;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas reformed trade defence measures can also provide an incentive for the EU’s trading partners to engage in sustainable development; whereas, unlike international agreements, this strategy has the potential to yield results through unilateral EU actions; whereas the European Parliament adopted an amendment to article 7.2 of Regulation (EU) 1225/2009 on protection against dumped imports in order to exempt EU trade defence measures from the ‘Lesser Duty Rule’, in full compliance with WTO rules, where ‘the exporting country does not have a sufficient level of social and environmental standards’; whereas this reform has been blocked in the Council of the European Union since November 2014;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Recommends, therefore, that the EU’s trade strategy be a tool for the promotion of European values and interests in third countries; welcomes, therefore, the enhancementWelcomes the Commission's aim to enhance trade agreements and trade preferences effectiveness and emphasis on core values in its new 'Trade for All' strategy; reiterates the importance of trade agreements and trade preference programmes as levers to promote human rights, sustainable development, high safety and environmental standards, and economic opportunity for all;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 32 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Notes the Commission’s efforts to fulfil its commitment to including human rights for impact assessment studies of legislative and non-legislative proposals, implementing measures and trade agreements; furthermbut regrets the Commission's failure to carry out a human rights impact assessment for the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, and therefore, calls on the Commission to systematically carry out suchaddress this and henceforth ensure that human rights impact assessments andre carried out to improve their quality and comprehensiveness;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the EU has played a leading role in negotiating and implementing a number of global initiatives for global responsibility, in particular the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, the revised OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, the framework of the International Integrated Reporting Council, the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact, and the ISO 26000 guidance Standard on Social Responsibility;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas since 2010 the global context for trade and sustainable development has changed, as illustrated by the repercussions of the tragic events surrounding the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh in 2013, which led to greater public awareness on issues related to global supply chain responsibility as well as innovative solutions to tackle issues related to TSD, such as the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 44 #

2015/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls, furthermore, on the Commission to systematically monitor the implementation of the human rights clauses and to report regularly to Parliament on partner countries’ respect for human rights; insists the Commission acknowledges the importance and value of Domestic Advisory Groups and joint consultative committees;
2016/01/25
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas TSD chapters have displayed a decreasing level of ambition in successive EU trade agreements, from EU-Korea and EU-Colombia/Peru to EU- Canada and the Economic Partnership Agreements with regional groupings of African countries; whereas this trend is extremely alarming and must be reverted;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the draft French law on ‘due diligence’ advancing the UN Guiding Principles, the statement of President Juncker at the 2015 G7 Summit in favour of ‘urgent action’ to improve responsibility in global supply chains and the commitment of the current Dutch EU Presidency to seek Council Conclusions on global supply chains, all demonstrate the global responsibility for European business to promote and respect international standards;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas the European Commission’s 2015 ‘Trade for All’ strategy makes TSD a priority for the EU; whereas in order for this strategy to give proper impetus to the TSD agenda, the European Commission must now turn its much welcomed ambition into resolute and concrete actions;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 47 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas the ‘Realising Long-term Value for Companies and Investors project’ being undertaken by the UN Principles of Responsible Investment and the UN Global Compact demonstrate that economic recovery in Europe and the world is compatible with and mutually reinforcing to principles of social justice, environmental sustainability and respect for human rights;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 48 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Dd. whereas concerns about the implementation of TSD standards on the ground should not lead to a weakening of the EU’s ambitions; whereas incentives to comply with TSD requirements can only be effective if backed by deterrents;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 49 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D e (new)
De. whereas the implementation of the new EU General Scheme of Preferences’ special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance (‘GSP+’) has also proven to be disappointing, in particular due to the absence of a credible deterrent; whereas the European Commission is bound by the GSP regulation to seek information on compliance with international labour and Human Rights conventions from their relevant monitoring bodies, but should not however externalise decision- making functions;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 50 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D f (new)
Df. whereas in the case of international conventions on core labour rights referred to in Part A of Annex VIII of Regulation (EU) 978/2012 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences, several ILO bodies can be used by the European Commission as ‘relevant monitoring bodies’ in the sense, inter alia, of Articles 9 and 19 of the Regulation; whereas overreliance by the European Commission on annual reports of the International Labour Conference and the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards is detrimental to a credible and effective implementation of the EU GSP regulation, due to the heavily politicised nature of the content of these reports; whereas the ILO’s Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations is composed of 20 eminent jurists appointed by the ILO’s Governing Body and provides impartial and technical evaluation of the state of application of international labour standards;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 54 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. EncouReiteragtes its call to the Commission to bring strong pressure to bear with a view to a reform of WTO governance leading totake a leading role in the reform of WTO governance in particular with respect to achieving the following objectives:
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 55 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a
(a) effectivto strengthen the cooperation of the WTO with other UN agencies, and in particular with the High Commissioner for Human Rights and with the ILO such as the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the ILO, in particular in giving the ILO official observer status at the WTO and in involving the ILO and High Commissioner for Human Rights in all trade disputes related to breaches of international labour conventions,
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 59 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) ato reform of WTO trade policy review mechanisms to include the impact on the social, environmental and HR dimensions in the implementation of multilateral and plurilateral agreements and to promote sustainable development, in particular through the setting up of a Committee on Trade and Decent Work at the WTO alongside the existing Committee on Trade and Environment;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 64 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. In addition calls on the European Commission to actively promote further reforms of the WTO in order to define and enforce multilateral rules for the sustainable management of global supply chains in a responsible way, which should in particular include: - mandatory supply chain due diligence and transparency requirements, building from the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human rights; - minimum health and safety standards, recognising in particular workers’ right to safety committees; - a social protection floor, including minimum living wages; - the right to collective bargaining;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 65 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Welcomes in this context the initiative launched by the G20 leaders on Global Value Chains (GVC), with support from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Bank Group (WBG); takes note of the G20’s priority to make GVCs ‘more inclusive’; endorses the OECD, WTO, and WBG’s findings that participation in GVCs does not automatically lead to sustainable development, and that ‘strong social, environmental, and governance frameworks and policies are important to maximising the positive impact of GVC activities and minimising risks in all countries’, as contained in the report prepared for the 2014 meeting of G20 Trade Ministers; strongly supports the OECD, WTO and WBG’s call for countries participating in GVCs to ‘observe international core labour standards, including establishment and enforcement of occupational health, safety, and environmental standards and related capacity-building for compliance’; calls on the European Commission and EU countries participating in the G20 to support this initiative, and to promote balanced and comprehensive policy recommendations including a strong sustainable development dimension on GVCs at the July 2016 meeting of G20 Trade Ministers in Shanghai;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 74 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to make full use of the provisions of Regulation (EU) 978/2012 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences, with view to limit the scope for arbitrary decisions and enhance the credibility of GSP+ in adopting a delegated act to clarify the definitions of a ‘serious failure to effectively implement’ an international conventions and ‘serious and systematic violation of principles’ contained in an international convention;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 75 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes the Commission’s efforts to support the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the revised OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the ILO tripartite Declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, the framework of the International Integrated Reporting Council, the UN Global Compact and the ISO 26000 Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility and, at the same time to encourage, assist and monitor how all trading partners comply with these international principles;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 76 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. In addition, calls on the European Commission to propose a revision of regulation (EU) 978/2012 in order to enhance the monitoring of the commitments undertaken by beneficiary countries; Social Partners should be given a formal role in GSP and GSP+ monitoring, and have the ability to directly lodge a complaint with the Commission in cases of non-compliance;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 77 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Welcomes the study on dealing with gross corporate violations of human rights through judicial remedy which was conducted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and reiterates its call on the EU and its Member States to engage constructively in the UN Working Group for a treaty process on business and human rights;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 78 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Ahead of these legislative changes, calls on the Commission to diversify its sources of expertise and to seek the views of all relevant monitoring bodies in order to properly assess compliance with the international conventions referred to in the GSP Regulation; in particular, calls on the Commission to depart from its overreliance on the ILO’s Conference Committee on the Application of Standards and to take into account the views expressed by the ILO’s Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions, with respect to both granting and suspending trade preferences in accordance with the GSP Regulation;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 88 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the Commission and Council’s efforts to insert legally binding HR clauses into all the free trade agreements (FTAs) in accordance with the common approach; regrets that HR clauses arhave not been included in treaties such as thosehe agreement with Korea, Vietnam and Canada (CETA) or in the TTIP and Vietnam negotiations; calls for the inclusion of legally binding HR clauses in the future agreement with the USA (TTIP);
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 89 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that the European Union’s ‘Trade for All’ strategy commits the European Union to ‘reinforcing corporate social responsibility initiatives’ and underlines that this must mean new action at the EU level including the agreement of a new EU CSR Action Plan up to 2020;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 95 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – introductory part
5. Remains concerned about the too limited effects of traditional HR clauses in ensuring that the EU fulfils its HR obligations and commitments; calls on the Commission and the Council to comprehensively rethink the protection and guarantees offered to HR in FTAs and IPAframework agreements and to propose a new model for a set of binding HR clauses, in particular through:
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 111 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Recalls that there is a continuing failure for the EU to address the justice gap in relation to the provisions of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights on ‘access to remedy’ in extreme cases where there is a mass loss of life by workers such as the Bhopal tragedy; calls for provisions to be brought forward to enable jurisdiction by European Courts in such cases where there is insufficient remedy available in third countries concerned;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 114 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. Firmly demands that all future EU trade agreements have sustainable chapters (TSD) withRecalls its 2010 request that each EU trade agreement, whether bilateral or multilateral, should include comprehensive, legally binding and enforceable TSD chapters, with the following features:
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 121 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point a a (new)
(aa) a complaint procedure directly accessible to Social Partners;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 126 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point b
(b) a general dispute settlement mechanism directly accessible to the social partners and civil society,recourse to trade agreements’ general dispute settlements on an equal footing with the others parts of the agreements;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 131 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point c
(c) more than a merely incentives-based approach: sanctions must cause an effective suspension of trade benefits in the form of countervailing duties. In addition to sanctions, a decision may require aneffective deterrents, in the form of monetary remedies or the suspension of trade benefits, possibly linked to action plans that could include legislative and/or regulatory reforms;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 134 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Take note of the criticisms often voiced by participants to Domestic Advisory groups set up by the EU under existing trade agreements that their deliberations have no practical impact; calls on the Commission to systematically respond in a concrete manner to concerns raised by EU DAGs and ensure appropriate follow up to initiatives proposed by EU SCOs and Social Partners in this framework;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 135 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Calls for TSD chapters in EU trade agreements to lay out basic logistical provisions to enable effective implementation, in particular resources and timetables, as these aspects have proven to be serious hurdles; recalls the importance of accompanying measures in this respect, such as technical assistance and cooperation programmes;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 136 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Regrets the many discrepancies displayed by TSD chapters in the various EU trade agreements; calls on the European Commission to uphold the highest level of consistency in all trade negotiations, in particular when dealing with developing countries; calls in this respect for a common approach to be defined and implemented for HR and Sustainable Development monitoring with respect to ACP countries, in the framework of the Economic Partnership Agreements;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 139 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets the lack of involvement of the EP in assessing the compliance of FTAparties to EU trade agreements with HR and TSD obligations, and; recalls its request to the European Commission to be granted observer status in EU trade negotiations; calls on the Council to consult Parliament on any decisions to revise or even suspend the application of an agreement if this is necessary;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 140 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Reiterates its call on the Commission, in particular its DG Trade, to move from a ‘passive’ to an ‘active’ approach to the OECD Guidelines, inter alia by applying to adhere to the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises, which includes the OECD Guidelines, ensuring the promotion of, and continuous support for, the OECD Guidelines by the EU’s Delegations in third countries, funding capacity-building initiatives in conjunction with businesses, trade unions and civil society in third countries in relation to the implementation of the Guidelines, ensuring that the Guidelines are specifically cited in all new agreements between the EU and third countries, including all trade and investment treaties; and to provide civil society groups with concrete support for raising ‘specific instances’ of alleged breaches, in cooperation with Member States;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 142 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the Commission’s decision to carry out ex ante and ex post sustainability impact assessments (SIAs) for all trade agreements in accordance with the integrated guidelines, while noting their limited capacity to influence the concrete outcomes of the FTAs and IPAs; calls on the European Commission to ensure proper involvement of SCOs and Social Partners in the development of SIAs; recalls the need for the timely publication of SIAs in order to enable the public and its elected representatives to properly assess any proposed agreement;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 152 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Recalls that the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning multinational enterprises and social policy, the ILO Decent Work Agenda and the labour elements of the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises, are core texts in relation to corporate social responsibility, and underlines that DG Trade of the European Commission must engage with the EU’s corporate social responsibility policy;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 159 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Invites the European Commission to apply the emerging results of the ‘Realising Long-term Value for Companies and Investors project’ being undertaken by the UN ¨Principles of Responsible Investment and the UN Global Compact, to its own European Fund for Strategic Investments, to its dialogue with investors when negotiating trade agreements and to support the concept of a ‘Sustainable Capital Markets Union’ through supporting sustainable trade;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 162 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Strongly welcomes the inclusion of human rights reporting by large business in the EU Non-financial Reporting Directive; calls on the EU Member States to transpose the Directive swiftly and effectively; draws attention to the UN Guiding Principles Reporting Framework, the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark and the objective of ‘integrated reporting’, and calls on all EU listed companies and their stakeholders to comply with the spirit of the Directive within EU and when trading outside of the EU;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 173 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Acknowledges the Commission’s efforts to negotiate a plurilateral agreement on green goods; calls on the Commission to focus on a diversifie (the Environmental Goods Agreement - EGA); regrets however the fact that product nomination in the framework of the EGA negotiations has been to date done on a case by case basis, with no clear quantitative or qualitative criteria to identify ‘green goods’; calls on the Commission to remedy this situation and promote a credible and strategy that can also addresnsparent methodology in the EGA negotiations; further calls on the Commission to take due account of factors influencing trade in green goods, such as anti-dumping policies in the renewable energy sector, intellectual property regimes, tight financing programmes and the lack of national environmental policies that create the demand for such goods;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 191 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in internationalResponsible global supply chains management in EU trade agreements.
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 206 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Believes it is crucial to ensure increased access to information on the conduct of enterprises; considers it fundamental to introduce a mandatory reporting system and due diligence for EU companies that outsource their production to third countriesrecalls its position from 2010 to request companies to publish their CSR balance sheets and all undertakings to show due diligence;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 210 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Also recalls that the European Parliament requested in 2010 the consolidation of the CSR concept, on the basis in particular of a harmonised definition of the relations between parents companies in order to establish the legal liability of each them; considers that the concept of voluntarily CSR is outdated and largely ineffective and should be made operational through a shift towards mandatory rules to ensure responsibility throughout global supply chains;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 219 #

2015/2038(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Stresses that the effective implementation of these recommendations constitutes a crucial element in the European Parliament’s assessment of trade agreements negotiated by the European Commission; requests a detailed and timely response from the European Commission to all the items raised in this resolution;
2016/03/15
Committee: INTA
Amendment 54 #

2015/0028(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – point 1
Regulation (EC) No 1007/2009
Article 3 – paragraph 5
5. If the number of seals hunted, the quantity of seal products being placed on the market pursuant to paragraph 1 or other circumstances are such as to indicate that a hunt is conducted primarily for commercial purposes, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 4 in order to limprohibit the quantityplacing on the market of products resulting from that hunt that may be placed on the market.
2015/04/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2015/0027(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Information which is by nature confidential or which is provided on a confidential basis shall be covered by the obligation of professional secrecy. It shall not be disclosed by the Commission or by the competent authorities of the Member States without the express permission of the person providing it.
2016/01/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2015/0027(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Persons may be authorised, in accordance with Article 7(b) and the procedure referred to in Article 8, to comply fully or partially to the extent that non-compliance would seriously damage their interests or those of the Union Where non-compliance would seriously damage the interests of persons referred to in Article 11 or those of the Union, the Commission shall adopt implementing acts authorising those persons to comply fully or partially with requirements, prohibitions or requests as referred to in the first paragraph of this Article. Those implementing acts shall be adopted by means of the examination procedure in accordance with Article 8(2). Whenre there is sufficient evidence that non-compliance would cause serious damage to a natural or legal person, the Commission shall expeditiously submit to the committee referred to in Article 8 (1) athe draft of the appropriate measures to be taken under the terms of this Regulimplementing act. When laying down the time limits with regard to the delivery by the Committee of its opinion, the Commission shall take fully into account the time limits which have to be complied with by the persons which are to be subject of an authorisation.
2016/01/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2015/0027(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) grant authorisation under the conditions referred to in Article 5 and, when laying down the time limits with regard to the delivery by the Committee of its opinion, take fully into account the time limits which have to be complied with by the persons which are to be subject of an authorisation;deleted
2016/01/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 6 #

2015/0027(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. For the purpose of implementing Article 7(b), tThe Commission shall be assisted by the Committee on Extra- territorial Legislation. Implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article. That Committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.
2016/01/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2015/0027(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 1 and in Article 5 shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of five years from 20 February 2014the date of entry into force of this Regulation. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the five-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period.
2016/01/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2014/2252(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Notes the referral of the EU- Singapore Free Trade Agreement to the Court of Justice for an opinion on the potential mixed character of the agreement and hopes that this opinion will be a way of progressing towards greater clarity regarding which features of EU trade negotiations touch on Member States' responsibility.
2015/05/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 72 #

2014/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Strongly encourages the EED to place a stronger emphasis on socially excluded groups by supporting, among others, women’s movements to further women's rights and women’stheir increased public participation, as well as grassroots movements and supporting LGBTI activists, persecuted religious minorities and religious groups, grassroots movements, bloggers and new media activists;
2015/04/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 77 #

2014/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the EED to develop better cooperation with and open its grants to religious communities, including persecuted religious minorities; recalls the fact that the church has played a crucial role in opposing communist regimes and in the democratic transformation processes in Central and Eastern Europe;deleted
2015/04/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2014/2231(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Calls on the EED to continue to develop new innovative means for democracy assistance in order to adjust to the growing climate of restriction in a number of countries with authoritarian regimes, with particular regard to new media and grassroots initiatives in these countries;
2015/04/16
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2014/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas an ambitious and balanced agreement with the US may support the reindustrialisation of Europe and help achieve the 2020 target for an increase of the EU's GDP generated by industry from 15 % to 20 %; whereas it has the potential to create opportunities especially for SMEs, micro enterprises, according to the definition of Recommendation COM 2003/361/CE, clusters and enterprises networks which suffer more from non- tariff barriers (NTBs) than larger companies; whereas an agreement between the two biggest economic blocs in the world has the potential to create standards, norms and rules which will be adopted at a global level, which would serve to the advantage of third countries as well;
2015/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 112 #

2014/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas many economic impact studies on TTIP should be taken with caution as they are built on computable general equilibrium economic models with very optimistic predictions about the capacity of the EU and the US to reduce regulatory barriers to trade; whereas the TTIP alone will not resolve economic problems in the EU and no false hopes and expectations should be raised in that respectthe real impact of TTIP on both EU and US economies is difficult to assess and hard to predict while negotiations are still ongoing; whereas there are contradictory economic impact studies on TTIP and they should be taken with caution as regards the capacity of the EU and the US to reduce regulatory barriers, unnecessary or unjustified, to trade and to support economic growth and job creation; whereas the TTIP alone will not resolve economic problems in the EU and no false hopes and expectations should be raised in that respect; whereas hopes and expectations on TTIP should be commensurate to the level of ambition that will be reached sector by sector in the negotiation;
2015/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 243 #

2014/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) to ensure that TTIP negotiations lead to a deep, comprehensive, ambitious, balanced and high-standard trade and investment agreement that would promote sustainable growth with shared benefits across EU Member States, support the creation of high-quality jobs for European workers, directly benefit European consumers by ensuring a high level of existing and future labour, social and environmental standards, fight tax evasion, tax avoidance and tax havens, increase international competitiveness, and open up new opportunities for EU companies, in particular SMEsmicro and SMEs, and contribute to attracting more foreign investments in the EU; the content of the agreement is more important than the speed of the negotiations, which should in any case take into account the developments in the global international arena;
2015/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 260 #

2014/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
(ii) to emphasise that while the TTIP negotiations consist of negotiations on three main areas – ambitiously improving reciprocal market access (for goods, services, investment and public procurement at all levels of government), reducing NTBs and enhancing the compatibility of regulatory regimes, and developing common rules to address shared global trade challenges and opportunities – all these areas are equally important to be included in a comprehensive package; TTIP should be ambitious and binding on all levels of government on both sides of the Atlantic, the agreement should lead to lasting, fair, genuine market openness on a reciprocal basis and trade facilitation on the ground, and should pay particular attention to structural means of achieving greater transatlantic cooperation while upholding regulatory standards and preventing social and environmental dumping, including through a structured system of pre and post impact assessment and evaluation procedures, including a precise gender assessment;
2015/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 307 #

2014/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point i
(i) to ensure that the market access offers in the different areas are equally ambitious and reflect both parties' expectations, as market access for industrial goods, raw materials, energy, agricultural products, services and public procurement is equally important in all cases and a balance is needed between the different proposals for these areas;
2015/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 397 #

2014/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point vi
(vi) to ensure an adequate carve-out of sexplicit exclusion of public services from the scope of application of TTIP as referred to in article 14 TFEU, through the introduction of an extensitive services such as public services and public utiliticarve-out in the core text of the agreement of all public services, current and future, covering all non-economic Services of General Interest as well as Services of General Economic Interest (including water, healthbut not limited to water, health, social services, social security systems and education) allowing, to ensure that national and local authorities enough room for manoeuvre to legislate in retain the full ability to introduce, adopt, maintain or repeal any measures with regards to the commissioning, organisation, funding and provision of public services as provided in article 106 TFEU and Protocol 26 TFEU; this exclusion should apply whether the services in question are organised as a monopoly, operating under exclusive rights or otherwise, and whether public interest; aly and privately funded and/or organised; notes the joint declaration reflecting negotiators' clear commitment to exclude these sectors from the negotiations would be very helpful in this regard; ;
2015/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 453 #

2014/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point viii a (new)
(viiia) to aim at the mutual recognition of professional qualifications in order to enable EU and US professionals to practice on either side of the Atlantic and to facilitate mobility of investors, professionals, high-skilled workers and technicians between the EU and the US in sectors covered by TTIP;
2015/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 472 #

2014/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point x
(x) to keep in mind that, as specified in the mandate, the agreement shouldall not riskcontain any provisions that prejudicinge the Union's cultural and linguistic diversity, including in; to therefore ensure that the audiovisual and cultural services sector, and thats well as existing and future provisions and policies in support of the cultural sector, in particular in the digital world, are kept out of the scope of the negotiations in accordance with the principle of technological neutrality, are kept out of the scope of the negotiations; to exclude subsidies or government support to audiovisual, educational and cultural services and its industries, including "digital products", from any commitments taken in chapters related to telecommunication, investment or e- commerce;
2015/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 489 #

2014/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xi
(xi) to ensurake an ambitious approach to the tchat account is taken of the discrepancies in thepter on public procurement, with a view to remedying, in line with the principle of reciprocity, the major disparity currently existing in the degree of openness of the two public procurement markets on both sides of the Atlantic andand to significantly opening up the US market, still ruled under the Buy American Act of 1933 on the basis of the international undertakings entered into under the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) and of the removal of the restrictions currently applying at federal, state and administrative level alike in the United States; emphasises, in particular, the need to guarantee that undertakings entered into by the US federal authorities will be honoured at all political and administrative levels; to ensure that account is taken of the huge interest on the part of European companies in obtaining, notably SMEs, in obtaining non- discriminatory access to public contracts in the US both at federal and state level, for example for construction services, traffic infrastructure and goods and services while respecting sustainability criteria for procurement on both sides, inter alia; to ensure the compliance of the chapter with the new EU public procurement and concession package entering into force in 2016directives, notably as regards the definition of public-cooperation, exclusions, SMEs access and the use of the MEAT criteria;
2015/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 593 #

2014/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point iii
(iii) with regard to the horizontal regulatory cooperation chapter, to give priority to fostering bilateral cooperation between regulatory bodies through enhanced information exchange and to promote the adoption, strengthening and timely implementation of international instruments, on the basis of successful international experiences such as, for instance, ISO standards or under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe's (UNECE) World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29); to establish that the prior impact assessment for the regulatory act, as defined in the horizontal provisions on regulatory cooperation, should also measure and prioritise the impact on consumers and, the environment next toand gender relations over its impact on trade and investment; to handle the possibility of promoting regulatory compatibility with great care and only without compromising legitimate regulatory and policy objectives;
2015/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 610 #

2014/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point v
(v) to fully respect the established regulatory systems on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as the European Parliament's role within the EU's decision-making process and its democratic scrutiny over EU regulatory processes when creating the framework for future cooperation while at the same time being vigilant about a balanced involvement of stakeholders within the consultations included in the development of a regulatory proposal; in order to avoid that neither Party exercise any veto power before any regulatory proposal has been officially tabled by the other Party; to specify the role, the composition and the legal quality of the Regulatory Cooperation Council, taking into consideration that any direct and compulsory application of its recommendations would imply a breach of the law-making procedures laid down in the Treaties; to also oversee that it fully preserve the capacity of national, regional and local authorities to legislate their own policies, in particular social and environmental policies;
2015/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 745 #

2014/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xiii
(xiii) to ensure that investment protection provisions are limited to post- establishment provisions and focus on non- discrimination and fair and equitable treatment; standards of protection and definitions of investor and investment should be drawn up in a precise manner; stresses that substantive provisions shall, inter alia, protect the right to regulate in the public interest, clarify the meaning of indirect expropriation and prevent unfounded or frivolous claims; free transfer of capital should be in line with the EU treaty provisions and should include a prudential carve-out in the case of financial crises;
2015/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 797 #

2014/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xv
(xv) to ensure that TTIP includes an ambitious Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) chapter that includes strong protection of precisely and clearly defined areas of IPR, including enhanced protection and recognition of European Geographical Indications (GIs), and reflects a fair and efficient level of protection such as laid out in the EU's and the US's free trade agreement provisions in this area,; to ensure a fair balance between IPRs and the public interest, in particular the need to preserve access to affordable medicines while continuing to confirmsupport the existing flexibilities in the Agreement on Trade- Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), notably in the area of public health;
2015/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 860 #

2014/2228(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e – point iv a (new)
(iva) to fully involve National Parliaments and keep them regularly informed on the negotiations, especially since, given the scope of the ambition for the agreement, it is likely TTIP will be considered a 'mixed- type' agreement and thus require a ratification process in EU Member States including, in some cases, at the regional level;
2015/03/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2014/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13
– having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 980/2005 of 27 June 2005 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences (GSP Regulation)5 , __________________ 5deleted OJ L 169, 30.6.2005, p. 1.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 94 #

2014/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Takes the view that the criteria to be applied for the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) programme should include the ratification and implementation of the WIPO Trademark Law Treaty, the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement, the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration, and other IPR-related international agreements;deleted
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 100 #

2014/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes the work done by the Commission in supporting developing countries wishing to improve their IPR systems, and calls on the Commission to continue and step up these efforts by providing continued appropriate technical assistance in the form of awareness-raising programmes, legislative assistance and training of officials, with consideration given to the levels of development in each country;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 102 #

2014/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Agrees with the call for a broad response to the complex and multifaceted problem of access to medicines while underlining the importance of a patient- focused approach to IPR in the pharmaceutical sector;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 117 #

2014/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Calls on the Commission and Member States to continue efforts to ensure border measures intended to block the importation of counterfeit medicines do not negatively affect the transit of generic drugs;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 119 #

2014/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Takes the viewStresses that companies should be encouraged to collaborate in a better way in their competitive environment and to work together with public authorities; calls on the Commission to consider supporting innovative mechanisms such as patent pools to stimulate research while ensuring generic production;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 122 #

2014/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Insists data exclusivity provisions on pharmaceutical test data is not included in bilateral free trade agreements, in particular in agreements with developing and emerging economies;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 143 #

2014/2206(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. Considers that in negotiations for bilateral free trade agreements priority should be given toshould include chapters on intellectual property, and that the negotiating parties should recognise that the right to conduct a business should take into account respect for IPR;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2014/2040(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recalls that Parliament introduced an additional credit of €1 million in 2009 specifically for actions related to Fair Trade in the budgetary line aimed at financing projects in the area of external trade and calls on the Commission to consider re-introducing this budget line in 2015 to finance actions related to Fair Trade, as defined by the Commission Communication of 5 May 2009*; ________________ (COM(2009) 215 final)
2014/07/29
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2014/0090(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) In order to prevent any risk of fraud, the entitlement to benefit from autonomous trade preferences should be conditional on the compliance by Ukraine with the relevant rules of origin of products and the procedures related thereto as well as involvement in effective administrative cooperation with the Union. Moreover, Ukraine should abstain from introducing new duties or charges having equivalent effect or new quantitative restrictions or measures having equivalent effect or from increasing existing levels of duties or charges or from introducing any other restrictions. A serious deterioration in respect for the fundamental principles of democracy and human rights in Ukraine, including core labour rights, should constitute reasons for a temporary suspension of the preferences. In the event of failure to comply with any of these conditions the Commission should be empowered to suspend temporarily all or part of the preferences.
2014/03/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2014/0090(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Without prejudice to the conditions set out in paragraph 1, entitlement to benefit from the preferential arrangements introduced by Article 1 is subject to respect for human rights, including core labour rights, and the fundamental principles of democracy by Ukraine. If Ukraine adopts measures restricting human rights and workers' rights, the Commission shall immediately propose to repeal this Regulation.
2014/03/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Title
Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL setting up a Union system for supply chain due diligence self-certification of responsible importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and goldfor natural resources originating in conflict-affected and high- risk areas
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) Natural mineral resources in conflict- affected or high risk areas − although holding great potential for development – can be a cause of dispute where their revenues are fuelling the outbreak or continuation of violent conflict, undermining national endeavours towards development, good governance and the rule of law. Women and children are disproportionately affected by these conflicts, and are the victims of systematic physical and sexual violence, recognised as an international war crime and used as a weapon of war by armed groups. In these areas, breaking the nexus between conflict and illegal exploitation of mineralnatural resources is critical to peace and stability.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 38 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) Human rights abuses are common within the extractive industry and include child labour, sexual violence, the disappearance of people, violation of the right to a clean environment, loss of land and livelihoods without negotiation and without adequate compensation, forced resettlement and the destruction of ritually or culturally significant sites.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 41 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 b (new)
(1b) Disputes over oil, gas, minerals, timber and other natural resources rank second as a source of conflicts worldwide; competition over resources, such as land and water, is on the rise, and exacerbating existing conflicts or triggering new ones; the mismanagement of land and natural resources is compounded by environmental degradation, population growth and climate change.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 44 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) The issue concerns resource-rich regions where the challenge posed by the desire to minimise the financing of armed groups and security forces has been taken up by governments and international organisations together with business operators and civil society organisations, including women's organisations that are at the forefront of drawing attention to the exploitative conditions imposed by these groups as well as to rape and violence used to control local populations.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 49 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) The Union has been actively engaged in an Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD) initiative to advance the responsible sourcing of minerals from conflict regions, which has resulted in a government-backed multi-stakeholder process leading to the adoption of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (OECD Due Diligence Guidance5 ) including supplements on tin, tantalum and tungsten, and on gold. In May 2011, the OECD Ministerial Council recommended to actively promote the observance of this Guidance. __________________ 5 OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas: Second Edition, OECD Publishing (OECD (2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264185050- en.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 54 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) The Commission in its 2008 Communication8 recognised that securing reliable and undistorted access to raw materials is an important factor for the EU's competitiveness. The Raw Materials Initiative (RMI) is an integrated strategy aimed at responding to different challenges related to access to non-energy non-agriculture raw materials. The RMI recognises and promotes financial as well as supply chain transparency, and the application of corporate social responsibility standards. __________________ 8The Raw Materials Initiative – meeting our critical needs for growth and jobs in Europe, COM(2008) 699.deleted
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 59 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) On 26 February 2014, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on promoting development through responsible business practices, including the role of extractive industries in developing countries, in which the Commission is requested to bring forward binding legislation on conflict minerals.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 60 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) Natural mineral resources in conflict- affected or high risk areas − although holding great potential for development – can be a cause of dispute where their revenues are fuelling the outbreak or continuation of violent conflict, undermining national endeavours towards development, good governance and the rule of law. In these areas, breaking the nexus between conflict and illegal exploitation of mineralnatural resources is critical to peace and stability.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 63 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) Disputes over oil, gas, minerals, timber and other natural resources rank second as a source of conflicts worldwide; competition over resources, such as land and water, is on the rise, and exacerbating existing conflicts or triggering new ones; the mismanagement of land and natural resources is compounded by environmental degradation, population growth and climate change.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) Union citizens and civil society actors have raised awareness with respect to companies operating under the Union's jurisdiction for not being held accountable for their potential connection to the illicit extraction and trade of mineralnatural resources from conflict regions. The consequence is that such mineralnatural resources, potentially present in consumer products, link consumers to conflicts outside the Union. As such, consumers are indirectly linked to conflicts that have severe impacts on human rights, notably the rights of women as armed groups often use mass rape as a deliberate strategy to intimidate and control local populations in order to protect their interests. To this end, citizens have requested, notably through petitions, that legislation be proposed to the European Parliament and the Council holding companies accountable under the Guidelines as established by the UN and OECD.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 67 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 b (new)
(1b) Human rights abuses are common within the extractive industry and include child labour, sexual violence, the disappearance of people, violation of the right to a clean environment, loss of land and livelihoods without negotiation and without adequate compensation, forced resettlement and the destruction of ritually or culturally significant sites.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 70 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) In the context of this Regulation, and in line with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, supply chain due diligence is an on-going, proactive and reactive process through which business operators monitor and administer their purchases and sales with a view to ensuring that they respect human rights and do not contribute to conflict and adverse impacts thereof.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 73 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) Consistently with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, companies should take reasonable steps and make good faith efforts to conduct due diligence to identify and prevent or mitigate any risks of adverse impacts associated with the conditions of access to natural resources and the relationship of suppliers operating in conflict-affected or high-risk areas.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 76 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) The Union has been actively engaged in an Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD) initiative to advance the responsible sourcing of minerals from conflict regions, which has resulted in a government-backed multi-stakeholder process leading to the adoption of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (OECD Due Diligence Guidance5 ) including supplements on tin, tantalum and tungsten, and on gold. In May 2011, the OECD Ministerial Council recommended to actively promote the observance of this Guidance. __________________ 5 OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas: Second Edition, OECD Publishing (OECD (2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264185050- en.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 78 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) The Commission in its 2008 Communication8 recognised that securing reliable and undistorted access to raw materials is an important factor for the EU’s competitiveness. The Raw Materials Initiative (RMI) is an integrated strategy aimed at responding to different challenges related to access to non-energy non-agriculture raw materials. The RMI recognises and promotes financial as well as supply chain transparency, and the application of corporate social responsibility standards. __________________ 8The Raw Materials Initiative – meeting our critical needs for growth and jobs in Europe, COM(2008) 699.deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 79 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) Third-party auditing of a company's supply chain due diligence practices ensures credibility for the benefit of downstream companies and contributes to the improvement of the upstream due diligence practices.deleted
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 81 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) On 26 February 2014, the European Parliament adopted a resolution1 on promoting development through responsible business practices, including the role of extractive industries in developing countries, in which the European Commission is requested to bring forward binding legislation on conflict minerals; __________________ 1EP 2013/2126(INI)
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 83 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) Union citizens and civil society actors have raised awareness with respect to companies operating under the Union’s jurisdiction for not being held accountable for their potential connection to the illicit extraction and trade of mineralnatural resources from conflict regions. The consequence is that such mineralnatural resources, potentially present in consumer products, link consumers to conflicts outside the Union. To this end, citizens have requested, notably through petitions, that legislation be proposed to the European Parliament and the Council holding companies accountable under the Guidelines as established by the UN and OECD.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 85 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) In the context of this Regulation, and in line with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, supply chain due diligence is an on-going, proactive and reactive process through which business operators monitor and administer their purchases and sales with a view to ensuring that they respect human rights and do not contribute to conflict and adverse impacts thereof.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 87 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) The Regulation reflects the need for due diligence along the entire supply chain from the sourcing site to the final product, by requiring all companies who first place covered resources — including products that contain those resources — on the European market to conduct and publicly report on their supply chain due diligence. In line with the nature of due diligence, the individual due diligence obligations contained in this Regulation reflect the progressive and flexible nature of due diligence processes, and the need for obligations that are appropriately tailored to enterprises’ individual circumstances. Obligations are tailored to a company’s size, leverage, and position in its supply chain. Certain companies are recognised to have great influence over the due diligence that is conducted along the supply chain in the sourcing countries, due to their position in the supply chain. These actors, commonly referred to as choke points, are subject to more extensive obligations than other enterprises. Due diligence obligations duly reflect these differences. Downstream companies are required to make reasonable and good faith efforts to identify the relevant choke points in their supply chains, and do their best to assess the due diligence of these companies, for instance on the basis of the audited reports of said actors.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 89 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 b (new)
(9b) Consistently with OECD Guidance, companies should take reasonable steps and make good faith efforts to conduct due diligence to identify and prevent or mitigate any risks of adverse impacts associated with the conditions of access to natural resources and the relationship of suppliers operating in conflict-affected or high-risk areas.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 90 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) Union companies have expressed their interest through the public consultation in the responsible sourcing of minerals and reported on current industry schemes designed to pursue their corporate social responsibility objectives, customer requests, or the security of their supplies. However, Union companies have also reported countless difficulties in the exercise of supply chain due diligence because of lengthy and complex global supply chains involving a high number of operators that are often insufficiently awaConsistent with the OECD Guidance it is recognized that due diligence in conflict- affected and high-risk areas presents practical challenges and that flexibility is there for ethically unconcerned. The cost of responsible sourcing and their potential impact on competitiveness notably on SMEs should be monitored by the Commission. e needed in the application thereof. The nature and extent of due diligence that is appropriate for an enterprises' individual circumstances depend on a number of factors, including its size and position in the supply chain, fully taking account of the challenges faced by micro-small and middle size enterprises.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 91 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) Third-party auditing of a company’s supply chain due diligence practices ensures credibility for the benefit of downstream companies and contributes to the improvement of the upstream due diligence practices.deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 93 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) Union companies have expressed their interest through the public consultation in the responsible sourcing of minerals and reported on current industry schemes designed to pursue their corporate social responsibility objectives, customer requests, or the security of their supplies. However, Union companies have also reported countless difficulties in the exercise of supply chain due diligence because of lengthy and complex global supply chains involving a high number of operators that are often insufficiently awaConsistent with the OECD Guidance it is recognized that due diligence in conflict- affected and high-risk areas presents practical challenges and that flexibility is there for ethically unconcerned. The cost of responsible sourcing and their potential impact on competitiveness notably on SMEs should be monitored by the Commissione needed in the application thereof. The nature and extent of due diligence that is appropriate for an enterprises’ individual circumstances depend on a number of factors, including its size and position in the supply chain, fully taking account of the challenges faced by SMEs.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 95 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
(13) Smelters and refiners are an importantrecognised choke points in global mineral supply chains as they are typically the last stage in which due diligence can effectively be assured by collecting, disclosing and verifying information on the mineral’s origin and chain of custody. After this stage of transformation it is often considered unfeasible to trace back the origins of minerals. A Union list of responsible smelters and refiners could therefore provide transparency and certainty to downstream companies as regards supply chain due diligence practicestheir respective supply chains with substantial influence over the due diligence that is conducted along the supply chain in the sourcing countries. A Union list of responsible choke-point actors could therefore provide transparency and certainty to companies in the downstream with a view to carrying out supply chain due diligence practices. Consistently with OECD Guidance, choke-point actors should undergo independent third-party audit of their supply chain due diligence practices, also with a view to being included in the list of responsible actors. Choke point actors based outside the European Union should also have a possibility for being included in the list to ensure its global scope.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 99 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) The Member State competent authorities are responsible to ensure the uniform compliance ofwith the self- certification of responsible importers by carrying out appropriate ex-post checks so as to verify whether the self-certified responsible importers of the minerals and/or metals within the scope of the Regulation comply with the supply chain due diligence obligationobligation of operators to carry out due diligence by carrying out appropriate ex-post checks. Records of such checks should be kept for at least 5 years. Member States are responsible to lay down the rules applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Regulation.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 100 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
(13) Smelters and refiners are an importantrecognised choke points in global mineral supply chains as they are typically the last stage in which due diligence can effectively be assured by collecting, disclosing and verifying information on the mineral's origin and chain of custody. After this stage of transformation it is often considered unfeasible to trace back the origins of minerals. A Union list of responsible smelters and refiners could therefore provide transparency and certainty to downstream companies as regards supply chain due diligence practices. their respective supply chains with substantial influence over the due diligence that is conducted along the supply chain in the sourcing countries. A Union list of responsible choke-point actors could therefore provide transparency and certainty to companies in the downstream with a view to carrying out supply chain due diligence practices. Consistently with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, choke-point actors should undergo independent third-party audit of their supply chain due diligence practices, also with a view to being included in the list of responsible actors. Choke point actors based outside the European Union should also have a possibility for being included in the list to ensure its global scope.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 102 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) With a view to enhancing the effective implementation of this regulation, and addressing development needs directly linked to the exploitation of natural resources originating in conflict- affected and high-risk areas, accompanying measures will be implemented. The European Commission and the European External Action Service will apply and further develop an integrated EU approach to responsible sourcing as initiated in the Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council "Responsible sourcing of minerals originating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. Towards an integrated EU approach" (JOIN (2014) 8). In particular, the promotion of responsible sourcing of natural resources originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas and the establishment of national and international due diligence frameworks for responsible sourcing will be integrated into internal and external policies and in particular into political and policy dialogues with partner countries, local authorities and private stakeholders. Particular attention will be given to addressing the contribution and challenges of the artisanal and informal mining sector for local livelihoods and sustainable development.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) In order to ensure the proper implementation ofamend Annex I and Annex II to this Rregulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. The implementing powers relating to the list of responsible smelters and refiners and the list of Member State competent authorities should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/201111 . __________________ 11 Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13)the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU, following the provisions lined out in this regulation.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 107 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) The Commission should report regularly to the Council and the European Parliament on the effects of the scheme. No later than three years after entering into force and every six years thereafter, the Commission should review the functioning and the effectiveness of this Regulation, including as regards the promotion of responsible sourcing of the minerals within its scope from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. The reports may be accompanied, if necessary, by appropriate legislative proposals, which may include mandatory measures,
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 111 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) The Member State competent authorities are responsible to ensure the uniform compliance ofwith the self- certification of responsible importers by carrying out appropriate ex-post checks so as to verify whether the self-certified responsible importers of the minerals and/or metals within the scope of the Regulation comply with the supply chain due diligence obligationobligation of operators to carry out due diligence by carrying out appropriate ex-post checks. Records of such checks should be kept for at least 5 years. Member States are responsible to lay down the rules applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Regulation.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 115 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation sets up a Union system for supply chain due diligence self- certification in order to curtail opportunities for armed groups and security forces12 to trade in tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold. It is designed to provide transparency and certainty as regards the supply practices of importers, smelters and refineoperators sourcing from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. __________________ 12‘Armed groups and security forces’ as defined in Annex II of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict- Affected and High-Risk Areas: Second Edition, OECD Publishing (OECD (2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264185050- en.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 116 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) With a view to enhancing the effective implementation of this regulation, and addressing development needs directly linked to the exploitation of natural resources originating in conflict- affected and high-risk areas, accompanying measures will be implemented. The European Commission and the European External Action Service will apply and further develop an integrated EU approach to responsible sourcing as initiated in the Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council "Responsible sourcing of minerals originating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. Towards an integrated EU approach" (JOIN (2014) 8). In particular, the promotion of responsible sourcing of natural resources originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas and the establishment of national and international due diligence frameworks for responsible sourcing will be integrated into internal and external policies and in particular into political and policy dialogues with partner countries, local authorities and private stakeholders. Particular attention will be given to addressing the contribution and challenges of the artisanal and informal mining sector for local livelihoods and sustainable development.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 118 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point a (new)
(a) Increase certainty and transparency as regards the supply practices of companies sourcing from conflict-affected and high- risk areas,
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 120 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b (new)
(b) Curtail opportunities for the sourcing, transport and trade of natural resources to fund conflict and/or fuel human rights violations or abuses,
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 120 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) In order to ensure the proper implementationxpand the natural resources scope of this Rregulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. The implementing powers relating to the list of responsible smelters and refiners and the list of Member State competent authorities should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/201111 . __________________ 11 Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13)the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU, following the provisions lined out in this regulation.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 122 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point c (new)
(c) Help companies respect human rights and avoid contributing to conflict through their activities and sourcing decisions.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) ‘OECD Due Diligence Guidance’ means the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas: Second Edition, OECD Publishing (OECD (2013)) including all Council Recommendations, Annexes and Supplements, as may be amended or replaced periodically.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 128 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) The Commission should report regularly to the Council and the European Parliament on the effects of the scheme. No later than three years after entering into force and every six years thereafter, the Commission should review the functioning and the effectiveness of this Regulation, including as regards the promotion of responsible sourcing of the minerals within its scope from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. The reports may be accompanied, if necessary, by appropriate legislative proposals, which may include mandatory measures,
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 130 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
(a b) ‘covered resources’ means all minerals and metals as set out in Annex I, as may be amended periodically in accordance with this Regulation;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 132 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a c (new)
(a c) ‘covered products’ means all covered resources and products comprising or containing covered resources;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 134 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a d (new)
(a d) ‘recycled resources’ means reclaimed end-user or post-consumer products, or scrap processed resources created during product manufacturing, including excess, obsolete, defective, and scrap materials which contain refined or processed resources that are appropriate to recycle in the production of any material. Minerals partially processed, unprocessed or a bi-product from another ore are not recycled resources.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 136 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation sets up a Union system for supply chain due diligence self- certification in order to curtail opportunities for armed groups and security fothe sourcing, transport and trade of natural resources12 to trade in tin, tantalfund conflict and/or fuel hum and tungsten, their ores, and gold. It is designed to provide transparency and certaint rights violations or abuses. It is designed to increase certainty and transparency as regards the supply practices of importers, smelters and refinercompanies sourcing from conflict-affected and high- risk areas. __________________ 12'Armed groups and security forces' as defined in Annex II of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict- Affected and High-Risk Areas: Second Edition, OECD Publishing (OECD (2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264185050- en, and help them respect human rights and avoid contributing to conflict through their activities and sourcing decisions.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 137 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a e (new)
(a e) ‘operator’ means any natural or legal person that places any covered product on the market for the first time;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 139 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a f (new)
(a f) ‘placing on the market’ means the supply by any means, irrespective of the selling technique used, of products for the first time on the internal market for distribution or use in the course of commercial activity whether in return for payment or free of charge, including the supply by means of distance communication as defined in Directive 97/7/EC1. ‘Placing on the market’ also includes the supply on the internal market of products derived from covered products already placed on the internal market. __________________ 1 Directive 97/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 1997 on the protection of consumers in respect of distance contracts.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 145 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) ‘supply chain due diligence’ refers to the obligations of operators in relation to their management systems, risk management, third-party audits and disclosure of information with a view to identifying, addressing and publicly reporting on actual and potential risks linked to conflict-affected and high-risk areas to prevent or mitigate adverse impacts associated with their sourcing activities;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
(c b) ‘model supply chain policy’ means the model supply chain policy in Annex II of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. This Regulation lays down the supply chain due diligence obligations of Union importers who choose to be self-certified as responsible importers of minerals or metals containing or consisting of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold, as set out in Annex I.deleted
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 149 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) ‘chain of custody or supply chain traceability system’ means a system to identify and record of the sequence of entities which have custody of minerals and metalresources as they move through athe supply chain;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 151 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(d a) ‘risk management plan’ means an operator’s written responses to the supply chain risks identified under Article 5 in accordance with its supply chain policy;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 153 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) ‘conflict-affected and high-risk areas’ means areas in a state of armed conflict, fragile post-conflict as well as areas witnessing weak or non-existent governance and security, such as failed states, and widespread and systematic violations of international law, including human rights abusesdentified by the presence of armed conflict, widespread violence or other risks of harm to people and, for these purposes, it is recognized that: (i) armed conflict may take a variety of forms, such as a conflict of international or non-international character, which may involve two or more states, or may consist of wars of liberation, or insurgencies, civil wars, etc.; and (ii) high-risk areas may include areas of political instability or repression, institutional weakness, insecurity, collapse of civil infrastructure and widespread violence, both of which areas are often characterized by widespread human rights abuses and violations of national or international law;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 156 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) ‘downstream’ means the metal supply chain from the smelters or refiners to the end use;deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 156 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) 'minerals' means ores and concentrates containing tin, tantalum and tungsten, and gold as set out in the Annex Icovered resources' means all natural resources as set out in Annex I, as may be amended or replaced from time to time in accordance with this Regulation;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 158 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) ‘importer’ means any natural or legal person declaring minerals or metals within the scope of this Regulation for release for free circulation within the meaning of Article 79 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/199213 ; __________________ 13Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 of 12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs Code (OJ L 302, 19.10.1992, p. 1).deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 160 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) ‘responsible importer’ means any importer who chooses to self-certify according to the rules set out in this Regulation;deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 166 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) ‘self-certification’ means the act of declaring one’s adherence to the obligations relating to management systems, risk management, third-party audits and disclosure as set out in this Regulation;deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 168 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) ‘grievance mechanism’ means an early- warning risk awareness mechanism allowing any interested party or whistle- blower to voice concerns regarding the circumstances of mineral extractionresource sourcing, trade, handling and export in respect of resources originating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 170 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
(j a) ‘Annex II operator’ refers to any operator of the type identified in Annex II;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point j b (new)
(j b) ‘Annex II actor’ refers to any natural or legal person of the type identified in Annex II;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) 'metals' means metals containing or consisting of trecycled resources' means reclaimed end-user or post-consumer products, or scrap processed resources created during product manufacturing, tantalum, tungsten and gold as set out in the Annex I;including excess, obsolete, defective, and scrap materials which contain refined or processed resources that are appropriate to recycle in the production of any material. Minerals partially processed, unprocessed or a bi-product from another ore are not recycled resources.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 174 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point j c (new)
(j c) ‘responsible Annex II actor’ refers to any Annex II actor that complies with this Regulation or the OECD Due Diligence Guidance and has submitted audited reports as set out in Article 6 to a member state authority in accordance with Article 7 (3) or 7 (6a);
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 176 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point j d (new)
(j d) ‘business confidentiality and other competitiveness concerns’ means price information and supplier relationships without prejudice to subsequent evolving interpretation;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 176 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) 'mineralresources supply chain' means the system of activities, organisations, actors, technology, information, resources and services involved in moving and processing the mineralcovered resources from the extraction site to their incorporation in the final product;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 178 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point k
(k) ‘model supply chain policy’ conforms to Annex II of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance outlining the risks of significant adverse impacts which may be associated with the extraction, trade, handling and export of minerals from conflict-affected and high risk areas;deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 180 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point l
(l) ‘risk management plan’ means the importers’ written response to the identified supply chain risks based on Annex III to the OECD Due Diligence Guidance14 ; __________________ 14OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas: Second Edition, OECD Publishing (OECD (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264185050- en.deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 182 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point n
(n) ‘upstream’ means the mineral supply chain from the extraction sites to the smelters or refiners, included;deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 183 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) 'chain of custody or supply chain traceability system' means a system to identify and record of the sequence of entities which have custody of minerals and metalcovered resources as they move through athe supply chain;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 185 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point q
(q) ‘Member State competent authorities’ means the designated one or more authorities with auditing and investigation competences and knowledge as regards raw materials and industrial processes.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 187 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – title
Self-certification as a responsible importerOperator obligations
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 191 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. Any importer of minerals or metals within the scope of the Regulation may self-certify as responsible importer by declaring to a Member State competent authority that it adheres to the supply chain due diligence obligations set out in this Regulation. The declaration shall contain documentation in which the importer confirms its adherence to the obligIn accordance with the OECD Guidance, operators shall take all reasonable steps and make good faith efforts to conduct their due diligence obligations pursuant to Article 4 and 5. Each operator shall ensure that they make progressive, measurable and timely improvement in complying with its obligations. The nature and extent of specific due diligence that is appropriate depends on individual circumstances and is affected by factors such as an operator’s position in the supply chain, the size of the operator, the location of the operator’s activities, the situations including results of the independent third-party audits carried out a particular country, the sector and nature of the products or services involved.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 191 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) 'conflict-affected and high-risk areas' means areas in a state of armed conflict, fragile post-conflict as well as areas witnessing weak or non-existent governance and security, such as failed states, and widespread and systematic violations of international law, including human rights abusesdentified by the presence of armed conflict, widespread violence or other risks of harm to people and, for these purposes, it is recognized that: (i) armed conflict may take a variety of forms, such as a conflict of international or non-international character, which may involve two or more states, or may consist of wars of liberation, or insurgencies, civil wars, etc.; and (ii) high-risk areas may include areas of political instability or repression, institutional weakness, insecurity, collapse of civil infrastructure and widespread violence, both of which areas are often characterised by widespread human rights abuses and violations of national or international law;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 195 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The Member State competent authorities shall carry out appropriate ex- post checks in order to ensure that self- certified responsible importers of the minerals or metals within the scope of this Regulation comply with their obligations pursuant to Articles 4, 5, 6, and 7 of this Regulation.deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 196 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) 'downstream' means the metalresources supply chain from the smelters or refinerschoke points of transformation and traceability to the end use;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 199 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The responsible importer of the minerals or metalsEach operator shall, in accordance within the scope of this Regulation shallOECD Due Diligence Guidance:
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 201 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) 'importedownstream operator' means any natural or legal person declaring minerals or metals within the scope of this Regulation for releasethat places any product comprising or containing covered resources for frethe cfirculation within the meaning of Article 79 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/199213 ; __________________ 13Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 of 12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs Code (OJ L 302, 19.10.1992, p. 1).st time on the internal market for distribution or use in the course of commercial activities;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 203 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) adopt and clearly communicate to suppliers and the public its supply chain policy for the minerals and metalcovered resources potentially originating from conflict- affected and high-risk areas,
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 205 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) incorporate in its supply chain policy the standards against which supply chain due diligence is to be conducted consistent with the standards set forth in the model supply chain policy in Annex II to the OECD Due Diligence Guidance,
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 206 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) structure its internal management systems to support supply chain due diligence, inter alia, by assigning responsibility to senior staff to oversee the supply chain due diligence process as well as maintain records for a minimum of 510 years,
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 209 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) establish a system of controls and transparency over the resources supply chain, including the identification of Annex II actors in the supply chain, which may be implemented through participation in industry-driven programmes,
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 211 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) strengthen its engagement with suppliers, inter alia, by incorporating its supply chain policy into contracts and agreements with suppliers consistent with Annex II to the OECD Due Diligence Guidancethe model supply chain policy,
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 211 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) 'responsible importer' means any importer who chooses to self-certify according to the rules set out in this Regulationupstream' means the natural resource supply chain from the sourcing sites to the final choke points of transformation and traceability;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 213 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) establish a company-level, or industry- wide, grievance mechanism as an early- warning risk- awareness system or provide such mechanism through collaborative arrangements with other companies or organisations, or by facilitating recourse to an external expert or body (e.g. ombudsman),
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 217 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) 'self-certification' means the act of declaring one's adherence to the obligations relating to management systems, risk management, third-party audits and disclosure as set out in this Regulationupstream actor' means any natural or legal person operating at a choke point of transformation and traceability in a resources supply chain, such as smelters, refiners and raw materials exchanges;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 219 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(ia) 'upstream operator' means any upstream actor that places any covered resource for the first time on the internal market for distribution or use in the course of commercial activities;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 220 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) as regards metals, operate a chain of custody or supply chain traceability system that provides, supported by documentation, the following information: (i) description of the metal, including its trade name and type, (ii) name and address of the supplier to the importer, (iii) name and address of the smelters or refiners in the importers’ supply chain, (iv) record of the smelters’ or refiners’ third-party audit reports, (v) countries of origin of the minerals in the smelters’ or refiners’ supply chain. (vi) when metals are based on minerals originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas, additional information shall be provided in accordance with the specific recommendations for downstream companies set out in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 222 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) 'grievance mechanism' means an early- warning risk awareness mechanism allowing any interested party or whistle- blower to voice concerns regarding the circumstances of mineralresource extraction, trade, handling and export in respect of resources originating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 225 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
2. In addition to the obligations set out in paragraph 1, Annex II type operators, shall operate a chain of custody or supply chain traceability system that provides, supported by documentation, the following information: (i) description of the resource including its trade name and type, (ii) name and address of the supplier to the Annex II actors, (iii) country of origin of the resource, (iv) quantities and dates of sourcing, expressed in volume or weight, (v) when resources originate from conflict-affected and high-risk areas additional information, such as extraction site; locations where resources are consolidated, traded and processed; and taxes, fees, royalties paid, in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 228 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Where an operator can reasonably conclude that covered products are derived only from recycled resources, it shall: (a) publicly disclose their determination; and (b) describe in reasonable detail the due diligence measures they exercised in making that determination.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 231 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The responsible importer of the minerals or metals within the scope of this Regulation shall:Each operator shall, in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, identify and assess the risks in its resources supply chain in light of Article 4.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 233 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) identify and assess the risks of adverse impacts in its mineral supply chain on the basis of the information provided pursuant to Article 4 against the standards of its supply chain policy, consistent with Annex II and the due diligence recommendations of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance,deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 233 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point k
(k) 'model supply chain policy' conforms tomeans the model supply chain policy in Annex II of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance outlining the risks of significant adverse impacts which may be associated with the extraction, trade, handling and export of minerals from conflict-affected and high risk areas;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 234 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) implement a strategy to respond to the identified risks designed so as to prevent or mitigate adverse impacts by (i) reporting findings of the supply chain risk assessment to its designated senior management, (ii) adopting risk management measures consistent with Annex II and the due diligence recommendations of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, considering its ability to influence, and where necessary take steps to put pressure on suppliers who can most effectively prevent or mitigate the identified risk, by making it possible either to (a) continue trade while simultaneously implementing measurable risk mitigation efforts, (b) suspend trade temporarily while pursuing on-going measurable risk mitigation efforts, or (c) disengage with a supplier after failed attempts at mitigation, (iii) implementing the risk management plan, monitoring and tracking performance of risk mitigation efforts, reporting back to designated senior management and considering suspending or discontinuing engagement with a supplier after failed attempts at mitigation, (iv) undertaking additional fact and risk assessments for risks requiring mitigation, or after a change of circumstances.deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 236 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point l
(l) 'risk management plan' means the importeoperators' written response to the identified supply chain risks based onidentified under Article 5(a), in accordance with Annex III to the OECD Due Diligence Guidance14 ; __________________ 14 OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas: Second Edition, OECD Publishing (OECD (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264185050- en.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 239 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Each operator other than an Annex II operator shall identify and assess the risks in its resources supply chain in accordance with paragraph 1 by: (a) identifying, to its best efforts, the Annex II actors in its resources supply chain; (b) assessing, to its best efforts, the due diligence practices of those Annex II actors identified under paragraph 2(a) above on the basis of any available audited reports and/or, as appropriate, other relevant information;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 240 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Each operator shall implement a strategy to respond to the identified risks, in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, including by, (a) reporting findings of the supply chain risk assessment to designated senior management of the operator, (b) devising and adopting a risk management plan, considering its ability to influence, and where necessary take steps to build leverage on suppliers who can most effectively prevent or mitigate the identified risk, by making it possible either to (i) continue trade while simultaneously implementing measurable risk mitigation efforts, (ii) suspend trade temporarily while pursuing on-going measurable risk mitigation efforts, or (iii) disengage with a supplier after failed attempts at mitigation, (c) implementing the risk management plan, monitoring and tracking performance of risk mitigation efforts, reporting back to designated senior management, management and considering suspending or discontinuing engagement with a supplier after failed attempts at mitigation, (d) undertaking additional fact and risk assessments for risks requiring mitigation, or after a change of circumstances.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 241 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point o
(o) 'supply chain due diligence' refers to the obligations of responsible importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and goldoperators in relation to their management systems, risk management, third-party audits and disclosure of information as appropriate with a view to identifying, and addressing and reporting on actual and potential risks linked to conflict- affected and high risk- areas to prevent or mitigate adverse impacts associated with their sourcing activities;
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 242 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. If a responsible importen Annex II operator pursues risk mitigation efforts while continuing trade or temporarily suspending trade, it shall, in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, consult with suppliers and affected stakeholders, including local and central government authorities, international or civil society organisations and affected third parties, and agree on a strategy for measurable risk mitigation in the risk management plan.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 244 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point p
(p) 'responsible smelters upstream actor' refiners' means smelters or refiners in the supply chain of the to any upstream actor that complies with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance and has submitted audited responsible importerrts in accordance with Article 7 (3) or 7 (7);
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 245 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. A responsible importeEach Annex II operator shall, in order to design conflict and high-risk sensitive strategies for mitigation in the risk management plan, relydraw on the measures and indicators under Annex III of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance and measure progressive improvement in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 248 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. If an operator other than an Annex II operator pursues risk mitigation efforts while continuing trade or temporarily suspending trade it shall, as appropriate and in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, consult with suppliers and affected stakeholders, including local and central government authorities, international or civil society organisations and affected third parties, and agree on a strategy for measurable risk mitigation in the risk management plan.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 250 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
The responsible importer of the minerals or metals within the scope of this Regulation shall carry outAnnex II operators shall have their due diligence practices audits viaed by an independent third-party in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 252 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point q a (new)
(qa) 'business confidentiality and other competitiveness concerns' means price information and supplier relationships without prejudice to subsequent evolving interpretation; all information will be disclosed to any institutionalised mechanism, regional or global, once in place with the mandate to collect and process information on minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 255 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
TIn accordance with Article 6.1 and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, the independent third-party audit shall:
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 255 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point q b (new)
(qb) 'microenterprise', as defined in the Commission recommendation of 6 May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises C (2003) 1422, means an enterprise which employs fewer than 10 persons and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 2 million.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 257 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) include in the audit scope all of the responsible importeoperator’s activities, processes and systems used to implement supply chain due diligence regarding minerals or metals within the scope of the Regulation, including the responsible importecovered resources, including the operator’s management system, risk management, and disclosure of information,
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 257 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point q c (new)
(qc) 'OECD Due Diligence Guidance' means the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas: Second Edition, OECD Publishing (OECD (2013)) including all Council decisions, Annexes and Supplements, as each may be amended or replaced periodically.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 261 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) determine as the objective of the audit the conformity of the responsible importeoperator’s supply chain due diligence practices with Articles 4, 5 and 7 of this Regulation,
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 262 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – title
Self-certification as a responsible importerFlexible operator obligations
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 263 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) respect the audit principles of independence, competence and accountability and any applicable audit scope, criteria and activities, as set out in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 265 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. All operators may cooperate through their industry organisations to ensure that the independent third-part audit is carried out in accordance with paragraph 2.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 267 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. By 31 March of each year at the latest, the responsible importer of minerals or metals within the scope of this Regulationall operators shall submit to the Member State competent authority the following documentation covering the previous year’s calendar period:
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 270 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. Any importer of minerals or metals within the scope of the Regulation may self-certify as responsible importer by declaring to a Member State competent authority that it adheres to the supply chain due diligence obligations set out in this Regulation. The declaration shall contain documentation in which the importer confirms its adherence to the obligations including results of the independent third-party audits carried out. Operators shall take all reasonable steps and make good faith efforts to conduct their due diligence obligations pursuant to Article 4 and 5. Each operator shall ensure that they make progressive, measurable and timely improvement in complying with its obligations. The nature and extent of specific due diligence that is appropriate depends on individual circumstances and is affected by factors such as an operator's position in the supply chain, the size of the operator, the location of the operator's activities, the situation in a particular country, the sector and nature of the products or services involved. Particular attention shall be given to the situation of micro-small and medium sized downstream operators.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 271 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) independent third-party audits carried out in accordance with Article 6 of this Regulation.deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 273 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. By 31 March of each year at the latest, the responsible importer of minerals wioperators other thian the scope of this RegulationAnnex II operators shall also submit to the Member State competent authority the documentation covering the previous year’s calendar period as regards the proportion of minerals originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas relative to the total amount of minerals purchased, as confirmed by independent third-party audits in accordance with Article 6 of this Regulation.management reports containing the following documentation covering the previous year’s calendar period:
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 275 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The Member State competent authorities shall carry out appropriate ex- post checks in order to ensure that self- certified responsible importers of the minerals or metals within the scope of this Regulation comply with their obligations pursuant to Articles 4, 5, 6, and 7 of this Regulation.deleted
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 276 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a (new)
(a) The operator’s supply chain due diligence policy, including the operator’s management structure responsible for its due diligence and the person directly responsible;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 278 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point b (new)
(b) The operator’s system of control and transparency over the resources supply chain, including the steps taken to identify upstream actors in the supply chain and to assess their due diligence practices;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 280 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c (new)
(c) Name and address of each of the Annex II actors in its supply chain, as identified by the operator in accordance with Article 4 and 5;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 282 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d (new)
(d) Independent third-party audits regarding each of the Annex II actors in its supply chain carried out in accordance with the scope, objective and principles set out in Article 6 of the Regulation, as identified by the operator in accordance with Article 4 and 5;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 284 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e (new)
(e) Potential or actual risks identified by the operator and action taken by the operator to manage risks during the reporting period in accordance with Article 5;
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 285 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The responsible importer of the minerals or metalsEach upstream operator shall, in accordance within the scope of this Regulation shallOECD Due Diligence Guidance:
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 286 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point f (new)
(f) Action taken by the operator to strengthen its due diligence efforts during the reporting period.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 288 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. By 31 March of each year at the latest, the responsible importer of metals within the scope of this RegulationAnnex II type operators shall also submit to the Member State competent authority the following documentation covering the previous year’s calendar period:
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 291 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) name and address of each of the responsible smelters or refiners in its supply chain,deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 291 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) adopt and clearly and systematically communicate to suppliers and the public its supply chain policy for the minerals and metalcovered resources potentially originating from conflict- affected and high-risk areas,
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 293 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) independent third-party audits regarding each of the responsible smelters or refiners in its supply chain carried out in accordance with the scope, objective and principles set out incarried out in accordance with Article 6 of theis Regulation,; and
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 295 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point c
(c) information on the proportion of mineralcovered resources originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas relative to the total amount of minerals purchased by each of those smelters or refinerscovered resources purchased, as confirmed by the independent third-party audits in accordance with Article 6 of this Regulation.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 297 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4
4. The responsible importer of minerals or metals within the scope of this RegulationOperators shall make available to itstheir immediate downstream purchasers all information gained and maintained pursuant to its supply chain due diligence with due regard to business confidentiality and other competitive concerns, in accordance with the OECD Guidance.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 300 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 5
5. The responsible importer of minerals or metalsOperators shall publicly disclose in accordance within the scope of this Regulation shall publicly reportOECD Due Diligence Guidance and as widely as possible, including on the internet and on an annual basis on its supply chain due diligence policies and practices for responsible sourcing. The report shall contain the steps taken by the responsible importeoperator to implement the obligations as regards its management system, risk management set out in Article 4 and 5 respectively, as well as a summary report of the third-party audits, including the name of the auditorny independent third-party audits of responsible Annex II actors in the operators’ supply chain, with due regard to business confidentiality and other competitive concerns.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 301 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) strengthen its engagement with suppliers, inter alia, by incorporating its supply chain policy into contracts and agreements with suppliers consistent with Annex II to the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, and, where possible, assist suppliers in building capacities with a view to improving due diligence performance,
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 303 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Responsible Annex II actors outside the territory of the European Union may, for the purpose of being included in a Member State competent authority’s reports under Article 15(1) and the list referred to in Article 8, submit to that authority: (a) documentation in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 above; and (b) a written declaration of conformity with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, also containing its name, address, full contact details and a description of its commercial activities.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 306 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – title
List of responsible smelters and refineAnnex II actors
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 308 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. On the basis of the information provided by the Member States in their reports as referred to in Article 15, the Commission shall adopt and make publicly available a decision listing the names and addresses of responsible smelters and refiners of minerals within the scope of this RegulationAnnex II actors.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 308 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point f – introductory part
(f) as regards minerals, operate a chain of custody or supply chain traceability system that provides, supported by documentation, the following information:
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 309 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point f – point i
(i) description of the mineralresource, including its trade name and type,
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 310 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall identify on the list referred to in paragraph 1 those responsible smelters and refineAnnex II actors that source – at least partially – from conflict- affected and high-risk areas.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 311 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point f – point iii
(iii) country of origin of the mineralsresource,
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 312 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall adopt the list in accordance with the template in Annex III and the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 13(2). The OECD Secretariat shall be consulted.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 313 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point f – point iv
(iv) quantities and dates of extractionsourcing, expressed in volume or weight,
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 315 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point f – point v
(v) when mineralresources originate from conflict- affected and high-risk areas, additional information, such as the minsite of mineral origin; locations where mineralresources are consolidated, traded and processed; and taxes, fees, royalties paid, in accordance with the specific recommendations for upstream companies as set out in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 316 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall update the information included in the list in a timely manner but no later than every six months. The Commission shall remove from the list the names of the smelters and refineAnnex II actors that are no longer recognised as responsible importeAnnex II actors by Member States in accordance with Article 14(3), or the names of the smelters and refiners in the supply chain of the no longer recognised responsible importers.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 318 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) as regards metals, operate a chain of custody or supply chain traceability system that provides, supported by documentation, the following information: (i) description of the metal, including its trade name and type, (ii) name and address of the supplier to the importer, (iii) name and address of the smelters or refiners in the importers' supply chain, (iv) record of the smelters' or refiners' third-party audit reports, (v) countries of origin of the minerals in the smelters' or refiners' supply chain. (vi) when metals are based on minerals originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas, additional information shall be provided in accordance with the specific recommendations for downstream companies set out in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.deleted
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 319 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall make a decision to publish, including on the internet, a list of competent authorities in accordance with the template in Annex IIIV and the regulatory procedure referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 13. The Commission shall update the list regularly.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 323 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – title
Ex-post checks on responsible importeoperators
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 323 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4 a Any downstream operator shall comply with the obligations set out in paragraph 1a)-e) of this Article and establish a system of controls and transparency over the resources supply chain in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, including in order to identify the upstream actors in its supply chain, which may be implemented through participation in industry-driven programs.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 324 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 b (new)
Article 4 b Where an upstream and downstream operator can reasonably conclude that resources are derived only from recycled or scrap sources, it shall: (a) publicly disclose their determination; and (b) describe in reasonable detail the due diligence measures they exercised in making that determination.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 326 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. The competent authorities of the Member States shall carry out appropriate ex-post checks in order to ensure whether self-certified responsible importers of minerals and metalthat operators within scope of this Regulation comply with the obligations set out in Articles 4, 5, 6 and 7.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 328 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The responsible importer of the minerals or metalsAny upstream operator shall, in accordance within the scope of this Regulation shallOECD Due Diligence Guidance:
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 329 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2
2. The checks referred to in paragraph 1 shall be conducted by taking a risk-based approach. In addition, checks may be conducted when a competent authority is in possession of relevant information, including on the basis of substantiated concerns provided by third parties, concerning the compliance by a responsible importen operator with this Regulation.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 332 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) examination of the responsible importeoperator’s implementation of supply chain due diligence obligations including the management system, risk management, independent third-party audit and disclosure,
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 332 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) identify and assess the risks of adverse impacts in its mineral supply chain oin the basis of the information provided pursuant to Article 4 against the standards of its supply chain policy, consistent with Annex II and the due diligence recommendations of the OECD Due Diligence Guidancelight of the standards of its supply chain policy, and its supply chain due diligence obligations,
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 334 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
(c a) examination of the reporting requirements in accordance with the scope, objective and principles set out in Article 7,
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 335 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
(b) implement a strategy to respond to the identified risks designed so as to prevent or mitigate adverse impacts, including by
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 337 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4
4. Responsible importeOperators shall offer all assistance necessary to facilitate the performance of the checks referred to in paragraph 1, notably as regards access to premises and the presentation of documentation and records.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 339 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The competent authorities of the Member States shall publish a report detailing the full findings of any ex-post checks, together with a reasonable explanation for making those findings and any documentation on which the competent authority based its findings.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 340 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii – introductory part
(ii) devising and adopting a risk management measuresplan consistent with Annex II and the due diligence recommendations of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, considering its ability to influence, and where necessary take steps to put pressurbuild leverage on suppliers who can most effectively prevent or mitigate the identified risk, by making it possible either to
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 341 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – title
Records of checks on responsible importeoperators
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 346 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. If a responsible importen upstream operator pursues risk mitigation efforts while continuing trade or temporarily suspending trade, it shall, in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, consult with suppliers and affected stakeholders, including local and central government authorities, international or civil society organisations and affected third parties, and agree on a strategy for measurable risk mitigation in the risk management plan.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 347 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.deleted
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 350 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 a (new)
Article 13 a Delegated Acts 1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article. 2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 13 bis 2 shall be conferred to the Commission for an indeterminate period of time from the date that this Regulation enters into force. 3. The delegation of powers referred to in Article 13 bis 2 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision of revocation shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force. 4. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council. 5. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Articles 13 bis 2 shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed by either the European Parliament or the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 351 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. A responsible importen upstream operator shall, in order to design conflict and high-risk sensitive strategies for mitigation in the risk management plan, relydraw on the measures and indicators under Annex III of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance and measure progressive improvement.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 353 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 b (new)
Article 13 b Amending Annex I and Annex II 1. The Commission shall regularly review developments with regard to the contribution of global trade in natural resources to conflict and human rights abuses and violations in conflict-affected and high-risk areas, the development of international responsible sourcing standards and the experience gained in the implementation of this Regulation. In the course of the review, the Commission shall take into account, in particular, the information obtained by the Commission under and for the purposes of Article 15 and information provided by international or civil society organisations and affected third parties. 2. The Commission shall regularly review the scope of Annex I and II, in the light of the information obtained pursuant to paragraph 1 so as to achieve effectively the purpose of this Regulation, as stated in Article 1. Annex I shall be reviewed with a view to expanding the list of covered resources. Annex II shall be reviewed with a view to identifying additional choke points of transformation and traceability in covered resources supply chains with a view to strengthening supply chain due diligence with regard to all Annex I resources. Such a review shall take place not less than every 6 months. 3. The Commission may adopt delegated acts in order to expand the list of covered resources as stated in paragraph 2. 4. Delegated acts adopted under this Article shall enter into force without delay and shall apply as long as no objection is expressed in accordance with paragraph 5. The notification of a delegated act adopted under this Article to the European Parliament and to the Council shall state the reasons for the use of the urgency procedure. 5. Either the European Parliament or the Council may object to a delegated act in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 13 bis 1. In such a case, the Commission shall repeal the act without delay following the notification of the decision to object by the European Parliament or the Council.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 353 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Any downstream operator shall identify and assess the risks in its resources supply chain in accordance with paragraph 1(a) by: a) identifying, to its best efforts, the upstream actors in its resources supply chain; and b) assessing, to its best efforts, the due diligence practices of those upstream actors on the basis of any available audited reports and/or, as appropriate, other relevant information.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 356 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. If a downstream operator pursues risk mitigation efforts while continuing trade or temporarily suspending trade it shall, in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance and, where appropriate, consult with suppliers and affected stakeholders, including local and central government authorities, international or civil society organisations and affected third parties, and agree on a strategy for measurable risk mitigation in the risk management plan.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 358 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2
2. In case of an infringement of the provisions of this Regulation, the competent authorities of Member States shall issue a notice of remedial action to be taken by the responsible importeoperator.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 360 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3
3. In case of inadequate remedial action by the responsible importeoperator, the competent authority shall issue to the importeoperator a notice of non-recognition of its responsible importer certificate as regards the minerals or metals within the scope of this Regulation compliance and inform the Commission.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 360 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
The responsible importer of the minerals or metals within the scope of this Regulation shall carry outUpstream operators shall have their due diligence practices audits viaed by an independent third-party in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 366 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall submit to the Commission by 30 June of each year at the latest, a report on the implementation of this Regulation during the previous calendar year, including any information on responsible importersAnnex II actors, as set out in Article 7(1) (a), 7.2 and 7.3 (a) and (c(3) (a)-(b) and 7(6a) (a).
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 366 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
TIn accordance with Article 6.1 and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, the independent third-party audit shall:
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 368 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. Three years after the entry into force of this Regulation and every six years thereafter, the Commission shall review the functioning and effectiveness of this Regulation, including on the promotion and cost of responsible sourcing of the mineralresources within its scope from conflict- affected and high-risk areas. The Commission shall submit a review report to the European Parliament and to the Council.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 371 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 a (new)
Article 15a Accompanying Measures 1. In order to effectively break the link between the exploitation of natural resources and conflict and to ensure their responsible sourcing, the Commission and the External Action Service shall implement accompanying measures to this Regulation aimed at the enhancement of responsible sourcing, the effective establishment of national and international due diligence frameworks and related support systems, including reliable certification and traceability systems, and the addressing of development needs linked to (i) the exploitation and trade in natural resources originating from conflict- affected and high-risk areas and (ii) the implementation of this Regulation, including: a. Support to companies to responsibly source from conflict-affected and high risk areas providing technical and other assistance and guidance to operators, taking into account the situation of small and medium-sized enterprises and their position in the supply chain, in order to facilitate compliance with the requirements of this Regulation. b. Targeted, rights-based development cooperation, particularly addressing the challenges of implementing responsible sourcing in the local context of conflict- affected and high risk areas, including poverty reduction, good governance and the security sector; c. Meaningful policy dialogues on responsible sourcing with third countries and other stakeholders. d. Close cooperation with the Member States, in particular complementary initiatives in the area of consumer, investor and customer information and when providing technical and other assistance according to paragraph 1 (a). 2. The European Commission and the European External Action Service shall, as appropriate, implement the objectives of accompanying measures through political and policy dialogues, programming, and relevant internal and external policies. Where appropriate, legislative proposals should be presented to the European Parliament and the Council. 3. The European Commission shall present to the European Parliament and to the Council an annual report of the accompanying measures implemented pursuant to this Article and their impact and effectiveness.
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 371 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) include in the audit scope all of the responsible importeoperator's activities, processes and systems used to implement supply chain due diligence regarding minerals or metals within the scope of the Regulation, including the responsible importecovered resources including the operator's management system, risk management, and disclosure of information,
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 376 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) determine as the objective of the audit the conformity of the responsible importeoperator's supply chain due diligence practices with its obligations under Articles 4, 5 and 7 of this Regulation,
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 380 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) respect the audit principles of independence, competence and accountability and any applicable audit scope, criteria and activities, as set out in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 383 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Operators may cooperate through their industry organizations to ensure that the independent third-part audit is carried out in accordance with paragraph 2.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 384 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I
Annex I List of resources within the scope of the Regulation Minerals Metals
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 386 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II (new)
Annex II List of choke points identified in the supply chain of covered resources -’smelters’ -’refiners’
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 388 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III
Annex III List of responsible Annex II actors Column A: Name of Annex II actor in alphabetical order Column B: Address of Annex II actor Column C: Annex II category of the actor Column D: (*) indicator, if the Annex II actor engages in responsible sourcing of resources originating from conflict- affected and high-risk areas
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 390 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV
Annex IV List of Member State competent authorities template referred to in Article 9 Column A: Name of Member State in alphabetical order Column B: Name of the competent authority Column C: Address of the competent authority
2015/02/04
Committee: AFET
Amendment 391 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. By 31 March of each year at the latest, the responsible importer of minerals or metals within the scope of this Regulationall operators shall submit to the Member State competent authority the following documentation covering the previous year's calendar period:
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 396 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) independent third-party audits carried out in accordance with Article 6 of this Regulation.deleted
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 400 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. By 31 March of each year at the latest, the responsible importer of minerals within the scope of this Regulationdownstream operators shall also submit to the Member State competent authority themanagement reports containing the following documentation covering the previous year's calendar period as regards the proportion of minerals originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas relative to the total amount of minerals purchased, as confirmed by independent third-party audits in accordance with Article 6 of this Regulation: (a) the operator's supply chain due diligence policy, including the operator's management structure responsible for its due diligence and the person directly responsible; (b) the operator's system of control and transparency over the resources supply chain, including the steps taken to identify upstream actors in the supply chain and to assess their due diligence practices; (c) name and address of each of the upstream actors in its supply chain, as identified by the operator in accordance with Article 4 and 5, (d) independent third-party audits regarding each of the upstream actors in its supply chain carried out in accordance with the scope, objective and principles set out in Article 6 of the Regulation, as identified by the operator in accordance with article 4 and 5, (e) potential or actual risks identified by the operator and action taken by the operator to manage risks during the reporting period in accordance with Article 5, (f) action taken by the operator to strengthen its due diligence efforts during the reporting period.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 417 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. By 31 March of each year at the latest, the responsible importer of metals within the scope of this Regulationupstream operators shall also submit to the Member State competent authority the following documentation covering the previous year's calendar period:
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 421 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) name and address of each of the responsible smelters or refiners in its supply chain,deleted
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 426 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) independent third-party audits regarding each of the responsible smelters or refiners in its supply chain carried out in accordance with the scope, objective and principles set out in Article 6 of theis Regulation,; and
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 430 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point c
(c) information on the proportion of mineralresources originating from conflict- affected and high-risk areas relative to the total amount of mineralresources purchased by each of those smelters or refiners, as confirmed by the independent third-party audits in accordance with Article 6 of this Regulation.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 434 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4
4. The responsible importer of minerals or metals within the scope of this RegulationOperators shall make available to itstheir immediate downstream purchasers all information gained and maintained pursuant to its supply chain due diligence with due regard to business confidentiality and other competitive concerns, in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 439 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 5
5. The responsible importer of minerals or metals within the scope of this RegulationOperators shall publicly report as widely as possible, including on the internet and on an annual basis on itstheir supply chain due diligence policies and practices for responsible sourcing. The report shall contain the steps taken by the responsible importeoperator to implement the obligations as regards its management system, risk management set out in Article 4 and 5 respectively, as well as a summary report of theny independent third-party audits, including the n of upstreame of the auditor,perators in the operators' supply chain with due regard to business confidentiality and other competitive concerns.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 443 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Responsible upstream actors outside the territory of the European Union may, for the purpose of being included in a Member State competent authority's reports under Article 15(1) and the list referred to in Article 8, submit to that authority: (a) documentation in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 above; and (b) a written declaration of conformity with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, also containing its name, address, full contact details and a description of its commercial activities.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 449 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – title
List of responsible smelters and refineupstream actors
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 454 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. On the basis of the information provided by the Member States in their reports as referred to in Article 15, the Commission shall adopt and make publicly available a decision listing the names and addresses of responsible smelters and refiners of minerals within the scope of this Regulationupstream actors.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 458 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall identify on the list referred to in paragraph 1 those responsible smelters and refineupstream actors that source – at least partially – from conflict- affected and high- risk areas.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 463 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall update the information included in the list in a timely manner but no later than every six months. The Commission shall remove from the list the names of the smelters and refineupstream actors that are no longer recognised as responsible importeupstream actors by Member States in accordance with Article 14(3), or the names of the smelters and refiners in the supply chain of the no longer recognised responsible importers.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 474 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – title
Ex-post checks on responsible importeoperators
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 481 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. The competent authorities of the Member States shall carry out appropriate ex-post checks in order to ensure whether self-certified responsible importers of minerals and metalthat operators within scope of this Regulation comply with the obligations set out in Articles 4, 5, 6 and 7.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 491 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) examination of the responsible importeoperator's implementation of supply chain due diligence obligations including the management system, risk management, independent third-party audit and disclosure,
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 496 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
(ca) examination of the reporting requirements in accordance with the scope, objective and principles set out in Article 7,
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 500 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4
4. Responsible importeOperators shall offer all assistance necessary to facilitate the performance of the checks referred to in paragraph 1, notably as regards access to premises and the presentation of documentation and records.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 504 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The competent authorities of the Member States shall publish a report detailing the full findings of any ex-post checks, together with a reasonable explanation for making those findings and any documentation on which the competent authority based its findings.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 507 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – title
Records of checks on responsible importeoperators
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 518 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – title
Committee procedureDelegated acts
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 521 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 533 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.deleted
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 534 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 13 a shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed by either the European Parliament or the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 536 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
WThere the opinion of the committee is to be obtained by written procedure, that procedure shall be terminated without result when, within the time-limit for delivery of the opinion, the chair of the committee so decides or a simple majority of committee members so request power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 13 bis 2 shall be conferred to the Commission for an indeterminate period of time from the date that this Regulation enters into force.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 538 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The delegation of powers referred to in Article 13 bis2 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision of revocation shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 539 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 541 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 a (new)
Article 13 a Expanding the Resources Scope 1. The Commission shall regularly review developments with regard to the contribution of global trade in natural resources to conflict and human rights abuses and violations in conflict-affected and high-risk areas, the development of international responsible sourcing standards and the experience gained in the implementation of this Regulation. In the course of the review, the Commission shall take into account, in particular, the information obtained by the Commission under and for the purposes of Article 15 and information provided by international or civil society organisations and affected third parties. 2. The Commission shall regularly review the resources scope as set out in Annex I in the light of the information obtained pursuant to paragraph 1 so as to achieve effectively the purpose of this Regulation, as stated in Article 1. Annex I shall be reviewed with a view to expanding the list of covered resources and with a view to identifying additional key points of transformation and traceability in covered resources supply chains with a view to strengthening supply chain due diligence. Such a review shall take place not less than every 6 months. 3. The Commission may adopt delegated acts in order to expand the list of covered resources as stated in paragraph 2.The Commission shall have power to amend Annexes I and II in accordance with Article 290 TFEU.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 548 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2
2. In case of an infringement of the provisions of this Regulation, the competent authorities of Member States shall issue a notice of remedial action to be taken by the responsible importeoperator.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 552 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3
3. In case of inadequate remedial action by the responsible importeoperator, the competent authority shall issue to the importeoperator a notice of non-recognition of its responsible importer certificate as regards the minerals or metals within the scope of this Regulation compliance and inform the Commission.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 557 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall submit to the Commission by 30 June of each year at the latest, a report on the implementation of this Regulation during the previous calendar year, including any information on responsible importeupstream actors as set out in Article 7(1) (a), 7.2 and 7.3 (a) and (c(3) (a)-(b) new and 7(6) (a).
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 561 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. Three years after the entry into force of this Regulation and every six years thereafter, the Commission shall review the functioning and effectiveness of this Regulation, including on the promotion and cost of responsible sourcing of the mineralresources within its scope from conflict- affected and high-risk areas. The Commission shall submit a review report to the European Parliament and to the Council.
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 569 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I
List of minerals and metalresources within the scope of the Regulation classified under the Combined Nomenclature CN code Product description 2609 00 00 Tin ores and concentrates 2611 00 00 Tungsten ores and concentrates 2615 90 00 Tantalum ores and concentrates 2616 90 00 Gold ores and concentrates 2825 90 40 Tungsten oxides and hydroxides 2849 90 30 Tungsten carbides 2849 90 50 Tantalum carbides 7108 Gold, unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form 8001 Tin, unwrought 8003 00 00 Tin bars, rods, profiles and wires 8007 00 Tin, other articles 8101 10 00 Tungsten, powder 8101 94 00 Tungsten, unwrought, including bars and rods obtained simply by sintering 8101 96 00 Tungsten wire 8101 99 Tungsten bars and rods, other than those obtained simply by sintering, profiles, plates, sheets, strip and foil, and other 8103 20 00 Tantalum, unwrought including bars and rods, obtained simply by sintering; powders 8103 90 Tantalum bars and rods, other than those obtained simply by sintering, profiles, wire, plates, sheets, strip and foil, and other Minerals Metals Semi-precious stones Precious stones
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 575 #

2014/0059(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article II a (new)
Annex II a List of responsible upstream actors template referred to in Article 8 Column A: Name of upstream actor in alphabetical order Column B: Address of the smelter or refiner Column C: Economic activity of the actor Column D: (*) indicator, if the upstream actor engages in responsible sourcing of resources originating from conflict- affected and high-risk areas
2015/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2013/2990(RSP)


Recital D
D. whereas Indonesia is home to the world’s third largest area of rainforests after the Amazon and the Congo Basin, but also the world's third largesa significant emitter of climate change greenhouse gases, due to the continuing and lately rapidly increasing destruction of its rainforests and carbon- rich peat-lands for palm oil and paper,
2013/12/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2013/2990(RSP)


Recital K
K. whereas the Commission is empowered under the Commission proposal amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 on the establishment of a FLEGT licensing scheme for imports of timber into the European Community to adopt an implementing act through the examination procedure to approve the Indonesian SVLK,Deleted
2013/12/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2013/2990(RSP)


Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Encourages the Indonesian government to ensure the certification process does not discriminate against small and medium sized enterprises;
2013/12/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2013/2990(RSP)


Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to make its approval of the SVLK conditional upon thpress the Indonesian government to give assurance that: - all timber sources and their complete chains of custody are audited, including the verification that timber undertakings had the right to harvest in the first place, - certified and uncertified timber and timber products are kept separated, - conversion of natural forests for agriculture and pulp and paper plantations is minimized and the legal origin of timber from conversion areas is verified, including the existence of an AMDAL, and/or compliance with its stipulations regulating land use in concession.
2013/12/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2013/2990(RSP)


Paragraph 9
9. Notes with concern thWelcomes the 'one map' initiative of the Indonesian government to increase lack ofcesss to up-to- date, transparent and accessible data and maps which hampersithout which good forest governance in Indonesia and results incould be hampered by inconsistent and multiple interpretations of laws and conflicts with local and indigenous communities; underlines that the Independent Forest Monitors need to have access to such basic information in order to credibly perform their role, and that concession maps, cutting plans and copies of permits should be a matter of public record;
2013/12/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2013/2990(RSP)


Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission to make its approval of the SVLK conditional upon thpress the Indonesian government to give assurance that: - a set of clear maps of forest zoning iswill be agreed with Indonesiathe European Union to determine origin and legal compliance of timber, - verification bodies publish in their summary reports digital copies of all documents, government approvals, maps and data used to assess compliance, - the Joint Implementation Committee ensures that the risk of fraud and corruption is substantially addressed, including through the preparation of a risk- based fraud control plan.
2013/12/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2013/2990(RSP)


Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission to make its approval of the SVLK conditional upon thpress the Indonesian government to give assurance that auditors and verification bodies as well as the independent forest monitors are adequately funded and trained to ensure regular field monitoring, spot checks and audits;
2013/12/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2013/2990(RSP)


Paragraph 13
13. NotesWelcomes the efforts by the Indonesian government to strengthen the role of the designated forestry police; notes however that the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry lacks a clear policy for monitoring, cataloguing, and following up on company violation of the SVLK; regrets that companies found to operate in prohibited ways are in most cases only asked to pass another SVLK audit rather than reported to law enforcement authorities;
2013/12/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2013/2990(RSP)


Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Commission to make its approval of the SVLK conditionalpress the Indonesian government to thgive assurance that independent monitor reports signalling infringements are adequately responded to, and that dissuasive and effective sanctions, including possible criminal prosecution, are imposed for the violation of the SVLK;
2013/12/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2013/2990(RSP)


Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the Commission to make its approval of the SVLK conditionalpress the Indonesian government to thgive assurance that: - stakeholder involvement in the implementation and operationalization of the SVLK is continued and enhanced, - protection for independent monitors, civil society organisations and citizens exposing criminal enterprises engaged in forest crimes is guaranteed, - free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples and local communities is in all cases obtained, as a non-negotiable condition for any FLEGT license, - the SLVK audit requirements are regularly updated to incorporate new tenure legislation and in particular the recent decision of the Indonesian Constitutional Court that indigenous people’s land cannot be classified as state forest;
2013/12/19
Committee: INTA
Amendment 49 #

2013/2989(RSP)


Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Requests the inclusion of animal welfare standards in the chapter on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures;
2014/01/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 53 #

2013/2989(RSP)


Paragraph 13
13. Expects the FTA to include a binding and enforceable sustainable development chapter reflecting EU and Vietnam's common commitment to promote respect for, compliance with, and enforcement of, international human rights, the eight ILO's core conventions and key multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), with measures in the event of infringement, providing for the involvement of economic, social, and environmental stakeholdersincluding the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), with measures in the event of infringement, involving independent civil society organizations, representing economic, social, and environmental stakeholders, in the negotiation, implementation and monitoring of the sustainable development chapter, and also to encourage enterprises to uptake CSR practices, and to address outstanding issues such as the welfare of both farm and wild animals; asks that such sustainable development chapter be covered by the general dispute settlement mechanism of the FTA;
2014/01/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 1 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
- having regard to the 2006 European Union Sustainability Impact Assessment Study of the Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area,
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 8 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the Arab Spring has brought about dramatic changes to the peoples of the countries concerned and there is considerable expectation that the European Union will respond in a manner commensurate with the commitments it undertook towards its Southern neighbours in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy, and in line with its commitments under the Lisbon Treaty for EU policies to promote peace, democracy, development and social justice;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the EU should use its exclusive competence over trade and investment policy to foster greater links and, economic integration and development assistance in the Mediterranean area;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the evolving political landscape in the Southern Mediterranean necessitates a clear and supportive response by the European Union in order to consolidate the democratic gains achieved to date and support those whose realisation is still underway; whereas tradea pro-development trade policy can offers genuine opportunities of lifting countries out of poverty and creating new opportunities;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for regulatory convergence where appropriate in areas that have an impact on trade and investment but also more generally on economic governance and on the business climate, such as competition, intellectual property rights, customs and trade facilitation;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 39 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that in addition to the bilateral approach, the EU should also focus on region to region integration, notably through joint projects and by focusing on investment and infrastructure projects; welcomes in this regard the decision in 2012 to extend the EBRD's mandate to the region; calls on the EBRD to focus its support on projects to tackle poverty and create high-quality jobs, and for the EBRD to regularly monitor the effectiveness of these projects;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines that Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (DCFTA) where appropriate are a good opportunity to enhance bilateral trade and address issues which are of mutual concern to both sides, such as promoting sustainable economic growth and tackling crippling youth unemployment; calls on these negotiations to take into account the development needs of the SMCs in particular in the areas of government procurement and trade in services; underlines the importance of consultation with civil society including trade unions;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 62 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the signature at the EU- Tunisian Association Council in November 2012 of a ‘Privileged Partnership’, including the financial support of EUR 400 million, which paves the way for further economic integration with the EU, especially in services, investments and the agriculture sector; calls on the Tunisian authorities to engage, at the earliest possible moment, into negotiations with the European Union on a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement, following the adoption of a new constitution and creation of stable institutional structures in the country;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 64 #

2013/2739(RSP)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines the importance of concrete progresses on sectoral agreements between Tunisia and the EU; expresses, in this context, its hope that negotiations on trade in agriculture be re-launched; requests the Commission to carry out an impact assessment prior to the launch of negotiations, regarding the effects of further trade liberalisation in the agriculture and fisheries sector with Tunisia on the economy of EU Mediterranean regions;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 69 #

2013/2739(RSP)


Paragraph 18
18. Regrets the disappointing export performance of Jordan in recent years; Welcomes the fact that the EU decided to grant loans of up to €180 million to Jordan in support of Jordan's economic adjustment and reform programme; calls on Ministers to explore ways of achieving further progress in this area at the Union for the Mediterranean Trade Ministerial taking place in NovemberFebruary 2014;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 70 #

2013/2739(RSP)


Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Welcomes the decision of the European Commission to withhold grant loans to Egypt; calls on the Commission not to grant such assistance until there is democratic transition and genuine constitutional reform in the country;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 71 #

2013/2739(RSP)


Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the publication of guidelines in July 2013 on the eligibility of Israeli entities for grants, prizes and financial instruments clarifying the Union's position on this matter; urges the Commission to strictly implement these guidelines immediately and to come forward with guidelines on the correct labelling of settlement products as a matter of urgency; calls on Ministers and the Commission to build on and strengthen the 2010 action plan aimed at facilitating trade of Palestinian products with other Euro- Mediterranean partners on a bilateral and regional basis; regrets the appointment by Israel of the Health Minister as the regulator for the ACAA; reiterates that the appropriate regulator should not claim jurisdiction over the territories occupied by Israel since 1967 and calls on the Israeli government to appoint an appropriate regulator;
2013/11/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2013/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 7 May 2009 on Parliament's new role and responsibilities in implementing the Treaty of Lisbon,
2014/01/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 3 #

2013/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas full use should be made of the deepening of the European Union’s democratic legitimacy as provided by the Treaty of Lisbon, through the procedure leading to the election of the President of the European Commission and to the investiture of the European Commission, thus conferring a new political dimension on the European elections through the designation of candidates for that office by the European political parties and reconnecting citizens by enabling them also to cast their votes also for the person of their choice;deleted (Better fits in the main section. Should be moved from recitals to paragraphs.)
2014/01/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 8 #

2013/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas, according to the new procedure provided by the Treaty of Lisbon for the election of the President of the European Commission, Parliament elects the President of the European Commission by a majority of its component members;
2014/01/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 14 #

2013/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the Commission’s accountability to Parliament should be strengthened through the Union’s annual and multiannual programming as well as by creating symmetry between the majorities required for the election of the President of the Commission and for the motion of censure;
2014/01/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 22 #

2013/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. stresses that the potentialities for the strengthening of the European Union's democratic legitimacy provided by the Treaty of Lisbon should be fully implemented, inter alia through the designation of candidates for the office of Commission President by the European political parties, thus conferring a new political dimension on the European elections and further connecting the citizens' vote with the election of the Commission President by the European Parliament;
2014/01/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 24 #

2013/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Urges the next Convention to rethink the way in which the Commission’s President is delected in order to reinforce the Commission’s democratic legitimacy, including the possibility of its direct election;
2014/01/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 47 #

2013/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Is of the opinion that the elected President of the Commission should act more autonomously in the process of selecting the other Members of the Commission; calls upon the governments of the Member States to each propose a list of at least three candidates for the office of European Commissioner, allowing the elected President of the Commission to choose one of the candidates from that list; urges the newly elected President of the Commission to insist with the governments of the Member States that the list of candidates for the office of Commissioner must enable him to ensure the gender-balanced composition of the European Commission;
2014/01/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 57 #

2013/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that, under the Treaties in force, the solution to be adopted may involve the establishment of a rotation system of Commissioners with portfolio andsystem of Vice-presidents of the Commissioners without portfolio, thus ensuring relative stability in the number and content of portfolios and guaranteeing at the same time that the representation of the specificities and interests of all Member States is well balanced in the Commission’s decision- making process; believes that, within this framework, Commissioners without portfolio should fully participate in the decision-making process and could undertake representative duties for the Commission at European level responsibilities over major thematic clusters and with competences to coordinate the work of the Commission in the corresponding areas;
2014/01/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 66 #

2013/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Considers that, in a future revision of the Treaties, the majority currentlConvention should discuss the majority required under Article 234 TFEU for a motion of censure against the Commission should be simplified so as to require only a majority of the component Members of the European Parliamentand how it could be reduced without putting the well- functioning of the institutions at risk. In this regard the introduction of a constructive dismissal procedure should be examined;
2014/01/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 71 #

2013/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses that the challenge of transparency is ever-present and common to all institutions, including inAcknowledges the challenge to render first- reading agreements more transparent; notes that Parliament has tried to responded to this challenge by adopting new Rules 70 and 70a of its Rules of Procedure;
2014/01/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 78 #

2013/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Requests that, at the next revision of the Treaties, Parliament's right of legislative initiative beis fully recognised by making it mandatory for the Commission to follow up all requests for legislative proposals submitted by Parliament under Article 225 TFEU by presenting a legislative proposal within an appropriate time-limit;
2014/01/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 105 #

2013/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Stresses that, under Article 48 (2) TEU, Parliament has the competence to initiate Treaty changes and will make use of this right to present new ideas for the future of Europe and the institutional framework of the EU;
2014/01/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 106 #

2013/2130(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Underlines that the rules on dialogue and access to information allow for more comprehensive parliamentary scrutiny of the activities of the Commission, ensuring that Parliament is treated on an equal footing with thethereby contributing to the equal treatment of Parliament and Council of Ministers by the Commission;
2014/01/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 17 #

2013/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses the importance of ongoing efforts in Malaysia to strengthen labour rights and the rights of migrants;
2013/05/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2013/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on Malaysia as a resource-rich country not to unduly restrict access to raw materials and to refrain from applying export restrictions to the EU; recognises however the importance of environmental protection; emphasises that access to raw materials must not be at the expense of environmental protection or measures to protect biodiversity.
2013/05/07
Committee: INTA
Amendment 1 #

2012/2711(RSP)


Recital -a (new)
The Political Context Believes that the importance of Japan as a political ally with a similar approach to the EU when facing the new challenges of a globalised world should be taken into consideration.
2012/09/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2012/2711(RSP)

- having regard to the Commission Communication of 19 December 2007 on Community action in relation to whaling (COM(2007)0823),
2012/09/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2012/2711(RSP)

- having regard to its resolution of 19 February 2009 on Community action in relation to whaling (2008/2101(INI))
2012/09/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2012/2711(RSP)

- having regard to the 1997 Treaty of Amsterdam amending the Treaty on European Union - Protocol on protection and welfare of animals.
2012/09/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2012/2711(RSP)

– having regard to the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Japan on cooperation in science and technology signed on 2 July, 2012;
2012/09/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2012/2711(RSP)


Paragraph G a (new)
whereas Commission, Council and European Parliament support the maintenance of the global moratorium on commercial whaling and a ban on international commercial trade in whale products; and seek to end so-called scientific whaling and support the designation of substantial regions of ocean and seas as sanctuaries in which all whaling is indefinitively prohibited;
2012/09/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2012/2711(RSP)


Paragraph G b (new)
whereas the Commission, Council and European Parliament continuously call for coordinated EU action to ensure effective protection of whales worldwide through an elimination of lethal whaling for scientific purposes outside IWC control and the maintenance of the global moratorium on commercial whaling; and the European Parliaments’ resolution urges the EU to work towards obtaining a “universal agreement” on whaling in the context of the process to define the future of the IWC
2012/09/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 47 #

2012/2711(RSP)


Paragraph 10
10. Notes that the removal of non-tariff barriers is significantly more difficult to monitor and implement than the elimination of import tariffs; urges the Commission to draw conclusions from the NTB commitments in the EU-South Korea FTA to develop best practise implementation and monitoring mechanisms; notes that serious divergences remain between the EU and Japan on issues related to the management of fisheries and whaling, notably Japan’s whaling under the guise of scientific whaling, and calls for broader discussions on the matter of the abolition of whale hunting and of trade in whale products.
2012/09/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 76 #

2012/2711(RSP)


Paragraph 11, eighth indent b (new)
Stresses that, for an FTA to be truly advantageous to the EU, its environment and its animals, the Council should include a robust Sustainable Development chapter, which includes: - effective and mutually binding safeguards to ensure trade provisions agreed to as part of the agreement do not undermine or otherwise alter the EU’s animal welfare commitments, its obligations for the conservation of biological diversity and international environmental commitments
2012/09/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 77 #

2012/2711(RSP)


Paragraph 11, eighth indent c (new)
Reiterates the EU’s commitment to the protection and conservation of biological diversity and the need for solid provisions on Trade and Sustainable Development which ensure the effective implementation of multilateral environment agreements, including IWC and CITES.
2012/09/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 93 #

2012/2711(RSP)


Paragraph 15
15. Reiterates its belief that, if these conditions are met, an EU-Japan FTA has the potential to lead to a win-win situation, beneficial for both economies, and that a deeper degree of integration through an EIA would multiply the gains considerably to both economies;
2012/09/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2012/2299(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the vital role of the aviation sector toin the EU economy and in terms of connectivity, and stresses the need to maintain a strong and competitive EU aviation sector, and emphasises in particular the importance of investment in regional airports as a tool to facilitate and enhance trade, investment and growth in Europe’s regions;
2013/02/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2012/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas the failure to put into place adequate measures to prevent, detect and root out legal and illegal forms of corruption is one of the reasons for the financial crisis; whereas widespread corruption in the public and private sectors, both in developing and developed countries, hampers an effective, broad and equal protection and promotion of civil, political and social rights;
2012/12/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 78 #

2012/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Reiterates that budget support to partner countries and all trade agreements should be more closely linked to the human rights and governance situation of the partner countries; takes the view that donors and lenders should namely respond in a coordinated manner to reported cases of fraud and corruption and foster reforms in those countries towards good governance and transparency; urges the EU and Member States to make systematic risk assessments of widespread corruption in partner countries, which may hamper the desired effects of development and humanitarian projects;
2012/12/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 16 #

2012/2098(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Asks the Commission to include a CSR clause in all bilateral trade and investment agreements signed by the EU, on the basis of principles of CSR as defined and acknowledged at the international level; suggests that, with an emphasis on sustainable development and good governance and with a clear focus on human rights, decent work, labour standards, freedom of association, collective bargaining and other social considerations; emphasises this clause should contain measures for the implementation of these principles;
2012/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2012/2098(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Asks the Commission to introduce a more open and clear procedure for filing and considering complaints of non- compliance to CSR principles, including enforcement mechanisms and initiating investigations where necessary
2012/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2012/2098(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Deplores the fact that the principles underpinning CSR have not been sufficiently well incorporated into the revised GSP and GSP+ Regulation; calls on the Commission to ensureuse incentive based measures more effectively and to be more vigilant in monitoring and ensuring that transnational corporations whose subsidiaries or supply chains are located in countries participating in the GSP and GSP+, as well as the countries concerned, comply with their national and international legal obligations in the areas of human rights, social and labour standards and environmental rules, show a genuine commitment to the rights, protection and well-being of their workforce and citizens generally, uphold freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, and deal with any infringements swiftly and effectively;
2012/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2012/2098(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls for mechanisms to be put in place whereby CSR principles must be respected not only by the main company or contractor benefitting from a trade agreement, but also by any sub- contractors or supply chains which it may use, whether in the supply of goods, workers or services, thereby ensuring a level playing field based on fair pay and decent working conditions, and guaranteeing trade union rights and freedoms;
2012/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 55 #

2012/2098(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Asks that CSR policies are included in all levels of trade agreements with the EU, and include provisions to extend protection to migrant, agency and posted workers
2012/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 57 #

2012/2098(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Calls for CSR policies and fundamental employment and trade union rights, such as the right to privacy and freedom of association, to be respected by EU companies in all their operations, whether based in the EU or internationally
2012/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 59 #

2012/2098(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Calls for full and active consultation and involvement of representative organisations, including trade unions, in the development, operation and monitoring of companies' CSR processes and structures, working with employers in a genuine partnership approach
2012/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 60 #

2012/2098(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 d (new)
6d. Calls for an increased and more inclusive and transparent monitoring of CSR principles in EU trade policy, with clear benchmarks to measure improvements so as to encourage confidence in the system;
2012/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2012/2098(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 e (new)
6e. Notes that CSR is a mechanism with which employers can support their workers and local communities in developing countries, that respect for CSR and labour standards can enable such countries to benefit from further international trade and that CSR can ensure gains are equitably shared to develop sustainable economic and social prosperity and lift more people out of poverty, especially in times of financial crisis; regrets that protocols for social intervention are currently only voluntary and urges the Commission to make these binding.
2012/11/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2012/2097(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Asks the Commission to include a CSR clause in all bilateral trade and investment agreements signed by the EU, on the basis of principles of CSR as defined and acknowledged at the international level; suggests that, with an emphasis on sustainable development and good governance and with a clear focus on human rights, decent work, labour standards, freedom of association, collective bargaining and other social considerations; emphasises this clause should contain measures for the implementation of these principles;
2012/11/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2012/2097(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Asks the Commission to introduce a more open and clear procedure for filing and considering complaints of non- compliance to CSR principles, including enforcement mechanisms and initiating investigations where necessary
2012/11/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2012/2097(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Deplores the fact that the principles underpinning CSR have not been sufficiently well incorporated into the revised GSP and GSP+ Regulation; calls on the Commission to ensureuse incentive based measures more effectively and to be more vigilant in monitoring and ensuring that transnational corporations whose subsidiaries or supply chains are located in countries participating in the GSP and GSP+, as well as the countries concerned, comply with their national and international legal obligations in the areas of human rights, social and labour standards and environmental rules, show a genuine commitment to the rights, protection and well-being of their workforce and citizens generally, uphold freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, and deal with any infringements swiftly and effectively;
2012/11/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2012/2097(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls for mechanisms to be put in place whereby CSR principles must be respected not only by the main company or contractor benefitting from a trade agreement, but also by any sub- contractors or supply chains which it may use, whether in the supply of goods, workers or services, thereby ensuring a level playing field based on fair pay and decent working conditions, and guaranteeing trade union rights and freedoms;
2012/11/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 55 #

2012/2097(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Asks that CSR policies are included in all levels of trade agreements with the EU, and include provisions to extend protection to migrant, agency and posted workers
2012/11/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 57 #

2012/2097(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Calls for CSR policies and fundamental employment and trade union rights, such as the right to privacy and freedom of association, to be respected by EU companies in all their operations, whether based in the EU or internationally
2012/11/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 59 #

2012/2097(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Calls for full and active consultation and involvement of representative organisations, including trade unions, in the development, operation and monitoring of companies' CSR processes and structures, working with employers in a genuine partnership approach
2012/11/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 60 #

2012/2097(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 d (new)
6d. Calls for an increased and more inclusive and transparent monitoring of CSR principles in EU trade policy, with clear benchmarks to measure improvements so as to encourage confidence in the system;
2012/11/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2012/2097(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 e (new)
6e. Notes that CSR is a mechanism with which employers can support their workers and local communities in developing countries, that respect for CSR and labour standards can enable such countries to benefit from further international trade and that CSR can ensure gains are equitably shared to develop sustainable economic and social prosperity and lift more people out of poverty, especially in times of financial crisis; regrets that protocols for social intervention are currently only voluntary and urges the Commission to make these binding
2012/11/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 21 #

2012/0163(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) Agreements providing for investment protection typicallyIn the cases where it is justifiable, future investment protection agreements concluded by the Union can include an investor-to- state dispute settlement mechanism, which allows an investor from a third country to bring a claim against a state in which it has made an investment. Investor-to-state dispute settlement can result in awards for monetary compensation. Furthermore, significant costs for administering the arbitration as well as costs relating to the defence of a case will inevitably be incurred in any such case.
2013/02/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2012/0163(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) The proper management of financial responsibility relating to investor-to-state dispute settlement procedures is intimately linked with and dependent on the Union's and the Member States' exposure to liability resulting from the substantive standards that will be applied by arbitral tribunals having jurisdiction under an investment agreement concluded by the Union. In order to be able to assess the potential liabilities involved and to provide for a practically efficient framework for managing this financial responsibility, it is necessary to delineate the outer limits of the financial responsibilities involved.
2013/02/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2012/0163(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 b (new)
(3b) The consolidated case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union on the protection of fundamental rights of the European Union relating to economic activity, the adoption of the Charter of Fundamental Right, and the Union's accession to the European Convention of Human Rights, together with the court system established by the Treaties for the safeguarding of these rights and the possibility of obtaining damages in case of their violation by act of the Union or Member States, offer investors both from the Union and from third countries a level of protection that is today among the highest afforded by any national or supra- national entity.
2013/02/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2012/0163(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3d (new)
(3d) Delineation of the outer limits of financial responsibilities under this Regulation is also linked to the safeguarding of the Union's legislative powers exercised within the competences defined by the Treaties, and controlled for their legality by the Court of Justice, which cannot be unduly restrained by potential liability defined outside the balanced system established by the Treaties. Accordingly, the Court of Justice has clearly confirmed that the Union's liability for legislative acts especially in the interaction with international law must be framed narrowly and cannot be engaged without the clear establishment of fault.1 Future investment agreements to be concluded by the Union should respect these safeguards to the Union's legislative powers and should not establish stricter standards of liability allowing a circumvention of the standards defined by the Court of Justice. ______________ 1 FIAMM and Fedon v. Council and Commission [2008] ECR I-6513
2013/02/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2012/0163(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) Financial responsibility should be allocated to the entity responsible for the treatment found to be inconsistent with the relevant provisions of the agreement. This means that the Union should bear the financial responsibility where the treatment concerned is afforded by an institution, body or agency of the Union. The Member State concerned should bear the financial responsibility where the treatment concerned is afforded by a Member State. However, where the Member State acts in a manner required by the law of the Union, for example in transposing a directive adopted by the Union, ithe Union should not bear financial responsibility in so far as the treatment concerned is required by Union law and the decision on the Union's liability for its underlying legislative act should be reserved to the Court of Justice of the European Union. The regulation also needs to foresee the possibility that an individual case could concern both treatment afforded by a Member State and treatment required by Union law. It will cover all actions taken by Member States and by the European Union.
2013/02/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 41 #

2012/0163(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) Equally, when a Member State acts as respondent it is appropriate that it keep the Commission informed of developments in the case and that the Commission can, where appropriate, require that the Member State acting as respondent takes a specific position on matters thaving at might affect Union interests.
2013/02/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 65 #

2012/0163(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Notwithstanding point (b) of the first subparagraph, wWhere the Member State concerned iwas required to act pursuant to the law of the Union in order to remedy the inconsiste, any question of liability of the Member State for its compliancye with the law of the Union, of a prior act, that Member State shall be financially responsible unless the adoption of such prior act was required by the law of the Unionr liability of the Union for its legislative act in question, shall be resolved exclusively by the Court of Justice of the European Union, as provided for in the Treaties.
2013/02/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 76 #

2012/0163(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 a (new)
As soon as the Commission receives a request from a claimant for consultations or a claim to arbitration or as soon as the Commission is informed about a request for consultations or a claim against a Member State, the Commission shall promptly inform the European Parliament about the name of the claimant, the provisions of the agreement alleged to have been breached, the economic sector involved, the treatment alleged to be in breach of the agreement and the amount of damages claimed.
2013/02/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 112 #

2012/0163(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Where a Member State is respondent in a dispute exclusively concerning treatment afforded by its authorities and decides to settle the dispute, it shall notify the Commission of the draft settlement arrangement and shall inform the Commission of the negotiation and the implementation of the settlement.
2013/02/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2011/2174(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Annex I (new) - Article 3 (new)
Article 3 Conflicts of interest 1. A conflict of interest exists where a Member has a personal interest that could improperly influence the performance of his or her duties as a Member of the European Parliament. A conflict of interest does not exist where a Member benefits only as a member of the general public or of a broad class of persons. 2. Any Member who finds that he or she has a conflict of interest shall immediately take the necessary steps to address it, in accordance with the principles and provisions of this Code of Conduct. If the Member is unable to resolve the conflict of interest, he or she shall report this to the President in writing. In cases of ambiguity, the Member may seek advice in confidence from the Advisory Committee on the Conduct of Members, established under Article 7. 3. Without prejudice to paragraph 2, Members shall disclose, before speaking or voting in Plenary or in one of Parliament's bodies, or if proposed as a rapporteur, any actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to the matter under consideration, where such conflict is not evident from the information declared pursuant to Article 4. Such disclosure shall be made in writing or orally to the chair during the parliamentary proceedings in question.
2011/11/07
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 56 #

2011/2174(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Annex I (new) – Article 7 (new)
Article 7 Advisory Committee on the Conduct of Members 1. An Advisory Committee on the Conduct of Members ("the Advisory Committee") is hereby established. 2. The Advisory Committee shall be composed of five members, appointed by the President at the beginning of his or her term-of-office from amongst the members of the bureaux and the coordinators of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and the Committee on Legal Affairs, taking due account of the Members' experience and of political balance. Each Member of the Advisory Committee shall serve as chair for six months on a rotating basis. 3. The President shall also, at the beginning of his or her term-of-office, nominate reserve Members for the Advisory Committee, one for each group not represented in the Advisory Committee. In the event of an alleged breach of this Code of Conduct by a Member of a political group not represented in the Advisory Committee, the relevant reserve Member shall serve as a 6th full Member of the Advisory Committee for the alleged breach under consideration. 4. The Advisory Committee shall give guidance to Members in confidence for the interpretation and implementation of the provisions of this Code of Conduct. On request of the President, the Advisory Committee shall also assess alleged cases of breach of this Code of Conduct and advise the President on possible action to be taken. 5. The Advisory Committee may, after consulting the President, seek advice from outside experts.
2011/11/07
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 62 #

2011/2174(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Annex I (new) – Article 8 (new)
Article 8 Procedure in the event of possible breaches of the Code of Conduct 1. Where there is reason to think that a Member may have breached this Code of Conduct, the President may refer the matter to the Advisory Committee. 2. The Advisory Committee shall examine the circumstances of the alleged breach, and on the basis of the conclusions of its findings, make a recommendation to the President on a possible decision. 3. If, taking into account the advice of the Advisory Committee, the President concludes that the Member concerned has breached the Code of Conduct, he or she shall, after hearing the Member, adopt a reasoned decision laying down a penalty, which he or she shall notify to the Member. The penalty may consist of one or more of the measures listed in Article 153(3) of the Rules of Procedure. In the case of the withdrawal of a rapporteurship, the President shall submit this recommendation to the committee responsible. Such a proposal shall be approved by the committee responsible by a majority of two-thirds. 4. The internal appeal procedures defined in Rule 154 of the Rules of Procedure shall be open to the Member concerned. 5. Any penalty imposed on a Member after the expiry of the time-limits laid down in Rule 154 of the Rules of Procedure shall be announced by the President in plenary and published on Parliament's website for the remainder of the parliamentary term.
2011/11/07
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 10 #

2011/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas the difficulties of European manufacturers on Japan's car market are also due to the slow pace of adoption by Japan of the relevant international standards, considering that Japan has adoptedile disappointed that only 40 out of the 1267 UN-ECE Regulations under the 1958 Agreement and that the slow pace of adoption by Japan restricts the benefits of the mutual recognition provisions of the 1958 UN- ECE Agreement; whereas Japan's test cycle to measure emissions have been adopted, acknowledges that these include 30 out of the 47 that concern Passenger Cars (M1), the sector of Japan's market which is most relevandt fuel efficiency of light vehicles makes European ones less likely to qualify for the Japanese environmental performance- based tax incentivesor European car makers. Therefore recognises the important role that the remaining 17 M1 sector issues will play, together with the 70 other items as part of the negotiations of an EU- Japan EIA/FTA;
2011/09/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2011/2115(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Demands that the Commission treat the resolution of outstanding NTBs as priority in the forthcoming negotiations for an EU-Japan EIA/FTA;
2011/09/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2011/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Insists onCalls for a continuation of the efforts towards democratisation, modernisation of the education sector, including business education; political and education systems, development of a sustainable energy sector and improved transportation links to connect Caspian resources to the European market;
2011/07/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2011/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Is of the opinion that the promotion of SMEs is keyone of the elements needed for development of the countries involved and that the EU should give this higher priority in its assistance to SMEs in the EIB mandate for Central Asia and the relax visa requirements for business from Central Asiaand higher education from Central Asia, while promoting labour, environmental and corporate social responsibility standards;
2011/07/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2011/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Acknowledges the importance of the EU Special Representative’s continuous work in the field in ensuring a high level of political dialogue with the Central Asian states; recalls that his mandate also provides for engagement with local civil society and that this is necessary for increased EU visibility; calls for political dialogue to be based on an assessment of compliance by Central Asian states with their commitments as OSCE members;
2011/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 29 #

2011/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Insists that the EU should makstrongly promote good governance, respect for the rule of law, human rights, democratisation and the fight against corruption centralas the key elements of its dialogue with these countries;
2011/07/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2011/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Believes that the future EU Central Asia strategy should learn lessons from the reform of the European Neighbourhood policy, through differentiation, people to people contact and increased attention for democracy and human rights and also take into account the broader geopolitical context including Mongolia and Afghanistan.
2011/07/22
Committee: INTA
Amendment 43 #

2011/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Deplores the difficulty encountered by the EU in engaging with independent civil society in the area of human rights and good governance in the context of the continued harassment of NGOs in the region; calls for EU delegations and embassies to support for genuinely independent NGOs so as to help them play an effective role in the development and consolidation of civil society;
2011/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 58 #

2011/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets that, although some positive developments have taken place in the region (abolition of the death penalty in Uzbekistan, some constitutional and judicial procedure reforms, etc.), the overall situation in the fields of human rights and the rule of law remains worrying;
2011/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 74 #

2011/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Regards the Rule of Law Initiative as a key component of cooperation with the states of Central Asia, and approves of the exemplary interaction between the EU and its Member States in implementing assistance projects; notes that there has been little interaction between the project and local civil society and that greater interactions with civil society, parliamentarians, improving access to information about the initiative by local civil society actors would enhance the visibility, transparency and accountability of its activities in line with the EU’s broader objectives for improving the Central Asia Strategy outlined in the Joint Progress report; expects the Rule of Law Platform project to include clear objectives and a transparent assessment of its implementation and results while avoiding any reinforcement of the repressive components of security forces;
2011/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 92 #

2011/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Regards it as of the utmost importance that energy cooperation projects include long-term supply agreements, enshrining the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative; considers that where such principles are not implemented, as in the case of Turkmenistan, the EU should desist from activities and investments which might exacerbate existing rule of law, governance and human rights problems;
2011/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 105 #

2011/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the increased engagement of the European development banks in the region, and especially, the extension of the mandate of the EIB to Central Asia focusing on environmental and water issues; urges the development banks to uphold principles established by EBRD in desisting from support to state-owned enterprises in countries where there are systematic human rights violations;
2011/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 107 #

2011/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Recognises that the denial of basic rights and opportunities, through lack of democracy and rule of law, can lead to situations of insecurity;
2011/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 110 #

2011/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Reaffirms its support for actions aimed at fostering regional cooperation as the onlya major way to address the many cross- border security, resource management, ethnic, environmental and development problems of the states concerned;
2011/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 141 #

2011/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Expresses its concern at continuing violations of the fundamental human rights, such as the right to freedom of assembly and fair trial, as the recent cases of the Zhanaozen strike and imprisonment of trade union lawyer Natalya Sokolova show;
2011/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 175 #

2011/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Deplores, however, the fact that none of the conditions set by the European Parliament in February 2008 in order to move ahead with the InterimPartnership and Cooperation Agreement have been fulfilled, in particular free and unfettered access for the International Committee of the Red Cross, the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, the abolition of all government impediments to travel, and the possibility for NGOs to operate in the country; considers that these conditions must be met in order for Turkmenistan to comply with the international standards it has ratified;
2011/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 181 #

2011/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Takes note of the Council Conclusions of October 2010 that put an end to all sanctions on Uzbekistan and confirmed the willingness of the EU to strengthen relations with that country in a comprehensive manner; recalls that the government has yet to respond to the EU request for an independent investigation into the Andijan tragedy; recalls that the level of the engagement depends on progress by Uzbekistan in the fields of human rights, democratisation and the rule of law, and expects the EEAS and the Council to develop a policy of critical, conditional and coherent European engagement with Uzbekistan;
2011/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 185 #

2011/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Notes the concern by the ILO, representatives of workers, employers and NGOs as to the ongoing use of state- orchestrated forced child labour in Uzbekistan’s cotton industry, calls for Uzbekistan’s authorities to engage with the ILO and grant the ILO unfettered access to monitor the cotton harvest;
2011/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 189 #

2011/2008(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Deplores the recent decision of the Uzbek authorities to close down the office of Human Rights Watch in Tashkent, and calls on them to allow unhindered access and operations by national and international NGOs and monitors throughout the country;
2011/09/13
Committee: AFET
Amendment 48 #

2011/0117(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
a) it has been classified by the World Bank as a high-income or an upper-middle income country during three consecutive years immediately preceding the update of the list of beneficiary countries;
2012/01/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2011/0117(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
aa) it has been classified by the World Bank as an upper-middle income country during the three consecutive years immediately preceding the update of the list of beneficiary countries and the value of its imports of products into the European Union from the seven largest GSP sections listed in Annex V represents less that the threshold of 95% in value of its total imports of products to the European Union listed in Annex V, as an average during the preceding three consecutive years;
2012/01/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 91 #

2011/0117(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) it has ratified all the conventions listed in Annex VIII and the most recent available conclusions of the relevant monitoring bodies do not identify a serious failure to effectively implement any of these conventions;
2012/01/23
Committee: INTA
Amendment 54 #

2010/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that the same high level of protection should not be granted to all kinds of investments and that, for example, portfolio investment and intellectual property rights should be excluded from the scope of future international investment agreements signed by the EU; is therefore concerned that the Commission's recommendation for a negotiating directive on investment with India includes intellectual property rights; cautions that this could have a negative impact on the production of generic medicines and on public health;
2011/02/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 121 #

2010/2203(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Underlines that the Commission shall establish a list of sectors not covered by future agreements, for example sensitive sectors such as culture, education and those sectors which are strategically important for national defence, and calls on the Commission to foresee safeguards to protect public health; notes that the EU should also be aware of the concerns of its developing partners and should not call for more liberalisation if the latter deem it necessary for their development to protect certain sectors, particularly public services;
2011/02/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes in general the triple objectives of Europe 2020 of smart, inclusive and sustainable growth and the Commission’s Communication ‘Trade, Growth and World Affairs’; at the same time, profoundly regrets that the Communication, while appropriately addressing many current issues on the trade agenda, does not present a forward-looking future strategy on trade and investment;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 42 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises at the same time that trade policy should not be overburdened with issues not directly related to international trade, which could be better addressed in other contexts; encourages other political disciplines to take into consideration more often how other policy areas could on the one hand negatively affect, and on the other hand positively contribute to, trade policy; in particular, recalls the EU’s earlier commitments to ensure Policy Coherence for Development;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 49 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Regrets that, even though trade opening generates opportunities for European companies and job creation, as well as benefits for European consumers, many Union citizens still equate globalisation mainly with falling European output and job losses; calls therefore on the Commission and the Member States to adopt a better communication strategy on the Union’s trade policy and the advantages and disadvantages of international trade;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 54 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Believes that the EU’s monitoring of the implementation of international conventions by GSP + beneficiaries must be revised in order to allow Parliament and civil society to play a greater role;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 57 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates that the multilateral trading system, embodied in the WTO, remains by far the best framework for achieving free and fair trade on a global basis; considers, however, that the WTO system should be reformed in order to increase its effectiveness, and that the EU should develop proposals to strengthen the WTO and to extend its rulemaking capacity to new areas of trade policy (e.g. prohibition of export taxes);
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 64 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 10
Parliament sees Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) as a second-best but necessary solutioncomplementary to multilateral agreements
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 78 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates that all new FTAs concluded by the EU should be WTO-compatible, comprehensive, ambitious, lead to real reciprocal market access and go beyond both existing multilateral commitments and those expected to result from a successful conclusion of the DDA; welcomes the progress made in some negotiations; at the same time regrets that most of the negotiations have not been concluded yet; asks the Commission to analyse what could be done or changed in order to conclude outstanding FTA negotiations better and faster; asks the Commission to analyse the possibility of including WTO dispute settlement mechanisms in bilateral Free Trade Agreements; asks the Commission to reduce the spaghetti-bowl effect, e.g. by negotiating multilateral rules of origin;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 89 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Reminds the Commission to carry out a better evaluation of European interests before deciding on future FTA partners and negotiation mandates; remindsPoint out to the Commission and the Council to take serioushat if it wants Parliament to exercise its assent powers responsibly, into account Parliament’s views when deciding about the mandatest must involve Parliament at every stage from the agreement of the negotiating mandate and through each round of negotiations; points this out in view of the Commission’s recent request to the Council to modify their investment mandate in their FTA negotiations with India;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 122 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Reiterates that the pursuit of further trade liberalisation makes it all the more necessary for the EU to preserve its ability to protect itself against unfair trading practices; regards Trade Defence Instruments (TDI) therefore as an indispensable component of the EU’s strategy; welcomes all efforts to streamline its TDI procedures and accessibility for Union industry, especially SMEs; calls on the Commission to remain aware that TDIs – which aim to address unfair trade practices – are sometimes used in bad faith as a protectionist measure;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 134 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Demands that the Commission force our trading partners to grant better market access to our service providers, bearing in mind that the EU internal market is already quite open to foreign service providers; notes, however, that some public services have to remain excluded on the basis of national or regional cultural diversities;deleted
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 149 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Highlights the importance of access to public services in developing countries; cautions against liberalisation of these services which may threaten access by the poorest in these countries;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 150 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Recognises that the temporary movement of natural persons (Mode IV) has an important role to play within the EU’s bilateral negotiations; believes that it is important that Mode IV does not undermine the principle of collective bargaining and minimum wage legislation;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 160 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Asks the Commission to assess systematically the impact of the EU’s internal policies and regulations on global competitiveness and to give preference in its proposals to those options that are least likely to negatively affect the competitive position of EU enterprises within and outside Europe;deleted
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 175 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Notes that outside Europe, Parliament supports the Commission in its goal to promote - inter alia - sustainable development, international labour standards and decent work, for example by negotiating EPAs, which combine European and ACP interests, by fostering development by promoting regional integration, creating opportunities for trade and investment and improving economic governance, reminding all stakeholders that other regions of the globe have shown how trade can contribute to welfare; asks the Commission for an integrated approach on trade, foreign, development, social and environmental policies; reiterates its earlier call on the Commission to ensure coordinated policies in support of Fair Trade;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 177 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. With regards to EPAs, calls on the Commission to respect Parliament’s past resolutions on the need to show flexibility in the negotiations with our partners and honour the commitment to special and differential treatment with developing countries;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 195 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Highlights the importance of involvement of civil society within FTAs; supports the initiative taken by the European Commission within the EU Korea FTA to convene a Domestic Advisory Group to allow civil society input; asks the European Commission to develop this initiative within future FTAs;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 199 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Urges the Commission to not only complain about the unacceptable behaviour of some trading partners, but also to react in a stringent and proper way, for instance by withdrawing GSP benefits in the event of a GSP beneficiary country making use of unfair trade practices; reminds the Commission of the fact that, besides trade policy, there are other policies such as environment, development, research and foreign affairs that have to support a joint policy on raw materials supply;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 209 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Stresses that counterfeiting and piracy result in job losses and undermine innovation, and stresses that adequate IPR protection and effective enforcement are the bedrock of a global economy; regards the appropriate protection of IPRs, trademarks and geographical indications by our main trading partners as an indispensable requirement for preserving and improving the EU’s competitiveness, and welcomes the Commission’s commitment to strengthening IPR provisions in international trade agreements and the enforcement of existing commitments;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 213 #

2010/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. Reminds the Commission that European IPR policy towards the least developed countries, as well as the main producers of generics, notably India and Brazil, should remain within the TRIPS Agreement obligations, especially in the field of generic medicines;
2011/03/25
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2010/2085(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that a single EU control system for all products is essentialimportant for our trading partners and producers from third countries who place their products on the EU market; is of the opinion that when preparing a proposal on the revision of the General Product Safety Directive the Commission should seriously consider the possibility ofmust includinge the market surveillance provisions of the GPSD in the New Legislative Framework;
2010/11/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2010/2085(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises that more and more products from third countries are being bought on line by consumers, who might not be aware that those products do not necessarily comply with European standards and may pose safety hazards for their users; notes that products bought by consumers on line from third countries constitute a challenge for customs and market surveillance authorities; calls on the Commission to study possible solutions to that problem, while strengthening consumers’ confidence in e-commerce.
2010/11/09
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2010/2061(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 51
Procedure with joint committee meetings Where the conditions set out in Rule 49(1) and Rule 50 are fulfilled, the Conference of Presidents may, if it is satisfiJoint committees 1. When a question of competence is referred to it pursuant to Rule 188(2), the Conference of Presidents may decide that the procedure with joint committees is to be applied, provided that : -the matter is of major importance, decide that a procedure with joint meetings offalls, on the basis of Annex VII, indissociably within the competences of several committees; and a joint vote is to be applied- it is satisfied that the matter is of major importance. 2. In that event, the respective rapporteurs concerned shall draw up a single draft report, which shall be examined and voted on by the committees involved at joint meetings held under the joint chairmanship of the committee Chairs concerned. The committees involved may set up inter- committee working groups to prepare the joint meetings and votes. concerned, under the joint chairmanship of the committee Chairs. In order to adopt the draft report, the joint vote must be supported by a simple majority of the members present from each committee. The rights attaching to the status of committee responsible may be exercised by the committees concerned only when acting jointly. The committees involved may set up working groups to prepare the meetings and votes. 3. If the matter comes under the ordinary legislative procedure within the meaning of Article 294 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the procedure with joint committees shall apply at every stage of that procedure. 4. If Parliament is required to consider a draft delegated act or a draft implementing measure based on an act which has been dealt with under the procedure with joint committees, the President, acting on a recommendation from the Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs, shall determine without delay, and on the basis of the criteria laid down in paragraph 1, which committee is to be responsible, or which committees are to be jointly responsible, for considering the draft text in question.
2011/03/31
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 5 #

2010/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Is convinced that trade canould be a powerfuln engine of economic growth; believes that the slow progress of the Doha Round negotiations is hampering the contribution of the international trading system to the MDGs; stresses that a positive conclusion of the Doha Round wcould aid in delivering an economic stimulus package globally;
2010/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2010/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a
6a. Calls on the Commission to examine proposals for a financial transaction tax to contribute towards achieving the MDGs.
2010/03/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2010/0289(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Citation 2 a (new)
Having regard to the request for a WTO waiver for additional autonomous trade preferences granted by the European Union to Pakistan of November 18, 2010,
2010/12/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 30 #

2010/0289(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) IGiven the hardship being suffered by the Pakistani people due to the devastating floods it is therefore appropriate to extend exceptional autonomous trade preferences to Pakistan by suspending for a limited period of time all tariffs for certain products of export interest to Pakistan. The provision of these trade preferences would not cause any meaningfullimited adverse effects on the domestic market of the Union and would not affect negatively least developed Members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
2010/12/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 39 #

2010/0289(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) Theses measures are proposed as part of an exceptional package, in response to the specific situation in Pakistan. They should not constitute a precedent for the Union's trade policy with other countries.
2010/12/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2010/0289(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) The granting of autonomous trade preferences is linked to respect for the fundamental principles of democracy and human rights.
2010/12/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 49 #

2010/0289(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) The granting of these preferences is also conditional on Pakistan abstaining from maintaining, introducing or increasing duties or charges having equivalent effect or any other restriction or prohibition on the export or sale for export of any materials primarily used in the production of any of the products covered by this Regulation destined for the territory of the Union, from the day of the entry into force of this Regulation.
2010/12/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 52 #

2010/0289(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 c (new)
(10c) It is also necessary to provide for the introduction of tariff rate quotas where volumes of imports of products covered by Annex I of this Regulation increase beyond certain levels. Given the need to respond expeditiously to such increased volumes, the Commission should adopt a delegated act, in accordance with Article 290, of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, on the basis of an urgency procedure, amending Annex II. The power to adopt such acts should be delegated to the Commission.
2010/12/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 59 #

2010/0289(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
(13) In order to ensure an immediate and sustainable impact on the economic recovery of Pakistan in the aftermath of the floods it is recommended to limit the duration of the trade preferences until 31 December 2012 with a possible one year extension until 31 December 2013.
2010/12/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 72 #

2010/0289(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) Pakistan’s abstention from maintaining, introducing or increasing duties or charges having equivalent effect or any other restriction or prohibition on the export or sale for exports of any materials primarily used in the production of any of the products covered by this Regulation destined for the territory of the Union.
2010/12/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 75 #

2010/0289(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 a (new)
Article 3a Monitoring and reporting 1. The Commission shall subject the products covered by the preferences provided for in this Regulation to customs surveillance. This surveillance shall provide for updated and timely data, in volume and value. These data shall be immediately made available to Member- States and economic operators. 2. The Commission shall make public a quarterly report on the application and implementation of this Regulation. The report shall include the statistics and information on the evolution of trade with Pakistan, in volume and value, on the products covered by this Regulation. 3. The European Parliament or the Council may invite the Commission to an ad hoc meeting, to be held at one month's notice, to present and explain any issue related to the implementation of this Regulation.
2010/12/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 104 #

2010/0289(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. No later than 24 months after the entry into force, the Commission shall carry out a full impact assessment on the effects of this Regulation and submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council. The European Parliament and the Council may, on the basis of this report, decide to extend the application of this Regulation until 31 December 2013.
2010/12/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 109 #

2010/0289(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4
4. This Regulation shall apply until 31 December 2012 with a possible one-year extension until 31 December 2013.
2010/12/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 122 #

2010/0289(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex 2
Product subject to annual duty free tariff quotas referred to in Article 3. CN Code Description 2011 20121 20132 22071000 UNDENATURED 100 000 100 000 100 000 ETHYLETHYL 80 000 80 000 ALCOHOL, OF ACTUAL tonnes tonnes ALCOHOLIC STRENGTH OF >= 80% 52083900 OTHER DYED WOVEN FABRICS 1 685 1 685 OF COTTON, CONTAINING 85% OR tonnes tonnes MORE BY WEIGHT OF COTTON 52093900 OTHER DYED WOVEN FABRICS 3 002 3 002 OF COTTON, CONTAINING 85% OR tonnes tonnes tonnes ALCOHOL, OF ACTUAL MORE BY WEIGHT OF COTTON, WEIGHING MORE THAN 200 G/M2 61159500 PANTYHOSE, TIGHTS, 9 052 9 052 STOCKINGS, SOCKS AND OTHER tonnes tonnes HOSIERYAND FOOTWEAR WITHOUT APPLIED SOLES, OF COTTON, KNITTED OR CROCHETED (EXCL. GRADUATED COMPRESSION HOSIERY, PANTYHOSE AND TIGHTS, WOMEN'S FULL-LENGTH OR KNEE-LENGTH STOCKINGS, MEASURING PER SINGLE YARN LESS THAN 67 DECITEX) 62046231 WOMEN'S OR GIRLS' COTTON 7 571 7 571 DENIM TROUSERS AND tonnes tonnes ALCOHOLIC STRENGTH OF BREECHES (OTHER THAN. INDUSTRIAL AND OCCUPATIONAL) 62114290 WOMEN'S OR GIRLS' GARMENTS, 386 386 OF COTTON tonnes tonnes 63026000 TOILET LINEN AND KITCHEN 41 905 41 905 LINEN, OF TERRY TOWELLING OR tonnes tonnes SIMILAR TERRY FABRICS, OF COTTON 63029100 TOILET LINEN AND KITCHEN 9 997 9 997 LINEN, OF COTTON, OTHER THAN tonnes >= 80% tonnes OF TERRY TOWELLING OR SIMILAR TERRY FABRICS
2010/12/14
Committee: INTA
Amendment 40 #

2010/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) In the interest of EU investors and their, the third countries receiving these investments, in thirdcluding developing countries, and of Member States hosting foreign investors and investments, bilateral agreements that specify and guarantee the conditions of investment should be maintained in force.
2011/01/21
Committee: INTA
Amendment 178 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
aa. receive the organisers at an appropriate level to allow them to explain in detail the matters raised by the initiative;
2010/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 185 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point b
b. examine the citizens' initiative and, within 4three months, set out in a communication its final legal and political conclusions on the initiative, the action it intends to take, if any, and its reasons for doing or not doing so.
2010/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 191 #

2010/0074(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The European Parliament shall organise a public hearing, if possible during the first month after the submission of the initiative to the Commission, at which the organisers shall have the opportunity to explain in detail the matters raised by the initiative. To that end, the Commission shall cooperate with the European Parliament and ensure appropriate representation at the hearing.
2010/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 8 #

2009/2219(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for all EU trade negotiations and arrangements with third countries to include a human rights clause and an impact assessment measuring the consequences of specific trade advantages granted by or to the EU;
2010/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 20 #

2009/2219(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines that ways should be found to monitor more closely allegations of serious and systematic violations of human and labour rights; in this context, suggests that consideration might be given to involvassociating EU representatives (as things stand from the Commission, or in future from the EEAS) in investigation missions carried out under UN special procedures where there are implications for EU trade agreements;
2010/05/19
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2009/2218(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the Commission's strategy paper entitled 'Global Europe: Competing in the world' is by no means ahas not been the best contribution towards Policy Coherence for Development, but instead underlines the predatory nature ofhas sought to raise the competitiveness of EU companies by gradually opening up markets in developing countries; notes that the strade promoted by the EU in the interests of EU-based multinationalstegy has failed to be consistent with development objectives; urges the Commission therefore to reform its external policy in this regard, to ensure that trade becomes a tool for development and sustainable development worldwide;
2010/02/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2009/2218(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recalls the adoption, in October 2007, of the EU Strategy on Aid for Trade, with a commitment to increase the collective EU trade-related assistance to €2 billion annually by 2010 (€1 billion from the Community and €1 billion from the Member States);
2010/02/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2009/2218(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the fact that the so-called 'Singapore issues', such as liberalisation of services, investment and government procurement, the introduction of competition rules and stronger enforcement of intellectual property rights, do not serve the aim of achieving the eight Millennium Development Goals; underlines that the Singapore issues were removed from the Doha Round negotiations because of developing countries' opposition;
2010/02/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2009/2218(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Welcomes the safeguard clause on food security drafted into the Economic Partnership Agreements, and encourages the Commission to ensure its effective implementation;
2010/02/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2009/2218(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes the Commission's recent comments to the effect that it will look again at Regulation (EC) No 1383/2003, which has had unintended consequences for the transit through the EU of generic medicines which were ultimately destined for developing countries;
2010/02/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2009/2218(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Believes that initiatives such as the Unitaid patent pool for HIV/Aids medicines can help bring coherence to the EU's health and intellectual property policies;
2010/02/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 25 #

2009/2218(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Welcomes the Commission's support for proposals to help indigenous communities to exploit and benefit from their traditional knowledge and genetic resources;
2010/02/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2009/2218(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Welcomes the Commission's comments to the effect that the EU could lower tariffs on environment-friendly goods with like-minded countries in the event that an agreement cannot be found within the WTO;
2010/02/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2009/2218(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 e (new)
7e. Supports the Commission in facilitating the transfer of technology to developing countries, specifically low-carbon and climate-resilient technology which is essential for climate change adaptation;
2010/02/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 28 #

2009/2218(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 f (new)
7f. Recognises the important role that the EU's GSP+ system can play in encouraging good governance and sustainable development within developing countries, and encourages the Commission to ensure that this tool is effective and that ILO and UN conventions are properly implemented on the ground;
2010/02/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 29 #

2009/2218(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 g (new)
7g. Suggests to the Commission that a Trade and Sustainable Development Forum under each bilateral trade agreement could be a useful method of gaining input from workers' organisations and trade unions on the implementation of social, labour and environmental standards in third countries;
2010/02/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 30 #

2009/2218(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 h (new)
7h. Acknowledges the economic importance of remittances to developing countries, but stresses the need to address the issue of 'brain drain' in the implementation of bilateral trade agreements, in particular within the health sector;
2010/02/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 31 #

2009/2218(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 i (new)
7i. Highlights the work done by many civil society organisations on tax evasion by EU multinationals in developing countries, such as the recent report by the British NGO Christian Aid, and asks the Commission to take their recommendations into account in future negotiations;
2010/02/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2009/2218(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 j (new)
7j. Supports the Commission's proposal to make the Sustainability Impact Assessment process more effective, and recommends a more inclusive approach as well as earlier publication of each stage of the Assessment, which could ensure that results are better taken into account during the negotiations.
2010/02/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 76 #

2009/2218(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Calls for the cessation of export subsidies; irrespective of the successful conclusion of the ‘Doha Round’, to avoid dumping of EU products on markets in developing countries and the economic loss that this generaten this view, recalls the commitment made in Doha in 2001 by all WTO members to conclude a Development round of negotiations aiming at rectifying the existing imbalances in the trade system and aiming to put trade at the service of development, contributing to poverty eradication and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals;
2010/03/05
Committee: DEVE
Amendment 99 #

2009/2218(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Urges the Commission to revise the Global Europe strategy, as the trade component of the Lisbon strategy, in order to make of international trade a tool for job creation, poverty eradication and sustainable development worldwide;
2010/03/05
Committee: DEVE
Amendment 100 #

2009/2218(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Asks that the "aid for trade" strategy benefit all developing countries, and not only those agreeing to a greater liberalisation of their markets, notably in the context of Economic Partnership Agreements;
2010/03/05
Committee: DEVE
Amendment 101 #

2009/2218(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Calls on the Commission, during trade negotiations, not to encourage developing countries to agree to liberalisation beyond their existing WTO commitments, and stresses in particular that the ‘Singapore issues’ should under no circumstances be imposed in negotiations against the wishes of developing countries;
2010/03/05
Committee: DEVE
Amendment 102 #

2009/2218(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)
18d. Urges the Council not to impose negotiating chapters on the liberalisation of financial services where ACP countries do not want this, and not to enter into agreements of this type unless these countries have first set up an appropriate national regulatory and supervisory framework;
2010/03/05
Committee: DEVE
Amendment 88 #

2009/2199(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Underlines the importance of independent civil society being fully involved in the preparations of all human rights dialogues, either through civil society seminars or other means; considers that the link between the civil society seminars and the formal dialogue needs to be strengthened, through publications of the recommendations issued and a better follow-up and feed-back to civil society once a dialogue has taken place; stresses the importance to continue to raise individual cases during the dialogues and considers that making the list of names public would enhance the impact of EU actions and increase public attention for these cases, provided that public disclosure does not put human rights defenders at risk; stresses the importance of cooperating with other human rights defenders and civil society in the assessment of such risk;
2010/03/18
Committee: AFET
Amendment 1 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 116
1. Question Time with the Council and the Commission shall be held at each part- session at times decided by Parliament on a proposal from the Conference of Presidents. A specific period of time may be set aside for questions to the President and individual Members of the Commission. 2. No Member may put more than one question to the Council and one question to the Commission at any given part-session. 3. Questions shall be submitted in writing to the President, who shall rule on their admissibility and on the order in which they are to be taken. The questioner shall be notified immediately of this decision. 4. The detailed procedure shall be governed by guidelines laid down in an annex to these Rules of Procedure. 5. In accordance with guidelines established by the Conference of Presidents, specific question hours may be held with the President of the Commission, with the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and with the President of the Eurogroup. (If this amendment is adopted Annex II Point 15 (Format) is to be deleted)
2010/04/08
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 1 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 38 a (new)
(This amendment partly reproduces the wording of AM 64 in doc. PE 428.234 v02.00 – FDR 791389. It deletes the phrases "The chair of the committee responsible may request that the matter be referred back to the committee" at the end of Paragraph 3 (modification 1) and "Such a recommendation may also be tabled by one tenth of the Members of Parliament" at the end of the 1st subparagraph of Paragraph 5 (modification 2); introduces instead a phrase coming from AM 63, paragraph 5: "or submit to Parliament any other recommendation, which may include suggestions for amendment related to the respect of the principle ofRule 38a Examination of respect for the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality 1. During the examination of a proposal for a legislative act, Parliament shall pay particular attention to respect for the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. Except in the cases of urgency referred to in Article 4 of the Protocol on the role of national Parliaments in the European Union, Parliament shall not conclude its first reading before the expiry of the deadline of eight weeks laid down in Article 6 of the Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. 2. The committee responsible for respect of the principle of subsidiarity may decide to make recommendations for the attention of the committee responsible in respect of any proposal for a legislative act. 3. If a national Parliament sends the President a reasoned opinion in accordance with Article 3 of the Protocol on the role of national Parliaments in the European Union and Article 6 of the Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, that document shall be referred to the committee responsible and forwarded for information to the committee responsible for respect of the principle of subsidiarity. Where Parliament receives a reasoned opinion after the committee responsible has adopted its report, it shall be distributed to all Members prior to the vote as a session document. 4. Where reasoned opinions alleging non- compliance of a draft legislative act with the principle of subsidiarity represent at least one third of all the votes allocated to the national Parliaments or a quarter in the case of a draft legislative act submitted on the basis of Article 76 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Parliament shall not take a decision until the author of the proposal has stated how it intends to proceed. 5. Where, under the ordinary legislative procedure, reasoned opinions alleging non-compliance of a proposal for a legislative act with the principle of subsidiarity represent at least a simple majority of the votes allocated to the national Parliaments, the committee responsible, having considered the reasoned opinions submitted by the national Parliaments and the Commission, and having heard the views of the committee responsible for respect of the principle of subsidiarity, may recommend to Parliament that it reject the proposal on the grounds of infringement of the principle of subsidiarity or submit to Parliament any other recommendation, which may include suggestions for amendment related to the respect of the principle of subsidiarity. The opinion given by the committee responsible for respect of the principle of subsidiarity shall be annexed to any such recommendation. The recommendation shall be submitted to Parliament for a debate and vote. If a recommendation to reject the proposal is adopted by a majority of the votes cast, the President shall declare the procedure closed. Where Parliament does not reject the proposal, the procedure shall continue, taking into account any recommendations approved by Parliament. Or. en subsidiarity" (modification 3); and deletes Paragraph 6 (modification 4))
2009/10/15
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 2 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 117 – title and paragraph 1
1. Any Member may put questions for written answer to the Council or the CommissionQuestions for written answer to the Questions for written answer Council or the Commission 1. Any Member may put questions for written answer to the European Council, the Council, the Commission or the Vice- President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in accordance with guidelines laid down in an annex to these Rules of Procedure. The content of questions shall be the sole responsibility of their authors.
2010/04/08
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 2 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 56 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
In the event of referral back, the committee responsible shall decide on the procedure to be followed and shall, orally or in writing, report back to Parliament within a period decided by Parliament which may not exceed two months.
2009/10/15
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 3 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Annex III – point 1 – indent -1 (new)
– clearly specify the addressee to whom they are to be transmitted through the usual interinstitutional channels;
2010/04/08
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 3 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 132 a (new)
(This amendment partly reproduces the wording of AM 68 in document PE 428.234 v02.00 –Rule 132a Cooperation at committee level The President shall endeavour to set up, in cooperation with the speakers of national parliaments, a network of corresponding committees. Within that network parliamentary committees may autonomously establish contacts and cooperate amongst themselves. Guidelines for carrying out these activities shall be laid down by the Conference of Committee Chairs. Or. en FDR 791389)
2009/10/15
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 4 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 130 – paragraphs 1 a, 1 b, 1 c (new)
1a. The organisation and promotion of effective and regular interparliamentary cooperation within the Union, pursuant to Article 9 of the Protocol on the role of national parliaments in the European Union, shall be negotiated on the basis of a mandate given by the Conference of Presidents, after consulting the Conference of Committee Chairs. Parliament shall approve any agreements on such matters in accordance with the procedure set out in Rule 127. 1b. A committee may directly engage in a dialogue with national parliaments at committee level within the limits of budgetary appropriations set aside for this purpose. This may include appropriate forms of pre-legislative and post- legislative cooperation. 1c. Any document concerning a legislative procedure at European Union level which is officially transmitted by a national parliament to the European Parliament shall be forwarded to the committee responsible for the subject-matter dealt with in that document.
2010/04/08
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 5 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 8
8. Unless otherwise stipulated,Parliament shall adopt the rules governing implementation of the Statute for Members of the European Parliament shall be laid down by the Bureauon the basis of a proposal by the committee responsible, with the exception of decisions on the financial envelopes, which shall be taken by the Bureau and revised annually. Rule 138(1) shall apply mutatis mutandis.
2010/04/08
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 6 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 131
1. On a proposal from the President, the Conference of Presidents shall name the members of, and may confer a mandate on, Parliament's delegation to COSAC. The delegation shall be headed by one of the Vice-Presida Vice- President of the European Parliaments responsible for implementation of relations with the national parliaments and by the Chair of the committee responsible for institutional matters. 2. The other members of the delegation shall be chosen in the light of the subjects to be discussed at the COSAC meeting, taking due account and shall comprise, as far as possible, representatives of the committees responsible for those subjects. Due account shall be taken of the overall political balance within Parliament. A report shall be submitted by the delegation after each meeting.
2010/04/08
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 7 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 74a – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Where Parliament is consulted, in accordance with Article 48(3) of the Treaty on European Union, on a proposal for a decision of the European Council in favour of examining amendments to the Treaties, the matter shall be referred to the committee responsible. The committee shall draw up a report comprising: – a motion for a resolution which states whether Parliament approves or rejects the proposed decision and which may contain proposals for the attention of the Convention or of the conference of representatives of the governments of the Member States; – if appropriate, an explanatory statement.
2010/04/08
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 8 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 74b – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Where Parliament is consulted, in accordance with Article 48(6) of the Treaty on European Union, on a proposal for a decision of the European Council amending Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Rule 74a(1a) shall apply mutatis mutandis. In that event, the motion for a resolution may contain proposals for amendments only of provisions of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
2010/04/08
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 9 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 117 – paragraph 2
2. Questions shall be submitted in writing to the President who shall forward them to the institution concernedaddressees. Doubts concerning the admissibility of a question shall be settled by the President. The questioner shall be notified of his decision. (Horizontal amendment: the words "institution concerned" shall be replaced in Rule 117(2) and (4) and points 1 and 3 of Annex III to the Rules of Procedure by the word "addressees".)
2010/04/08
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 10 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Title IV – chapter 3 – title
QUESTIONS TO THE COUNCIL, THE COMMISSION AND THE EUROPEPARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS CENTRAL BANK
2010/04/08
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 11 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 37 a (new)
Rule 37a Delegation of legislative powers 1. When scrutinising a proposal for a legislative act which delegates powers to the Commission as provided for in Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Parliament shall pay particular attention to the objectives, content, scope and duration of the delegation, and to the conditions to which it is subject. 2. The committee responsible for the subject-matter may at any time request the opinion of the committee responsible for the interpretation and application of Union law. 3. The committee responsible for the interpretation and application of Union law may also, on its own initiative, take up questions concerning the delegation of legislative powers. In such cases it shall duly inform the committee responsible for the subject-matter.
2010/04/08
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 62 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 23 – paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. The Bureau shall name two or more Vice-Presidents who shall be entrusted with the implementation of the relations with national parliaments. They shall report back regularly to the Conference of Presidents on their activities in this regard. Or. en (This amendment partly reproduces the wording of the current Rule 25 – paragraph 3 – sentences 2 and 3, which shall be deleted if this amendment is adopted)
2009/09/29
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 64 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 38 a (new)
(This amendment replaces and partly reproduces the wording of Amendment 5 of the draft report (PE 427.153 v01.00 – FDR 786857) with changes in Paragraph 6 and in Justification)Rule 38a Examination of respect for the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality 1. During the examination of a proposal for a legislative act, Parliament shall pay particular attention to respect for the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. Except in the cases of urgency referred to in Article 4 of the Protocol on the role of national Parliaments in the European Union, Parliament shall not conclude its first reading before the expiry of the deadline of eight weeks laid down in Article 6 of the Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. 2. The committee responsible for respect of the principle of subsidiarity may decide to make recommendations for the attention of the committee responsible in respect of any proposal for a legislative act. 3. If a national Parliament sends the President a reasoned opinion in accordance with Article 3 of the Protocol on the role of national Parliaments in the European Union and Article 6 of the Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, that document shall be referred to the committee responsible and forwarded for information to the committee responsible for respect of the principle of subsidiarity. When Parliament receives a reasoned opinion after the committee responsible has adopted its report, it shall be distributed to all Members prior to the vote as a session document. The chair of the committee responsible may request that the matter be referred back to the committee. 4. Where reasoned opinions on the non- compliance of a draft legislative act with the principle of subsidiarity represent at least one third of all the votes allocated to the national Parliaments or a quarter in the case of a draft legislative act submitted on the basis of Article 76 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Parliament shall not take a decision until the author of the proposal has stated how it intends to proceed. 5. Where, under the ordinary legislative procedure, reasoned opinions on the non- compliance of a proposal for a legislative act with the principle of subsidiarity represent at least a simple majority of the votes allocated to the national Parliaments, the committee responsible, having considered the reasoned opinions submitted by the national Parliaments and the Commission, and having heard the views of the committee responsible for respect of the principle of subsidiarity, may recommend to Parliament that it reject the proposal on the grounds of infringement of the principle of subsidiarity. Such a recommendation may also be tabled by one tenth of the Members of Parliament. The opinion given by the committee responsible for respect of the principle of subsidiarity shall be annexed to any such recommendation. The recommendation shall be submitted to Parliament for a debate and vote. If a recommendation to reject the proposal is adopted by a majority of the votes cast, the President shall declare the procedure closed. Where Parliament does not reject the proposal, the procedure shall continue, taking into account any recommendations approved by Parliament. 6. Where the Committee of the Regions transmits to Parliament an opinion in which it opposes a proposed legislative act on grounds of infringement of the principle of subsidiarity, the opinion shall be referred to the committee responsible and to the committee responsible for respect of the principle of subsidiarity. Paragraph 2 shall apply mutatis mutandis. Or. en
2009/09/29
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 71 #

2009/2062(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 191 – paragraph 1
1. At the first committee meeting after the election of committee members pursuant to Rule 186, the committee shall elect a bureau consisting of a chair and one, two or three vice-chairs who shall be elected in separate ballof vice- chairs who shall be elected in separate ballots. The number of vice-chairs to be elected shall be determined by Parliament upon a proposal by the Conference of Presidents.
2009/09/29
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 20 #

2008/2133(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K
K. whereas in 2007 the European Union, Japan and the United States announced the opening of negotiations with a view to a new multilateral agreement designed to strengthen the enforcement of IPRs and suppress counterfeiting and piracy (Anti- Counterfeiting Trade Agreement - ACTA),
2008/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2008/2133(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to make every effort to strengthen and broaden the scope of the TRIPS agreement in order to extend it tobring forward proposals to the European Parliament to ensure that export, transit and transhipment operations, as well as to all IPRs which have so far been excluded from the agreement, constantre appropriately dealt with in the TRIPS agreement and to examine the case for further changes in the agreement, in order to create a fair balance between the interests of owners and those of potential users of IPR, particularly bearing in mind the level of development of the parties involved and distinguishing between countries which produce counterfeit and pirated products, those which use them, and those through which the products transit;
2008/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2008/2133(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop specific measures, backed up by appropriate financial coverage, in favour of developing countries, in order to avert the risks relating to potentially dangerous counterfeit products, to the deterrent effect on FDI and to criminal and terrorist activities in those countries;deleted
2008/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 47 #

2008/2133(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to continue its fight against counterfeiting and piracy, in parallel with the multilateral negotiations, also by means of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements with a view to approximating and enforcing laws, also by providing for the establishment of efficient dispute settlement systems and penalties in case of failure to comply with the obligations underwrittento prioritise negotiations on a new agreement through a genuine multilateral framework which considers the viewpoints of emerging and developing countries, to also show flexibility in its negotiating of IPR commitments in new bilateral or regional trade agreements, and lastly to address any infringements of IPRs through established dispute settlement procedures;
2008/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 52 #

2008/2133(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to make all appropriate efforts to achieve a swift and satisfactorconsider and react to concerns over ACTA before reaching any conclusion ton the ACTA agreement; takes the view that not only is the entry into forcean open and inclusive debate on the content and the implications of the agreement anis essential international benchmark, but that it can ensure that counterfeiting is supprand that the social impact of the agreement as well as the impact on civil liberties must be assessed mbefore effectively and provide an important tool for putting pressure on non-signatory third countriesnegotiations progress further;
2008/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 58 #

2008/2133(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. WBelcomieves the growing interest shown by a number of WTO mat efforts should be made to include ember countries in the ACTA and hopes that the agreement can be signed also by China and other emerging countries, the economies of which are more directly concerned byging economies such as China, India and Brazil as well as regional trade blocs such as Mercosur, CARICOM and ASEAN in all negotiations, many of which have raised concerns over the counterfeitingnt of ACTA which should be addressed;
2008/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 71 #

2008/2133(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Believes that the Commission should take into account certain strong criticism of ACTA in its ongoing negotiations, namely that it could allow trademark and copyright holders to intrude on the privacy of alleged infringers without due legal process, that it could further criminalise non commercial copyright and trademark infringements, that it could reinforce Digital Rights Management (DRM) technologies at the cost of 'fair use' rights, that it could establish a dispute settlement procedure outside existing WTO structures and lastly that it could force all signatories to cover the cost of enforcement of copyright and trademark infringements;
2008/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 81 #

2008/2133(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Notes the Commission’s commitment to consolidating IP in the European Union and calls for greater commitment in the suppression of counterfeiting and the harmonisation of existing laws in the Member States;
2008/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 84 #

2008/2133(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Believes that a harmonisation of existing national anti-counterfeiting legislation is necessary to ensure effective and consistent application of the future ACTA agreement;
2008/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 90 #

2008/2133(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Regrets the failure of the Council to adopt the mark of origin legislation (made in.....), which would allow better traceability and detectability of the origin of imported products and hopes that the obstacles which have so far prevented it from entering into force may be overcome once and for all;deleted
2008/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 93 #

2008/2133(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Considers that the establishment of a single European authority responsible for coordinating the fight against counterfeiting and piracy cannot be postponed; such an authority should be able to ensure better organisation of the various players at European level and create synergies with the private sector and the authorities of the Member States responsible for combating counterfeiting; takes the view that this authority needs to be established in order to increase the authoritativeness of the EU position internationally and the effectiveness of its anti-counterfeiting action;deleted
2008/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 104 #

2008/2133(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Considers that the establishment of an international counterfeiting scoreboard should be considered by the Commission which could be modelled on the Internal Market Scoreboard and which would highlight countries that are below average in tackling the suppression of counterfeit goods;
2008/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 107 #

2008/2133(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Calls on the Commission and Council to keep it fully informed and to involve it in all relevant initiatives; believes that in the spirit of the Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament should be fully associated in the ACTA negotiations;
2008/09/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2008/2048(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2a (new)
- having regard to its Resolution on EU's Aid for Trade1 of 23 May 2007, ________________________ 1 Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2007)0203.
2008/04/22
Committee: DEVE
Amendment 2 #

2008/2026(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Expresses its concern regarding the lack of clarity on the way Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) will be financed; calls on the Commission to provide detailed information regarding what financial assistance it will provide to ACP countries to adapt to the economic changes following the signing of EPAs;
2008/08/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 314 #

2008/2015(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 115 a (new)
115a. Calls for the development of comprehensive and integrated methodologies for the assessment of impacts, vulnerabilities and cost effective adaptation, and indicators to measure the success of responses, improve EU -wide risk, impact and cost/benefit assessment for adaptation responses, compared with "no action";
2008/10/10
Committee: CLIM
Amendment 329 #

2008/2015(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 122 a (new)
122a. Calls for research into potential trends of climate-migration and the ensuing pressures on local services to be undertaken in order to inform long term planning and risk management processes;
2008/10/10
Committee: CLIM
Amendment 362 #

2008/2015(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 140
140. Suggests that local and regional authorities, districts, quarters and municipalities, and in particular public institutions, schools and child and youth care establishments, carry out ‘energy saving competitions’, as well as local campaigns properly resourced at national and EU level, to raise public awareness of savings potential and to achieve citizen participation and generate learning effects;
2008/10/10
Committee: CLIM
Amendment 23 #

2008/0045(COD)

Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 2 – point 1 a (new)
Directive 2001/83/EC
Article 23 c (new)
1 Notice to Applicants, VOLUME 2A Procedures for marketing authorisation; CHAPTER 1 MARKETING AUTHORISATION, point 7.2 page 35, November 2005(1a) The following Article 23c is inserted: “Article 23c The appropriate arrangements adopted by the Commission must take the following considerations into account: – For practical reasons of efficiency, the possibility should be extended to all the categories of change of submitting a single application for one or more identical changes made to the terms of a number of marketing authorisations; – In the framework of extensions of marketing authorisations, the possibility should be provided, on the basis of arguments in justification, of submitting a complete, separate application for authorisation for a medicinal product that has already been authorised under another name and with a different product characteristic summary. Nevertheless, this application will be regarded as belonging to the same global marketing authorisation defined in Article 6(1).” Or. en
2008/07/18
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 20 #

2008/0016(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 - paragraph 1
3. EIn order to achieve the 20% overall target, each Member State shall ensure that the share of energy from renewable sources in final consumption of energy in 2020 is at least their overall target for the share of energy from renewable sources in that year, as set out in the third column of the table in Part A of Annex I.
2008/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 701 #

2008/0016(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that information on support measures is made available to consumers, local and regional decision-makers, builders, installers, architects and suppliers of heating, cooling and electricity equipment and systems and of vehicles compatible with the use of high biofuel blends or pure biofuels.
2008/07/01
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 730 #

2008/0016(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Member States, with participation from local and regional authorities, shall ensure that citizens are sufficiently informed of the benefits and practicalities of developing and using renewable energy.
2008/07/01
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 714 #

2008/0013(COD)

Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 - point 21
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 27 - title and paragraph 1
Exclusion of small combustion installationemitters subject to equivalent measures 1. Member States may exclude, from the Community scheme, combustion installations which have a rated thermal input or normal running capacity below 25MW, or reported emissions to the competent authority of less than 1025 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, excluding emissions from biomass, in each of the preceding 3 years, and which are subject to measures that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions, if the Member State concerned complies with the following conditions: (a) it notifies the Commission of each such installation, specifying the equivalent measures that are in place, (b) it confirms that monitoring arrangements are in place to assess whether any installation emits 1025 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent, excluding emissions from biomass, in any one calendar year; (c) it confirms that if any installation emits 1025 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent, excluding emissions from biomass, in any one calendar year or the equivalent measures are no longer in place, the installation will be re-introduced into the system; (d) it publishes the information referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) for public comment.
2008/07/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 35 #

2007/2265(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Considers that both environmentally- friendly products and "fair trade" goods should have their tariffs reduced more quickly than other goods and be given early access to the EU market; requests that the Commission considers updating the customs nomenclature in order to take account of these specific products;
2008/03/06
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2007/2198(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the Commission engaged itself to initiate and deliver a review of the trade defence instruments (TDIs), starting with the launching of a Green paper for public consultation entitled “Europe’s TDIs in a Changing Global Economy” to protect the EU against injury arising from unfair trade caused by dumped and subsidised imports through effective trade defence measures,
2008/03/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 56 #

2007/2198(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates the belief in the benefits of an open trading system, offsetting its potentially disruptive impact, and contributing decisively to the stimulation of growth, competitiveness and the creation of jobs; takes the view that the EU should continue to promote increased global liberalisation and free and fair trade and resist any protectionist temptation;
2008/03/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 69 #

2007/2198(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that the TDI system has to take into account the legitimate interest of European economic operators including those who need to take advantage of global supply chains to have access to competitively priced raw- materials and tie-in products to stay competitive, components and products to complement their domestically produced or sourced product range to stay competitive and, at the same time the TDI system must take into account consumers who are entitled to choice based on price, design and quality;
2008/03/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 149 #

2007/2198(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the Commission to extend the consultation period for importers and us, users and consumers in particular as far as the determination of the analogue country is concerned;
2008/03/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 158 #

2007/2198(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Takes the view that AD and countervailing duty measures applied by the Commission should take the alternative form of quotas or tariff-quotas when this is deemed appropriate and that a phase-in or phase-out system similar to the one implemented in the footwear case is put into operation in new cases involving products suitable for finalconsumer consumption;
2008/03/26
Committee: INTA
Amendment 23 #

2007/0289(CNS)

Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 20
(20) Graduation should be based on criteria related to sections of the Common Customs Tariff. The graduation of a section for a beneficiary country should be applied when the section meets the criteria for graduation during threfour or five consecutive years, in order to increase predictability and fairness of graduation by eliminating the effect of large and exceptional variations in the import statistics.
2008/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 33 #

2007/0289(CNS)

Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 13 − paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Paragraph 1 shall not apply to a beneficiary country in respect of any section which represents less than 50% in value of total GSP imports into the Community as a result of commercial policy measures such as anti-dumping or countervailing measures adopted under Regulations (EC) No 384/96 or (EC) No 2026/97.
2008/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2007/0289(CNS)

Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 13 − paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. These provisions shall not prevent the Commission from determining that graduation shall not occur where it can be positively demonstrated that changes in import levels result from factors unrelated to a structural change in the economy of the country concerned but related to the receipt of GSP benefits.
2008/05/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 200 #

2007/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 6
Regulation (EC) No 1775/2005
Article 4 a – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) ensure that they offer services on a non- discriminatory basis to all network users that accommodate market demand; in particular, where an LNG or storage system operator offers the same service at the same time to different customers, it shall do so under equivalent contractual terms and conditions;
2008/04/14
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 234 #

2007/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 10
Regulation (EC) No 1775/2005
Article 6 a – paragraph 4
4. All LNG and storage system operators shall make publiccommunicate to the transmission system operator the amount of gas in each storage or LNG facility, inflows and outflows, and the available storage and LNG facility capacities, including for those facilities exempted from third party access. The information shall also be communicated to the transmission system operator who shall make it public on an aggregated level per system or subsystem defined by the relevant points. The information shall be updated at least every day.
2008/04/14
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 290 #

2007/0195(COD)

Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 8
Directive 2003/54/EC
Article 10 – paragraph 5
5. Each independent system operator shall be responsible for granting and managing third party access, including the collection of access charges, congestion rents, and payments under the inter transmission system operator compensation mechanism in compliance with Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1228/2003, as well as for operating, maintaining and developing the transmission system, and for ensuring the long term ability of the system to meet reasonable demand through investment psystem operation including real time configuration of the network, balanncing. When developing the network the independent system operator is responsible for planning (including authorisation procedure), construction and commissioning of the new infrastructure. For this purpose, it shall act as a transmission system operator in accordance with this Chapter. Transmission system owners may not be responsible for granting and managing third party access, nor for and operational security. Each independent system operator shall, in cooperation with affected transmission system owners, develop arrangements for ensuring the long-term ability of the system to meet reasonable demand through investment planning.
2008/04/11
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 293 #

2007/0195(COD)

Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 8
Directive 2003/54/EC
Article 10 – paragraph 6 – point (b)
(b) financecarry out the investments decided byin cooperation with the independent system operator and approved by the regulatory authority, or give its agreement to financing by any interested party including the independent system operator. The relevant financing arrangements shall be subject to approval by the regulatory authority. Prior to this approval, the Regulatory Authority shall consult the asset owner together with other interested parties;
2008/04/11
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 295 #

2007/0195(COD)

Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 8
Directive 2003/54/EC
Article 10 – paragraph 6 – point (d a) (new)
"(da) enter into an agreement, approved by the regulatory authority, with the independent system operator to ensure their effective cooperation in maintaining and developing the transmission system."
2008/04/11
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 331 #

2007/0195(COD)

Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 10 - point (c)
Directive 2003/54/EC
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. Where the distribution system operator is part of a vertically integrated undertaking, Member States shall ensure that the activities of the distribution system operator is monitored so that it cannot take advantage of its vertical integration to distort competition. In particular, vertically integrated distribution system operators shall not, in their communication and branding, create confusion in respect of the separate identity of the supply branch of the vertically integrated undertaking.
2008/03/19
Committee: ITRE
Amendment 38 #

2006/0147(COD)


Article 16 - paragraph 6
6. The term "natural flavouring" may only be used if the flavouring component is derived from different source materials and where a reference to the source materials would not reflect their flavour or taste, and in the circumstances described in paragraph 5.
2008/04/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 22 #

2006/0145(COD)


Article 2 – paragraph 3
3. This Regulation shall not apply to food enzymes falling within the scope of Regulation (EC) No …/…...../...with effect from the date of adoption of the Community list of food enzymes in accordance with Article 17 of that Regulation.
2008/04/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 2 #

1998/0031(NLE)

Draft legislative resolution
Paragraph 1
1. CDeclines to consents to the conclusion of the agreement;
2010/11/19
Committee: AFET