BETA

Activities of Geert BOURGEOIS

Plenary speeches (82)

The UK’s withdrawal from the EU (debate)
2019/09/18
Dossiers: 2019/2817(RSP)
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 17 and 18 October 2019 (debate)
2019/10/09
Compatibility between the current EU - Mercosur Free Trade Agreement and the Commission's proposal for a European Green Deal (topical debate)
2019/12/18
Presentation of the programme of activities of the Croatian Presidency (debate)
2020/01/14
European Parliament's position on the Conference on the Future of Europe (debate)
2020/01/15
Dossiers: 2019/2990(RSP)
Withdrawal Agreement of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (debate)
2020/01/29
Dossiers: 2018/0427(NLE)
Order of business
2020/02/10
Proposed mandate for negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (debate)
2020/02/11
Conclusion of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement - Conclusion of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (Resolution) - EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement - EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (Resolution) (debate)
2020/02/11
Dossiers: 2018/0356(NLE)
Conclusion of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement - Conclusion of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (Resolution) - EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement - EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (Resolution) (debate)
2020/02/11
Dossiers: 2018/0356(NLE)
Coronavirus outbreak, state of play and ensuring a coordinated European response to the health, economic and social impact (debate)
2020/03/10
Covid-19: EU coordination of health assessments and risk classification and the consequences on Schengen and the single market (debate)
2020/09/15
Dossiers: 2020/2780(RSP)
State of the Union (topical debate) (debate)
2020/09/16
Conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 1 and 2 October 2020 - Preparation of the European Council meeting of 15 and 16 October 2020 (continuation of debate)
2020/10/06
Digital Services Act: Improving the functioning of the Single Market - Digital Services Act: adapting commercial and civil law rules for commercial entities operating online - Digital Services Act and fundamental rights issues posed - Framework of ethical aspects of artificial intelligence, robotics and related technologies - Civil liability regime for artificial intelligence - Intellectual property rights for the development of artificial intelligence technologies (debate)
2020/10/19
Dossiers: 2020/2022(INI)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 15 and 16 October 2020, in particular the negotiations of the future relations with the UK (debate)
2020/10/21
Stocktaking of European elections (continuation of debate)
2020/11/24
Dossiers: 2020/2088(INI)
EU Trade Policy Review (debate)
2020/11/24
Dossiers: 2020/2761(RSP)
Elimination of customs duties on certain products (debate)
2020/11/26
Dossiers: 2020/0253(COD)
Future Relations between the EU and the UK (continuation of debate)
2020/12/18
Presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency (debate)
2021/01/20
The state of play of the EU’s COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy (debate)
2021/02/10
Democratic scrutiny of social media and the protection of fundamental rights (debate)
2021/02/10
A WTO-compatible EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (continuation of debate)
2021/03/08
Dossiers: 2020/2043(INI)
Corporate due diligence and corporate accountability (debate)
2021/03/08
Dossiers: 2020/2129(INL)
Control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use (debate)
2021/03/25
Dossiers: 2016/0295(COD)
The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement - The outcome of EU-UK negotiations (debate)
2021/04/27
Dossiers: 2020/0382(NLE)
Revised industrial strategy for Europe (debate)
2021/05/18
Meeting the Global COVID-19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on COVID-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and increasing production and manufacturing capacity in developing countries (debate)
2021/05/19
State of the SMEs Union – Implementation of better regulation agenda / Reduction target for administrative burden (continuation of debate)
2021/06/07
Preparation of the G7 summit of 11-13 June and the EU-US Summit (debate)
2021/06/09
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 24-25 June 2021 – Relaunch of the Malta Declaration and the use of an effective solidarity mechanism (debate)
2021/06/23
Dossiers: 2020/2118(INI)
Presentation of the programme of activities of the Slovenian Presidency (debate)
2021/07/06
State of the Union (debate)
2021/09/15
The future of EU-US relations (debate)
2021/10/05
Dossiers: 2021/2038(INI)
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21-22 October 2021 (debate)
2021/10/20
The outcome of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) (debate)
2021/11/11
Multilateral negotiations in view of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva, 30 November to 3 December 2021 (debate)
2021/11/23
Dossiers: 2021/2769(RSP)
Digital Markets Act (debate)
2021/12/14
Dossiers: 2020/0374(COD)
Barriers to the free movement of goods (debate)
2021/12/16
Dossiers: 2021/2908(RSP)
Digital Services Act (continuation of debate)
2022/01/19
Dossiers: 2020/0361(COD)
Tackling non-tariff and non-tax barriers in the single market (debate)
2022/02/15
Dossiers: 2021/2043(INI)
Data Governance Act (debate)
2022/04/06
Dossiers: 2020/0340(COD)
Conclusions of the special European Council meeting of 30-31 May 2022 (debate)
2022/06/08
The call for a Convention for the revision of the Treaties (debate)
2022/06/09
Dossiers: 2022/2705(RSP)
The call for a Convention for the revision of the Treaties (debate)
2022/06/09
Dossiers: 2022/2705(RSP)
A new trade instrument to ban products made by forced labour (debate)
2022/06/09
Dossiers: 2022/2611(RSP)
Digital Services Act - Digital Markets Act (debate)
2022/07/04
Dossiers: 2020/0374(COD)
EU-India future trade and investment cooperation (short presentation)
2022/07/04
Dossiers: 2021/2177(INI)
The UK government’s unilateral introduction of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill and respect for international law (debate)
2022/07/06
AccessibleEU Centre in support of accessibility policies in the EU internal market (debate)
2022/10/04
Dossiers: 2022/2013(INI)
Outcome of the Commission’s review of the 15-point action plan on trade and sustainable development (debate)
2022/10/05
Dossiers: 2022/2692(RSP)
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 20-21 October 2022 (debate)
2022/10/19
A truly interconnected Energy Single Market to keep bills down and companies competitive (topical debate)
2022/11/23
Suspicions of corruption from Qatar and the broader need for transparency and accountability in the European institutions (debate) (debate)
2022/12/13
EU response to the US Inflation Reduction Act (debate)
2022/12/14
30th Anniversary of the Single Market (debate)
2023/01/16
An EU strategy to boost industrial competitiveness, trade and quality jobs (debate)
2023/01/18
Establishment of an independent EU Ethics Body (debate)
2023/02/14
A Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age (debate)
2023/02/15
Data Act (debate)
2023/03/14
Dossiers: 2022/0047(COD)
Implementation report on the Agreement on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU - The Windsor Framework (debate)
2023/03/14
Dossiers: 2020/2202(INI)
Conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 9 February and preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023 (debate)
2023/03/15
Formal sitting - Ceremony on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement
2023/03/29
The need for a coherent strategy for EU-China Relations (debate)
2023/04/18
The role of farmers as enablers of the green transition and a resilient agricultural sector (continuation of debate)
2023/05/10
Establishment of the EU Ethics Body (debate)
2023/06/13
European Chips Act (debate)
2023/07/11
Dossiers: 2022/0032(COD)
Single market emergency instrument (debate)
2023/09/12
Dossiers: 2022/0278(COD)
Question Time with Commissioners – EU-China trade relations
2023/10/03
Question Time with Commissioners – EU-China trade relations
2023/10/03
Need to complete new trade agreements for sustainable growth, competitiveness and the EU’s strategic autonomy (debate)
2023/10/04
Establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) (debate)
2023/10/16
Dossiers: 2023/0199(COD)
A true geopolitical Europe now (topical debate)
2023/10/18
Framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act) (debate)
2023/11/20
Dossiers: 2023/0081(COD)
EU/New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (debate)
2023/11/21
Dossiers: 2023/0038(NLE)
Framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (debate)
2023/12/12
Dossiers: 2023/0079(COD)
Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency (debate)
2024/01/16
Empowering farmers and rural communities - a dialogue towards sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture (debate)
2024/02/07
Regaining our competitive edge - a prosperous EU in a fragmented global economy (topical debate)
2024/02/28
EU/Chile Advanced Framework Agreement - EU/Chile Advanced Framework Agreement (Resolution) - Interim Agreement on Trade between the European Union and the Republic of Chile (joint debate - EU-Chile agreements)
2024/02/29
State of play of the corporate sustainability due diligence directive (debate)
2024/03/12

Reports (5)

RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam
2020/01/23
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2018/0356(NLE)
Documents: PDF(200 KB) DOC(71 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Geert BOURGEOIS', 'mepid': 197467}]
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Investment Protection Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, of the other part
2020/01/23
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2018/0358(NLE)
Documents: PDF(180 KB) DOC(63 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Geert BOURGEOIS', 'mepid': 197467}]
REPORT containing a motion for a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Investment Protection Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, of the other part
2020/01/27
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2018/0358M(NLE)
Documents: PDF(188 KB) DOC(78 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Geert BOURGEOIS', 'mepid': 197467}]
REPORT containing a motion for a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam
2020/01/28
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2018/0356M(NLE)
Documents: PDF(236 KB) DOC(104 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Geert BOURGEOIS', 'mepid': 197467}]
REPORT on EU-India future trade and investment cooperation
2022/06/22
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2021/2177(INI)
Documents: PDF(198 KB) DOC(79 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Geert BOURGEOIS', 'mepid': 197467}]

Shadow reports (21)

REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering, technical assistance and transit of dual-use items (recast)
2017/12/19
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2016/0295(COD)
Documents: PDF(1 MB) DOC(170 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Markéta GREGOROVÁ', 'mepid': 197549}]
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the Conclusion of the Agreement between the United States of America and the European Union on the Allocation to the United States of a Share in the Tariff Rate Quota for High Quality Beef referred to in the Revised Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Importation of Beef from Animals Not Treated with Certain Growth-Promoting Hormones and Increased Duties Applied by the United States to Certain Products of the European Union (2014)
2019/11/25
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2019/0142(NLE)
Documents: PDF(177 KB) DOC(58 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Bernd LANGE', 'mepid': 1909}]
REPORT containing a motion for a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the United States of America and the European Union on the Allocation to the United States of a Share in the Tariff Rate Quota for High-Quality Beef referred to in the Revised Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Importation of Beef from Animals Not Treated with Certain Growth-Promoting Hormones and Increased Duties Applied by the United States to Certain Products of the European Union (2014)
2019/11/25
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2019/0142M(NLE)
Documents: PDF(156 KB) DOC(58 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Bernd LANGE', 'mepid': 1909}]
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation in the context of negotiations under Article XXVIII of the GATT 1994 on the modification of Switzerland's WTO concessions with regard to seasoned meat
2020/04/28
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2019/0196(NLE)
Documents: PDF(168 KB) DOC(52 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Jörgen WARBORN', 'mepid': 197405}]
REPORT on the European Parliament recommendation on the negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2020/06/13
Committee: AFETINTA
Dossiers: 2020/2023(INI)
Documents: PDF(563 KB) DOC(211 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Kati PIRI', 'mepid': 37229}, {'name': 'Christophe HANSEN', 'mepid': 193419}]
REPORT on amendments to the Rules of Procedure in order to ensure the functioning of Parliament in extraordinary circumstances
2020/10/16
Committee: AFCO
Dossiers: 2020/2098(REG)
Documents: PDF(186 KB) DOC(79 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Gabriele BISCHOFF', 'mepid': 197435}]
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the elimination of customs duties on certain products
2020/11/12
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2020/0253(COD)
Documents: PDF(167 KB) DOC(50 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Bernd LANGE', 'mepid': 1909}]
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the application of Union tariff rate quotas and other import quotas
2020/11/12
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2020/0176(COD)
Documents: PDF(177 KB) DOC(72 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Christophe HANSEN', 'mepid': 193419}]
RECOMMENDATION on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the Union and Norway relating to the modification of concessions on all the tariff-rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union
2021/03/04
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2020/0230(NLE)
Documents: PDF(168 KB) DOC(50 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Jörgen WARBORN', 'mepid': 197405}]
SECOND REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the access of third-country goods and services to the Union’s internal market in public procurement and procedures supporting negotiations on access of Union goods and services to the public procurement markets of third countries
2021/12/06
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2012/0060(COD)
Documents: PDF(404 KB) DOC(194 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Daniel CASPARY', 'mepid': 28219}]
REPORT on the assessment of the implementation of Article 50 TEU
2021/12/21
Committee: AFCO
Dossiers: 2020/2136(INI)
Documents: PDF(238 KB) DOC(93 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Danuta Maria HÜBNER', 'mepid': 96779}]
REPORT on artificial intelligence in a digital age
2022/04/05
Committee: AIDA
Documents: PDF(340 KB) DOC(139 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Axel VOSS', 'mepid': 96761}]
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market
2022/04/28
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2021/0114(COD)
Documents: PDF(502 KB) DOC(221 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Christophe HANSEN', 'mepid': 193419}]
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules for the exercise of the Union's rights in the implementation and enforcement of the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part
2022/10/13
Committee: AFCOAFETINTA
Dossiers: 2022/0068(COD)
Documents: PDF(254 KB) DOC(102 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Seán KELLY', 'mepid': 96668}, {'name': 'Danuta Maria HÜBNER', 'mepid': 96779}, {'name': 'Andreas SCHIEDER', 'mepid': 197670}]
RECOMMENDATION on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union, of an agreement on the modification of schedules of specific commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services to incorporate Annex 1 of the Declaration on the Conclusion of Negotiations on Services Domestic Regulation of 2 December 2021
2022/10/26
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2022/0174(NLE)
Documents: PDF(165 KB) DOC(49 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Bernd LANGE', 'mepid': 1909}]
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the United States of America pursuant to Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions on all the tariff rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom`s withdrawal from the European Union
2023/03/06
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2022/0231(NLE)
Documents: PDF(169 KB) DOC(49 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Bernd LANGE', 'mepid': 1909}]
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2020/2170 as regards the application of Union tariff rate quotas and other import quotas to certain products transferred to Northern Ireland
2023/04/28
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2023/0063(COD)
Documents: PDF(164 KB) DOC(48 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Seán KELLY', 'mepid': 96668}]
REPORT on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on providing macro-financial assistance to the Republic of North Macedonia
2023/05/30
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2023/0034(COD)
Documents: PDF(183 KB) DOC(56 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Angelika WINZIG', 'mepid': 197652}]
REPORT on the implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
2023/11/03
Committee: AFETINTA
Dossiers: 2022/2188(INI)
Documents: PDF(520 KB) DOC(238 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Andreas SCHIEDER', 'mepid': 197670}, {'name': 'Seán KELLY', 'mepid': 96668}]
REPORT on addictive design of online services and consumer protection in the EU single market
2023/11/08
Committee: IMCO
Dossiers: 2023/2043(INI)
Documents: PDF(194 KB) DOC(63 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Kim VAN SPARRENTAK', 'mepid': 197870}]
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the withdrawal of the Union from the Energy Charter Treaty
2024/04/11
Committee: INTAITRE
Dossiers: 2023/0273(NLE)
Documents: PDF(179 KB) DOC(54 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Marc BOTENGA', 'mepid': 187917}, {'name': 'Anna CAVAZZINI', 'mepid': 86793}]

Opinions (3)

OPINION on a new strategy for European SMEs
2020/09/30
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2020/2131(INI)
Documents: PDF(137 KB) DOC(74 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Geert BOURGEOIS', 'mepid': 197467}]
OPINION on shaping the digital future of Europe: removing barriers to the functioning of the digital single market and improving the use of AI for European consumers
2021/03/03
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2020/2216(INI)
Documents: PDF(134 KB) DOC(70 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Geert BOURGEOIS', 'mepid': 197467}]
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem (Chips Act)
2022/12/05
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2022/0032(COD)
Documents: PDF(281 KB) DOC(209 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Geert BOURGEOIS', 'mepid': 197467}]

Shadow opinions (12)

OPINION on competition policy – annual report 2019
2020/01/22
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2019/2131(INI)
Documents: PDF(132 KB) DOC(71 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Enikő GYŐRI', 'mepid': 96830}]
OPINION on recommendations on the negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2020/05/27
Committee: AFCO
Dossiers: 2020/2023(INI)
Documents: PDF(154 KB) DOC(73 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Danuta Maria HÜBNER', 'mepid': 96779}]
OPINION on A New Industrial Strategy for Europe
2020/06/26
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2020/2076(INI)
Documents: PDF(137 KB) DOC(73 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Markus BUCHHEIT', 'mepid': 128483}]
OPINION on Civil liability regime for artificial intelligence
2020/07/07
Committee: IMCO
Dossiers: 2020/2014(INL)
Documents: PDF(136 KB) DOC(54 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Svenja HAHN', 'mepid': 197444}]
OPINION on the future of EU-US relations
2021/06/17
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2021/2038(INI)
Documents: PDF(218 KB) DOC(76 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Bernd LANGE', 'mepid': 1909}]
OPINION on an intellectual property action plan to support the EU’s recovery and resilience
2021/06/22
Committee: IMCO
Dossiers: 2021/2007(INI)
Documents: PDF(139 KB) DOC(75 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ', 'mepid': 197668}]
OPINION on the implementation of the Updated New Industrial Strategy for Europe: aligning spending to policy
2022/06/20
Committee: IMCO
Dossiers: 2022/2008(INI)
Documents: PDF(155 KB) DOC(51 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Maria da Graça CARVALHO', 'mepid': 96867}]
OPINION on the implementation report on the Agreement on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU
2022/12/02
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2020/2202(INI)
Documents: PDF(133 KB) DOC(71 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Seán KELLY', 'mepid': 96668}]
OPINION on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937
2023/03/03
Committee: IMCO
Dossiers: 2022/0051(COD)
Documents: PDF(283 KB) DOC(205 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Deirdre CLUNE', 'mepid': 124988}]
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act)
2023/07/20
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2023/0081(COD)
Documents: PDF(244 KB) DOC(176 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Inma RODRÍGUEZ-PIÑERO', 'mepid': 125043}]
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials and amending Regulations (EU) 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, 2018/1724 and (EU) 2019/1020
2023/07/20
Committee: INTA
Dossiers: 2023/0079(COD)
Documents: PDF(221 KB) DOC(171 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU', 'mepid': 197695}]
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act)
2023/09/20
Committee: IMCO
Dossiers: 2023/0081(COD)
Documents: PDF(211 KB) DOC(155 KB)
Authors: [{'name': 'Tom VANDENKENDELAERE', 'mepid': 129164}]

Institutional motions (2)

JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Vietnam, in particular the case of human rights journalists Pham Chi Dung, Nguyen Tuong Thuy and Le Huu Minh Tuan
2021/01/20
Dossiers: 2021/2507(RSP)
Documents: PDF(165 KB) DOC(56 KB)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on meeting the global COVID-19 challenge: effects of the waiver of the WTO TRIPS Agreement on COVID-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and increasing production and manufacturing capacity in developing countries
2021/06/02
Dossiers: 2021/2692(RSP)
Documents: PDF(163 KB) DOC(49 KB)

Oral questions (3)

An EU Commissioner for Animal Welfare
2022/01/10
Documents: PDF(56 KB) DOC(12 KB)
An EU Commissioner for Animal Welfare
2022/04/28
Documents: PDF(59 KB) DOC(12 KB)
How to tackle the biggest cause of death in the EU? Towards an EU Cardiovascular Health Plan
2023/05/11
Documents: PDF(52 KB) DOC(10 KB)

Written explanations (120)

Draft amending budget No 4/2019: reduction of commitment and payment appropriations in line with updated needs of expenditure and update of revenue (own resources) (A9-0012/2019 - John Howarth)

N-VA is voorstander van een tijdige actualisering van de begroting wanneer alle cijfers daarvoor beschikbaar zijn. Dat is een kwestie van deugdelijk bestuur. Het ontwerp van gewijzigde begroting nr. 4/2019 (OGB nr. 4/2019) bevat een hele reeks aanpassingen die gerechtvaardigd zijn. Desalniettemin heeft het Parlement OGB nr. 4/2019, op voorstel van de rapporteur, ernstig geamendeerd. Er is immers het vermoeden dat OGB nr. 4/2019 onderdeel uitmaakt van een zijdelingse afspraak tussen de Commissie en de Raad, een afspraak waar het Parlement niet bij betrokken was.N-VA sluit zich aan bij het standpunt van de rapporteur en heeft dus voor de wijzigingen gestemd. N-VA hoopt dat de komende onderhandelingen met de Raad meer duidelijkheid zullen scheppen.
2019/10/10
Objection pursuant to Rule 112: Genetically modified maize MZHG0JG (SYN-ØØØJG-2) (B9-0107/2019)

De N-VA-delegatie steunt het bezwaar tegen de verlenging van de vergunning voor de betrokken ggo’s niet, om volgende redenen: de goedkeuringsprocedure voor ggo’s is strikt. De risicobeoordeling van EFSA speelt hierin een cruciale rol. De N-VA gelooft sterk in wetenschappelijk onderbouwd en op feiten gebaseerd beleid. Bovendien heeft de Commissie haar mandaat bij deze uitvoerende handeling niet overschreden: wanneer de lidstaten geen gekwalificeerde meerderheid bereiken, dan is de Europese Commissie gemachtigd ggo’s goed te keuren op basis van een positief advies van EFSA.Biotechnologie is een belangrijke sector voor innovatie, onderzoek en ontwikkeling. Ook Vlaanderen, en in het bijzonder het Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie te Gent, is toonaangevend op het gebied van dergelijk onderzoek. Door te pleiten voor een moratorium op de goedkeuring van ggo’s, wordt het signaal afgegeven dat Europa een rem wil zetten op dit onderzoek, wat volgens mij verkeerd en nefast is.Het blijft belangrijk onderscheid te maken tussen ggo-techniek en -toepassing. Het is ook duidelijk dat het (eventuele) gebruik van ggo’s altijd moet worden ingekaderd in een landbouwbeleid waarin de bescherming van volksgezondheid, milieu en biodiversiteit is geïntegreerd, waarbij geïntegreerde plaagbestrijding essentieel is voor een duurzaam gebruik van pesticiden en niet-chemische alternatieven.
2019/10/10
Objection pursuant to Rule 112: Genetically modified soybean A2704-12 (ACS-GMØØ5-3) (B9-0105/2019)

De N-VA-delegatie steunt het bezwaar tegen de verlenging van de vergunning voor de betrokken ggo’s niet, om volgende redenen: de goedkeuringsprocedure voor ggo’s is strikt. De risicobeoordeling van EFSA speelt hierin een cruciale rol. De N-VA gelooft sterk in wetenschappelijk onderbouwd en op feiten gebaseerd beleid. Bovendien heeft de Commissie haar mandaat bij deze uitvoerende handeling niet overschreden: wanneer de lidstaten geen gekwalificeerde meerderheid bereiken, dan is de Europese Commissie gemachtigd ggo’s goed te keuren op basis van een positief advies van EFSA.Biotechnologie is een belangrijke sector voor innovatie, onderzoek en ontwikkeling. Ook Vlaanderen, en in het bijzonder het Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie te Gent, is toonaangevend op het gebied van dergelijk onderzoek. Door te pleiten voor een moratorium op de goedkeuring van ggo’s, wordt het signaal afgegeven dat Europa een rem wil zetten op dit onderzoek, wat volgens mij verkeerd en nefast is.Het blijft belangrijk onderscheid te maken tussen ggo-techniek en -toepassing. Het is ook duidelijk dat het (eventuele) gebruik van ggo’s altijd moet worden ingekaderd in een landbouwbeleid waarin de bescherming van volksgezondheid, milieu en biodiversiteit is geïntegreerd, waarbij geïntegreerde plaagbestrijding essentieel is voor een duurzaam gebruik van pesticiden en niet-chemische alternatieven.
2019/10/10
Objection pursuant to Rule 112: Genetically modified maize MON 89034 × 1507 × MON 88017 × 59122 × DAS-40278-9 and genetically modified maize combining two, three or four of the single events MON 89034, 1507, MON 88017, 59122 and DAS-40278-9 (B9-0106/2019)

De N-VA-delegatie steunt het bezwaar tegen de verlenging van de vergunning voor de betrokken ggo’s niet, om volgende redenen: de goedkeuringsprocedure voor ggo’s is strikt. De risicobeoordeling van EFSA speelt hierin een cruciale rol. De N-VA gelooft sterk in wetenschappelijk onderbouwd en op feiten gebaseerd beleid. Bovendien heeft de Commissie haar mandaat bij deze uitvoerende handeling niet overschreden: wanneer de lidstaten geen gekwalificeerde meerderheid bereiken, dan is de Europese Commissie gemachtigd ggo’s goed te keuren op basis van een positief advies van EFSA.Biotechnologie is een belangrijke sector voor innovatie, onderzoek en ontwikkeling. Ook Vlaanderen, en in het bijzonder het Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie te Gent, is toonaangevend op het gebied van dergelijk onderzoek. Door te pleiten voor een moratorium op de goedkeuring van ggo’s, wordt het signaal afgegeven dat Europa een rem wil zetten op dit onderzoek, wat volgens mij verkeerd en nefast is.Het blijft belangrijk onderscheid te maken tussen ggo-techniek en -toepassing. Het is ook duidelijk dat het (eventuele) gebruik van ggo’s altijd moet worden ingekaderd in een landbouwbeleid waarin de bescherming van volksgezondheid, milieu en biodiversiteit is geïntegreerd, waarbij geïntegreerde plaagbestrijding essentieel is voor een duurzaam gebruik van pesticiden en niet-chemische alternatieven.
2019/10/10
Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and own resources: time to meet citizens' expectations (B9-0110/2019, B9-0112/2019, B9-0113/2019)

Deze resolutie herhaalt het standpunt van het vorige Europees Parlement om meer dan 1300 miljard euro uit te geven in de periode 2021-2027. Dat is bijna 200 miljard euro meer dan wat de Europese Commissie vraagt.Uiteraard stemmen de N-VA-leden van het Europees Parlement in met de vraag naar meer budgettaire ruimte op het gebied van veiligheid en migratie (zoals de uitbreiding van Frontex). Ook zou het volgens hen een goede zaak zijn als EU-projecten als Erasmus+ en Horizon Europa (het Europees onderzoeksprogramma) bijkomende middelen zouden ontvangen. Verder onderschrijft N-VA voluit het belang van Europese actie op het gebied van milieu, biodiversiteit en klimaat. Wij pleiten er evenwel voor om de actieradius van het op te richten fonds voor een rechtvaardige transitie voldoende breed te houden, zodat ook innovatie aan bod kan komen. Zo biedt waterstof bijvoorbeeld een echte kans voor decarbonisatie.N-VA ijvert voor een strategische inzet op de uitdagingen van de toekomst en de sectoren die grote Europese toegevoegde waarde creëren, zoals economie, innovatie, migratiebeheer, veiligheid en defensie. N-VA wil dat de EU inzet op een verschuiving naar een meer toekomstgericht beleid.Voor N-VA is deze tekst ontoereikend. De N-VA-leden van het Europees Parlement hebben dan ook tegen deze resolutie gestemd.
2019/10/10
Employment and social policies of the euro area (A9-0016/2019 - Yana Toom)

De N-VA-delegatie stemde tegen dit verslag over het werkgelegenheids- en sociaal beleid van de eurozone. N-VA onderschrijft ten volle dat in de EU aan opwaartse sociale convergentie moet worden gewerkt. Hiertoe kan een sociale matrix in het kader van het Europees Semester nuttig zijn. Het Europees Semester moet evenwel voldoende gefocust blijven op concurrentievermogen. Op een economisch kerkhof valt immers geen sociale welvaart te bouwen. Voorts zijn respect voor de nationale bevoegdheden en het subsidiariteitsbeginsel essentieel, en daar ontbreekt het in het verslag duidelijk aan. Zo kan N-VA geenszins steun verlenen aan de oproep om een Europees systeem van herverzekering van werkloosheidsuitkeringen of een Europees wetgevingsinstrument inzake minimumloon te creëren. Verdere struikelblokken in dit verslag zijn bijvoorbeeld nog de vraag om de tenuitvoerlegging van een kindergarantie, de bestendiging van de jongerengarantie, de kritiek op atypische arbeidsvormen, de vraag om een geharmoniseerd stelsel van rechten voor alle vormen van werk en de vraag naar een richtlijn inzake loontransparantie.
2019/10/10
European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (2014-2020) (A9-0015/2019 - Vilija Blinkevičiūtė)

De N-VA is tevreden dat het Europees Fonds voor aanpassing aan de globalisering (EFG) ook zal kunnen worden ingezet om bedrijven bij te staan die zwaar getroffen worden door een harde brexit. Europese solidariteit is absoluut noodzakelijk, want de nationale regeringen kunnen zulke zware sociaal-economische schokken niet alleen opvangen. Vlaanderen, bijvoorbeeld, verliest 2,6 % van zijn bnp bij een harde brexit en nog altijd 1,8% bij een akkoord.Wel vindt de N-VA dat de lat veel te hoog ligt met de voorwaarde dat het om minimum 500 ontslagen werknemers gaat. In Vlaanderen, bijvoorbeeld, heeft 97 % van de kmo's minder dan 50 werknemers. De kmo's staan in voor een zeer groot deel van de uitvoer. Verder stelt de N-VA voor om binnen het kader van het EFG ook rekening te houden met de mate waarin een bedrijf afhankelijk is van de export. Tot slot zal de N-VA ook blijven ijveren voor een nieuw en specifiek brexit-transitiefonds dat de meest getroffen (deel)staten ondersteunt.
2019/10/22
European Parliament's position on the Conference on the Future of Europe (B9-0036/2020, B9-0037/2020, B9-0038/2020)

De N-VA-delegatie onthield zich bij de stemming over de resolutie over de conferentie over de toekomst van Europa.N-VA gelooft dat een conferentie nuttig kan zijn, maar de EU is een representatieve democratie: inspraak, betrokkenheid en dergelijke zijn goed, maar politici moeten verantwoordelijkheid nemen en beslissen.De resolutie doet evenwel al voorafnames. Ze gaat uit van een centralistische overtuiging en lijkt eenzijdig het pad van “meer Europa” te willen bewandelen. N-VA benadrukt dat de oefening – in lijn met het subsidiariteitsbeginsel – in twee richtingen moet worden gemaakt. Waar de EU een meerwaarde kan zijn, mag verdere Europese integratie geen taboe zijn. Is dit niet het geval, dan is het aan de lid- en deelstaatdemocratieën om beleid te voeren. Zo moeten we enerzijds werk maken van een sterkere rol voor de EU in de wereld, een verdieping van de interne markt, een bankenunie en een kapitaalmarkt, en een echte grenscontrole en streng migratie- en asielbeleid. Anderzijds horen beslissingen over minimumloon, werkloosheidsverzekering (de EU moet jobs creëren i.p.v. werklozen te vergoeden) en fiscale tarieven thuis bij de lidstaten. Heeft de conferentie slechts oor voor één vooraf bepaald discours, dan dreigt het draagvlak voor de Unie (verder) te worden ondergraven.
2020/01/15
Objection pursuant to Rule 111: Union list of projects of common interest (B9-0091/2020)

De N-VA-delegatie kan deze resolutie niet steunen. Zij deelt de bezorgdheid over de klimaatverandering en steunt de transitie naar duurzame energie. Deze transitie dient volgens haar echter haalbaar en realistisch te zijn. De N-VA-delegatie vindt de onmiddellijke stopzetting van de aanleg van infrastructuur voor fossiele brandstoffen, waaronder gas, niet realistisch. De resolutie miskent zo de overbruggingsrol die gas speelt in de transitie naar duurzame energie. Bovendien negeert de resolutie de strategische rol van gasnetwerken voor de energiebevoorrading en -diversificatie van de Unie, in het bijzonder voor de lidstaten in Centraal- en Oost-Europa.De N-VA-delegatie verkiest de aanpak van de Europese Commissie, die een evenwichtige lijst met een beperkt aantal projecten voor gasinfrastructuur voorstelt na een transparant en open proces. Daarbij verwelkomt zij in het bijzonder de inclusie van projecten van belang voor Vlaanderen op die lijst van de Commissie, zoals Brabo II en Brabo III. Zij benadrukt ten slotte het belang van de realisatie van de energie-unie met een sterker uitgebouwd Europees energienetwerk.
2020/02/12
Objection pursuant to Rule 112: Lead and its compounds (B9-0089/2020)

Lood is een gevaarlijke stof, daarover is iedereen het eens. Dankzij een vrijwillig akkoord is lood in pvc sinds 2015 uitgefaseerd in de EU. De Commissie wil dit nu wettelijk verankeren zodat loodvrij pvc ook de norm wordt voor invoer uit derde landen. Tegelijk biedt het Commissievoorstel zuurstof aan de kringloopeconomie door veilige recyclage van oud pvc tijdelijk mogelijk te houden. 24 lidstaten steunen het voorstel.Ook de N-VA steunt het Commissievoorstel (en niet het parlementaire bezwaar) om volgende redenen: aangezien lood vastgebonden zit in de kunststofmatrix (net zoals in kristalglas overigens) kan oud pvc op een veilige manier worden gerecycleerd tot bijvoorbeeld nieuwe raamprofielen of rioolbuizen. Vlaamse beste praktijken tonen dit aan. Door jaarlijks meer dan 2 miljoen ramen te recycleren, bespaart men CO2 én grondstof. De Vlaamse sector hanteert daarbij al een “closed loop”-systeem en zet tegelijk volop in op innovatie zoals chemische recyclage om lood in de toekomst ook uit het gerecycleerde materiaal te halen.Het veto van het Parlement leidt tot verbranding of storting van oud pvc met een verhóógd risico voor mens en milieu. Bovendien benadeelt het veto goedwerkende Europese recyclagesectoren, zonder strengere eisen te stellen voor invoer. Resultaat: groene dromers blokkeren circulaire doeners.
2020/02/12
Automated decision-making processes: Ensuring consumer protection, and free movement of goods and services (B9-0094/2020)

De N-VA-delegatie stemde voor deze resolutie over geautomatiseerde besluitvorming. Zij is tevreden dat de resolutie benadrukt dat artificiële intelligentie grote kansen biedt en voordelen oplevert voor maatschappij en burger.Tegelijk brengt AI inderdaad ook complexe uitdagingen met zich mee, en moet worden nagedacht over hoe de bescherming van consumenten steeds kan worden gevrijwaard. De resolutie roept dan ook terecht op om na te gaan of de huidige Europese consumentenregels hiertoe volstaan, dan wel of eventuele aanpassingen wenselijk zijn.Cruciaal voor N-VA is evenwel dat deze analyse grondig gebeurt en de principes van betere regelgeving worden gerespecteerd, wat ook betekent dat de EU afziet van overdreven regeldrift. Innovatie, onderzoek en ontwikkeling vragen om stimulans. N-VA hoedt zich dan ook voor het beknotten (via Europese regelgeving) van technologische vooruitgang.
2020/02/12
Specific measures to mobilise investments in the health care systems of the Member States and in other sectors of their economies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak (Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative)

De N-VA onderschrijft de dringende noodzaak van maatregelen die de EU moet nemen om de COVID-19- crisissituatie aan te pakken. In dit voorstel worden de Europese structuur- en investeringsmiddelen opengesteld waarbij de niet-aangewende kasreserves uit de EU-cohesiefondsen door de lidstaten gebruikt mogen worden om de economische impact van COVID-19 op korte en lange termijn op te vangen. Voordeel is dat de lidstaten en regio’s onmiddellijk over het geld kunnen beschikken. De N-VA gaat akkoord met het aanwenden van deze fondsen om de crisis te bestrijden.De N-VA is het echter niet eens met de gebruikte methodologie en aangehouden verdeelsleutel. Het is op zich merkwaardig te noemen dat de beste leerlingen van de klas worden gestraft voor hun goede en voorbeeldige gedrag. Lidstaten en regio’s die veel uit deze fondsen ontvangen, worden zo bevoordeeld ten opzichte van diegene die hun middelen efficiënt inzetten.De verdeelsleutel voor de cohesiefondsen is niet dezelfde als voor de COVID-19-noden. Het coronavirus treft de meest dichtbevolkte, vaak goed presterende regio’s. Daar is de nood het hoogst en kunnen de financiële middelen het best ingezet worden om de economie er opnieuw snel bovenop te helpen. Daarom onthoudt de N-VA zich op de eindstemming van dit voorstel.
2020/03/26
Financial assistance to Member States and countries negotiating their accession to the Union that are seriously affected by a major public health emergency

De N-VA steunt het voorstel om het toepassingsgebied van het Europese Solidariteitsfonds van de EU uit te breiden en de Europese cofinanciering van het fonds te verhogen. Noodsituaties op het gebied van de volksgezondheid worden nu toegevoegd aan de situaties die uitbetaling uit het ESF rechtvaardigen.De N-VA is ervan overtuigd dat deze maatregelen en middelen om onze economie vandaag te ondersteunen welkom zijn. Zo kunnen we financiële steun verlenen aan lidstaten die zwaar getroffen zijn door de COVID-19-crisissituatie en betuigen we onze solidariteit met kandidaat-lidstaten uit de Westelijke Balkan die momenteel onderhandelen over toetreding tot de EU.Voor Turkije is er echter geen enkel EU-toekomstperspectief. Het land is te ver afgegleden van de fundamentele rechten en vrijheden die de EU-lidstaten delen. Voor de N-VA is Turkije een strategische partner, maar geen kandidaat-lid van de EU. Daarom steunden we het amendement dat erop wijst dat Turkije niet in aanmerking komt voor steun uit het Solidariteitsfonds.
2020/03/26
Parliament's estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2021 (A9-0102/2020 - Olivier Chastel)

De raming van de ontvangsten en uitgaven van het Europees Parlement voor het begrotingsjaar 2021 werd na overleg tussen het Bureau en de Begrotingscommissie vastgelegd op bijna 2,1 miljard EUR of een verhoging met 2,54 % tegenover de begroting van 2020. De N-VA verwelkomt de verlaging met 20 miljoen EUR die daarbij werd bereikt ten opzichte van het voorontwerp. De stijging van de uitgaven is evenwel veel groter dan de verwachte groei voor 2021.De N-VA-Europarlementsleden begrijpen dat bijna twee derde van de begroting van het Parlement bestaat uit aan de index gekoppelde uitgaven, waaronder voornamelijk bezoldigingen, pensioenen, medische kosten en vergoedingen. Maar daarnaast zijn er ook onderbouwde klachten over de enorme verscheidenheid aan initiatieven die het Europees Parlement onderneemt en waarvan de toegevoegde waarde soms erg kan worden betwist. Voor de N-VA is het van essentieel belang dat de doeltreffendheid en toegevoegde waarde van al deze initiatieven vooraf worden gewaarborgd. En dat is op dit moment onvoldoende het geval. Om deze reden heeft de N-VA zich dan ook onthouden bij de goedkeuring van de raming van de ontvangsten en uitgaven van het Europees Parlement.
2020/05/14
Conference on the Future of Europe (B9-0170/2020, B9-0179/2020)

N-VA meent dat er geen nood is aan een conferentie over de toekomst van Europa, ook vandaag niet. Het argument dat de pandemie hiertoe een urgentie heeft gecreëerd, is onjuist. De EU heeft binnen het huidige Verdragskader immers een ongelofelijk groot aantal verregaande maatregelen kunnen nemen.Wat de Europese Unie moet doen, is haar bevoegdheden uitoefenen, resultaten boeken, haar burgers en bedrijven beschermen. De N-VA wil dat de EU doet wat zij moet doen, en dit kan zonder grote conferentie, binnen de bestaande Verdragen.N-VA wil er ook op wijzen dat de EU gebaseerd is op de representatieve democratie. Burgers raadplegen klinkt mooi, maar het is een utopie dat we burgers zullen bereiken die representatief zijn. Eerder dan gesubsidieerde zuilen en uitgelote burgers te bevragen, gelooft N-VA in de parlementen van de deelstaten en lidstaten en het Europees Parlement. Het is aan de verkozen politici om hun verantwoordelijkheid op te nemen.Tot slot wil N-VA nog benadrukken dat het herstel na COVID-19 en de toekomstige relatie met het VK thans de onmiskenbare prioriteiten zijn. Dat is waar nu, bij voorrang, de aandacht en middelen naartoe moeten gaan.
2020/06/18
EU disability strategy post 2020 (B9-0123/2020)

De N-VA-delegatie steunt deze resolutie voor een nieuwe ambitieuze Europese strategie inzake handicaps. N-VA staat voor een warme, zorgzame en inclusieve samenleving op alle niveaus. Mensen met een beperking mogen geen tweederangsburgers zijn. Jammer genoeg worden zij in de praktijk nog te vaak uitgesloten van volwaardige deelname aan het maatschappelijk leven. Zo gaan menselijke ontplooiing, waardevolle vaardigheden alsook een kostbaar potentieel voor de arbeidsmarkt verloren. De N-VA-delegatie onderschrijft dan ook ten volle het belang van een omvattende Europese strategie inzake handicaps. Leidende principes moeten daarbij zijn: non-discriminatie, inclusiviteit, toegankelijkheid en vrij verkeer. N-VA vraagt tot slot dat rekening wordt gehouden met het subsidiariteitsbeginsel zodat het nodige beleid op het passende niveau kan worden gevoerd.
2020/06/18
Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (A9-0124/2020 -José Gusmão)

De N-VA-delegatie kan dit verslag van het Europees Parlement niet steunen. We moeten absoluut streven naar een Europa waarin we er allen samen op vooruitgaan. Daar mag geen twijfel over bestaan. Problematisch is echter dat het verslag kiest voor een steeds verdergaande uitholling van de sociale bevoegdheden van de lidstaten. N-VA wil niet dat het Parlement sociale eenheidsworst opdringt. Lidstaten moeten kunnen kijken naar de uitdagingen op de eigen arbeidsmarkt, en een sociaal beleid voeren dat is aangepast aan de noden van hun burgers. Een “one-size-fits-all”-aanpak in deze domeinen leidt simpelweg tot een “one-size-fits-none”-resultaat. Het verslag heeft dit inzicht jammer genoeg niet.Bijzondere struikelblokken voor N-VA zijn nog: de bewering dat er “een Europees sociaal model” zou bestaan; de zeer negatieve houding ten aanzien van flexibele vormen van werk; de verwelkoming van een Europese permanente werkloosheidsherverzekering; de oproep tot een kindergarantie en een vernieuwde jongerengarantie, en de wil van het Europees Parlement om op voet van gelijkheid met de Raad te worden betrokken bij de opstelling van de geïntegreerde richtsnoeren voor groei en werkgelegenheid. N-VA benadrukt het belang van het subsidiariteitsbeginsel en vraagt respect voor de bevoegdheden van de lid- en deelstaten.
2020/07/10
A comprehensive European approach to energy storage (A9-0130/2020 - Claudia Gamon)

De N-VA-fractie sluit zich aan bij het initiatief van het Europees parlement om de aandacht te vestigen op de noodzaak van energieopslag als essentieel onderdeel van de energietransitie. De N-VA gelooft hierbij sterk in de mogelijkheden van innovatie en technologieneutraliteit om zo de kost voor gezinnen en bedrijven tot het absolute minimum te beperken.De N-VA wenst wel te duiden dat zij niet akkoord gaat met het a priori verhogen van de doelstellingen inzake hernieuwbare energie voor 2030. Dat is de kar voor het paard spannen. De 2030-doelstellingen voor hernieuwbare energie op Europees niveau werden nog maar pas goedgekeurd. Het is dan ook aangewezen om eerst de uitgebreide effectbeoordeling van de Commissie af te wachten. De N-VA-fractie wijst er in die context ook op dat de doelstellingen niet uniform mogen zijn voor alle lid- en deelstaten, die onderling sterk verschillen in natuurlijke mogelijkheden en beperkingen.
2020/07/10
Revision of the guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (B9-0122/2020)

De N-VA-delegatie deelt de bezorgdheid over de klimaatverandering en is toegewijd aan de transitie naar duurzame energie op een sociaal en economisch haalbare en betaalbare manier. Vanuit dit standpunt steunt zij ook de vraag naar een herziening van de TEN-E-richtlijn uit 2013 met het oog op het klimaatakkoord van Parijs en de Green Deal.Zij gaat echter niet akkoord met de vraag om al vóór de uitvoering van deze wettelijke herziening richtsnoeren op te stellen voor een vijfde lijst van projecten van gemeenschappelijk belang (PGB’s). N-VA benadrukt dat de wetgevende rol van de Raad en het Europees Parlement moet worden gerespecteerd en niet door het gebruik van “soft law”-instrumenten mag worden uitgehold. De N-VA-delegatie besliste zich om die reden te onthouden.
2020/07/10
Conclusions of the extraordinary European Council meeting of 17-21 July 2020 (B9-0229/2020)

. – N-VA benadrukt dat de coronacrisis een krachtige aanpak vereist, gebaseerd op verantwoordelijkheid en verstandige solidariteit, en wel in die volgorde. De EU moet bovenop de uiterst grote inspanningen van de lidstaten een verstandige meerwaarde realiseren, in de eerste plaats door een “shift” in de uitgaven van het MFK naar massieve investeringen in O&O, innovatie, veiligheid en duurzame interconnectiviteit (spoor- en binnenwaterentransport, energie en digitalisering). N-VA betreurt dat deze shift is afgezwakt en steunt het pleidooi in deze resolutie om de financiering van de Horizon-, Erasmus-, en migratieprogramma’s te versterken, maar kant zich tegen eenzelfde vraag voor EU4Health en de jongerengarantie. Dit zijn uitgaven die op lid- of deelstaatniveau moeten gebeuren.We moeten nu de toekomstige welvaart veiligstellen. Het valt te betreuren dat de EU nu ook als laatste overheid schulden aangaat, met een last op de toekomstige generaties. N-VA spreekt dan ook haar volle steun uit voor de aangescherpte conditionaliteit, zodat lidstaten ook effectief structurele hervormingen doorvoeren. Er mag geen enkele ambiguïteit zijn: de noodprocedure op niveau van de Europese Raad moet een echte stok achter de deur worden.N-VA oordeelt dat het herstelfonds te weinig bestaat uit leningen waar een terugbetalingsplan aan verbonden is. De ratio giften/garanties vs. leningen had voor N-VA ten minste omgekeerd moeten worden, terwijl deze resolutie net een groter aandeel giften vraagt. Het is goed dat in de verdeling nu wel meer rekening wordt gehouden met de noden van de meest getroffen regio’s, maar voor N-VA is het onbegrijpelijk dat het grootste aandeel uit het herstelfonds nog steeds verdeeld wordt op basis van pre-coronacriteria die geen rekening houden met de graad waarin lidstaten getroffen zijn door de economische gevolgen van de gezondheidscrisis.N-VA is tevreden dat de Europese Raad haar voorstel voor een afzonderlijke “brexitreserve” heeft overgenomen, maar meent dat 5 miljard euro hiervoor te weinig is om de zware impact van de brexit voor Vlaanderen en de landen rond de Noordzee op te vangen. In die zin meent N-VA dat het onbegrijpelijk is dat deze resolutie voorstelt om de douane-inningskosten die de lidstaten mogen inhouden terug te brengen naar 10 %.Voorts blijft N-VA op het standpunt dat er geen sprake kan zijn van de invoering van Europese belastingen. We spreken onze steun uit voor een plasticbijdrage, maar wijzen elke nieuwe belasting om de Unie te financieren af. Het fiscale beleid is bij uitstek een exclusieve bevoegdheid die bij de lidstaten thuishoort.N-VA onthoudt zich op deze resolutie.
2020/07/23
Draft Council decision on the system of own resources of the European Union (A9-0146/2020 - José Manuel Fernandes, Valerie Hayer)

. – Met dit advies keurt het Europees Parlement het eigenmiddelenbesluit van de Raad goed. Dat besluit is het resultaat van het alomvattende politiek akkoord dat binnen de Europese Raad werd gesloten over het nieuwe meerjarig financieel kader, het herstelplan en de hervorming van het systeem van eigen middelen.N-VA steunt dit eigenmiddelenbesluit en had eerder al opgeroepen tot de oprichting van een fors Europees herstelfonds. Daarbij mag evenwel niet worden vergeten dat er tal van zaken zijn die wij steunen die niet direct geld kosten en toch wezenlijk bijdragen aan het herstel zoals de verdieping van de interne markt met een digitale, transport-, energie- en kapitaalmarktenunie.Hoewel een nog grotere shift richting het gebruik van leningen wenselijk is, is N-VA tevreden met het feit dat als gevolg van het Raadsakkoord de nieuwe faciliteit voor herstel en veerkracht uit het Europees herstelfonds nu voor het merendeel bestaat uit leningen i.p.v. subsidies. We onderschrijven ook dat er nu voorwaarden worden opgelegd aan de besteding. Ook het feit dat het voorstel van N-VA voor een apart brexit-steunfonds voor de meest getroffen Europese regio’s rond de Noordzee in de steigers staat, juichen we toe.N-VA gaat evenwel niet akkoord met de talrijke voorstellen die het Parlement formuleert in dit advies om het eigenmiddelenbesluit aan te passen. N-VA stemt tegen het afschaffen van kortingen, tegen het verminderen van de inningskosten voor het heffen van de douanerechten en tegen de voorgestelde wettelijk bindende kalender voor het invoeren van nieuwe eigen middelen.N-VA blijft ook op haar standpunt dat er geen sprake kan zijn van de invoering van Europese belastingen. We wijzen elke nieuwe belasting om de Unie te financieren af. De huidige, op het bni gebaseerde bijdrage is de meest faire manier om de EU te ondersteunen. Bovendien is het fiscale beleid bij uitstek een exclusieve bevoegdheid die bij de lidstaten thuishoort. N-VA staat wel open voor nieuwe intelligente bijdragen van de lidstaten zoals de heffing op plastic, en is het met de Raad eens dat een aantal nieuwe bijdragen in Europees en/of OESO-verband onderzocht kunnen worden.
2020/09/16
Just Transition Fund (A9-0135/2020 - Manolis Kefalogiannis)

Een duurzame transformatie houdt bijzondere uitdagingen in. Dit geldt zowel voor lidstaten die sterk afhankelijk zijn van grondstoffen als steenkool maar ook voor state-of-the-art industriële centra die in grote mate bijdragen aan de welvaart in de EU, zoals Vlaanderen. Ook deze lidstaten of deelstaten moeten voldoende ruimte krijgen om zich verder innovatief te ontwikkelen. Het Fonds voor een rechtvaardige transitie dient daarom mogelijkheden te bieden voor ondersteuning van verdere technologische innovaties in functie van een duurzame transitie in energie-intensieve regio’s. Met respect voor het subsidiariteitsbeginsel en de mogelijkheid om eigen regio’s aan te duiden die in aanmerking komen voor financiering door het Fonds.Onze delegatie erkent dat aardgas een belangrijke technologie is voor de vervanging van steenkool en aardolie én in het licht van klimaatneutraliteit op EU-niveau. Voor dit specifieke fonds steunen wij echter het Commissievoorstel alsook het standpunt van de Raad om deze middelen niet aan te wenden voor investeringen in fossiele brandstoffen. Wij zijn ervan overtuigd dat er voldoende mogelijkheden zijn voor investeringen in innovatieve technologieën die fossielvrij zijn.N-VA verwierp bovendien het amendement dat klimaatneutraliteit tegen 2050 als nationale doelstelling stelt om toegang te krijgen tot het Fonds. De N-VA-delegatie onthoudt zich om deze redenen op de eindstemming.
2020/09/16
Reinforcing the Youth Guarantee (B9-0310/2020)

Voor N-VA is jobcreatie, en in het bijzonder het aanpakken van jeugdwerkloosheid, een absolute beleidsprioriteit. Dit mag geen twijfel lijden. Arbeidsmarktbeleid is echter een bevoegdheid van de lid- en deelstaten, en moet op maat van de eigen arbeidsmarkt worden gevoerd. EU-optreden mag de lidstaten geenszins ontslaan van hun eigen verantwoordelijkheid om hervormingen door te voeren.De grootschalige Europese financiering die gekoppeld is aan de jongerengarantie verbergt helaas de structurele problemen die aan de jeugdwerkloosheid ten grondslag liggen. Deze financiering ontneemt de prikkels voor de betrokken regio’s om ernstig te hervormen. N-VA vindt het dan ook een slecht idee om de jongerengarantie uit te breiden en hiervan een permanent en bindend instrument te maken, met verhoogde Europese financiering.
2020/10/08
Digital Services Act: Improving the functioning of the Single Market (A9-0181/2020 - Alex Agius Saliba)

Het verdiepen van de digitale interne markt moet voor de EU een absolute beleidsprioriteit zijn. N-VA steunt dan ook de vraag naar een duidelijk en toekomstgericht regelgevend kader voor digitale diensten. Zoals ook in de huidige crisis is gebleken, is er nood aan Europese regels die de concurrentie versterken en tegelijk burgers en gebruikers een veilige(re) onlineomgeving bieden. De EU moet onder meer werk maken van het bestrijden van illegale inhoud online, het bevorderen van effectieve digitale transparantie en gebruikersrechten o.m. door een meer efficiënte geschillenbeslechting, en een zekere ex-anteregulering voor zgn. poortwachters. N-VA beklemtoont daarbij het grote belang van proportionele regels, die innovatie niet afremmen en onze bedrijven, in het bijzonder onze kmo’s, geen onnodige lasten opleggen. Nieuwe regels mogen daarenboven geenszins leiden tot enige vorm van censuur, bijvoorbeeld via de automatische filtering van uploads. Het open en vrije karakter van het internet vormt het uitgangspunt, waarbij de laagdrempelige toegang tot informatie overeind moet blijven.
2020/10/20
Digital Services Act: adapting commercial and civil law rules for commercial entities operating online (A9-0177/2020 - Tiemo Wölken)

Het verdiepen van de digitale interne markt moet voor de EU een absolute beleidsprioriteit zijn. N-VA steunt dan ook de vraag naar een duidelijk en toekomstgericht regelgevend kader voor digitale diensten. Zoals ook in de huidige crisis is gebleken, is er nood aan Europese regels die de concurrentie versterken en tegelijk burgers en gebruikers een veilige(re) onlineomgeving bieden. De EU moet onder meer werk maken van het bestrijden van illegale inhoud online, het bevorderen van effectieve digitale transparantie en gebruikersrechten o.m. door een meer efficiënte geschillenbeslechting, en een zekere ex-anteregulering voor zgn. poortwachters. N-VA beklemtoont daarbij het grote belang van proportionele regels, die innovatie niet afremmen en onze bedrijven, in het bijzonder onze kmo’s, geen onnodige lasten opleggen. Nieuwe regels mogen daarenboven geenszins leiden tot enige vorm van censuur, bijvoorbeeld via de automatische filtering van uploads. Het open en vrije karakter van het internet vormt het uitgangspunt, waarbij de laagdrempelige toegang tot informatie overeind moet blijven.
2020/10/20
Framework of ethical aspects of artificial intelligence, robotics and related technologies (A9-0186/2020 - Ibán García Del Blanco)

N-VA steunt het uitgangspunt om een gedegen Europees kader te creëren met ethische regels voor KI-systemen, in het bijzonder voor KI-systemen met een hoog risico. De EU moet volop inzetten op rechtszekerheid en vertrouwen zodat het wereldwijd marktleider kan worden in betrouwbare technologie en kwaliteitsvolle algoritmes.N-VA vreest evenwel dat de door het verslag voorgestelde aanpak de ontwikkeling en het gebruik van KI onnodig beknot. Er wordt bijvoorbeeld een zeer vage en brede omschrijving van “KI-systemen met een hoog risico” voorgestaan. Uit voorlopig en nog onvolledig onderzoek van wetenschappers verbonden aan het Duitse Bondsministerie voor Onderzoek en Onderwijs kwam overigens naar voor dat 60 % van de geteste AI-toepassingen geen hoog risico vormt en de overige 40 % reeds valt onder sectorale wetgeving. N-VA wijst verder op de erg doorgedreven eisen op het vlak van transparantie en verklaarbaarheid. Zij stelt vragen bij de haalbaarheid en de evenredigheid hiervan, in het bijzonder voor onze kmo’s, scale-ups en start-ups. Zij heeft zich derhalve onthouden, en benadrukt het belang van een zeer grondige impactbeoordeling.
2020/10/20
Civil liability regime for artificial intelligence (A9-0178/2020 - Axel Voss)

. – N-VA steunt de ontwikkeling van een Europees kader inzake burgerrechtelijke aansprakelijkheid voor KI met duidelijke, uniforme principes. Wil de EU het potentieel van KI ten volle ontginnen, dan is rechtszekerheid, zowel voor de burgers als de ondernemingen, immers primordiaal. Een stabiel rechtskader creëert ook het beste klimaat voor de broodnodige investeringen in KI. Zaak is wel de juiste balans tussen enerzijds afdoende bescherming voor burgers en consumenten, en anderzijds voldoende speelruimte voor ondernemingen, in het bijzonder start-ups en kmo’s. Deze balans zit in het verslag helaas niet helemaal goed. Zo voorziet het in een onweerlegbare risicoaansprakelijkheid voor de operator van een KI-systeem met hoog risico, gekoppeld aan een erg brede en vage omschrijving van wat een KI-systeem met hoog risico is. Voor andere KI-systemen, zonder hoog risico, bepleit het verslag een algehele omkering van de bewijslast. De operator van een KI-systeem zonder hoog risico moet, wil hij zichzelf vrijpleiten, steeds het bewijs leveren dat hij heeft voldaan aan zijn zorgplicht. In geval van schade door een derde die met het KI-systeem heeft geknoeid, blijft de operator evenwel aansprakelijk indien die derde onvindbaar of onbemiddeld is. N-VA meent dat voornoemde aspecten om een doorgedreven effectenbeoordeling én meer evenredige aanpak vragen. Zij heeft zich om die reden onthouden.
2020/10/20
Employment and social policies of the euro area 2020 (A9-0183/2020 - Klára Dobrev)

N-VA is van mening dat de huidige crisis inderdaad noopt tot toekomstgerichte investeringen, waaronder investeringen die welvaart en jobs creëren en zo leiden tot sociale vooruitgang. Zij waarschuwt dat op een economisch kerkhof geen sociale welvaart kan worden gebouwd. Jobcreatie moet dan ook een absolute beleidsprioriteit zijn. Het komt evenwel toe aan de lid- en deelstaten om hun arbeidsmarkt- en werkgelegenheidsbeleid vorm te geven, rekening houdend met de eigen uitdagingen en kenmerken van hun arbeidsmarkt. Op dit punt slaat het verslag de bal helaas helemaal mis. Het bevat talloze oproepen voor nieuwe Europese sociale regelgeving en initiatieven, zoals een Europees kader voor minimumlonen, een permanent EU-werkloosheidsherverzekeringsmechanisme, een digitaal EU-socialezekerheidsnummer, de versterking van de jongerengarantie en de creatie van een kindergarantie en vaardighedengarantie. N-VA kan om die redenen het verslag niet steunen.
2020/10/21
Towards a more sustainable single market for business and consumers (A9-0209/2020 - David Cormand)

. – N-VA ondersteunt de doelstellingen van deze resolutie: het tegengaan van vroegtijdige veroudering, het verminderen van verspilling en het versterken van de circulaire economie, iets waar Vlaanderen overigens nu reeds een toppositie in bekleedt. Daarnaast onderschrijven we zeker het pleidooi voor een betere consumentenbescherming, mag herstelbaarheid van een product als norm geïntroduceerd worden, en ondersteunen we de standaardisering van herstelproducten, enz. We erkennen ook de rol die een versterkte aansprakelijkheid van de fabrikant en wijzigingen in de wetgeving op de overheidsopdrachten hierin kunnen spelen. Dat er bij dit alles gevraagd wordt om een eerlijk speelveld voor onze bedrijven die internationaal moeten concurreren, is het allerbelangrijkst.Toch hebben we ook enig voorbehoud bij de tekst. Zo is het ons niet geheel duidelijk hoe de levensduur van een product, en de daaraan gekoppelde garantieregeling, bepaald moeten worden. Verder lijkt het ons van belang zich vragen te stellen bij een al te grote mate van herstelbaarheid van een product, in die zin dat het bijvoorbeeld ecologisch onverantwoord kan zijn om al te grote stocks van herstelgoederen in voorraad te houden. Dit slorpt immers veel grondstoffen en ruimte op, ook al kan 3D-printing daar in de toekomst enig soelaas bieden. Maar soms kan recyclage ecologisch wellicht een betere oplossing zijn. Voorts mag de passage over een gewijzigd intellectueel eigendomsrecht er niet toe leiden dat het eigendomsrecht wordt uitgehold. Zonder eigendomsrechten bestaat er immers geen markteconomie. Daarnaast is er evenmin voorzien in een overgangsperiode. Welk recht is van toepassing wanneer op een bepaald punt circulair en niet-circulair gebouwde producten naast elkaar circuleren?Tot slot zijn er in de tekst ook punten opgenomen die ons te ver gaan. Zo vrezen we dat de invoering van verplichte etikettering en de erg detaillistisch opgevatte precontractuele informatie over de herstelbaarheid van een product, een grote last zullen vormen voor onze kmo’s, net nu ze al hun energie en middelen moeten steken in het boven water houden van hun bedrijf. Ook ons voorbehoud over de verlenging van de omkering van de bewijslast moet onder meer in dat licht gezien worden.Om deze redenen heeft onze delegatie zich onthouden van stemming op de tekst.
2020/11/25
A strong social Europe for Just Transitions (A9-0233/2020 - Dennis Radtke, Agnes Jongerius)

. – N-VA zet zich ten volle in voor een warme, inclusieve samenleving waarin we er allen samen op vooruit gaan. Het verslag kiest hiertoe helaas de verkeerde middelen. Het ondergraaft de bevoegdheden van de lidstaten en miskent het subsidiariteitsbeginsel. Zo roept het onder meer op tot een richtlijn inzake minimumloon, een Europees werkloosheidsherverzekeringsmechanisme, een bindende en versterkte jongerengarantie, een kindgarantie, meer bevoegdheden voor de Europese Arbeidsautoriteit, alsook een wildgroei aan Europese sociale wetgevingsinitiatieven. “Meer Europa” is niet de oplossing voor elke uitdaging of crisis. Sociaal en arbeidsmarktbeleid moeten daarentegen zo dicht mogelijk bij de burger worden gevoerd, zodat rekening kan worden gehouden met de werkelijke noden en eigenheden. Een Europees sociaal keurslijf past niemand. Dit heeft als onvermijdelijk gevolg dat we de burger nog verder van de EU vervreemden. De herverdelende bevoegdheden moeten bij de lidstaten blijven; daar wordt het beleid gevoerd en voor de financiering gezorgd in volle verantwoordelijkheid. N-VA kant zich tegen een Europese transferunie; solidariteit kan niet werken zonder verantwoordelijkheid. Ook wil zij erop wijzen dat sociale welvaart niet kan worden gebouwd op een economisch kerkhof. Tot slot betreurt N-VA de herhaaldelijke veroordeling van atypische arbeidsvormen. Het creëren van “werkende armen” moeten we absoluut vermijden, dat lijdt geen twijfel. Maar werk is nog altijd de beste garantie tegen armoede. Flexibiliteit op de arbeidsmarkt schept kansen voor mensen die anders mogelijk uit de boot zouden vallen. N-VA gelooft sterk in het geven van kansen aan mensen, en dit in combinatie met een sterk sociaal vangnet wanneer nodig.
2020/12/17
Sustainable corporate governance (A9-0240/2020 - Pascal Durand)

. – N-VA onthield zich bij de stemming over dit verslag over “duurzame corporate governance”. N-VA gaat volop voor duurzaam ondernemen, en wil bedrijven in hun inspanningen aanmoedigen en steunen. We willen doordachte maatregelen. Er moet volop worden ingezet op innovatieve oplossingen die duurzaamheid in de toeleveringsketen van bedrijven implementeren. Zo zou de consument in staat moeten worden gesteld om op ieder moment, bijvoorbeeld via een QR-code, de duurzame productiewijze van zijn aangekocht product te controleren. De Commissie moet hierover akkoorden sluiten met het bedrijfsleven dat zich moet engageren. We mogen evenwel de Europese competitiviteit niet op de helling zetten. Hier slaat het verslag helaas de bal mis. Het kiest voor verregaande verplichtingen die zware (administratieve) lasten en kosten zullen meebrengen zowel voor ondernemingen als bestuurders. De concurrentiekracht van onze Europese spelers komt hiermee zwaar onder druk te staan. N-VA drukt ook nadrukkelijk haar bezorgdheid uit over een ondoordachte uitbreiding van de bestuurdersaansprakelijkheid. Het is thans afwachten welk wetgevend voorstel commissaris Reynders in 2021 op tafel zal leggen. N-VA wil alvast waarschuwen het Europese bedrijfsleven – en bij uitbreiding onze economie en welvaart – niet te verstikken. We moeten kansen voor duurzaamheid creëren; andersom mag duurzaamheid de Europese groei niet knechten.
2020/12/17
Artificial intelligence: questions of interpretation and application of international law (A9-0001/2021 - Gilles Lebreton)

. – De N-VA steunt de positieve kijk in het verslag op het gebruik van KI-toepassingen door de publieke sector en in een militaire context. Kunstmatige intelligentie biedt immers veel mogelijkheden om onze diensten efficiënter te maken en de groene en digitale transitie van onze samenleving te bespoedigen. De N-VA gaat er ook mee akkoord dat voor sommige KI-toepassingen met een hoog risico extra voorwaarden kunnen gelden (zoals inzake transparantie). Dergelijke voorwaarden mogen echter verdere innovatie niet lamleggen. De N-VA roept dan ook op om aan de term ‘hoog risico’ een duidelijke invulling te geven die niet verder gaat dan noodzakelijk is en rekening houdt met de reeds bestaande wetgeving die de veiligheid en kwaliteit van KI-toepassingen verzekert.Voor het gebruik van KI in een militaire context moeten we een duidelijk onderscheid maken tussen enerzijds KI-toepassingen die een ondersteunende rol hebben, en anderzijds KI-toepassingen die zelfstandig een doelwit kunnen selecteren en aanvallen zonder menselijke tussenkomst (de zogenaamde dodelijke autonome wapensystemen).Voor deze laatste categorie van dodelijke wapens beklemtoont de N-VA de noodzaak van een menselijke beslissing. In de mate dat deze menselijke controle niet gegarandeerd kan worden, verzet de N-VA zich tegen het gebruik van deze technologie voor militaire doeleinden. Helaas biedt het verslag geen duidelijk antwoord op de vraag wat de vereiste intensiteit is van menselijke tussenkomst bij het gebruik van dodelijke autonome wapens. Om die reden heeft de N-VA zich onthouden bij de stemming.
2021/01/20
Monitoring the application of EU law 2017, 2018 and 2019 (A9-0270/2020 -Sabrina Pignedoli)

De N-VA-delegatie onthield zich bij de stemming over dit verslag. De lid- en deelstaten worden terecht aangemaand tot tijdige en correcte omzetting van richtlijnen. Een gedegen omzetting versterkt de interne markt en komt dus de consument ten goede. De N-VA stipt wel aan dat dit principe geldt voor alle richtlijnen en betreurt dat in het verslag te eenzijdig klemtonen worden gelegd, zoals op de uitvoering van Europese milieuregels.De N-VA verwelkomt verder de aandacht die uitgaat naar het verbeteren van de werking van het subsidiariteitsbeginsel. De N-VA benadrukt evenwel dat een lippendienst aan het subsidiariteits- en het evenredigheidsbeginsel niet kan volstaan. In het verslag wordt in hoofdzaak een doorgedreven Europese centralisering bepleit. Een voorbeeld hiervan is de roep om een Europese verordening die de administratieve procedures in heel de Unie harmoniseert.Ook betreurt de N-VA dat in het verslag elke ruimte wordt ontkend voor de nationale grondwettelijke hoven om na te gaan of EU-optreden de grenzen van de haar toegewezen bevoegdheden niet overschrijdt. De Europese Unie is een unie van soevereine staten, gewaarborgd door het beginsel van bevoegdheidstoedeling. Een meer kritische reflectie over (de grenzen en het succes van) het EU-optreden was passend geweest in dit verslag.
2021/01/20
FEAD: specific measures to address the COVID-19 crisis (A9-0174/2020 - Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová)

. – De N-VA-delegatie onthield zich bij de stemming over dit verslag. Zij wenst haar steun uit te spreken voor het Fonds voor Europese hulp aan de meest behoeftigen (FEAD), en verdedigt dat de Covid-19-crisis een extra inspanning vraagt om hulp te bieden aan de minstbedeelden. Deze crisis treft zij die het al moeilijk hadden extra hard, en daar mogen we geenszins de ogen voor sluiten. Solidariteit is nu absoluut noodzakelijk. De N-VA betreurt evenwel dat de uitbreiding van het FEAD een medefinanciering tot 100 % door de EU toelaat. Lidstaten moeten dus zelf geen enkele duit in het zakje doen, waardoor verantwoordelijkheid – 'ownership' – ontbreekt. Dit ontneemt elke prikkel tot efficiënt middelenbeheer. De N-VA wil benadrukken dat het – meer dan ooit – cruciaal is dat de schaarse middelen goed terechtkomen. We zijn het aan de burgers verschuldigd hiertoe waarborgen in te bouwen. Verantwoordelijkheid en solidariteit, en wel in die volgorde, gaan hand in hand.
2021/01/20
Decent and affordable housing for all (A9-0247/2020 - Kim Van Sparrentak)

De N-VA-delegatie onthield zich bij de stemming over dit verslag. Huisvesting is een basisrecht. Nationale en regionale overheden moeten dan ook een woningbeleid ontwikkelen dat voldoende, betaalbaar en kwaliteitsvol aanbod mogelijk maakt. Renovatie wordt daarbij terecht als een beleidsprioriteit genoemd, waarbij de overheid optreedt als ondersteunende partner. Ook steunt de N-VA een moratorium op het afsluiten van de verwarming tijdens de winter. De N-VA betreurt evenwel dat het verslag voorbijgaat aan de bevoegdheden van de lid- en deelstaten en een Europese aanpak wil opdringen. Zij wijst erop dat de behoeften, verwachtingen en uitdagingen op de woningmarkt vaak lokaal gebonden zijn. Ook moet aan de lid- en deelstaten nog voldoende ruimte worden gelaten om eigen sociaal-economische prioriteiten te bepalen. Tot slot wil de N-VA aanstippen dat ook de rechten van de verhuurder niet mogen worden genegeerd, maar dat naar een evenwicht moet worden gestreefd tussen de rechten en plichten van huurders en verhuurders.
2021/01/21
The right to disconnect (A9-0246/2020 - Alex Agius Saliba)

De N-VA-delegatie stemde resoluut tegen dit verslag, waarin wordt opgeroepen tot een Europese verordening inzake het recht om offline te zijn én een Europese verordening inzake telewerk. Uiteraard moeten werknemers beschermd en hun rusttijden gerespecteerd worden. Dat staat voorop. Een heel andere vraag is of de Europese Unie hier de lidstaten één eenvormige regeling moet opdringen. Arbeidsmarktbeleid is een bevoegdheid van de lid- en deelstaten, en met goede redenen. Het zijn de nationale en regionale overheden die de behoeften van de eigen arbeidsmarkt en de uitdagingen van hun burgers het best kennen. Ook zijn culturen en tradities inzake arbeidspatronen erg verschillend in de lidstaten. Heel vaak ook beslissen werkgevers en werknemers in collectief sociaal overleg, opnieuw rekening houdend met de situatie van de eigen arbeidsmarkt. Eén Europees keurslijf is dan ook niet passend. Voorts wil de N-VA benadrukken dat flexibilisering van de arbeidstijd zeer nuttig kan zijn voor een bepaalde groep mensen. Het geeft mensen kansen die anders misschien uit de boot zouden vallen op de arbeidsmarkt. Tot slot betreurt de N-VA de afwezigheid van enig werkgeversperspectief in dit verslag. Zij krijgen er weer een hoop regeltjes bij, terwijl onze kmo’s reeds kreunen onder de administratieve overlast.
2021/01/21
Reducing inequalities with a special focus on in-work poverty (A9-0006/2021 - Özlem Demirel)

. – Werken moet lonen en beschermen tegen armoede. Deze beleidsdoelstelling onderschrijft N-VA ten volle. Zij betreurt sterk dat het verslag evenwel voor het verkeerde middel kiest: een strak Europees keurslijf zonder flexibiliteit voor lid- en deelstaten om passend beleid te voeren.Het verslag staat bol van de Europese centralistische aspiraties voor het sociaal en werkgelegenheidsbeleid. Zo is er de roep om een EU-kader inzake minimuminkomen en toereikend minimumloon, een Europese werkloosheidsherverzekering (met de mogelijkheid voor niet-EMU-landen om zich aan te sluiten), een Europese wet inzake platformwerkers, een Europese wet inzake telewerk, een Europese wet inzake werkgerelateerde stress, een Europees rechtskader inzake loontransparantie, en de wil om van de Europese Arbeidsautoriteit een echte Europese arbeidsinspectie te maken.N-VA benadrukt dat sociaal en arbeidsmarktbeleid een bevoegdheid van de lid- en deelstaten is. Het is van groot belang dit beleid te kunnen voeren rekening houdend met de eigenlijke noden, uitdagingen en tradities (dagschema’s, zorg voor ouderen en kinderen, etc.) van de burger en de arbeidsmarkt. Het werkt overigens contraproductief om lidstaten de vrijheid te ontnemen om eigen sociaal-economische prioriteiten te stellen. Ook wil N-VA waarschuwen voor het verguizen van meer flexibele vormen van werk. Werk blijft de beste garantie tegen armoede, en flexibiliteit schept kansen op de arbeidsmarkt voor mensen die vaak het verst van de arbeidsmarkt zijn verwijderd.N-VA gelooft sterk in het geven van kansen, in combinatie met een sterk sociaal vangnet wanneer nodig. Tot slot hoedt zij zich voor bijkomende administratieve lasten voor onze kmo’s, die nu reeds gebukt gaan onder een grote regeldruk.
2021/02/09
European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience (B9-0108/2021)

N-VA onthield zich bij de stemming over deze resolutie. Ze onderschrijft ten volle het belang van opleidingskansen voor eenieder, in het bijzonder de noodzaak te investeren in technologische en digitale vaardigheden. De COVID-19-pandemie heeft meer dan ooit aangetoond hoe cruciaal deze vaardigheden zijn. In een snel veranderende wereld is het onontbeerlijk tijdig in te spelen op nieuwe kansen en uitdagingen op de arbeidsmarkt.N-VA wil evenwel benadrukken dat het aan de lid- en deelstaten toekomt om het beleid inzake onderwijs, opleiding en vaardigheden vorm te geven. Dit beleid moet immers zo dicht mogelijk aansluiten bij de noden van de burger, de arbeidsmarkt en de demografische omstandigheden. N-VA ziet vanzelfsprekend de meerwaarde van Europese samenwerking, bijvoorbeeld in het kader van onderzoek en ontwikkeling of het Erasmusprogramma. Helaas gaat de resolutie een brug te ver door ook op te roepen tot een Europese wet inzake telewerk én een Europese wet inzake het recht om onbereikbaar te zij. Een dergelijk Europees keurslijf kan N-VA geenszins steunen: het ontneemt de lidstaten de broodnodige flexibiliteit in hun arbeidsmarktbeleid en legt onze kmo’s verdere administratieve lasten op, terwijl het in veel lidstaten voorwerp van collectief overleg is.
2021/02/10
Corporate due diligence and corporate accountability (A9-0018/2021 - Lara Wolters)

. – De N-VA heeft zich van stemming onthouden bij de stemming over dit verslag van de Commissie juridische zaken, dat de Europese Commissie oproept nieuwe Europese wetgeving voor te stellen inzake zorgvuldigheidsvereisten voor het bedrijfsleven.Maatschappelijk verantwoord ondernemen is voor de N-VA een prioriteit. Het is onze ethische plicht ons uit te spreken tegen arbeid in mensonwaardige omstandigheden, gedwongen arbeid, kinderarbeid, milieuschendingen en corruptie. Zorgvuldigheid en transparantie in de toeleveringsketen zijn hiervoor cruciaal. Er zijn op dit vlak prachtige vrijwillige initiatieven met labels, maar die hebben niet de verhoopte resultaten geboekt. Wetgeving zal dus inderdaad noodzakelijk zijn, maar ook hier is zorgvuldigheid geboden.Hieraan ontbreekt het in het verslag helaas compleet. Zo is rechtszekerheid ver te zoeken. Het verslag bevat tal van onduidelijkheden en tegenstrijdigheden door de ene keer voor een resultaats- en de andere keer voor een inspanningsverbintenis te kiezen. De N-VA wil voor multinationals een duidelijke, juridisch afdwingbare inspanningsverbintenis over de gehele linie. Ook heeft de N-VA scherpe kritiek op de voorgestelde aansprakelijkheidsregeling. Het verslag wil ondernemingen aansprakelijk stellen voor elke schending van de mensenrechten, het milieu of goed bestuur in hun toeleveringsketen waartoe zij hebben bijgedragen “door hun doen of laten”. Daarbij wordt de bewijslast omgekeerd en bij de ondernemingen gelegd. Het is voor bedrijven evenwel onmogelijk permanent en in elk onderdeel van de waardeketen te controleren of de veiligheidsvoorschriften, de arbeidsomstandigheden, milieunormen enz. nageleefd worden. Zij mogen niet opdraaien voor op dit vlak slecht functionerende derde landen, die vaak geen goede regelgeving hebben of tekortschieten in de handhaving ervan. Last but not least wil de N-VA dat de EU kleine en middelgrote ondernemingen (kmo’s) ondersteunt in plaats van hun dergelijke vergaande verplichtingen op te leggen, die hun internationalisering zo goed als onmogelijk maken. Het is een taak die onze kmo’s onmogelijk aankunnen en die hen met uiterst zware kosten zal opzadelen, waarvan ook de consument de gevolgen zal moeten dragen. De N-VA pleit voor een vrijstelling voor kmo’s en een steunpunt dat hen bijstaat en informatie verstrekt over de diverse schakels in de toeleveringsketen. De boodschap aan Commissaris Reynders mag duidelijk zijn: dit voorstel van het Europees Parlement houdt totaal geen rekening met een gelijk speelveld; de Europese competitiviteit treft onze kmo’s buiten alle proporties. De wereld verbeteren: ja, maar niet door onszelf in de voet te schieten.
2021/03/10
European Semester: Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2021 (A9-0036/2021 - Markus Ferber)

. – De N-VA-delegatie stemde tegen dit verslag, dat een onversneden pleidooi is voor een doorgedreven Europese centralisering van het sociale en arbeidsmarktbeleid. Dat we aan opwaartse sociale convergentie moeten werken, staat buiten kijf. Het verslag kiest hiervoor echter de verkeerde middelen: het focust op sociale uitgaven, nieuwe Europese wetgevingsinitiatieven en verdere transfers binnen de EU, weg van de eigen verantwoordelijkheid.De N-VA benadrukt allereerst dat zowel het Europees Semester als de nationale herstelplannen voldoende gefocust moeten zijn op competitiviteit. Er is nood aan toekomstgerichte investeringen in plaats van oplopende terugkerende sociale uitgaven. Op een economisch kerkhof valt immers geen sociale welvaart te bouwen.Ten tweede betreurt de N-VA dat de EU haar lidstaten steeds meer in een sociaal keurslijf wil dwingen. Sociaal en arbeidsmarktbeleid zijn bevoegdheden van de lid- en deelstaten, en met goede redenen. De behoeften, uitdagingen en verwachtingen zijn immers sterk lokaal gebonden. Arbeidsmarkt- en sociaal beleid moeten zo dicht mogelijk bij de burger worden gevoerd. De lidstaten moeten bovendien voldoende ruimte behouden om eigen sociaal-economische prioriteiten te stellen. Wanneer Europese wetgeving hun uitgaven dicteert, worden de schaarse middelen vaak suboptimaal besteed.Tot slot kant N-VA zich fel tegen het uitbouwen van een transferunie. Zo bepleit het verslag een Europese “werkloosheidsherverzekering”, het versterken van “de herverdelingsfunctie van de EU-begroting” en een ruimere portefeuille met Europese eigen middelen. Voor de N-VA moeten de herverdelende bevoegdheden bij de lidstaten blijven; daar wordt het beleid gevoerd en in volle verantwoordelijkheid voor de financiering gezorgd. Solidariteit kan niet werken zonder verantwoordelijkheid.
2021/03/11
European Child Guarantee (B9-0220/2021)

Kinderarmoede en sociale uitsluiting zijn schrijnende problemen, waarvan we niet alleen de symptomen maar bovenal de oorzaken moeten aanpakken. Een structurele aanpak op meerdere terreinen (werk, gezondheid, huisvesting, onderwijs, ontspanning...) is absoluut noodzakelijk.De N-VA benadrukt dat dit de verantwoordelijkheid en bevoegdheid van de lid- en deelstaten is. In België betekent dat op deelstatelijk niveau: kinderbijslagen, crèches, onderwijs, huisvesting, sport, cultuur... Voor de EU is een ondersteunende rol weggelegd, maar die mag er geenszins toe leiden dat de verantwoordelijkheid en bevoegdheid bij de lidstaten wordt weggenomen. Europese middelen mogen de lid- en deelstaten de prikkel niet ontnemen om de nodige structurele hervormingen door te voeren. Wel is het goed dat op Europees niveau aan monitoring en benchmarking wordt gedaan. Dit stimuleert de overheid en laat burgers toe het beleid te controleren. Monitoring moet overigens niet alleen op lidstaat- maar ook op deelstaatniveau gebeuren als daar de politieke bevoegdheid en verantwoordelijkheid ligt. Zo scoort Vlaanderen in de EU op één na het best inzake de bestrijding van armoede. De N-VA staat er tot slot sterk op dat de herverdelende bevoegdheden bij de lid- en deelstaten blijven. Daar wordt het beleid gevoerd en in volle verantwoordelijkheid voor de financiering gezorgd. De N-VA heeft zich daarom onthouden.
2021/04/29
Challenges of sports events organisers in the digital environment (A9-0139/2021 - Angel Dzhambazki)

. – De N-VA-delegatie heeft zich bij de stemming over deze resolutie, waarin het Europees Parlement de Commissie verzoekt een wetgevingsvoorstel in te dienen inzake de bestrijding van illegale onlinesportuitzendingen, van stemming onthouden.De N-VA onderkent zonder meer het probleem van onlinepiraterij in de vorm van illegale live-uitzendingen van sportevenementen. Rechtsbescherming, onder meer inzake intellectuele-eigendomsrechten, is cruciaal voor de financiering van sportactiviteiten die de samenleving ten goede komen. Sport speelt een belangrijke, verbindende rol in de maatschappij. Het is voor de N-VA dan ook van essentieel belang dat blijvend geïnvesteerd wordt in breedtesport, waaronder sport voor mensen met een beperking.De N-VA betreurt evenwel dat een lex specialis afbreuk zou doen aan de opzet van het voorstel voor een Europese wet inzake digitale diensten. Deze wet heeft tot doel een horizontaal rechtskader te scheppen met duidelijke regels voor onlineplatformen over hoe zij moeten omgaan met illegale inhoud. De N-VA acht het, met name voor kmo’s, van belang dat de regels bekend zijn om versnippering en fragmentatie tot een minimum te beperken.Bovendien meent de N-VA dat de in het verslag verlangde verwijdering, “onmiddellijk dan wel zo snel mogelijk, en in elk geval binnen dertig minuten na kennisgeving”, met name voor veel kleine platformen voorbijgaat aan de haalbaarheid.De N-VA staat tot slot kritisch tegenover de verwijderplicht die automatisch voortvloeit uit een kennisgeving door een “gecertificeerde, betrouwbare flagger”. Het is in een rechtsstaat aan de rechter om over vermeende illegaliteit te oordelen.
2021/05/18
Impacts of EU rules on the free movements of workers and services: intra-EU labour mobility as a tool to match labour market needs and skills (A9-0066/2021 - Radan Kanev)

. – Het vrij verkeer van werknemers en het vrij verkeer van diensten vormen twee hoekstenen van de Europese samenwerking en katalysatoren van de Europese welvaart. Misbruik in de vorm van sociale dumping door middel van schijndetachering, brievenbusmaatschappijen en schijnzelfstandigheid zijn zeer schadelijk voor de goede werking van de eengemaakte markt en moeten kordaat worden aangepakt.Misbruik aanpakken is echter iets heel anders dan het vrij verkeer van diensten denatureren en van zijn (eigenlijke) betekenis ontdoen. Het vrij verkeer van diensten verlangt, aldus ook het Hof van Justitie, de opheffing van elke beperking die de werkzaamheden van de dienstverlener die in een andere lidstaat is gevestigd en daar rechtmatig gelijksoortige diensten verleent, verbiedt, belemmert of minder aantrekkelijk maakt. Het beginsel van wederzijdse erkenning speelt hierbij een belangrijke rol.Beperkende nationale maatregelen in het land van bestemming kunnen wel worden gerechtvaardigd in het algemeen belang, maar moeten als uitzondering altijd gepast en noodzakelijk zijn. Het is dan ook verbazingwekkend dat in de eerste paragraaf van het onderhavige verslag stellig wordt geponeerd dat “de bepaling over het land van bestemming het leidende beginsel is van de dienstenrichtlijn en (...) niet mag worden gewijzigd”. Het lijkt er sterk op dat het Europees Parlement het vrij verkeer van diensten danig wil uithollen en uitzonderingen en beperkingen op de vrije dienstverlening tot regel wil verheffen.Deze stellingname is voor de N-VA onaanvaardbaar. De N-VA benadrukt het grote belang van het vrij verkeer van diensten voor de open Vlaamse diensteneconomie. Wie de basis van het vrij verkeer van diensten onderuit wil halen, ondergraaft een van de grootste troeven van de Europese samenwerking. Om die boodschap onder de aandacht te brengen, heeft de N-VA kordaat tegen dit verslag gestemd.
2021/05/19
Liability of companies for environmental damage (A9-0112/2021 - Antonius Manders)

. – De N-VA heeft zich bij de stemming over deze niet-wetgevende resolutie van stemming onthouden.De N-VA onderschrijft zonder meer het grondbeginsel van de milieuaansprakelijkheidsrichtlijn dat “de vervuiler betaalt”. Het verslag stelt terecht dat de maatschappij niet in haar geheel zou moeten opdraaien voor de kosten van milieuschade en dat een evenwicht moet worden gevonden tussen milieu- en zakelijke belangen.Voor de N-VA gaat het verslag op een aantal punten echter te ver. Zo kan de N-VA zich niet scharen achter een volledig geharmoniseerde verordening, met inbegrip van procedureregels, de toevoeging van milieudelicten aan de lijst van strafbare feiten van artikel 83, lid 1, van het Verdrag betreffende de werking van de Europese Unie, de uitbreiding van het mandaat van het Europees Openbaar Ministerie tot milieudelicten en het verzoek aan de Commissie om onverwijld een voorstel in te dienen voor milieu-inspecties op EU-niveau.Daadwerkelijke handhaving is cruciaal, maar behoort tot de kerntaken van de lidstaten. De Commissie heeft in maart van dit jaar nog richtsnoeren gepubliceerd die de lidstaten moeten leiden bij de doeltreffende toepassing van de milieuaansprakelijkheidsrichtlijn. Een oproep tot volledige harmonisatie is voor de N-VA thans niet wenselijk.
2021/05/20
Trade related aspects and implications of COVID-19 (A9-0190/2021 - Kathleen Van Brempt)

De EU staat voor een gigantische uitdaging om de gevolgen van de pandemie aan te pakken. We moeten duidelijke prioriteiten stellen voor het economisch herstel. Hierbij moet de EU als globale actor voortrekker blijven van een open, faire en vrije handel. Wij steunen het verslag waar het pleit om onze burgers beter te beschermen door het aanleggen van voldoende voorraden, door diversificatie in aanvoerlijnen en het sluiten van nieuwe handelsakkoorden. We moeten ook nadenken hoe we op een slimme manier bepaalde productie naar de Europese Unie kunnen terugbrengen. Toegeven aan de sirenenzang van het protectionisme is uitgesloten maar we dienen wel assertief op te treden waar nodig om onze handelsbelangen te beschermen.Toch moeten we opletten de kar niet te overladen en handel louter te zien als hefboom voor andere doelstellingen. Zo pleit dit verslag naast een doorgedreven ‘vergroening’ ook voor bindende zorgvuldigheidseisen voor bedrijven doorheen de hele toeleveringsketen. Alhoewel zorgvuldigheid en transparantie cruciaal zijn en wetgeving noodzakelijk is mogen we onszelf niet in de voet schieten. N-VA pleit voor een vrijstelling voor KMO’s en een steunpunt dat hen bijstaat. Zo niet wordt een gelijk speelveld en hun internationalisering onmogelijk gemaakt. N-VA onthoudt zich op de eindstemming.
2021/07/06
Old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020 (A9-0194/2021 - Beata Szydło)

. – N-VA pleit met overtuiging voor een ouderdomsbeleid dat volop kansen geeft aan ouderen. Ouderen moeten ten volle aan de maatschappij kunnen deelnemen en een waardig en zo onafhankelijk mogelijk leven kunnen leiden. Het antwoord op de vergrijzing is een beleid dat inzet op actief en gezond ouder worden, met de nodige en passende zorg, maar zonder vernederende betutteling. Solidariteit tussen de generaties is daarbij essentieel. Ook steunt N-VA de aandacht die het verslag besteedt aan de genderdimensie, in het bijzonder het belang van het dichten van de genderpensioenkloof. N-VA beklemtoont evenwel dat ouderenbeleid zo dicht mogelijk bij de burger moet worden gevoerd. Zorg voor ouderen is met goede redenen een bevoegdheid van de lid- en deelstaten. De noden, uitdagingen, verwachtingen en tradities verschillen immers sterk van lidstaat tot lidstaat, van regio tot regio. Het Europees Parlement kiest met dit verslag helaas andermaal voor de weg van het centralisme. Zo pleit het voor één Europese definitie van hulpbehoevendheid, een Europese ‘Care Deal’ met Europese investeringen en EU-wetgeving, een Europees regelgevend kader voor zorgdiensten, telezorg en telegezondheidszorg, Europese wetgeving voor werk op afstand en een EU-Handvest voor de rechten van ouderen. N-VA heeft zich daarom onthouden bij de stemming van dit verslag.
2021/07/07
Brexit Adjustment Reserve (A9-0178/2021 - Pascal Arimont)

Met de reserve voor aanpassing aan de brexit wordt ruim 5 miljard euro aan Europees geld uitgetrokken om de nefaste gevolgen van de brexit te compenseren. De N-VA drong als eerste aan op een Europees Brexitfonds ter ondersteuning van de zwaarst getroffen regio’s en sectoren en keurt het voorstel mee goed. De N-VA is het wel oneens met de onevenwichtige verdeling van de middelen tussen de lidstaten. De criteria werden gewijzigd ten opzichte van het voorstel van de Commissie. Voor ons land, en in het bijzonder voor Vlaanderen, dat bij uitstek zwaar getroffen wordt door de brexit, blijft er uiteindelijk 353 miljoen euro over in plaats van de verwachte 378 miljoen euro. Net zoals bij de Europese faciliteit voor herstel en veerkracht moet Europese solidariteit primordiaal worden ingezet voor die lid- en deelstaten die sociaal-economisch het hardst zijn getroffen, in plaats van een herverdelende logica toe te passen op basis van minder relevante parameters. In elk geval is het nu belangrijk dat de middelen zo snel mogelijk terechtkomen waar ze het meest nodig zijn om de gevolgen van de brexit mee het hoofd te kunnen bieden.
2021/09/15
Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (A9-0262/2021 - Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová)

. – De N-VA-delegatie onthield zich bij stemming over dit verslag. Zij steunt het streven naar duurzame en kwalitatieve banen en een inclusieve arbeidsmarkt, met bijzondere aandacht voor o.m. mensen met een beperking. Ook verwelkomt zij de bijzondere aandacht die het Parlement vraagt voor de strijd tegen armoede, in het bijzonder kinderarmoede, en de strijd tegen dakloosheid. Het Parlement formuleert verder waardevolle toevoegingen inzake gendergelijkheid en de rechten van lhbtiqa+.De N-VA kan het verslag evenwel niet steunen omdat het Parlement andermaal weinig respect betoont voor het subsidiariteitsbeginsel en de bevoegdheden van de lid- en deelstaten. Zo pleit het verslag voor een Europese wet inzake telewerk en een Europese wet inzake het recht om offline te zijn. Ook wil het Europees Parlement op voet van gelijkheid met de Raad – de vertegenwoordiging van de lidstaten – worden betrokken bij de opstelling van de geïntegreerde richtsnoeren voor groei en werkgelegenheid. Arbeidsmarktbeleid en sociaal beleid zijn bevoegdheden van de lid- en deelstaten, en dat moet zo blijven. Dit beleid moet zo dicht mogelijk bij de burger worden gevoerd om in te spelen op de concrete behoeften en uitdagingen. De Vlaming en onze Vlaamse arbeidsmarkt zijn geenszins gebaat met een Europees sociaal keurslijf.
2021/09/15
Fair working conditions, rights and social protection for platform workers - New forms of employment linked to digital development (A9-0257/2021 - Sylvie Brunet)

. – De N-VA onthield zich bij de stemming over dit verslag. Zij steunt het streven naar kwalitatieve banen, duurzame tewerkstelling en adequate sociale bescherming. De N-VA benadrukt wel dat flexibele arbeidsvormen kansen kunnen geven aan mensen, in het bijzonder aan zij die het verst van de arbeidsmarkt verwijderd zijn. Dergelijke arbeidsvormen kunnen ook toelaten werken beter te combineren met een studie, gezin of zorgtaken allerhande. Het is dan ook cruciaal dat lidstaten naar de concrete behoeften van hun burgers en arbeidsmarkt kunnen kijken om een zo passend mogelijk beleid ter zake te voeren, inclusief sociale bescherming. Voor het concurrentievermogen van onze Vlaamse economie is het bovendien noodzakelijk dat onze kmo’s de nodige werkkrachten kunnen vinden. Een verstikkend Europees keurslijf zal deze reeds moeilijke zoektocht niet bevorderen. Arbeidsmarktbeleid en sociaal beleid zijn bevoegdheden van de lid- en deelstaten, en dat moet zo blijven. De N-VA gelooft niet in een Europese ‘one-size-fits-all’-benadering die aan lid- en deelstaten het te voeren arbeidsmarktbeleid dicteert.
2021/09/15
The impact of intimate partner violence and custody rights on women and children (A9-0254/2021 - Elena Kountoura, Luisa Regimenti)

. – N-VA veroordeelt in de meest krachtige termen elke vorm van intrafamiliaal geweld, in het bijzonder tegen vrouwen en kinderen. Zij heeft dit verslag, dat voor een klimaat van nultolerantie ijvert, dan ook met overtuiging gesteund. Een sterke preventie, ondersteuning van slachtoffers en bestraffing en behandeling van daders zijn essentieel. Slachtoffers - waaronder ook indirecte slachtoffer zoals kinderen - moeten tijdige, adequate en toegankelijke hulp krijgen. Daarbij moet volop ingezet worden op creatieve manieren om slachtoffers te bereiken, aangezien er nog steeds te weinig slachtoffers aangifte doen of naar buiten durven/kunnen treden. N-VA benadrukt verder dat het belang van het kind in voogdijprocedures steeds moet primeren en ijvert voor een kindvriendelijke justitie. Tot slot wil N-VA wel nog benadrukken dat de EU haar lidstaten voldoende ruimte moet blijven geven zodat ze het meest passende en effectieve beleid kunnen voeren.
2021/10/05
Employment and social policies of the euro area 2021 (A9-0274/2021 - Lina Gálvez Muñoz)

. – De N-VA-delegatie stemde tegen dit verslag omdat het voorbijgaat aan het belang van een competitieve Europese economie. De N-VA stelt met klem dat je op een economisch kerkhof geen sociale welvaart kunt bouwen. Dat we aan opwaartse convergentie moeten werken, staat buiten kijf. Het verslag kiest hiervoor echter de verkeerde weg: een nieuwe Europese architectuur voor governance, met een verschuiving van de focus van concurrentievermogen naar solidariteit, sociale rechtvaardigheid en een billijke verdeling van de rijkdom.De N-VA staat daarentegen voor een sterk economisch beleid, dat het voeren van sociaal beleid toelaat. Daarvoor zijn structurele hervormingen en toekomstgerichte investeringen noodzakelijk. Het scheppen van banen moet daarbij een absolute prioriteit zijn. Het komt evenwel aan de lid- en deelstaten toe om hun arbeidsmarkt- en werkgelegenheidsbeleid vorm te geven, rekening houdend met de eigen uitdagingen en kenmerken van de arbeidsmarkt.Tot slot kant de N-VA zich fel tegen het uitbouwen van een transferunie. Voor de N-VA moeten de herverdelende bevoegdheden bij de lidstaten blijven; daar wordt het beleid gevoerd en in volle verantwoordelijkheid voor de financiering gezorgd. De N-VA staat voor verantwoordelijkheid en solidariteit, en wel in die volgorde.
2021/10/19
EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines (B9-0519/2021, B9-0520/2021)

De N-VA-delegatie steunt ten volle de oproep tot meer transparantie over de onderhandelingen met de vaccinproducenten. In het kader van goed bestuur en om het vertrouwen te wekken van de burgers is het vrijgeven van essentiële informatie noodzakelijk.Toch onthoudt de N-VA-delegatie zich bij dit verslag van stemming omdat het voorstel verdergaat. Universele en eerlijke toegang tot COVID-19-vaccins en -behandelingen is een topprioriteit voor de EU. Zo moet de EU een belangrijke bijdrage blijven leveren aan Covax met gratis of tegen kostprijs bezorgde vaccins. De opheffing van de octrooibescherming voor COVID-19-vaccins is een goedbedoeld maar slecht doordacht idee. Er is geen bewijs dat deze zou leiden tot een snellere productie of een hogere vaccinatiegraad in landen met een laag of gemiddeld inkomen. Intellectuele eigendomsrechten zijn het resultaat van jarenlang, duur, intensief en complex onderzoek en een belangrijke stimulans voor verdere ontwikkeling. Ze scheppen voor onze bedrijven een omgeving van vertrouwen. Een opheffing zou dit vertrouwen ondermijnen en de toekomstige innovatiedrang in gevaar kunnen brengen.De meest effectieve manier om zo snel mogelijk tot wereldwijde vaccinatie te komen is het drastisch opvoeren van de productie. De EU speelt hierin al een leidende rol op basis van vrijwillige partnerschappen. Essentieel hierbij is dat de toelevering van ingrediënten voor de vaccins gegarandeerd blijft en exportbeperkingen hierop worden aangepakt. Vrijwillige licenties, zo nodig dwanglicenties, op basis van technologieoverdracht en knowhow, zijn de meest aangewezen manier om de productie op korte termijn op te voeren.
2021/10/21
Introduction of a European Social Security pass for improving the digital enforcement of social security rights and fair mobility (B9-0551/2021)

. – De N-VA onthield zich bij de stemming over deze resolutie betreffende de invoering van een Europese socialezekerheidspas. Sociale dumping, fraude en oneerlijke concurrentie brengen onze arbeidsmarkt veel schade toe. Er is een duidelijke behoefte aan efficiëntere controlesystemen en betere Europese coördinatie om de werknemers te beschermen. Een digitaal, gestandaardiseerd instrument kan hierin een stap vooruit zijn.Maar de N-VA hoedt zich voor een sluipende uitholling van de bevoegdheid van de lidstaten om hun eigen socialezekerheidsstelsels te organiseren. Zij wil geenszins dat de EU stapvoets bouwt aan een Europese sociale zekerheid of een Europese sociale zekerheidsinspectie. Daarom nadrukkelijk de oproep aan de Commissie om in haar wetgevingsvoorstel te garanderen dat een Europese socialezekerheidskaart een nationale invulling krijgt. Bovendien vraagt de N-VA de Commissie om zorgvuldig te onderzoeken wat de gevolgen van een dergelijke kaart zouden zijn voor de privacy van de burger.
2021/11/25
Multilateral negotiations in view of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva, 30 November to 3 December 2021 (B9-0550/2021)

De N-VA is een overtuigde voorstander van faire en op regels gebaseerde vrijhandel. Daarvoor heb je een multilaterale regelgever en scheidsrechter nodig. Toch moeten we vaststellen dat de WTO zich in een diepe crisis bevindt. Ze slaagt er al geruime tijd niet meer in om akkoorden te sluiten en haar regelgevend systeem is niet meer aangepast aan de (digitale) uitdagingen van de 21e eeuw. Ook de geschillenbeslechting is geblokkeerd.De N-VA onderschrijft daarom de uitgangspunten en prioriteiten van de resolutie van het Europees Parlement in aanloop naar de 12e Ministeriële Conferentie van de Wereldhandelsorganisatie (WTO): een multilateraal akkoord om schadelijke visserijsubsidies tegen te gaan, een betere handelsaanpak van toekomstige pandemieën, vooruitgang inzake duurzame en digitale handel en een doortastende hervorming en modernisering die o.a. de geschillenbeslechting deblokkeert, herdefinitie van de speciale en gedifferentieerde behandeling van ontwikkelingslanden en de mogelijkheid om sneller en gemakkelijker tot multilaterale akkoorden tussen voortrekkers te komen. Hiervoor moeten we ook beter gaan samenwerken met de VS en andere gelijkgezinde partners.Toch kunnen wij ons niet vinden in de opgenomen passage die streeft naar een tijdelijke opheffing van octrooibescherming voor vaccins. Niemand toont aan dat dit zal leiden tot een snellere productie of een hogere vaccinatiegraad in landen met een laag of gemiddeld inkomen. Intellectuele-eigendomsrechten zijn het resultaat van jarenlang, duur, intensief en complex onderzoek en een belangrijke stimulans voor verdere ontwikkeling. Ze scheppen een omgeving van vertrouwen voor onze bedrijven. Een opheffing zou dit vertrouwen ondermijnen en de toekomstige innovatiedrang in gevaar kunnen brengen. Bovendien azen andere landen op de beloftevolle mRNA-technologie.De meest effectieve manier om zo snel mogelijk tot wereldwijde vaccinatie te komen is het drastisch opvoeren van de productie. De EU speelt hierin al een leidende rol op basis van vrijwillige partnerschappen. Essentieel hierbij is dat de toelevering van ingrediënten voor de vaccins gegarandeerd blijft en exportbeperkingen hierop worden aangepakt. Vrijwillige licenties, zo nodig dwanglicenties, op basis van technologieoverdracht en knowhow, is de meest aangewezen manier om de productie op korte termijn op te voeren. Dit alles natuurlijk met behoudt van gratis levering of levering tegen kostprijs aan landen in ontwikkeling. De N-VA-delegatie heeft zich om al die redenen onthouden bij de eindstemming.
2021/11/25
International procurement instrument (A9-0337/2021 - Daniel Caspary)

Het Internationaal Aanbestedingsinstrument (IPI) is een offensief handelsinstrument waarmee de EU wederkerigheid wil afdwingen op de markt voor overheidsopdrachten waarbij EU-bedrijven betere markttoegang krijgen tot overheidsopdrachten in derde landen.Door deze inzet op wederkerigheid wordt bijgedragen aan een mondiaal gelijker speelveld waarbij zowel Europese bedrijven als niet-Europese bedrijven de mogelijkheid krijgen om onder vergelijkbare voorwaarden met elkaar te kunnen concurreren. De N-VA steunt het uitgangspunt van dit nieuwe instrument en ziet het als een nuttige aanvulling op de Europese handelsbeschermingsinstrumenten.Het IPI dient vooral een effectief en efficiënt instrument te zijn dat zo weinig mogelijk administratieve lasten met zich meebrengt voor het bedrijfsleven en de aanbestedende overheden. Toch tekent de N-VA voorbehoud aan bij het standpunt van het EP op grond waarvan enkel de Commissie bevoegd zou worden om uitzonderingen toe te kennen en niet de lidstaten. De lidstaten moeten het recht hebben de verordening niet toe te passen indien belangrijke nationale prioriteiten inzake veiligheid en volksgezondheid in het geding zijn of indien de prijsaanpassing als maatregel “onevenredig” zou zijn in verhouding tot de economische waarde van de overheidsopdracht. Een bedrijf moet wel nog de kans krijgen om hiertegen beroep aan te tekenen. De N-VA heeft zich daarom onthouden bij de stemming over het standpunt van het Parlement.
2021/12/14
Empowering European youth: post-pandemic employment and social recovery (B9-0091/2022)

. – N-VA stemde voor dit verslag omdat zij het cruciaal vindt aan jongeren alle kansen te geven, zowel op de arbeidsmarkt als in het maatschappelijk leven. Investeren in onze jeugd is voor N-VA zonder meer een prioriteit. Dit neemt echter niet weg dat de schaarse middelen goed moeten worden besteed en dat het beleid op het juiste niveau moet worden gevoerd. Niet elk voorstel is een goed voorstel. Zo benadrukt N-VA vooreerst dat sociaal en arbeidsmarktbeleid een bevoegdheid van de lid- en deelstaten is. Zij kunnen het best inspelen op de reële noden, uitdagingen en verwachtingen en dragen ook verantwoordelijkheid voor het beleid. N-VA is dan ook geen voorstander van een Europees rechtskader inzake de beloning van stages, leerling- en praktijkplaatsen of een Europees leerlingenstatuut. Het komt de EU niet toe om te bepalen dat stages en leerlingplaatsen als werkervaring altijd toegang moeten bieden tot sociale uitkeringen. Wanneer de EU deze statuten rigide betonneert, heeft dit een averechts effect op de (opleidings)kansen van jongeren. Onbezoldigde stages van studenten bijvoorbeeld zijn van onschatbare waarde. Ook is N-VA erg kritisch voor de Europese jongerengarantie, die tot nu toe weinig doeltreffend is gebleken. Zij is bovendien geen voorstander van het oormerken van middelen uit het ESF+, aangezien lidstaten de middelen moeten kunnen inzetten daar waar deze het meest nodig zijn.
2022/02/16
European Semester for economic policy coordination: annual sustainable growth survey 2022 (A9-0034/2022 - Irene Tinagli)

. – De N-VA onthield zich bij stemming over het Geuking-verslag.De N-VA verwelkomt een aantal sterke punten in het verslag, zoals de aandacht voor Europees concurrentievermogen, de noodzaak om administratieve lasten te verlagen, in het bijzonder voor kmo’s, en het belang van hun toegang tot financiering, alsook de aansporing om te investeren in onderzoek en innovatie, in het bijzonder om de digitale investeringskloof te dichten.Helaas bevat het verslag ook heel wat accenten die de N-VA geenszins kan steunen. Zo kiest het resoluut voor een verregaande europeanisering van het sociale en werkgelegenheidsbeleid, bepleit het een hervorming van de Europese economische governance, met de focus op sociaal en groen beleid, en wil het een permanente herstel- en veerkrachtfaciliteit.De N-VA benadrukt ten eerste dat sociaal en arbeidsmarktbeleid de lid- en deelstaten toebehoort. Zij kennen de lokale behoeften en uitdagingen het best en moeten de beleidsruimte behouden om hier efficiënt op in te spelen. Europese eenheidsworst komt de burger allerminst ten goede. Ten tweede moet economische governance voldoende gefocust blijven op concurrentievermogen. Stevige economische fundamenten zijn essentieel voor sociale welvaart. Tot slot kant de N-VA zich fel tegen het uitbouwen van een transferunie. Voor de N-VA moeten de herverdelende bevoegdheden bij de lidstaten blijven. Daar wordt het beleid gevoerd en voor de financiering gezorgd in volle verantwoordelijkheid.
2022/03/10
Need for an urgent EU action plan to ensure food security inside and outside the EU in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (RC-B9-0160/2022, B9-0160/2022, B9-0162/2022, B9-0163/2022, B9-0164/2022, B9-0165/2022, B9-0166/2022, B9-0167/2022)

. – De oorlog in Oekraïne is desastreus. Naast het veroorzaken van onbeschrijfelijk menselijk leed heeft de oorlog ook een impact op tal van globale aanvoerketens, inclusief inzake landbouwproducten. Het is evident dat de EU de impact op deze aanvoerketens nauwgezet moet opvolgen en gepaste, doordachte acties moet nemen. Een correcte prijs voor de landbouwers, het vrijwaren van de reële koopkracht van consumenten in geval van forse stijging van de voedselprijzen en het meenemen van de impact op de stabiliteit in andere delen in de wereld zijn daarbij essentieel. De resolutie bevat zeker goede elementen in dit verband. Ook de nadruk op het tegengaan van voedselverspilling is terecht.De N-VA behoedt zich wel voor steekvlampolitiek. Een toekomstgerichte, veerkrachtige en klimaatbestendige landbouw heeft ook alle baat bij verduurzaming. In functie van de meest nuttige inzet van het landbouwareaal dringt een discussie over de inzet van voedselgewassen voor biobrandstoffen zich meer dan ooit op. Ook inzake de eiwitstrategie moet fors worden doorgezet. Financiële crisisreserves kunnen worden aangesproken, maar de vraag naar aanzienlijke bijkomende financiering is momenteel voorbarig. Daarom heeft de N-VA zich bij de eindstemming onthouden.
2022/03/24
Strengthening the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women (A9-0056/2022 - Samira Rafaela, Kira Marie Peter-Hansen)

. – De N-VA-delegatie schaart zich achter het wegwerken van de loonkloof en het uitroeien van loondiscriminatie. De tekst kiest helaas niet voor de juiste middelen om deze doelstellingen te bereiken. Het is allereerst belangrijk de loonkloof niet te verwarren met loondiscriminatie. Oorzaken van de loonkloof hebben veelal niets met discriminatie te maken, maar zijn hoofdzakelijk: segregatie in het onderwijs en op de arbeidsmarkt, een tekort aan kinder- en andere opvangfaciliteiten, ongelijke verdeling van de huishoudelijke en zorgtaken, genderstereotypes en andere arbeidspatronen. Loontransparantie kan inzicht bieden in loonverschillen, maar levert geen bewijs van discriminatie noch de oplossing om de loonkloof te dichten.De N-VA-delegatie meent bijgevolg dat de voorgestelde tekst maar weinig zal verbeteren aan de positie van de vrouw op de arbeidsmarkt. Dit voorstel creëert wel zeer zware lasten en kosten voor de werkgevers, ook kmo’s, die geenszins proportioneel zijn. De omkering van de bewijslast, waarbij resterende twijfel in het voordeel van de werknemer wordt uitgelegd, schept bovendien een vermoeden van discriminatie terwijl loonverschillen doorgaans te verantwoorden zijn door objectieve elementen. Werkgevers moeten het recht behouden hun werknemers te vergoeden en belonen naar capaciteiten, inzet en prestaties. Deze tekst komt de werknemer – ongeacht gender – echt niet ten goede.
2022/04/05
Right to repair (B9-0175/2022)

. – De N-VA stemde voor deze resolutie omdat ze de doelstellingen ervan volmondig steunt: het tegengaan van vroegtijdige veroudering van producten, het verminderen van verspilling en het versterken van de circulaire economie, iets waar Vlaanderen overigens reeds een toppositie in bekleedt. Daarnaast onderschrijven we zeker het pleidooi voor de herstelbaarheid van een product als norm, de standaardisering van herstelproducten en een betere consumentenbescherming. We erkennen ook de rol die een versterkte aansprakelijkheid van de fabrikant en wijzigingen in de wetgeving op overheidsopdrachten hierin kunnen spelen. Dat er bij dit alles gevraagd wordt om een eerlijk speelveld voor onze bedrijven die internationaal moeten concurreren, is volkomen terecht.De N-VA plaatst wel enkele kanttekeningen. Ten eerste kan het soms ecologisch onverantwoord zijn om al te grote hoeveelheden herstelgoederen in voorraad te houden. Verder moet de impact van de verlenging van de wettelijke garantieregeling tot meer dan twee jaar voor sommige producten grondig onderzocht worden, onder andere met betrekking tot de prijs voor de consument. Tot slot mag de verplichte precontractuele informatie over de herstelbaarheid van een product geen grote extra lasten met zich meebrengen voor de verkoper-kleinhandelaar.
2022/04/07
Election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage (A9-0083/2022 - Domènec Ruiz Devesa)

De N-VA stemde tegen het voorstel voor de hervorming van de kieswet van de Europese Unie.Het voorstel beoogt een zekere harmonisatie, maar wil bovenal een EU-breed kiesdistrict tot stand brengen voor 28 extra Europese parlementsleden die via transnationale kieslijsten worden verkozen. Dit staat haaks op het EU-motto “in verscheidenheid verenigd” en zal de kloof tussen de burger en de EU vergroten.Transnationale kieslijsten verstoren de band tussen verkozenen en hun kieskring. De EU bestaat niet uit één “demos ”, maar uit verschillende “demoi ”. De burger zal de meeste kandidaten uit andere lidstaten niet kennen en zal zo van de EU vervreemd raken. De diverse, nationale dynamiek waarbij men op vertrouwde nationale partijen stemt, moet bewaard blijven.Men wil transnationale kieslijsten laten aanvoeren door een kandidaat-Commissievoorzitter. Dit zou een stap richting een Europees presidentieel systeem vormen en het institutioneel evenwicht in gevaar brengen. Een extra Europese kieskring creëert bovendien eerste- en tweederangs parlementsleden en kan ervoor zorgen dat kandidaten uit kleinere lidstaten niet verkozen worden omdat grote lidstaten sterker vertegenwoordigd zijn.Ten slotte moet de EU de politieke en constitutionele basisstructuren van de lidstaten, waaronder die voor regionaal zelfbestuur, eerbiedigen. Hoe valt één kandidaat per kieslijst voor België te rijmen met het bestaan van drie kieskringen?
2022/05/03
A sustainable blue economy in the EU: the role of fisheries and aquaculture (A9-0089/2022 - Isabel Carvalhais)

De 21e eeuw wordt de eeuw van de oceaan. De zee is niet enkel een biodiverse parel en een bron van welvaart (vanwege vervoer en visserij), maar biedt bovendien veel onderzoeks- en exploitatiemogelijkheden in talrijke sectoren. De N-VA is ervan overtuigd dat de blauwe economie veel potentieel biedt voor economische groei.De N-VA pleit voor intensievere samenwerking tussen kennisinstellingen, de industrie, de EU en lid- en deelstaten om een duurzame blauwe transitie te verwezenlijken.Voorts is het onze gezamenlijke verantwoordelijkheid om naast deze duurzame ontwikkeling ook het behoud van de biodiversiteit te waarborgen door middel van beleid waarin ook plaats is voor de visserij- en aquacultuursector. Met name voor de bodemvisserij is rationeel, wetenschappelijk onderbouwd en helder beleid nodig. Deze sector, die reeds in de afgelopen jaren inspanningen heeft geleverd op het vlak van duurzaamheid, selectiviteit en efficiëntie om zijn bodemimpact te beperken, verdient namelijk geen politieke slogans maar een behoorlijk debat. De sector moet dan ook voldoende tijd krijgen om dit pad van innovatie en verduurzaming verder te bewandelen en met inachtneming van het beleid na te gaan hoe hij kan bijdragen aan de bescherming van het mariene milieu. Hiermee wordt in het verslag onvoldoende rekening gehouden.
2022/05/03
A new trade instrument to ban products made by forced labour (B9-0291/2022)

De vervaardiging van producten met dwangarbeid vormt voor de N-VA een van de zwaarste inbreuken op de mensenrechten. Deze producten horen niet thuis op de eengemaakte markt, noch in de Europese winkelschappen. Wij zijn daarom voorstander van de totstandbrenging van een nieuw, uniform toe te passen handelsinstrument om deze problematiek zo efficiënt en doeltreffend mogelijk aan te pakken.In de resolutie wordt een soortgelijk invoerverbod als in de VS voorgesteld. Hiermee worden bovengenoemde producten echter enkel aan de buitengrenzen geweerd en wordt het probleem binnen de EU niet aangepakt. Bovendien zou dit 27 verschillende douanesystemen opleveren, hetgeen ertoe zou kunnen leiden dat malafide invoerders op zoek gaan naar de zwakste schakel. “Forum shopping” moet absoluut worden tegengegaan.Het instrument moet naar onze mening in de aankomende zorgvuldigheidswetgeving worden geïntegreerd. Aan de hand van deze veel modernere aanpak worden onze bedrijven gelijk behandeld en genieten ze meer rechtszekerheid. Bovendien worden bedrijven er op deze manier toe aangespoord mensenrechtenschendingen binnen hun toeleveringsketen aan te pakken.Ten slotte dringen wij aan op meer internationale samenwerking om met dwangarbeid vervaardigde producten niet alleen uit de EU te weren, maar bovendien wereldwijd aan te pakken.Ondanks deze bezorgdheden heeft de N-VA de resolutie met haar uitstekende intentie wel gesteund.
2022/06/09
Carbon border adjustment mechanism (A9-0160/2022 - Mohammed Chahim)

De N-VA is principieel voorstander van een weldoordacht mechanisme voor koolstofgrenscorrectie (CBAM) dat kan bijdragen aan broeikasgasreducties en klimaatneutraliteit in de EU in 2050. Het CBAM moet ervoor zorgen dat ingevoerde goederen voor hun koolstofemissies een prijs betalen die vergelijkbaar is met de prijs die EU-producenten betalen. Dit om een gelijk speelveld te creëren en te vermijden dat bedrijven in Europa hun activiteiten gaan verplaatsen naar landen die minder streng zijn (het voorkomen van zogenaamde “koolstoflekkage”).Een koolstofgrenscorrectie is echter nog onbekend terrein. Daarom pleit de N-VA voor voorzichtigheid bij de invoering. En daar wringt het schoentje in het parlementair wetgevingsverslag. Wat betreft de volledige uitfasering van gratis uitstootrechten houdt de N-VA vast aan 2034, zoals aangenomen in de plenaire stemming van het ETS-verslag op 8 juni, en niet 2032.Bovendien moet eerst de daadwerkelijk impact op het bedrijfsleven worden nagegaan alvorens het CBAM-toepassingsgebied voor sectoren uit te breiden. Voor de N-VA is het uiterst belangrijk dat de doeltreffendheid van het CBAM wordt aangetoond, zonder banen- en concurrentieverlies. De N-VA verwelkomt wel dat het Europees Parlement voor het eerst een WTO-compatibele compensatieregeling voor de getroffen exportsectoren heeft geëist. De N-VA heeft zich om al deze redenen onthouden van stemming.
2022/06/22
Future of EU-Africa trade relations (A9-0169/2022 - Helmut Scholz)

In onze betrekkingen met Afrika moeten we streven naar een gezonde samenwerking op basis van een gelijkwaardig partnerschap in plaats van afhankelijkheid. Groei, duurzame handel en ondernemerschap moeten worden gestimuleerd. Al te lang werd Afrika gereduceerd tot louter een leverancier van grondstoffen en landbouwproducten, waardoor het creatieve potentieel van dit jonge continent niet voldoende werd benut. Pan-Afrikaanse projecten zoals de Afrikaanse continentale vrijhandelszone hebben het potentieel om de intraregionale handel en de economische betrekkingen met de EU te stimuleren. Ook de N-VA onderschrijft het belang van het versterken van de betrekkingen tussen de EU en Afrika door het bevorderen van een gezonde en stabiele handelsrelatie gericht op langdurige partnerschappen.De N-VA gaat echter niet akkoord met de vraag om het handelsbeleid in Afrika niet in te zetten als middel om derde landen mee te laten werken op het gebied van migratie. Voor de N-VA kan handel een hefboom zijn om het migratiebeleid bij te sturen. In die zin steunden wij bijvoorbeeld bij de herziening van het stelsel van algemene preferenties (SAP) het Commissievoorstel om de terugname van geweigerde asielzoekers te koppelen aan handelsvoordelen binnen de SAP-regeling. De N-VA heeft zich daarom onthouden van stemming bij dit verslag.
2022/06/23
Future of EU international investment policy (A9-0166/2022 - Anna Cavazzini)

Het Verdrag van Lissabon geeft de EU exclusieve bevoegdheid op het gebied van buitenlandse directe investeringen in het kader van het gemeenschappelijk handelsbeleid. Voor de N-VA zijn Europese investeringsakkoorden belangrijk voor internationaal ondernemen. Ze bieden investeerders een duurzaam afsprakenkader en een gelijk speelveld dat hun investeringen en economische activiteiten effectief beschermt. De N-VA dringt er, net als in het verslag, op aan dat de lidstaten versneld werk maken van de ratificatie van reeds gesloten gemengde investerings(beschermings)akkoorden.Verder onderschrijven wij de huidige uitdagingen inzake markttoegang, investeringsbevordering en verbetering van screening van buitenlandse directe investeringen. De N-VA steunt ook de hervormde aanpak voor investeringsbescherming met het stelsel van investeringsgerechten (vaste lijst arbiters, beroepsmogelijkheid, gedragscode voor arbiters en meer transparantie bij procedures) als opstap naar een multilateraal investeringsgerecht.De N-VA gaat echter niet akkoord met de passage in het verslag waarin wordt gesteld dat in investeringsakkoorden moet worden geëist dat eerst alle binnenlandse juridische mogelijkheden worden uitgeput alvorens buitenlandse investeerders een beroep kunnen doen op internationale geschillenbeslechting. Dit belemmert niet enkel een snelle rechtsgang, maar is ook een protectionistische maatregel die er enkel op gericht is om het aantrekken van buitenlandse investeringen te ontmoedigen. De N-VA heeft zich derhalve van stemming onthouden.
2022/06/23
Common European action on care (A9-0189/2022 - Milan Brglez, Sirpa Pietikäinen)

. – N-VA stemde tegen dit verslag dat pleit voor een omvattend Europees wetgevend kader op het gebied van zorg.N-VA gaat zonder meer voor toegankelijke, kwalitatieve en betaalbare zorg voor eenieder. Voorts betuigt N-VA nadrukkelijk haar dankbaarheid aan alle zorgverstrekkers die de voorbije jaren bovenmenselijke inspanningen hebben geleverd, en de partij steunt met klem de vraag naar betere werkomstandigheden, een gepaste jobinhoud en verdere, gerichte investeringen.N-VA betreurt evenwel de doorgedreven regeldrift van het Europees Parlement, en waarschuwt voor Europese regelgeving die aan de lidstaten de broodnodige beleidsruimte ontneemt om eigen, passende keuzes te maken in de zorgsector. Een Europees sociaal keurslijf komt de burger niet ten goede. N-VA acht het cruciaal dat lidstaten kunnen tegemoetkomen aan de eigenlijke noden, zorgen en verwachtingen van hun burgers. Zorgbeleid moet zo dicht mogelijk bij de burger worden gevoerd, zodat de schaarse middelen doelgericht kunnen worden ingezet. De herverdelende bevoegdheden moeten bij de lid- en deelstaten blijven, die de verantwoordelijkheid dragen voor het beleid en de financiering.
2022/07/05
Mental health in the digital world of work (A9-0184/2022 - Maria Walsh)

. – De N-VA onderschrijft dat telewerken veel voordelen kan bieden (zoals flexibiliteit, autonomie, geen woon-werkverkeer), maar het brengt ook psychosociale risico’s met zich mee waarvoor we geenszins de ogen mogen sluiten. Het verslag benadrukt ook terecht de zeer grote inspanningen die zijn geleverd tijdens de pandemie door mensen die zorgtaken met hun professionele activiteiten combineren, wat voor een piek aan geestelijke gezondheidsproblemen heeft gezorgd. De N-VA pleit dan ook met overtuiging voor een werkbare digitale arbeidswereld en passend beleidsoptreden dienaangaande.Op dit laatste punt slaat het verslag de bal echter helemaal mis, met een veelheid aan oproepen tot Europese wetgeving (bijvoorbeeld inzake het recht om offline te zijn, minimumvereisten inzake telewerk, mentale gezondheid op het werk en billijke vergoeding voor stages en leerlingplaatsen). Sociaal en arbeidsmarktbeleid zijn een bevoegdheid van de lid- en deelstaten en daar zijn zeer goede redenen voor. Dit beleid vraagt om zo dicht mogelijk bij de burger te worden gevoerd, aangepast aan diens noden, uitdagingen en verwachtingen. Lidstaten moeten de broodnodige speelruimte behouden om eigen, toegesneden keuzes te maken en de schaarse publieke middelen doeltreffend in te zetten. De N-VA heeft zich daarom bij de stemming over dit verslag onthouden.
2022/07/05
EU action plan for the social economy (A9-0192/2022 - Jordi Cañas)

. – N-VA onderschrijft de cruciale maatschappelijke rol van de sociale economie en de noodzaak om deze economie verder tot ontwikkeling te brengen. Een job is en blijft de beste sociale bescherming. N-VA zet dan ook ten volle in op een toegankelijke arbeidsmarkt, met volwaardig en zinvol werk op maat. De grote diversiteit die de sociale economie kenmerkt, is daarbij een belangrijke troef.Het verslag stelt terecht dat de sociale economie een mooi voorbeeld is van de toepassing van het subsidiariteitsbeginsel. Helaas gaat het vervolgens aan zijn eigen uitgangspunt voorbij, door voor een veelheid aan Europese – waar mogelijk wetgevende – acties te pleiten. N-VA benadrukt dat het van groot belang is de sociale economie zo dicht mogelijk bij de burger te ontwikkelen. Maatwerk is hier het sleutelwoord. We hoeden ons dan ook voor een Europese one-size-fits-none .
2022/07/06
Better regulation: joining forces to make better laws (A9-0167/2022 - Tiemo Wölken)

. – De N-VA-delegatie heeft zich onthouden bij de stemming over dit verslag over betere regelgeving.Uiteraard steunt N-VA het streven naar betere regelgeving en ziet hiertoe enkele zeer waardevolle voorstellen in het verslag, zoals het inzetten op digitalisering (o.a. het “digital by default”- principe), het gebruik van “regulatory sandboxes” voor het stimuleren van ontwikkeling en innovatie, een verplichte kmo-toets bij alle wetgevingsvoorstellen, een nieuwe interinstitutionele verbintenis voor het verminderen van administratieve lasten, het versterken van het beginsel “big on big things, small on small things”, de eerbiediging van meertaligheid als een eerste vereiste voor de goede werking van de EU-instellingen, het belang van een sterkere dialoog tussen de EU-instellingen en de nationale, regionale en lokale parlementen, actieve subsidiariteit, behoefte aan een betere ex-postbeoordeling door de Commissie en het belang van strategische prognoses.Niettemin bevat het verslag voor N-VA ook enkele struikelblokken, zoals het pleidooi voor geharmoniseerde administratieve procedures in de EU, het bewieroken van de Conferentie over de toekomst van Europa, het verankeren van de participatieve democratie en het dogmatisch hanteren van een “duurzaamheid eerst”-benadering voor alle vormen van beleidsontwikkeling.
2022/07/07
Adequate minimum wages in the European Union (A9-0325/2021 - Dennis Radtke, Agnes Jongerius)

. – De N-VA stemde tegen deze Europese wet, die minimumlonen in de EU wil invoeren. De N-VA ijvert er sterk voor dat werken meer lonend wordt. Maar de aanpak om met Europese wetgeving de loonkosten de hoogte in te duwen, is helaas niet de juiste.Allereerst is het niet aan de EU om de loonvorming in de lidstaten te regelen. Dit is verdragsrechtelijk een bevoegdheid van de lidstaten en in meerdere lidstaten toevertrouwd aan het sociaal overleg tussen werkgevers en werknemers. Ik merk bovendien op dat in de EU slechts zes lidstaten, waaronder noordelijke welvaartsstaten, geen minimumloon hebben, zonder dat dit in deze lidstaten leidt tot een “race to the bottom”. Voorts waarschuwt de N-VA voor het verlies aan concurrentievermogen door (nog) hogere brutolonen, aangejaagd door de EU. Hierdoor zullen jobs en jobcreatie, in het bijzonder voor de meest kwetsbaren, in het gedrang komen. Het is absoluut cruciaal om ons concurrentievermogen niet te ondergraven, want hoe kleiner de koek, hoe minder er is voor iedereen. Wat heb je aan hogere minimumlonen, als er geen jobs meer zijn? De N-VA is sinds jaar en dag voorstander van hogere nettolonen, zonder de brutolonen te verhogen, omdat dit nadelig is voor onze tewerkstelling.
2022/09/14
Renewable Energy Directive (A9-0208/2022 - Markus Pieper)

. – Voor de N-VA-delegatie is het halen van de klimaatdoelstelling prioritair. De verschillende hefbomen hiervoor (energie-efficiëntie, hernieuwbare energie, koolstofarme technologieën en energiedragers enz.) moeten flexibel, op kostenefficiënte wijze en technologieneutraal ingezet kunnen worden.Daarom moeten de bij het voorstel ingevoerde bindende subdoelstellingen inzake vervoer, warmte en koeling en hernieuwbare brandstoffen van niet-biologische oorsprong (RFNBO’s) geschrapt worden. Die druisen in tegen de flexibiliteit die nodig is om kostenefficiënt de klimaatdoelstellingen te halen.De doelstellingen inzake RFNBO’s voor de industrie zijn voor Vlaanderen onrealistisch gezien het beperkte potentieel voor hernieuwbare energie en de aanwezigheid van significante industriële clusters. Deze doelstelling zal een ongelijk speelveld creëren voor de industrie in de EU, zoals ook blijkt uit de effectbeoordeling. Daarnaast dient het gebruik van hernieuwbare energie in industrie of vervoer via een stimulerend kader van flankerende maatregelen te worden bevorderd, zonder daarbij bindende doelstellingen op te leggen.Uiteraard ondersteunen we de algemene doelstelling van meer energieonafhankelijkheid en de diversifiëring van de energiebevoorrading. De huidige crisis toont de noodzaak om de energietransitie en de uitfasering van fossiele brandstoffen te versnellen. De focus moet hierbij echter liggen op het versnellen van concrete acties, niet het opschroeven van doelstellingen.Om genoemde redenen kan de N-VA deze tekst niet steunen.
2022/09/14
Situation of Roma people living in settlements in the EU (B9-0413/2022)

. – De N-VA erkent de noodzaak om personen van Roma-afkomst beter te integreren in de samenleving. Zij verzet zich tegen alle vormen van segregatie. Inclusie van kinderen in het reguliere onderwijs is in het bijzonder cruciaal om de vicieuze cirkel van kansarmoede te doorbreken. Roma moeten volwaardig deel uitmaken van het economische, sociale en culturele leven. Het valt echter niet te miskennen dat er zich nog grote uitdagingen voordoen. Belangrijke inspanningen zijn nodig van alle betrokkenen, in vol wederzijds respect.N-VA meent evenwel dat de resolutie de Roma te veel in de slachtofferrol duwt, te weinig inzet op de emancipatorische kracht en erg culpabiliserend is voor de lidstaten. Ook wil de resolutie aan de EU en de Europese Commissie meer bevoegdheden toekennen inzake de handhaving van fundamentele rechten dan waar zij verdragsrechtelijk over beschikken. Om voorgaande redenen heeft de N-VA deze resolutie niet gesteund, maar zich onthouden bij de stemming.
2022/10/05
Outcome of the Commission’s review of the 15-point action plan on trade and sustainable development (B9-0415/2022)

Internationale op regels gebaseerde eerlijke handel zorgt in de eerste plaats voor stabiliteit, is een enorme bron van welvaart en creëert massaal veel (beter betaalde) jobs voor de beide partners van handelsverdragen. De N-VA is voorstander van de open strategische autonomie waarbij de EU minder afhankelijk is van de rest van de wereld en meer aandacht moet hebben voor de diversificatie van onze handel in de nasleep van de coronapandemie, de toenemende druk op onze toeleveringsketens en de oorlog in Oekraïne. We herhalen ons pleidooi voor een meer assertieve handelsagenda waarbij er nieuwe handelsakkoorden moeten worden gesloten.De hoofdstukken over duurzame ontwikkeling in onze handelsakkoorden zijn een hefboom voor mensenrechten, arbeidsomstandigheden en duurzaamheid. Het is goed dat de EU daarin het voortouw neemt. De duurzaamheidsdoelstellingen moeten echter afgestemd worden op de specifieke uitdagingen van elk partnerland. Er bestaat nu eenmaal geen “gouden standaard” die toepasbaar is in elk mogelijk handelsakkoord.Bij een eventuele schending van deze hoofdstukken staan dialoog en eventueel bemiddeling steeds voorop. Sancties kunnen slechts de ultieme remedie zijn. Voor de N-VA kunnen deze herziene hoofdstukken slechts worden ingevoerd voor handelsakkoorden die momenteel in technische onderhandeling zijn, voor toekomstige akkoorden of indien herzieningsclausules in bestaande akkoorden daarin uitdrukkelijk voorzien.
2022/10/06
Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (A9-0243/2022 - Alicia Homs Ginel)

. – De N-VA onderschrijft zonder meer het streven naar jobcreatie, een meer toegankelijke arbeidsmarkt en het creëren van kansen voor iedereen. Niettemin heeft zij zich bij de stemming over dit verslag onthouden. Het Europees Parlement formuleert immers een verlanglijst met Europese initiatieven die in strijd zijn met de bevoegdheden van de lidstaten en het subsidiariteitsbeginsel.Zo ijvert dit verslag voor meer Europese arbeids- en sociale wetgeving, zoals een wet inzake telewerk en een wet inzake het recht om offline te zijn. Arbeids- en sociaal beleid moeten daarentegen dicht bij de burgers worden gevoerd, aansluitend op de lokale behoeftes, uitdagingen en verwachtingen.Ten tweede pleit het verslag voor alweer een nieuwe Europese “sociale reddingsfaciliteit”. De N-VA wil dat de herverdelende bevoegdheden bij de lid- en deelstaten blijven, die ervoor betalen. Wij kanten ons tegen een transferunie, die ingaat tegen het verantwoordelijkheidsbeginsel.Ten derde verzet de N-VA zich tegen het overbeladen van het Europees Semester met sociaal en milieubeleid. De Europese economische governance moet voldoende gefocust blijven op competitiviteit. Sterke economische fundamenten zijn een conditio sine qua non voor sociale welvaart.Een laatste struikelblok voor de N-VA is de uitbreiding van de richtlijn tijdelijke bescherming tot alle vluchtelingen, die tot nu toe enkel geldt voor Oekraïense vluchtelingen.
2022/10/18
Outcome of the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (RC-B9-0498/2022, B9-0498/2022, B9-0502/2022, B9-0510/2022, B9-0513/2022, B9-0536/2022)

De N-VA pleit voor de goedkeuring van het gemoderniseerde Energiehandvestverdrag (ECT). De tekst komt tegemoet aan het EU-mandaat. Het is in lijn met de klimaatdoelstellingen van Parijs om een stringent klimaatbeleid te voeren en investeringen te beschermen die cruciaal zijn voor onze energietransitie. Er komt ook een einde aan arbitrageprocedures binnen de EU, en het “recht om te reguleren” is voortaan gegarandeerd.Nieuwe investeringen in fossiele brandstoffen worden niet langer beschermd en voor bestaande investeringen worden deze uitgefaseerd na minimaal tien jaar, alleszins vroeger dan wanneer je uit het bestaande verdrag stapt dat verdragspartijen nog twintig jaar aan de bescherming van investeringen in fossiele brandstoffen bindt.De modernisering geeft Europese bedrijven ook het juridische kader om te investeren in hernieuwbare energie in andere verdragsluitende partijen, waaronder ontwikkelingslanden die afhankelijk zijn van privé-investeringen voor de energietransitie. Bovendien is het moderniseren en voortzetten van het ECT ook van geopolitiek belang. Erkent het EP dit niet, dan ondergraaft het de internationale geloofwaardigheid van de EU als betrouwbare “global actor”. Een gemoderniseerd ECT kan partnerschappen versterken in tijden van geopolitieke onrust, maar zo niet, dan staan andere internationale machten zoals China klaar om onze plaats in te nemen. N-VA heeft om deze redenen tegen de resolutie gestemd.
2022/11/24
Upscaling the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (A9-0281/2022 - Jan Olbrycht, Margarida Marques)

De N-VA is voorstander van een verschuiving in de Europese begroting naar meer toekomstgerichte programma’s waarbij de uitgaven gebaseerd zijn op reële noden en een Europese toegevoegde waarde hebben. De oorlog in Oekraïne toont de beperkingen aan van het huidige meerjarig financieel kader. Een aanpassing van dit kader moet voor de N-VA-Europarlementsleden onder andere resulteren in verhoogde en beter gecoördineerde defensie-uitgaven, een betere beveiliging van de Europese buitengrenzen en meer gezamenlijke uitgaven op het vlak van onderzoek en ontwikkeling om de jobs en de welvaart in ons deel van de wereld te vrijwaren en verder uit te bouwen.N-VA is het evenwel niet eens met de stellingen in het verslag die uitgaan van de status quo op het vlak van landbouw- en cohesiebeleid en steunt het pleidooi voor een ongebreidelde toename van het Europese budget uitdrukkelijk niet. De N-VA-Europarlementsleden kanten zich ook tegen het voorstel om de besluitvorming zowel aan de uitgaven- als de inkomstenzijde van de Europese begroting te hervormen ten nadele van de lidstaten, en in het bijzonder van de kleinere lidstaten.Daarom hebben de N-VA-Europarlementsleden zich onthouden bij de eindstemming over dit verslag.
2022/12/15
Consumer protection in online video games: a European Single Market approach (A9-0300/2022 - Adriana Maldonado López)

. – De N-VA-delegatie heeft zich onthouden van stemming bij dit verslag over een Europese aanpak van consumentenbescherming bij onlinevideospellen. Grootste struikelblok voor N-VA is de roep om een Europese geharmoniseerde aanpak voor onlinevideospellen, incl. lootboxes , die dit verslag als kansspel aanmerkt. Niet alleen wordt de bevoegdheid van de lid- en deelstaten hiermee doorkruist, ook stelt het verslag extra lasten, plichten en verboden in het vooruitzicht die de economische en innovatieve kracht van de videospelsector onnodig fnuiken. Van de andere kant loochent N-VA geenszins dat onlinevideospellen bepaalde gevaren met zich meebrengen, in het bijzonder voor jongeren en kinderen. Ook kanten we ons vanzelfsprekend tegen de hyperseksualisering, discriminatie en uitbuiting van vrouwen die bij onlinevideospellen voorkomt. Een ander punt uit het verslag dat steun verdient, is de verplichting om een opt-in clausule te gebruiken wanneer aanbieders gebruik willen maken van automatische verlengingen van abonnementen in plaats van de automatische verlening als standaard te hanteren. Hiervoor is evenwel geen op zichzelf staande Europese wet voor onlinevideospellen nodig.
2023/01/18
Transparency and targeting of political advertising (A9-0009/2023 - Sandro Gozi)

. – N-VA onthield zich bij de stemming over dit verslag van het Parlement over het voorstel voor een EU-wet over politieke reclame.De Commissie had een goede basis op tafel gelegd en N-VA steunt ten volle de doelstelling van deze wet: het beschermen van de integriteit van verkiezingen. Het is absoluut wenselijk dat er meer transparantie komt over het feit dat een boodschap politieke reclame is, van wie deze reclame komt en wie ervoor betaalt. Zo kunnen burgers informatie beter naar waarde schatten en wordt buitenlandse politieke inmenging tegengegaan. Voorts steunt N-VA de door de Commissie voorgestelde regulering van gerichte politieke reclame (“targeting”). Deze regulering wil misbruik tegengaan van specifieke zwaktes van mensen en voorkomt filterbubbels (waarbij mensen geen tegengestelde standpunten meer te zien krijgen).N-VA betreurt evenwel dat het Parlement andermaal doorschiet en een onwerkbaar kader beoogt, met als uitschieter een de facto totaalverbod op gerichte politieke reclame. N-VA vindt het belangrijk doelgroepen gericht te kunnen informeren, uiteraard met respect voor de regels inzake gegevensbescherming. Verder kant N—VA zich tegen de oprichting van een Europees register voor online politieke reclame, en waarschuwt zij voor de idee van controle op politieke boodschappen. Dat zou haaks staan op de doelstelling om het open politieke debat te vrijwaren.
2023/02/02
Following up on measures requested by Parliament to strengthen the integrity of European institutions (RC-B9-0147/2023, B9-0147/2023, B9-0150/2023, B9-0152/2023, B9-0153/2023, B9-0154/2023)

. – De N-VA geeft met haar stem voor dit verslag een duidelijk signaal voor meer integriteit en transparantie in de Europese instellingen. Er zijn hieromtrent reeds veel regels, maar die moeten nog verder aangescherpt worden. De voorstellen van voorzitster Metsola vormen daarvoor een goede basis. We zijn het echter niet eens met alle voorstellen in de tekst. Er moet een duidelijker onderscheid gemaakt worden tussen strafbare feiten, inbreuken op institutionele regels en onethisch gedrag. De meest verregaande en beperkende regels zullen criminelen niet tegenhouden, maar kunnen eerlijke, geëngageerde talenten wel ervan weerhouden om politiek engagement aan te gaan.In de terechte verontwaardiging over “Qatargate” mag het Parlement zijn fundamentele verworvenheden, zoals het recht op vrije meningsuiting en vrijheid van vereniging, niet overboord gooien. Het intern raadgevend comité versterken is zeker nodig, maar de N-VA verzet zich tegen de oprichting van een interinstitutioneel ethisch orgaan samengesteld uit externen, bovendien mede aangeduid door de Europese Commissie. Dit is in strijd met de scheiding der machten. Het Parlement hoort de executieve te controleren en niet omgekeerd. Commissie en Parlement moeten dezelfde ethische basisprincipes hanteren, maar er gelden andere regels voor leden van het Parlement dan voor de uitvoerende macht.
2023/02/16
Data Act (A9-0031/2023 - Pilar del Castillo Vera)

. – De N-VA steunt volmondig de doelstelling van de dataverordening. De EU moet absoluut een competitieve datamarkt hebben. Onze achterstand tegenover de VS en China is dramatisch. Hun grote technologiebedrijven hebben een quasi-monopolie op persoonsgegevens, ook de Europese. De EU mag niet een tweede keer achter de feiten aanlopen. We mogen de golf van industriële data niet missen, zeker niet omdat onze bedrijven koploper zijn inzake “Internet of Things” (IoT). Nu komt het erop aan deze data te delen, wat cruciaal is voor innovatie en groei, onze concurrentiekracht en welvaart.De Commissie berekende dat de verordening naar schatting 270 miljard euro aan groei van het bbp kan opleveren tegen 2028. De dataverordening creëert een kader voor gegevensdeling tussen bedrijven (B2B), tussen bedrijven en consumenten (B2C) en tussen bedrijven en overheidsinstanties (B2G). De N-VA wil dat er bij de uitwerking daarvan met grote zorgvuldigheid te werk gegaan wordt. De grootste werkpunten betreffen de rechtszekerheid voor onze bedrijven en het beschermen van hun bedrijfsgeheimen en intellectuele eigendom. Ook moet er een striktere afbakening komen van de mogelijkheid voor overheden om private data op te eisen. Te veel (Europese en nationale) overheidsinstanties worden daartoe gemachtigd bij een “uitzonderlijke noodzaak”. De deur voor oneigenlijk gebruik moet absoluut dicht.
2023/03/14
Strengthening the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women (A9-0056/2022 - Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, Samira Rafaela)

. – De N-VA-delegatie onthield zich van stemming over de richtlijn inzake loontransparantie. Voor N-VA is “gelijk loon voor gelijk werk” vanzelfsprekend een prioriteit, maar een verplichte loontransparantie, zoals uitgewerkt in deze EU-richtlijn, zal de loonkloof niet dichten en doet meer kwaad dan goed. Het is allereerst belangrijk om loonverschillen niet automatisch te linken aan genderdiscriminatie. Oorzaken van de loonkloof hebben veelal niets met discriminatie te maken, maar zijn eerder te wijten aan een tekort aan kinder- en andere opvangfaciliteiten, ongelijke verdeling van huishoudelijke en zorgtaken, genderstereotypes en andere arbeidspatronen. Loontransparantie kan inzicht bieden in loonverschillen, maar levert geen bewijs van discriminatie noch de oplossing om de loonkloof te dichten. Tegelijk veroorzaakt deze richtlijn buitensporig veel bijkomende administratieve lasten en kosten voor onze bedrijven, inclusief onze kmo’s, terwijl zij reeds gebukt gaan onder extreme regeldruk ten nadele van hun wereldwijde concurrenten. Voorts kan de richtlijn de reputatie van en de werkrelaties binnen bedrijven onnodig schaden. Oneigenlijke vergelijkingen (bijvoorbeeld tussen werknemers van een andere onderneming of werknemers die in een latere of andere sociaal-economische context aangenomen zijn) kunnen voor onnodige spanningen of onbillijke vorderingen zorgen. Werkgevers moeten het recht behouden hun werknemers te belonen voor hun inzet en prestaties.
2023/03/30
Institutional relations between the EU and the Council of Europe (A9-0056/2023 - Loránt Vincze)

. – De N-VA benadrukt, net zoals dit verslag, het grote belang van het bevorderen en verdedigen van democratie, de rechtsstaat en de mensenrechten. Helaas kon de N-VA de finale tekst niet steunen wegens drie belangrijke struikelblokken:- Eerst en vooral kunnen wij ons niet scharen achter de oproep aan de EU om toe te treden tot het Kaderverdrag inzake de bescherming van nationale minderheden. Het minderhedenverdrag is in strijd met het territorialiteitsbeginsel en kan de taalwetgeving en de communautaire evenwichten in België ondermijnen. De Franstaligen in Vlaanderen, met name in de Vlaamse Rand, vormen geen historische minderheid en dienen geen verdere rechten te kunnen opeisen op basis van dit verdrag.- Ten tweede zijn wij geen voorstander van de toetreding van de EU tot het EVRM. De N-VA wil niet dat de uitspraken van het Europees Hof voor de Rechten van de Mens – dat geen instelling van de EU is – worden opgenomen in de Europese rechtsorde. Dat zou een Europees migratiebeleid bijvoorbeeld ernstig kunnen belemmeren.- De N-VA steunt ook de toetreding van de EU tot het Europees Sociaal Handvest niet. Dit zou beleid dat in eerste instantie onder de bevoegdheden van de lidstaten valt, blootstellen aan verdere en verregaande Europese inmenging.
2023/04/18
Methane emissions reduction in the energy sector (A9-0162/2023 - Pascal Canfin, Jutta Paulus)

De N-VA is voorstander van de reductie van methaanemissies teneinde de algehele broeikasgasuitstoot terug te dringen. Vlaanderen sloot zich tijdens de klimaatconferentie van de VN in Glasgow aan bij de Global Methane Pledge met het oog op het verminderen van mondiale antropogene methaanemissies met 30 % in 2030 ten opzichte van 2020. Daarom is het positief dat de Commissie een voorstel doet om de informatie over de bronnen van methaanemissies in de sector te verbeteren, de beschikbaarheid van gegevens te vergroten en te zorgen voor een effectieve reductie van methaanemissies in de gehele energieketen binnen de EU. Het vastleggen van de standaardisering in wetgeving zal ook bijdragen tot een gelijk speelveld voor de sector binnen de EU en tot de eenmaking van de EU-energiemarkt.Wel zijn we bezorgd over de concrete uitwerking van de verordening waarbij de impact van de verhoogde kosten niet in verhouding zou staan tot de verwachte milieuwinst van mogelijke emissiereductie. De betaalbaarheid en de bevoorradingszekerheid moeten gewaarborgd zijn. De voorgestelde verordening gaat op dit punt (onder meer importrestricties) verder dan noodzakelijk om de doelstelling te bereiken. De N-VA-delegatie heeft zich om die reden onthouden en hoopt dit dossier in een latere fase alsnog te kunnen steunen.
2023/05/09
Roadmap on a Social Europe: two years after Porto (B9-0235/2023, B9-0236/2023)

. – De N-VA stemde tegen deze resolutie over een routekaart voor een sociaal Europa. De resolutie beoogt immers een doorgedreven europeanisering van sociale bevoegdheden en transfers binnen de EU.Zo lanceert de resolutie talloze oproepen aan de Europese Commissie tot nieuwe wetgevende initiatieven, zoals een richtlijn inzake het recht om offline te zijn, een richtlijn over telewerk, een richtlijn inzake psychologische risico’s en welzijn op het werk, een wetgevend initiatief voor stages, een wetgevend initiatief om de bevoegdheden van de Europese Arbeidsautoriteit uit te breiden, inclusief onderzoeksbevoegdheden, en een wettelijk kader om “in te spelen op de veranderingen in verband met de groene en digitale transitie in de arbeidswereld”.Voorts wil het verslag het SURE-instrument, “onderdeel van het Europees herverzekeringsstelsel voor werkloosheid”, meer permanent maken, evenals verdere sociale investeringen in het kader van toekomstige financieringsinitiatieven.Dit is geenszins het discours van N-VA. N-VA wil dat sociaal beleid zo dicht mogelijk bij de burger wordt gevoerd, inspelend op diens noden en verwachtingen. Een Europees sociaal keurslijf komt de Vlaming niet ten goede. Bovendien wil N-VA dat de herverdelende bevoegdheden bij de lid- en deelstaten blijven, die ervoor betalen. Wij kanten ons tegen een transferunie, die ingaat tegen het verantwoordelijkheidsbeginsel.
2023/05/11
Strengthening social dialogue (B9-0259/2023)

. – N-VA steunde deze resolutie, die de sociale dialoog wil versterken. Zij kan akkoord gaan met het streven naar een dekkingsgraad van ten minste 80 % voor collectieve onderhandelingen tegen 2030, en onderschrijft de belangrijke rol die sociaal overleg kan spelen om de huidige en toekomstige uitdagingen op de arbeidsmarkt aan te pakken, met dien verstande dat bij gebrek aan een akkoord de politiek verantwoordelijken het laatste woord hebben.Tegelijk is N-VA tevreden dat de resolutie ook wijst op de verantwoordelijkheid van sociale partners, en dat zij moeten zoeken naar compromissen die enerzijds tegemoetkomen aan hun eigen belangen, maar anderzijds de samenleving als geheel ten goede komen. N-VA formuleert evenwel ook enkele punten van kritiek bij de onderhavige resolutie. Zo kant N-VA zich tegen een verdere europeanisering van sociale bevoegdheden, o.a. door middel van een “protocol inzake sociale vooruitgang”; ook hoedt zij zich voor meer Europese financiële transfers door een nieuw op te richten “EU-fonds voor sociale dialoog”. Verder gaat zij niet akkoord met de absolute voorrang van sociale rechten op economische vrijheden, want beleid vergt altijd een afweging. Tot slot benadrukt zij het primaat van de politiek.
2023/06/01
Quality traineeships in the EU (A9-0186/2023 - Monica Semedo)

. – De N-VA heeft zich onthouden van stemming op het wetgevend initiatiefverslag over hoogwaardige stages in de EU. Zij beklemtoont het belang van kwalitatieve stages om jonge mensen goed te onderwijzen en op te leiden, en zo de overgang naar de arbeidsmarkt te vergemakkelijken. Stages moeten zinvol zijn, onder goede arbeidsomstandigheden plaatsvinden en in beginsel worden vergoed. N-VA veroordeelt het oneigenlijk gebruik van (opeenvolgende) stages met bedenkelijke stagecontracten en -posities ten strengste. De N-VA kan dit verslag evenwel niet steunen aangezien het Europese wetgeving eist zowel voor stages op de vrije markt als voor stages in het kader van een (beroeps)opleiding. Allereerst is dit simpelweg geen Europese bevoegdheid en ontbreekt het aan de nodige wettelijke basis. Ten tweede meent N-VA dat stages in het kader van een opleiding steeds hoogwaardig, maar niet onder alle omstandigheden vergoed moeten zijn. Dergelijke stages hebben als doel jongeren een leerkans te bieden, waarbij de stagebegeleider tijd, kennis en opleidingsmiddelen investeert. De N-VA waarschuwt ervoor dat strikte Europese eisen inzake de verloning van opleidingsstages tot een kleiner aanbod aan stages zouden kunnen leiden. Dit komt de opleiding van onze jongeren en de goede werking van onze arbeidsmarkt geenszins ten goede.
2023/06/14
Protection of journalists around the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter (A9-0206/2023 - Isabel Wiseler-Lima)

. – N-VA steunt ten volle dat er maatregelen worden genomen tegen onrechtmatige gerechtelijke procedures die erop gericht zijn journalisten, wetenschappers en mensenrechtenverdedigers monddood te maken. We mogen geenszins toestaan dat onze rechtsstaat wordt misbruikt om de vrije meningsuiting te fnuiken of mensen te bewegen tot zelfcensuur. Een democratie kan niet bestaan zonder vrij woord en wederwoord. Derhalve heeft de N-VA haar steun gegeven aan het opstarten van de onderhandelingen met de Raad om tot effectieve beschermingsregels te komen.N-VA maakt niettemin een voorbehoud bij de standpuntbepaling van het Europees Parlement. Allereerst wil zij erop toezien dat er geen afbreuk wordt gedaan aan het recht op toegang tot de rechter. Wie slachtoffer is van laster of eerroof moet hiertegen op kunnen komen. Machtige persgroepen kunnen bijvoorbeeld oppositieleden of activisten te gronde richten. We mogen er als wetgever niet aan voorbijgaan dat financiële, sociaaleconomische of politieke overmacht zich kan voordoen ten aanzien van zowel de eiser als de verweerder in een gerechtelijke procedure. N-VA pleit derhalve voor een gebalanceerde tekst, waarin zorgvuldig alle belangen worden afgewogen, zonder ideologische vooringenomenheid.Voorts verzet N-VA zich tegen een doorgedreven europeanisering van het nationaal procesrecht.
2023/07/11
Composition of the European Parliament (A9-0265/2023 - Loránt Vincze, Sandro Gozi)

De N-VA-fractie in het Europees Parlement (EP) is grote voorstander van een actualisering van de zetelverdeling in het EP, maar ziet geen reden om daartoe de totaliteit van het aantal zetels te vermeerderen met 15 extra zetels. De huidige zetelverdeling per lid- en deelstaat was niet langer representatief. Een rechtzetting is dan zeker te verantwoorden. De totale kosten onnodig opdrijven door 15 extra zetels te creëren is dat niet.De N-VA verwelkomt het voorstel waarbij het aantal zetels voor Vlaanderen wordt verhoogd van 12 naar 13. Hiermee wordt de scheve verhouding binnen België enigszins bijgesteld ten voordele van de Vlamingen. Ter vergelijking: Bulgarije, een lidstaat met een vergelijkbaar aantal inwoners, heeft 17 zetels.De N-VA onthield zich echter bij de stemming over het verslag in zijn geheel omdat we geen voorstander zijn van een toename van het totale aantal Europese zetels. We pleiten voor een zetelverdeling waarbij een toename van zetels voor lidstaten met een stijgend bevolkingsaantal wordt opgevangen binnen het huidige totale aantal zetels met een verschuiving ten aanzien van lidstaten die demografisch achteruitgaan.
2023/09/13
Amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure with a view to strengthening integrity, independence and accountability (A9-0262/2023 - Gabriele Bischoff)

Het EP heeft al zeer strenge gedragsregels, en geen enkele nieuwe regel zal frauduleus gedrag van bepaalde parlementsleden volledig kunnen voorkomen. Fraude gebeurt onder de waterlijn. De N-VA heeft altijd constructief gepleit voor verstrengingen, zoals op vlak van het transparanter maken van contacten met vertegenwoordigers van derde landen.Jammer genoeg gaat dit verslag de verkeerde kant op, waardoor de vrije uitoefening van het mandaat van de parlementsleden in gevaar komt. De definitie van een belangenconflict wordt uitgebreid van “een persoonlijk belang dat een ongewenste invloed kan hebben” naar “wanneer de uitoefening van het mandaat (…) op ongewenste wijze kan worden beïnvloed om redenen die verband houden met zijn of haar familie, gevoelsleven [?], economische belangen of enig ander direct of indirect [?] particulier belang.”Belangenconflicten op basis van deze definitie kunnen ertoe leiden dat een parlementslid wordt geweigerd als rapporteur, schaduwrapporteur of als deelnemer aan een officiële delegatie of aan interinstitutionele onderhandelingen. Overtredingen van de gedragscode kunnen leiden tot sancties zoals tijdelijke uitsluiting van bepaalde werkzaamheden of zelfs schorsing en ontheffing van het ambt. De ambigue voorstellen leiden tot een fundamenteel wantrouwen, en bieden ruimte voor politisering en willekeur. Daarom heeft onze fractie ervoor gekozen zich te onthouden.
2023/09/13
European Media Freedom Act (A9-0264/2023 - Sabine Verheyen)

De N-VA hecht uitermate veel belang aan pers- en mediavrijheid en onderschrijft dan ook volmondig de doelstelling van de Europese verordening mediavrijheid. Onafhankelijke media zijn een conditio sine qua non voor elke democratie. De N-VA steunt daarom de waarborgen tegen het afluisteren, intimideren of onder druk zetten van journalisten, tegen ongepaste (staats)inmenging en pro transparantie van media-eigendom.Er zijn echter ook fundamentele bezwaren tegen de voorliggende tekst. Meest fundamenteel is dat deze tekst wringt met het Verdrag als het over openbare omroepen gaat, in het bijzonder met Protocol nr. 29. De organisatie en financiering van de openbare omroep behoren verdragsrechtelijk tot de bevoegdheden en vrijheden van de lidstaten. De N-VA benadrukt, zoals verdragsrechtelijk ingeschreven, dat het openbare omroepstelsel in de lidstaten “rechtstreeks verband houdt met de democratische, sociale en culturele behoeften van iedere samenleving”. Zij verzet zich aldus tegen een Europees keurslijf, met in het bijzonder een nieuw op te richten ‘Europese Raad voor Mediadiensten” die alle mediadiensten overziet. De N-VA hoopt evenwel haar bezorgdheden tijdens de trialoogonderhandelingen verholpen te zien en alsnog het finale akkoord te kunnen steunen.
2023/10/03
Financial services contracts concluded at a distance (A9-0097/2023 - Arba Kokalari)

De N-VA is voorstander van een goede consumentenbescherming. We onderschrijven dan ook de noodzaak om wetgeving aan te passen aan de noden van de tijd. Ook in het financiële recht worden immers steeds meer overeenkomsten digitaal gesloten.We hoeden ons evenwel voor ondoordachte wetgeving. Alvorens handelaars nieuwe verplichtingen op te leggen, zou een grondige impactbeoordeling moeten plaatsvinden. Dit is hier niet gebeurd voor de verruiming van bepaalde verplichtingen tot alle verkopen op afstand, zoals een “herroepingsknop”, die bedachtzaam aankopen en de rechtszekerheid van contractuele relaties kan aantasten. We vrezen dat dit met name voor kmo’s nadelig kan zijn, net nu zij na de pandemie steeds meer via onlineverkoopkanalen de consument trachten te bereiken.
2023/10/05
Data Act (A9-0031/2023 - Pilar del Castillo Vera)

N-VA steunt ten volle het tot stand brengen van een Europese interne datamarkt. Data zijn cruciaal voor onze technologische toekomst (bv. artificiële intelligentie), onze welvaart en onze geostrategische positie. De achterstand ten aanzien van de VS en China is dramatisch. Hun big tech-bedrijven hebben de persoonsgegevens – ook de Europese – in handen. De EU kan het zich geenszins veroorloven ook de golf van industriële data te missen. Een wettelijk kader voor gegevensdeling is dus meer dan welgekomen.N-VA uitte niettemin enkele ernstige zorgpunten tijdens de onderhandelingen over deze dataverordening. Zo benadrukte N-VA het belang van rechtszekerheid voor onze bedrijven en het beschermen van hun bedrijfsgeheimen en intellectuele eigendom. Ook hamerde N-VA op een strikte afbakening van de mogelijkheid voor overheden om particuliere data op te eisen. N-VA stelt vast dat de trialoogonderhandelingen op deze punten belangrijke verbeteringen hebben aangebracht. Gelet op het grote belang van een Europese datamarkt heeft N-VA dan ook het trialoogakkoord gesteund. Zij benadrukt evenwel de noodzaak van een gedegen uitwerking en concretisering in technische normen en modelcontracten.
2023/11/09
Common rules promoting the repair of goods (A9-0316/2023 - René Repasi)

De N-VA steunt met overtuiging de doelstelling van deze Europese wet om het herstel van producten te stimuleren. Het is absoluut een goede zaak dat consumenten makkelijker en goedkoper hun goederen kunnen (laten) repareren, in plaats van ze voortijdig af te danken. Bovenop dit voordeel voor de consument verkleinen we zo ook de afvalberg en dringen we de uitstoot van broeikasgassen terug.Doch, de N-VA waarschuwt dat de tekst, zoals hij nu voorligt, tot averechtse effecten kan leiden. Wanneer bedrijven verplicht worden om gedurende de hele levensduur van een product aanzienlijke hoeveelheden van alle mogelijke reserveonderdelen te produceren en op te slaan, dan is dit zowel ecologisch als economisch nefast. Dit leidt immers tot onnodige productie (incl. materiaalgebruik en uitstoot van broeikasgassen), grote kosten voor de producent en een mogelijke prijsverhoging van de benodigde reserveonderdelen. Een gedegen impactbeoordeling is hier onontbeerlijk.Ook benadrukt de N-VA dat de onderhandelaars zich verder moeten buigen over de veiligheidsrisico’s die gepaard gaan met herstel door een (niet-professionele) derde; denk hierbij aan gezondheidsrisico’s, maar eveneens aan cyber- en privacyrisico’s. Tot slot meent de N-VA dat de tekst van de Raad de voorkeur geniet, waarbij de consument zijn keuzerecht tussen herstel en vervanging behoudt gedurende de wettelijke garantietermijn.
2023/11/21
EU framework for the social and professional situation of artists and workers in the cultural and creative sectors (A9-0304/2023 - Antonius Manders, Domènec Ruiz Devesa)

N-VA stemde tegen dit wetgevend initiatiefverslag dat de Commissie oproept een Europees arbeidsstatuut voor kunstenaars voor te stellen. N-VA ontkent geenszins dat de arbeidsomstandigheden van kunstenaars uit de aard vaak minder stabiel zijn, maar wijst erop dat arbeidsmarktbeleid een bevoegdheid van de lidstaten is en België een gunstig, afwijkend statuut voor kunstenaars heeft (onder meer op het vlak van werkloosheidsuitkeringen). Een Europees keurslijf zou lidstaten de beleidsruimte ontnemen om het meest passende statuut op maat uit te werken, rekening houdend met de noden en eigenheden van hun creatieve sectoren.
2023/11/21
Implementation of the principle of the primacy of EU law (A9-0341/2023 - Yana Toom, Cyrus Engerer)

Het verslag benadrukt de absolute voorrang van het recht van de Europese Unie, en bepleit dat het beginsel van voorrang van het EU-recht moet worden opgenomen in de EU-Verdragen. De N-VA onderschrijft dit beginsel, maar de lid- en deelstaten zijn meester van de Verdragen. Zij behouden het laatste woord bij elke Verdragswijziging en hebben ultiem het recht om te oordelen of de EU handelt binnen de haar toegewezen bevoegdheden.Bovendien bepleit het verslag de EU-toetreding tot het EVRM. De N-VA steunt steevast de mensenrechten, de grondrechten en de rechtsstaat, maar is geen voorstander van EU-toetreding tot het EVRM. De N-VA wil niet dat de uitspraken van het Europees Hof voor de Rechten van de Mens – dat geen instelling van de EU is – worden opgenomen in de Europese rechtsorde. Dat zou een Europees migratiebeleid bijvoorbeeld ernstig kunnen belemmeren.Daarom onthield de N-VA zich bij de stemming over het verslag.
2023/11/21
Reducing inequalities and promoting social inclusion in times of crisis for children and their families (A9-0360/2023 - Sandra Pereira)

Uiteraard onderschrijft N-VA volmondig dat elk kind alle kansen moet krijgen om zich optimaal te ontwikkelen. Dit moet een beleidsprioriteit zijn en investeringen zijn een must. Het meest passende niveau om dit beleid te voeren, is evenwel niet het Europese, maar het lid- en deelstatelijke beleidsniveau. Het is cruciaal om dichtbij de noden te kunnen identificeren en de schaarse middelen gericht te investeren. De herverdelende bevoegdheden moeten bij de lid- en deelstaten blijven, die de verantwoordelijkheid dragen voor het beleid en de financiering.Het verslag bevat voorts ook enkele concrete ideeën die N-VA niet steunt. Zo verzoekt het verslag de Commissie een kaderrichtlijn inzake minimuminkomens voor te stellen; eist het een verhoging van het budget voor de Europese kindgarantie met 20 miljard EUR, zonder impact assessment van de eerdere bestedingen; bevat het de oproep voor een Europees “sociaal convergentiekader” en wil het gezins- en kindertoeslagen voor alle migranten. N-VA heeft om al deze redenen tegen dit verslag gestemd.
2023/11/21
EU/New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (Resolution) (A9-0314/2023 - Daniel Caspary)

Het palmares van deze legislatuur inzake handelsverdragen is zeer mager. Handelsverdragen zijn broodnodig. Ze zorgen voor groei en welvaart, diversificatie van onze aanvoerlijnen, stabiliteit en contact tussen volkeren.Verdragen moeten in de eerste plaats over handel gaan: het vergroten van de marktoegang, het verlagen van tarieven en het wegnemen van handelsbelemmeringen. In tweede instantie dient een verdrag als hefboom voor verbetering van arbeidsomstandigheden, mensenrechten, duurzaamheid en strijd tegen de klimaatverandering.De N-VA steunt het handelsverdrag met Nieuw-Zeeland. De N-VA beschouwt het hoofdstuk “handel en duurzame ontwikkeling” in dit handelsverdrag evenwel niet als een gouden standaard voor toekomstige onderhandelingen. Dialoog en monitoring staan voor ons voorop, op gelijke voet én met respect voor de eigenheid en ontwikkeling van onze handelspartners. De EU moet veel pragmatischer handelen in termen van partnerschap en niet met het opgeheven vingertje dicteren wat moet en dreigen met sancties.Ten slotte moet dit symbolische akkoord met Nieuw-Zeeland voor de N-VA een aanzet zijn om snel werk te maken van andere handelsverdragen.
2023/11/22
Digitalisation and Administrative Law (A9-0309/2023 - Karen Melchior)

N-VA steunt de vraag om een wetsvoorstel betreffende een open, doeltreffend en onafhankelijk ambtenarenapparaat van de Europese Unie. Zij meent dat het een goede zaak is voor de burger om de beginselen van behoorlijk bestuur in een samenhangende, bindende wettekst te verankeren. Het zal de burger immers beter in staat stellen zijn administratieve rechten te kennen en uit te oefenen. Ook onderschrijft N-VA de nodige impetus voor digitalisering, zodat burgers snel en efficiënt worden geholpen; evenwel zonder in te boeten op toegankelijkheid en met een menselijk fysiek contactpunt. N-VA maakt daarentegen wel een fundamenteel voorbehoud bij het gebruik van een Europese digitale identiteit. Zij heeft hierbij belangrijke zorgpunten op het vlak van privacy en cybersecurity, en hoedt zich voor (Europese) centralisering.
2023/11/22
European Union regulatory fitness and subsidiarity and proportionality – report on Better Law Making covering 2020, 2021 and 2022 (A9-0310/2023 - Catharina Rinzema)

N-VA steunt dit verslag, dat de toepassing van het subsidiariteits- en evenredigheidsbeginsel in de jaren 2020, 2021 en 2022 analyseert. Het verslag legt enkele zeer juiste klemtonen: vermindering van de regeldruk, een kwalitatieve “concurrentievermogenstoets” en “kmo-toets”, samenhang van EU-wetgeving, een krachtigere rol voor de nationale en regionale parlementen bij de subsidiariteitscontrole en het fundamenteel belang van de parlementaire controle.N-VA steunt de vraag voor een zelfstandig wetgevend initiatiefrecht voor het Europees Parlement daarentegen niet: dit komt de subsidiariteit en kwaliteit van de Europese wetgeving niet ten goede. Het huidige systeem waarbij het Europees Parlement de Commissie om een wetgevend voorstel verzoekt, werkt bevredigend. De Commissie beschikt over de nodige administratieve capaciteit en hanteert een Uniebreed perspectief.Het verslag mist voor N-VA tot slot enkele actiepunten die het subsidiariteits- en evenredigheidsbeginsel aanzienlijk zouden kunnen versterken. Zo pleit zij al jaren voor een rode kaart bij de subsidiariteitscontrole, waarbij een bepaald aantal lidstaten een wetgevend voorstel kan tegenhouden. Ook drukt zij voortdurend op de nood aan sterkere effectbeoordelingen die tot op lid- en deelstaatniveau doorwerken. De huidige Commissie plaatste helaas het subsidiariteits- en proportionaliteitsbeginsel op het achterplan, en het verslag had dit nog scherper aan de kaak mogen stellen.
2023/11/23
Monitoring the application of EU law in 2020, 2021 and 2022 (A9-0328/2023 - Catharina Rinzema)

De N-VA-delegatie onthield zich bij de stemming van dit verslag over de controle op de toepassing van het EU-recht in 2020, 2021 en 2022. Het verslag bevat enerzijds enkele zeer terechte speerpunten. Zo onderstreept het de noodzaak van een meer krachtdadige handhaving van de interne markt, stelt het dat goldplating moet worden tegengegaan, en verzoekt het de Commissie om meer ondersteuning te bieden aan de lidstaten bij de omzetting van EU-wetgeving.Het verslag bevat evenwel ook enkele voorstellen die N-VA niet steunt. Ten eerste meent N-VA niet dat een korter en bindend tijdschema voor het inleiden van inbreukprocedures tegen lidstaten voor het Hof van Justitie, ten koste van de dialoog met lidstaten, de werking van de EU ten goede komt. Ten tweede gaat N-VA niet akkoord dat het de bevoegdheid van de EU is om haatzaaiende uitlatingen strafbaar te stellen; dit komt de lidstaten toe. Het komt voorts aan de rechterlijke macht toe om altijd de afweging te maken met de vrije meningsuiting.
2023/11/23
Addictive design of online services and consumer protection in the EU single market (A9-0340/2023 - Kim Van Sparrentak)

N-VA benadrukt de noodzaak van beleidsmatige aandacht voor het verslavend effect van onlinediensten, sociale media in het bijzonder. Kinderen en jongeren moeten op een veilige en verantwoorde manier kunnen opgroeien met digitale diensten. Naïviteit is hier niet op haar plaats; de voortdurende afleiding door de smartphone en druk om online te zijn, dragen fysieke en mentale gezondheidsrisico’s in zich. Een maatschappelijk antwoord is nodig, met breed overleg tussen belanghebbenden. Helaas wordt in het verslag voor een erg eenzijdige en drieste aanpak gekozen: het bevat een zeer ruime omschrijving van “verslavend ontwerp” (inclusief gepersonaliseerde aanbevelingssystemen); ambieert hierop een totaalverbod; maakt geen onderscheid tussen verschillende onlinediensten (naar sector noch grootte; ook onlinediensten van de kleine handelaar komen bijvoorbeeld in het vizier) of tussen minderjarigen en volwassenen; en de bewijslast zou omgekeerd worden. N-VA heeft zich daarom onthouden en wil een meer proportionele aanpak, waarbij de focus ligt op het beschermen van minderjarigen. Daarbij benadrukt zij het belang van mediawijsheid en bewustmakingscampagnes, alsook van het ondersteunen van ouders en opvoeders in hun belangrijke rol om kinderen de juiste handvaten te bieden tegen overmatig internetgebruik (bv. d.m.v. een verplichting voor internetproviders en fabrikanten van toestellen die op het internet kunnen om gebruiksvriendelijke systemen voor ouderlijk toezicht te verstrekken).
2023/12/12
Objection to a delegated act pursuant to Rule 111(3): Adjustments of the size criteria for micro, small, medium-sized and large undertakings or groups (B9-0493/2023)

N-VA stemde tegen dit bezwaar dat de mkb-definitie wil verbreden door de drempel met betrekking tot het aantal werknemers op te trekken van 250 tot ten minste 500 werknemers.Hoewel N-VA meent dat de regeldruk voor alle ondernemingen moet worden verminderd, is het uithollen van de mkb-definitie hiertoe niet de juiste remedie.Grotere ondernemingen opnemen in de mkb-definitie zou de kleinere spelers concurrentieel echt schaden; het verschil in economische en organisatorische middelen is significant.N-VA wil dan ook waarschuwen tegen een dergelijke ernstige verstoring van de markt. Zij onderstreept niettemin andermaal dat het van het grootste belang is de Europese regeldruk een halt toe te roepen voor al onze bedrijven, maar dit vraagt een andere aanpak.Zo moet de EU het “one in, one out”-beginsel opnieuw ter harte te nemen en voortmaken met de voorgenomen doelstelling om de rapportageverplichtingen met 25% te verminderen.
2023/12/13
Implementation of the 2018 Geo-blocking Regulation in the digital single market (A9-0335/2023 - Beata Mazurek)

N-VA stemde tegen dit verslag dat de deur opent voor de opname van audiovisuele diensten binnen het toepassingsgebied van de geoblocking-verordening.N-VA benadrukt dat een verbod op geoblocking zeer nadelig zou zijn voor het aanbod in de EU en de culturele en taalkundige diversiteit van audiovisuele producties. Ook waarschuwt zij voor hogere prijzen voor de consument.N-VA is tevreden dat tijdens de plenaire stemming het amendement van de CULT-commissie werd aangenomen dat waarschuwt voor deze zeer nefaste gevolgen.Niettemin bevat het verslag nog steeds de idee dat audiovisuele diensten (op termijn) onder het toepassingsgebied van de verordening kunnen worden gebracht. N-VA verzet zich hiertegen met klem.Zij preciseert evenwel dat Europese consumenten nu reeds hun onlineabonnementen in een andere lidstaat kunnen raadplegen, waarbij de provider mag controleren in welk land de consument zijn vaste verblijfplaats heeft. De content die in dat land is verkocht, moet de gebruiker ook in het buitenland kunnen raadplegen. De meeneembaarheid van een eigen abonnement moet aldus worden onderscheiden van de verplichting voor providers om producties onvoorwaardelijk doorheen de hele EU aan te bieden.Dit laatste is voor N-VA onaanvaardbaar gelet op de kwalijke gevolgen, niet het minst voor onze Vlaamse taal en cultuur.
2023/12/13
European Hydrogen Bank (A9-0379/2023 - Robert Hajšel)

Het halen van CO2-neutraliteit in de EU tegen 2050 staat voor N-VA centraal. We geloven in het gebruik van diverse hefbomen, waaronder energie-efficiëntie, hernieuwbare energie, koolstofarme technologieën en energiedragers om dit te bereiken. Duurzame waterstof is daartoe een essentiële factor. We erkennen de vraag naar (financiële) ondersteuning voor waterstof om de impact van de RFNBO-doelstellingen op de industrie te mitigeren en mogelijke boetes te vermijden.Helaas ontbreekt in dit verslag de nodige technologieneutraliteit. Zo betreuren we de eenzijdige focus op waterstof uit louter hernieuwbare energiebronnen. Om alle duurzaamheidsdoelstellingen te behalen in het industrie-intensieve Vlaanderen, kunnen we alle vormen van duurzame waterstof net goed gebruiken.Voor Vlaanderen is kostenefficiëntie eveneens van groot belang. De modaliteiten van de proefveiling moeten daarom voldoende rekening houden met de vraagzijde en dat is in dit verslag onvoldoende het geval. Ondersteuning van de vraagzijde en gegarandeerde kostenreductie voor waterstofconsumenten zijn essentieel om koolstoflekkage te voorkomen en een duurzame groei te bevorderen.Met deze onthouding wil N-VA de aandacht vestigen op enkele cruciale tekortkomingen in het rapport. We hopen op die manier net een constructieve bijdrage te leveren aan deze belangrijke dialoog over waterstof en de ondersteuning van onze Vlaamse en Europese industrie.
2023/12/14
Implementation of the Erasmus+ programme 2021-2027 (A9-0413/2023 - Milan Zver)

Zoals alle andere lidstaten moet Hongarije zich houden aan de rechtsstaat en daarvoor de nodige hervormingen doorvoeren. Dat is ook de mening van de N-VA. Niettemin vinden wij dat Hongaarse studenten, leerkrachten, docenten en onderzoekers niet de dupe mogen worden van de politieke koers van hun regering. Zij moeten blijvend de kans krijgen om zich, net zoals alle andere Europeanen, verder te ontwikkelen en deel te nemen aan Europese onderzoeks- en onderwijsprogramma’s, los van eventuele conflicten tussen hun beleidsmakers en de EU. Daarom heeft de N-VA zich onthouden.
2024/01/16
Implementation of the Creative Europe programme 2021-2027 (A9-0425/2023 - Massimiliano Smeriglio)

Hoewel beide programma’s goede elementen bevatten, zoals de bescherming van Europese waarden, het stimuleren van betrokkenheid en engagement bij EU-burgers en steun voor Oekraïense vluchtelingen bij het CERV-programma, vindt de N-VA de gevraagde verviervoudiging van het budget voor de komende periode buitensporig. Ook de budgettaire impact van de gevraagde extra kostenvergoedingen voor vertegenwoordigers van het maatschappelijk middenveld is onduidelijk. Verder juicht de N-VA het doel van het programma “Creatief Europa 2021-2027” (ondersteuning van de culturele sector en bevordering van de rijke culturele diversiteit binnen de EU) in essentie toe, maar wij kunnen niet akkoord gaan met het budgettaire kader. Voor de huidige periode werd er een budgetverhoging van 68 % doorgevoerd en de rapporteur wenst dit nog op te trekken voor de periode 2028-2034. Ook wil hij de komende jaren elke mogelijke besparing uitsluiten. De N-VA vindt dat “Creatief Europa” de huidige budgettaire krijtlijnen niet mag overschrijden en dat er continu gezocht moet worden naar besparingsopportuniteiten. Daarom stemmen wij tegen beide initiatiefverslagen.
2024/01/16
Implementation of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme 2021-2027 – citizens' engagement and participation (A9-0392/2023 - Łukasz Kohut)

Hoewel beide programma’s goede elementen bevatten, zoals de bescherming van Europese waarden, het stimuleren van betrokkenheid en engagement bij EU-burgers en steun voor Oekraïense vluchtelingen bij het CERV-programma, vindt de N-VA de gevraagde verviervoudiging van het budget voor de komende periode buitensporig. Ook de budgettaire impact van de gevraagde extra kostenvergoedingen voor vertegenwoordigers van het maatschappelijk middenveld is onduidelijk. Verder juicht de N-VA het doel van het programma “Creatief Europa 2021-2027” (ondersteuning van de culturele sector en bevordering van de rijke culturele diversiteit binnen de EU) in essentie toe, maar wij kunnen niet akkoord gaan met het budgettaire kader. Voor de huidige periode werd er een budgetverhoging van 68 % doorgevoerd en de rapporteur wenst dit nog op te trekken voor de periode 2028-2034. Ook wil hij de komende jaren elke mogelijke besparing uitsluiten. De N-VA vindt dat “Creatief Europa” de huidige budgettaire krijtlijnen niet mag overschrijden en dat er continu gezocht moet worden naar besparingsopportuniteiten. Daarom stemmen wij tegen beide initiatiefverslagen.
2024/01/16
Promotion of the freedom of scientific research in the EU (A9-0393/2023 - Christian Ehler)

N-VA onderschrijft het belang van academische vrijheid en zal deze te allen tijde actief verdedigen als een van de belangrijkste pijlers van onze democratische rechtstaat. Om die reden kan de N-VA-delegatie evenwel nooit akkoord gaan met voorstellen die deze vrijheid – in eender welke richting – trachten te reguleren en begrenzen. Het enige kader ter bescherming van de academische vrijheid is dat er geen kader is. Om die reden heeft de N-VA-delegatie zich onthouden voor dit dossier, waarin de Commissie wordt verzocht om beperkingen op te leggen aan diezelfde academische vrijheid die ze meent te beschermen.
2024/01/17
Virtual worlds – opportunities, risks and policy implications for the single market (A9-0397/2023 - Pablo Arias Echeverría)

N-VA vindt het een goede zaak dat de EU zich buigt over de mogelijkheden en uitdagingen van virtuele werelden. In het verslag wordt daarbij terecht gepleit voor meer Europese middelen voor onderzoek, ontwikkeling en infrastructuur, een eis die N-VA reeds lang op tafel legt. Momenteel bevinden de meeste bedrijven die het voortouw nemen bij de ontwikkeling van virtuele werelden zich buiten de EU (iets dat in het verslag ook wordt aangekaart), maar het wijst terecht op een dynamisch, evoluerend ecosysteem in de EU. Onze Europese bedrijven moeten alle groeikansen krijgen, waartoe ook het creëren van een gelijk speelveld cruciaal is. Tegelijk wordt in het verslag ‒ eveneens zeer juist ‒ gewezen op het belang om met gelijkgezinde partners internationaal overleg te plegen met het oog op een gecoördineerde aanpak van virtuele werelden. N-VA herhaalt hierbij haar betoog dat de EU en de VS de gedeelde verantwoordelijkheid hebben om samen wereldwijd digitale normen vast te leggen. Het verslag heeft voor N-VA evenwel ook enkele struikelblokken. Zo wordt uitgegaan van een Europese digitale identiteit die zou kunnen worden gebruikt in virtuele werelden. N-VA heeft bij een dergelijke Europese e-ID toch heel wat voorbehoud, o.m. omwille van privacy- en veiligheidsredenen. Daarom heeft N-VA zich bij stemming onthouden.
2024/01/17
EU-India relations (A9-0435/2023 - Alviina Alametsä)

Met zijn 1,4 miljard inwoners is India de grootste democratie van de wereld en dus een alternatief voor de EU die haar toeleveringsketens wil diversifiëren en nieuwe handelsovereenkomsten wil sluiten in het kader van “open strategische autonomie”. India is bovendien een van de strategische partners in de EU-strategie voor de Indo-Pacifische regio. Een handels- en investeringsbeschermingsovereenkomst met India is dus geopolitiek en economisch uiterst belangrijk voor de EU.De N-VA roept daarom de leiders van de EU en India op om zich te engageren voor een versnelling van de lopende onderhandelingen en een uitgesproken, vastberaden wil te tonen om een handelsovereenkomst te sluiten.Het is positief dat in dit verslag de nadruk wordt gelegd op nadere samenwerking tussen de EU en India op enkele belangrijke domeinen zoals maritieme veiligheid, energie en digitale toepassingen.Voor de N-VA moet een handelsovereenkomst echter een hefboom zijn voor de strijd tegen de klimaatverandering en voor de verbetering van mensenrechten. Vooraf onhaalbare eisen opleggen en dreigen met sancties brengt ons geen stap dichter. Dan dreigen we onze partnerlanden in de handen van anderen te drijven. Om deze redenen heeft de N-VA zich onthouden op dit verslag.
2024/01/17
Gender aspects of the rising cost of living and the impact of the energy crisis (A9-0430/2023 - Alice Kuhnke)

De N-VA erkent dat veel mensen financiële moeilijkheden ondervinden door de hoge kosten van levensonderhoud en dat energiefacturen daar een grote rol in spelen. Alleenstaande vrouwen met kinderen vormen in deze context een bijzonder kwetsbare groep en zij verdienen onze steun. Alleen vinden wij dat voor deze problemen structurele antwoorden nodig zijn en dat op de lange termijn niemand gebaat is met het uitdelen van geld en met prijsbepaling door de overheid. Daarom heeft de N-VA zich onthouden bij de eindstemming.
2024/01/18
Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation (RC-B9-0068/2024, B9-0068/2024, B9-0069/2024, B9-0071/2024, B9-0073/2024, B9-0075/2024, B9-0077/2024)

De N-VA-delegatie wil de onmiddellijke vrijlating van alle gijzelaars, gevolgd door een onmiddellijk staakt-het-vuren en de volledige ontmanteling van het terroristische Hamas, beide onder internationale controle. N-VA veroordeelt ondubbelzinnig de brutale terroristische aanval van Hamas op Israëlische burgers op 7 oktober 2023, wat de aanleiding is van de huidige crisissituatie.N-VA roept op tot de organisatie van een internationale vredesconferentie met deelname van de Arabische staten, de VS en de EU om te komen tot een definitieve tweestatenoplossing met Jeruzalem als hoofdstad van beide staten, met respect voor de resoluties van de VN en erkenning van de staat Israël door de Arabische staten.Wij zijn voorstander van toegang van Gaza tot humanitaire hulp voor zover deze niet door Hamas wordt afgewend, van de handhaving van het internationaal en humanitair recht door beide partijen en van de beëindiging van het nederzettingenbeleid op de Westelijke Jordaanoever, met inbegrip van Oost-Jeruzalem. Wij betreuren het dat in de resolutie geen melding wordt gemaakt van de noodzaak van volledige transparantie en fraudecontrole op EU-financiering voor de Palestijnse Autoriteit. Ook moeten de VN dringend een onpartijdige en objectieve bemiddelingsrol opnemen.Wij veroordelen de toename van antisemitisme en van steun voor het terrorisme van Hamas in Europa.
2024/01/18
Revision of the European Labour Authority mandate (B9-0059/2024)

De N-VA-delegatie stemde tegen deze resolutie, die van de Europese arbeidsautoriteit (ELA) een ware Europese sociale inspectie wil maken. De autoriteit moet, aldus deze resolutie, de bevoegdheid krijgen om op eigen initiatief onderzoeken en inspecties uit te voeren in grensoverschrijdende gedingen. De nationale inspectiediensten zouden hiervan louter in kennis worden gesteld en aan de Europese autoriteit onverwijld alle gevraagde informatie moeten verstrekken. Ook zou de ELA administratieve en juridische procedures kunnen inleiden bij vermoedelijke inbreuken. Verder wordt in de resolutie geëist dat deze zeer omvangrijke bevoegdheidsuitbreiding gepaard gaat met de bijhorende operationele en financiële middelen, waarbij ook nadrukkelijk meer Europese ambtenaren worden geëist in plaats van gedetacheerde nationale deskundigen. Voor N-VA is het aanpakken van sociale dumping en fraude absoluut primordiaal. Zij steunt dan ook ten volle een betere samenwerking en coördinatie tussen de lidstaten. N-VA verkiest echter het verbeteren van de bestaande en goed functionerende structuren boven een Europeanisering van onze sociale inspectie. Het is de bevoegdheid van de lidstaten om sociale controles uit te voeren en N-VA wil niet dat een Europese autoriteit zich in de plaats van de lidstaten stelt.
2024/01/18
Transparency and targeting of political advertising (A9-0009/2023 - Sandro Gozi)

De N-VA-delegatie onthield zich van stemming over deze EU-wet die uniforme regels oplegt voor politieke reclame.Vanzelfsprekend ondersteunt N-VA de overkoepelende doelstelling om vrije, eerlijke verkiezingen te vrijwaren. Concreet verwelkomt N-VA dat betekenisvolle transparantievereisten worden gesteld aan politieke reclame. Zo moet politieke reclame een label krijgen, vermelden wie de opdrachtgever is, wie ervoor betaalt en welke bedragen gespendeerd worden. Ook is het goed dat er beperkingen komen op gerichte politieke reclame. Al deze maatregelen bestrijden immers misleiding, desinformatie en buitenlandse inmenging, waardoor de burger zijn stem op een geïnformeerde wijze kan uitbrengen.N-VA wil evenwel een belangrijk zorgpunt aanstippen wat betreft de handhaving van de nieuwe regels. De verordening legt hiertoe heel wat verantwoordelijkheid, druk en macht bij de onlineplatformen. N-VA herhaalt haar kritiek – die zij ook op de digitaledienstenverordening uitte – dat het niet aan private spelers toekomt te oordelen over (il)legaliteit. Zij waarschuwt daarbij ook net voor het knotten van het publiek debat. Voorts betreurt N-VA dat de nieuwe wet een quasi totaalverbod op gerichte politieke reclame oplegt. N-VA meent dat toegesneden informatie dienstig kan zijn voor de burger, uiteraard binnen bepaalde voorwaarden, waaronder het volle respect voor de regels inzake gegevensbescherming.
2024/02/27
Standard essential patents (A9-0016/2024 - Marion Walsmann)

N-VA stemde tegen dit verslag dat een Europees kader wil opleggen voor de licentieverlening van standaardessentiële octrooien (SEP’s).Vanzelfsprekend onderschrijft N-VA het belang van normalisatie en een goed functionerend systeem van SEP’s, zodat zowel SEP-houders als SEP-toepassers worden aangemoedigd om in de EU te innoveren. Doch, voor N-VA zijn zowel het Commissievoorstel als onderhavig verslag disproportioneel, en riskeert een dergelijke EU-wet eerder innovatie in de EU af te remmen dan te stimuleren.Zo moet er allereerst op worden gewezen dat uit de impactbeoordeling niet of onvoldoende gebleken is dat er zich vandaag grote marktverstoringen voordoen, terwijl het beoogde kader wel aanzienlijke administratie, kosten en regeldruk met zich meebrengt. Verder meent N-VA dat door de verplichte procedure voor alternatieve geschillenbeslechting, de toegang tot de rechter onder druk komt en efficiënte handhaving in de weg kan staan. Bovendien dreigt een aanzienlijke inperking van het eigendomsrecht, gelet ook op de sancties voor geen of niet-tijdige registratie in het SEP-register (i.e. het niet kunnen handhaven van een SEP en het niet kunnen innen van licentie- en schadevergoedingen).Derhalve heeft N-VA het mandaat voor de trialoog niet gesteund; de EU zal zo immers noch innovatie, noch investeringen, noch haar competitiviteit boosten.
2024/02/28
European Digital Identity framework (A9-0038/2023 - Romana Jerković)

De N-VA-delegatie is voorstander van meer en betere digitalisering van en in de Europese interne markt, maar is hierbij steeds waakzaam voor de mogelijke risico’s, zeker op het vlak van privacy en cyberbeveiliging.Het trialoogakkoord over de herziening van het Europees kader voor een digitale identiteit biedt – onder meer door de centralisatie van gegevens in een Europese digitale “portefeuille” – meer risico’s dan garanties op gegevensbescherming, zeker op lange termijn. Ook de mogelijke risico’s van massasurveillance op burgers worden onvoldoende ondervangen. Bovendien dreigt voor de effectieve uitwerking een sterke afhankelijkheid van derde, private spelers als een Google of Apple. De EU moet voorzichtiger zijn wanneer het gaat over “digitale soevereiniteit”, zeker in deze tijden. De N-VA-delegatie stemde daarom tegen.
2024/02/29
Artificial Intelligence Act (A9-0188/2023 - Brando Benifei, Dragoş Tudorache)

N-VA is verheugd dat er uniforme regels voor AI komen die o.a. de veiligheid, gezondheid en fundamentele rechten van de burger waarborgen. Daarnaast is ook meer transparantie een goede zaak. De burger heeft het recht te weten of boodschappen, beelden, muziek … met AI gemaakt zijn. Dit is o.m. cruciaal in de strijd tegen desinformatie. N-VA is ook tevreden dat er tegemoet gekomen is aan haar kritiek op het totaalverbod op biometrische identificatie op openbare plaatsen en er strikte uitzonderingen zijn toegelaten wanneer mensenlevens op het spel staan (bv. bij ontvoeringen, mensenhandel of terroristische dreigingen). Niettemin wil N-VA met haar onthouding toch enkele belangrijke bedenkingen onder de aandacht brengen. Zo lijdt de verordening aan te grote rechtsonzekerheid, wat slecht is voor het ondernemersklimaat (waardoor er nood is aan verduidelijkende richtsnoeren). Door nu reeds een stringente regelgeving uit te vaardigen, is er gevaar dat we niet openstaan en klaar zijn voor tal van nog onbekende, razendsnelle ontwikkelingen. Ook is de EU naïef als ze denkt hiermee in haar eentje globale normen te kunnen vastleggen. Een partnerschap met de VS en het VK is absoluut noodzakelijk. Sommigen vrezen nu al dat de Amerikaanse big tech de kleine EU-markt links zal laten liggen.
2024/03/13
Safety of toys and repealing Directive 2009/48/EC (A9-0044/2024 - Marion Walsmann)

De N-VA stemde voor het mandaat om de trialoogonderhandelingen op te starten over de speelgoedverordening. Zij steunt zonder meer de doelstelling om door middel van een verordening de gezondheids- en veiligheidseisen voor speelgoed in alle lidstaten te harmoniseren en te garanderen op het hoogste niveau. Vanzelfsprekend zijn de veiligheid, (fysieke en mentale) gezondheid en ontwikkeling van onze kinderen prioritair. Voor de trialoogonderhandelingen wil N-VA wel bijzondere aandacht vragen voor de uitvoerbaarheid en handhaving van de regels. Alleen regels die (kunnen) worden toegepast en gehandhaafd zullen ook effectief de veiligheid van speelgoed in de EU vergroten. De grootste zorg moet daarbij gaan naar het dichten van de mazen voor onveilig speelgoed dat van buiten de EU binnenkomt via onlineverkoop.
2024/03/13
European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social priorities for 2024 (A9-0050/2024 - Dragoş Pîslaru)

N-VA stemde tegen dit verslag over het Europees Semester. Het verslag verlaat immers de logica dat een sterke economie en gezonde financiën onontbeerlijk zijn voor een sociale welvaartsstaat. De EU moet zich focussen op groei, jobs, innovatie en concurrentievermogen; zo niet dreigen alle sociale aspiraties op drijfzand te komen. Sociale rechten worden loze beloftes wanneer de economische realiteit ze niet kan dragen. N-VA verzet zich dan ook onder meer tegen het doorwerken van de sociale pijler in het economisch en begrotingsbeleid, het integreren van de sociale pijler in alle EU-fondsen en de verhoging van EU-middelen voor sociale doelstellingen. Ook gaat N-VA niet akkoord met het pleidooi voor een doorgedreven Europeanisering van het werkgelegenheids- en sociaal beleid, zowel via de achterdeur van het Europees Semester als door nieuwe Europese wetgeving (zo is er de oproep tot een EU-richtlijn inzake een toereikend minimuminkomen en tot een aanvullend Europees herverzekeringsstelsel voor werkloosheid). N-VA wil dat het sociaal en werkgelegenheidsbeleid zo dicht mogelijk bij de burger wordt gevoerd, overeenkomstig de noden, uitdagingen en verwachtingen. Geen “one size fits all”, maar maatwerk. Bovendien moeten de herverdelende bevoegdheden bij de lid- en deelstaten blijven, die de verantwoordelijkheid dragen voor het beleid en de financiering.
2024/03/13

Written questions (40)

Implementation of the Regulation on medical devices
2019/12/17
Documents: PDF(40 KB) DOC(9 KB)
New breeding techniques
2019/12/17
Documents: PDF(41 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Rules on mergers, and global competitiveness
2019/12/18
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Preserving the internal market and free trade during the Covid-19 crisis
2020/03/24
Documents: PDF(39 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Allocation key for ‘Recovery and Resilience Facility’
2020/06/03
Documents: PDF(40 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Compliance with SEPA Regulation (260/2012) by tax authorities
2020/08/27
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Protecting consumers against unfair commercial practices
2020/09/02
Documents: PDF(37 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Immediate cessation of funding to Turkey for cultural heritage matters
2020/09/08
Documents: PDF(51 KB) DOC(11 KB)
Infringement by Chinese intelligence agencies of European data protection rules
2020/09/17
Documents: PDF(39 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Export restrictions on medicines and medical supplies
2020/10/01
Documents: PDF(40 KB) DOC(10 KB)
2019 OECD Digital Government Index
2020/10/21
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(10 KB)
‘Digital bonus’ under the State aid rules
2020/10/29
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine
2020/12/29
Documents: PDF(39 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Ordering of COVID-19 vaccines
2020/12/29
Documents: PDF(37 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Facilitating access to public procurement for new tenderers
2021/02/01
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Application of Directive 2011/7/EU to services provided on behalf of state legal authorities (the judiciary)
2021/05/07
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Supply of surplus Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at cost price to developing countries
2021/05/12
Documents: PDF(37 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Transparency and funding of the Conference on the Future of Europe
2021/06/02
Documents: PDF(50 KB) DOC(11 KB)
Surplus vaccines ordered – ‘donations to countries in need’
2021/06/22
Documents: PDF(40 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Withholding of information to secure pulse-fishing licences for the Netherlands
2021/06/30
Documents: PDF(39 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Mass slaughter of dolphins and whales in the Faroe Islands and the role of Danish authorities
2021/09/28
Documents: PDF(58 KB) DOC(10 KB)
Incorporation of climate risks into debt sustainability analysis
2021/11/23
Documents: PDF(43 KB) DOC(9 KB)
De facto protectionism in the EU
2022/01/06
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Solar energy from space
2022/02/02
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Report entitled 'The Benefits of Brexit'
2022/02/15
Documents: PDF(39 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Finding solutions that address violence against women and girls in Africa
2022/02/23
Documents: PDF(46 KB) DOC(10 KB)
Recent report by the European Court of Auditors on the charging of disproportionate registration fees by the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)
2022/04/28
Documents: PDF(40 KB) DOC(9 KB)
A European, language-neutral, blind-spot sticker
2022/09/22
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Second Annual Report on the screening of foreign direct investments into the Union
2022/10/13
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Labelling requirements for packaging in France
2022/11/24
Documents: PDF(39 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Accessible and efficient customer contact
2022/12/19
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(9 KB)
The trade and investment aspects of Global Gateway
2023/03/07
Documents: PDF(41 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Excessive public procurement fees paid to Bpost
2023/04/26
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(9 KB)
EU regulatory agenda
2023/04/26
Documents: PDF(39 KB) DOC(9 KB)
EU regulation agenda
2023/04/26
Documents: PDF(40 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Removing the minimum liver weight requirement for foie gras production
2023/06/30
Documents: PDF(63 KB) DOC(12 KB)
Tackling the administrative burden on businesses
2023/09/18
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Speed of trade defence investigation
2023/09/21
Documents: PDF(38 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Homologation of e-scooters
2023/11/16
Documents: PDF(37 KB) DOC(9 KB)
Clarification on lifting sanctions against Iranian tech company ArvanCloud
2024/04/12
Documents: PDF(52 KB) DOC(12 KB)

Amendments (524)

Amendment 38 #

2023/2868(RSP)

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Urges all WTO members to commit to a successful outcome of MC13; believes that MC13 should be the starting point for advancing and modernising the WTO to ensure it can play a role in addressing the challenges of the 21st century, including issues such as climate change and sustainability; urges all WTO members to step up their efforts to focus on tangible outcomes that show that the WTO can address current challenges; welcomes the guidance given by the Senior Officials’ Meeting on 22 and 23 October 2023; asks WTO members, in particular, to conclude the second phase of the multilateral agreement on fisheries subsidies and adopt a comprehensive package on institutional reform, including a decision that would lead to a fully functioning dispute settlement system and a more enhanced role of the WTO Secretariat;
2024/01/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 44 #

2023/2868(RSP)

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the constructive engagement by all WTO members to restore a fully functioning dispute settlement system as swiftly as possible that tackles, amongst others, the excessive length and cost of procedures with their endless number of intervening parties; commends the work of the facilitator in steering the process that should lead to a consolidated draft text to be submitted to MC13; calls on members to reach an agreement on the dispute settlement system at MC13; recalls that a binding, two-tier and independent process should remain the core objective;
2024/01/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 51 #

2023/2868(RSP)

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the need to mainstream the development dimension of the WTO, including through the WTO reform process and through making the special and differential treatment fit for purpose for the 21st century; welcomes, in this context, the decision already taken on the extension of support measures to assist least-developed countries (LDCs) on the path to graduation from LDC status, in order to provide a smooth and sustainable transitional period for the withdrawal of trade preferences; reiterates its call that the special and differential treatment mechanism should be re-examined and revised in order to better reflect human development indices while protecting policy space for addressing unfair trade, and calls therefore on WTO members to revise the system; underlines, however, that self- assertion of development status as only criterion could lead to unfair trade;
2024/01/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 70 #

2023/2868(RSP)

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Expects the WTO reform to create an easier path for open plurilateral agreements to be integrated into the multilateral architecture in order to ensure progress in areas not mature enough for the entire membership; invreiterates therefore ites call to WTO members to reflect on a way to develop a new system for enhanced cooperation such as is used in the European Union, with clear principles and a minimum of members that should participate in a plurilateral initiative, and on that basis establish a straightforward mechanism which allows the resulting agreements to be incorporated into the WTO structure;
2024/01/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 79 #

2023/2868(RSP)

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Highlights the importance of regulating digital trade, as it currently accounts for 25 % of total trade, both at multilateral and plurilateral level; supports the efforts to find a fair and permanent solution formaking the WTO moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions related to the moratoriumpermanent; welcomes and supports the broad membership, ambitious negotiating agenda and progress made to date in the WTO plurilateral negotiations on e- commerce; highlights the importance of the free flow of electronic transmissions, which are fundamental to digital trade and reduce trading costs, increase consumer welfare as well as export competitiveness, and bring significant benefits, particularly to SMEs and developing countries; recalls its position that a potential agreement needs to guarantee market access for e- commerce-related goods and services in third countries, as well as the protection of consumer and labour rights, and facilitate business innovation; stresses that a potential agreement on e-commerce needs to comply with existing as well as future EU legislation related to data flows, data localisation and source code, and that it guarantees sufficient policy space to regulate the digital realm; calls on all partners to fully engage in and support efforts to conclude negotiations by MC13;
2024/01/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas digital services, including social media, are radically changing society and bringing positive effects such as increased efficiency, simplification, time and cost savings, connectedness, accessibility and leisure. Social media also allows children and young people to learn about and appreciate different perspectives and worldviews, as well as to build knowledge and explore areas of interest; whereas digitisation and social media also pose new challenges to society and require policy attention to both physical and mental health risks associated with the use of online services;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 14 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas behaviour modification need not necessarily be negative and apps can help us become more productive or exercise more, for example. Apps can solve specific problems, streamline things and make life easier, as illustrated by traffic, banking or translation apps; whereas the likelihood of addiction is many times higher with social media apps, since many of them are commercially designed to make us interact with the platform as much as possible; whereas commercial success and ethical app development are not mutually exclusive;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 18 #

2023/2043(INI)

Ba. whereas more and ongoing research is needed into the correlation between social media and health, especially the impact of social media on mental health; whereas research on the link between screen use and physical health is robust, identifying a clear link between increased screen use and nearsightedness, decreased motor skills and poor sleeping habits; whereas the effects of social media on mental health are difficult to isolate and are also related to a person's physical environment, personal characteristics and possible vulnerabilities. What may have a positive impact on one person's health may actually be harmful to the health of another person;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 19 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas internet-use-related addiction displayscan have similar side effects to substance-related addictions, including evidence of tolerance and relapsewith problematic internet use encompassing a spectrum from mild to severe problems, including addiction; whereas strict regulation exists for addictive products, such as drugs, alcohol, tobacco and gambling to prevent addiction and protect consumers from harm; whereas problematic smartphone or internet use has been linked to lower life satisfaction and mental health symptoms such as depression, low self-esteem, body-image disorders, eating disorders, anxiety, high levels of perceived stress, neglect of family and friends, loss of self-control, lack of sleep and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, such as compulsive buying among young adults; whereas the fact that many young people refer to themselves as 'addicts' indicates growing awareness; whereas the effects of the online environment on mental health are difficult to isolate and more research is emerging about a causal relationship - cause and effect - between online presence and mental health; whereas heavy users of digital media are twice as likely to have mental- health issues, including risk factors for suicide and self-harm; whereas children and young people are more vulnerable to these symptoms; whereas mental-health conditions established in childhood can shape an individual’s subsequent life course; whereas excessive internet use is associated with problems with daily obligations, declining grades, poor school and academic performance or poor job performance;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 24 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the behavioral design of certain social media apps causes our attention to be constantly drawn away, with the result that we actually multitask far too much and lose focus; whereas it is crucial to make people aware of the importance of monotasking, concentration and self-regulation;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 26 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas according to some research, excessive screen time or problematic use impacts brain development; whereas increases in social media use problems are linked to attention deficits, shorter attention spans, impulsiveness and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms; whereas intensive social media use has been associated with lower levels of grey matter in certain areas of the brain, just as is the case with other addictive substances, such as alcohol and heroin; whereas excessive screen time (more than 2-3 hours a day in front of a screen) can have effects on neurodevelopment, learning and memory, and the sedentary lifestyle linked to time spent on electronic media brings a potential increased risk of early neurodegeneration;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 27 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas parents and educators play a crucial role in providing tools and preventive measures against excessive internet use; whereas research has shown that setting clear rules and constructive communication with children can help prevent social-media addiction1 a; whereas parents and educators should be supported in this difficult and very important task, for example with a digital platform which they can consult for information about the dangers of excessive internet use and how to communicate about the issue with children and young people; whereas consideration should be given to requiring internet service providers and manufacturers of internet-enabled devices to provide user-friendly parental controls; whereas parents and educators play an important role-model function and can teach children the importance of monotasking and concentration by putting their own smartphones to one side sufficiently often and intentionally; whereas the importance of digital literacy, awareness raising and sensitisation should be emphasised; whereas, as a matter of policy, emphasis should be placed on media literacy and being critically aware when engaging in online interactions and using social media; _________________ 1 a Koning, I.M. (e.a.), Bidirectional effects of internet-specific parenting practices and compulsive social media and internet game rules, Journal of Behavioral Addictions 2018, 624-632.
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 32 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas addictive design can be seen to have a negative impact on everyone, not just individuals showing problematic usage patterns; whereas addictive design, especially of smartphones and social media, makes it hard to focus on the task in hand owing to distractions such as messages and notifications constantly disrupting peoples’ concentration, even at school or while driving; whereas the addictive design of online services leads to increased pressure to perform and social pressure to be permanently online and connected, increasing the risk of stress and burnout; whereas consumers online are increasingly confronted with an information overload and excessive sensorial stimuli throughout the day, constraining their cognitive ability, and user interfaces offer only limited control over their data; whereas the time people spend behind screens is time not spent being physically active, moving, being outside, or shutting down and relaxing, all of which are associated with physical and mental well-being; whereas adolescents who spend a small amount of time on electronic communication are generally the happiest; whereas people that stop using social media for a week experience significant improvements in well-being;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 45 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I.whereas social media is evolving at lightning speed and more and continuous research is needed into the impact of social media on society and the health of users, especially minors; whereas addictive practices have been empirically studied and widely documented and include design features such as ‘infinite scroll’, ‘pull-to-refresh’ page reload, ‘never ending auto-play’ video features, personalised recommendations, ‘recapture notifications’, meaning notifications to regain users’ attention after leaving a service or app, ‘playing by appointment’ at certain moments during the day, design leading to ‘time fog’ causing a diluted perception of time or ‘fake social notifications’ creating the illusion of updates within the user’s social circle online, whereas such features are often to be found in conjunction with personalised elements and manipulate consumers into spending more time on these platforms; whereas other persuasive design features are elements aresuch as the ‘like-button’, ‘read- receipt functions’, ‘is typing’ displays, but also the number of followers collected on a platform, the colours platforms use, interaction-based recommendations and personalisation of content, push notifications and time restrictions of content, such as temporarily available stories; whereas social media is evolving at lightning speed and more and continuous research is needed into the impact of social media on society and the health of users, especially minors;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 49 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas recommender systems, which are based both on personalisation and on interaction such as clicks and likes, represent an important persuasive, addictive or behavioural design feature; whereas such recommender systems are solely aimed at keeping users on the platform and cause harm both to them and society at large; whereas the Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065), applicable as of 17 February 2024, has introduced important transparency obligations regarding recommendation systems used by online platforms that also enable users to make more conscious choices in their use of online services; whereas the AI Regulation currently on the negotiating table may provide a further opportunity to regulate manipulative social-media practices through algorithms; whereas legislative consistency must always be ensured;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 52 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K
K. whereas the addictive design features outlined above cannot be solved simply by imposing time-limits on online services, as this approach shifts the burden onto the individual instead of addressing the core issue of the intentionally addictive design of online services for profit; whereas none of the ‘solutions’ platforms have implementedit is nevertheless crucial to focus on media literacy, awareness and self- regulation; whereas not all social media can be lumped together and initiatives do exist to varying degrees within the industry to work towards a more ethical design; whereas, however, these initiatives have not led to a serious change or decrease in usain usage of certain very large of online serviceplatforms; whereas teenagers do not readily accept parental regulation of their social media use and often find it easy to bypass any technical constraints imposed; whereas thorough policies are needed to protect minors from addictive behavioral design on social media, in which context thought needs to be given to introducing an obligation for internet service providers and manufacturers of Internet-enabled devices to provide user-friendly parental controls, more conclusive monitoring systems as well as a general digital platform which parents and educators can consult for information about the dangers of excessive internet use and how to communicate about the issue with children and young people;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 57 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L
L. whereas the Digital Services Act (DSA) introduces provisions against the use of ‘dark patterns’ but these are limited to choice architecture and influences choices and do not address behavioural design that is addictive per se, moreover they are limited in scope as they only apply to online platforms, not to all online services; whereas the Digital Services Act also introduced important transparency obligations regarding recommendation systems used by online platforms that also enable users to make more conscious choices when using online platforms; whereas the AI Act4 seeks to ban AI systems that deploy subliminal features but is limited to systems that ‘are purposefully manipulative or deploy deceptive techniques’; whereas this AI Regulation currently on the negotiating table may provide a further opportunity to regulate manipulative social-media practices through algorithms; whereas legislative consistency must always be ensured; _________________ 4 Proposal for a regulation laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (artificial intelligence act) (COM(2021)0206).
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 64 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas it is crucial to have a broad and open debate on desirable policy options with regard to the addictive design of online services, involving all stakeholders, including policy makers, academics and researchers from a wide range of disciplines, industry and both adult and youth users;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 70 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Is alarmed that certain platforms and other tech companies exploit psychological vulnerabilities to design digital interfaces for commercial interests that maximise the frequency and duration of user visits, so as to prolong the use of online services and to create engagement with the platform; stresses that addictive design can cause psychological, physical and material harm to consumers; calls on the Commission to urgenexamine and, where necessary, adequately and promptly close existing regulatory gaps with regard to consumer vulnerabilities, dark patterns and addictive features of digital services;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 76 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that despite itsthe legislative efforts in the digital field, such as the DSA or the AI Act, it needs to be ascertained whether the issue of addictive design is not sufficiently coveraddressed in existing and pending EU legislation, and if unaddressed could lead to further deterioration; considers that in the areabsence of pubolic health, especially affecting minors; considers that if the topic gets further delayed, Parliament should use its right of legislative initiativey initiatives in this regard, Parliament should take the lead;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 82 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to present legislation against addictive designexamine whether and what policy initiatives are necessary and appropriate to address addictive design of online services; urges the Commission in its review of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive5 (UCPD), Consumer Rights Directive6 and Unfair Contract Terms Directive7 (Fitness check) to pay particular attention to and tackle the growing issues around the addictive and manipulative design of online services; calls for this to be done while ensuring legislative consistency; _________________ 5 Directive 2005/29/EC of 11 May 2005 concerning unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the internal market (OJ L 149, 11.6.2005, p. 22). 6 Directive 2011/83/EU of 25 October 2011 on consumer rights (OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p. 64). 7 Council Directive 93/13/EEC of 5 April 1993 on unfair terms in consumer contracts (OJ L 95, 21.4.1993, p. 29).
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 89 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that the Commission study on unfair commercial practices in the digital environment has found that transparency provisions against dark patterns and manipulative personalisation practices both for average and vulnerable consumers are insufficient to counter the negative consequences; calls on the Commission to prohibit examine whether most harmful practices, which are not yet blacklisted in Annex I of the UCPD or other EU legislation exist, and to impose a fair/neutral design obligation on tradersascertain whether these practices need to be prohibited;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 93 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that the Commission assessment on taxonomies of dark patterns clarifies that certain addictive design features are not taken into account in the current legislation, including the infinite scroll and the default auto play function present in services such as YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify; stresses that other addictive design features such as interaction-based recommender systems, constant push notifications or read receipt notifications are not covered by existing legislation either; welcomes the fact that the Digital Services Act requires online platforms to be transparent about the key parameters used in their recommendation systems and, where different options are available for recommendation systems that determine the order of information displayed, also to provide a function that allows users to select and change their preferred option at any time; recalls that the Commission in its Guidance on the interpretation of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive expressed concern over uncertainty regarding the rules applicable to addictive interface designs;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 101 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for a bann examination to be carried out into the desirability of a ban for under-16s on interaction-based recommender systems, in particular hyper- personalised systems that are designed to be addictive and keep users on the platform as long as possible rather than to serve users information in a more neutral manner; further calls for an examination of whether and to what extent an obligation not to use interaction-based recommendation systems 'by default' is desirable, while allowing the user to choose such a recommendation system in any case, potentially with a mandatory accompanying warning of the dangers of this system; underlines that it is evident from whistle-blowers’ testimonies that safer alternative recommender systems are possible, such as those based on chronological order, those with more real user control over the content is displayed or those based on more secure settings, but that these alternatives are less profitable for social-media platforms;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 108 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Demands that, in its legislation on addictive design, the Commission puts forward consideration be given to a digital ‘right not to be disturbed’ including design that would turn all attention seeking features off by default; where the user can choose to activate such features, possibly with an attached mandatory warning of the potential dangers of such features;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 111 #

2023/2043(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Urges the Commission to promote and ensure ethical design of online services and examine where and what policy initiatives are needed; calls on the Commission to create a list of good practices of design features that are not addictive or manipulative and ensure users are fully in control and can take conscious and informed actions online without facing an information overload; stresses that policy actions in this area should not place a burden on consumers but address the harm caused by the businesses; notes the best practices of ‘think before you share’, turning all notifications off by default, more neutral online recommendations, such as those based on chronological order or increased user-control, up-front choice between colour and greyscale apps, or warnings when users have spent more than 15 minutes or 30 minutes on a specific service, an automatic locking of certain online services when minors have used that service for a given period of time, with a PIN code being required to continue use, a restriction on the times during which minors can use certain online services, or weekly summaries of total screen time, further broken down by online service;
2023/09/22
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 23 #

2023/0129(COD)

Proposal for a Regulation
Recital 3
(3) The possibility of using compulsory licences as a last resort in situations of national emergency or other circumstances of extreme urgency is explicitly envisaged under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (‘TRIPS Agreement’)3 if an unsuccessful attempt has been made to acquire a voluntary licence at reasonable terms and conditions and within a reasonable period of time. __________________ 3 OJ L 336, 23.12.1994, p. 214
2023/10/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 36 #

2023/0129(COD)

Proposal for a Regulation
Recital 29
(29) A Union compulsory licence issued as a last resort in the context of a Union crisis or emergency mechanism should only be granted to supply the internal market with crisis- relevant products. Therefore, it should be prohibited to export products manufactured under a Union compulsory licence.
2023/10/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 38 #

2023/0129(COD)

Proposal for a Regulation
Recital 30
(30) Customs authorities should ensure, through a risk analysis approach, that products manufactured under a Union compulsory license are not exported. To identify such products, the main source of information to feed such customs risk- analysis should be the Union compulsory license itself. Information on each implementing act granting or modifying a Union compulsory license should thus be entered in the Electronic Customs Risk Management System (CRMS) referred to in Article 36 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/244710 . When customs authorities identify a product that is suspected not to comply with the export prohibition, they should suspend the export of that product and notify the Commission immediately. The Commission should reach a conclusion on the compliance with the export prohibition preferably within 10 working days, but should also have the possibility of requiring the customs authorities to maintain the suspension where necessary. To help its assessment the Commission mayshould consult the relevant rights-holder. Where the Commission concludes that a product does not comply with the export prohibition, customs authorities should refuse its export. __________________ 10 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 of 24 November 2015 laying down detailed rules for implementing certain provisions of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code (OJ L 343, 29.12.2015, p. 558).
2023/10/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2023/0129(COD)

Proposal for a Regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3
3. Where customs authorities identify a product that may fall under the prohibition laid down in Article 11, they shall suspend its export. Customs authorities shall immediately notify the Commission of the suspension and provide it with all relevant information to enable it to establish whether the product was manufactured under a Union compulsory license. To assess whether the suspended products correspond to the Union compulsory license, the Commission mayshall consult the relevant rights-holder.
2023/10/30
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) The net-zero transformation is already causing huge industrial, economic, and geopolitical shifts across the globe, which will become ever more pronounced as the world advances in its decarbonisation efforts. The road to net zero translates into strong opportunities for the expansion of Union’s net-zero industry, making use of the strength of the Single Market, by promoting investment in technologies in the field of renewable energy technologies, electricity and heat storage technologies, heat pumps, grid technologies, renewable fuels of non- biological origin technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, fusion, nuclear energy technologies including small modular reactors and related best-in-class fuels, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies, and energy-system related energy efficiency technologies and their supply chains, allowing for the decarbonisation of our economic sectors, from energy supply to transport, buildings, and industry. A strong net zero industry within the European Union can help significantly in reaching the Union’s climate and energy targets effectively, as well as in supporting other Green Deal objectives, while creating jobs and growth.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 3 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) To achieve the 2030 objectives a particular focus is needed on some of the net-zero technologies, also in view their significant contribution towards the path to net zero by 2050. These technologies include solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, nuclear energy technologies, onshore and offshore renewable technologies, battery/storage technologies, heat pumps and geothermal energy technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, sustainable biogas/biomethane, carbon capture and storage technologies and grid technologies. These technologies play a key role in the Union’s open strategic autonomy, ensuring that citizens have access to clean, affordable, secure energy. Given their role, these technologies should benefit from even faster permitting procedures, obtain the status of the highest national significance possible under national law and benefit from additional support to crowd-in investments.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 8 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
(25) Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU already allow contracting authorities and entities awarding contracts through public procurement procedures to rely, in addition to price or cost, on additional criteria for identifying the most economically advantageous tender. Such criteria concern for instance the quality of the tender including social, environmental and innovative characteristics. When awarding contracts for net-zero technology through public procurement, contracting authorities and contracting entities should duly assess the tenders’ contribution to sustainability and resilience in relation to a series of indicative criteria relating to the tender’s environmental sustainability, innovation, system integration and to resilience.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 14 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
(28) For the purposes ofThe sustainability and resilience contribution takingen into account within ain public procurement procedure of the need to diversify sources of supply of net-zero technologies away from single sources of supply within the meaning of Article 19 (2), and without prejudice to the Union’s international commitments, the supply should at least be deemed insufficiently diversified where a singleof strategic net-zero technology focuses, with regard to the resilience criterion, on security of supply, in particular on diversification of sources of supplies for more than 65% of the demand for a specific net-zero technology within the Uniony, without prejudice to the Union’s international commitments.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 18 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28 a (new)
(28a) The tender’s contribution to sustainability and resilience are in no way to be used by contracting authorities or contracting entities to favour national suppliers over suppliers from other EU Member States.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 25 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31 a (new)
(31a) The European industrial agenda is not protectionist. The EU must be and remain the guardian of rules-based trade. The motto is ‘to protect without protectionism’: protecting our people, jobs and industry, without being protectionist. We act decisively against dumping in our internal market and do not tolerate unfair competition. At the same time, the EU closely monitors the proper functioning of the internal market and ensures there is a level playing field.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 32 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) Regarding external aspects, in particular regarding emerging markets and developing economies, the EU will seek win-win partnerships in the framework of its Global Gateway strategy, which contribute to the diversification of its raw materials supply chain as well as to partner countries’ efforts to pursue twin transition and develop local value addition. These partnerships should be underpinned by ambitious trade and investments agreements, international partnerships concerning net-zero technologies or the Cleantech Alliance.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
(41) Where private investment alone is not sufficient, the effective roll-out of net- zero manufacturing projects may require public support in the form of State aid. Such aid must have an incentive effect and be necessary, appropriate and proportionate. The existing State aid guidelines that have recently undergone an in-depth revision in line with the twin transition objectives provide ample possibilities to support investments for projects in the scope of this Regulation subject to certain conditions. Member States can have an important role in easing access to finance for net-zero technologies manufacturing projects by addressing market failures through targeted State aid support. The Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) adopted on 9 March 2023 aims at ensuring a level playing field within the internal market, targeted to those sectors where a third- country delocalisation risk has been identified, and proportionate in terms of aid amounts. It would enable Member States to put in place measures to support new investments in production facilities in defined, strategic net-zero sectors, including via tax benefits. The permitted aid amount can be modulated with higher aid intensities and aid amount ceilings if the investment is located in assisted areas, in order to contribute to the goal of convergence between Member States and regionsshould in no way distort the level playing field within the internal market and aid amounts should be strictly proportionate. Appropriate conditions are required to verify the concrete risks of diversion of the investment outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and that there is no risk of relocation within the EEA, especially to the detriment of small(er) and less wealthy Member States. To mobilise national resources for that purpose, Member States may use a share of the ETS revenues that Member States have to allocate for climate-related purposes. The EU closely monitors and evaluates the impact and consequences of this temporary framework, particularly as regards the proper functioning of the internal market. A distortion of the proper functioning of the internal market cannot in any way be overcome by a European fund. Taking on new European debt is out of the question.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 35 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
(47) A European Sovereignty Fund would provide a structural answer to the investment needs, but no new European debt will be taken on for this. It will help preserving a European edge on critical and emerging technologies relevant to the green and digital transitions, including net- zero technologies. This structural instrument will build on experience of coordinated multi-country projects under the IPCEIs and seek to enhance all Member States’ access to such projects, thereby safeguarding cohesion and the Single Market against risks caused by unequal availability of State Aid. The temporary flexibility provided by the State aid rules should not in any way interfere with the level playing field within the internal market and be used as justification for new European debt. The unity of the internal market and the equality of Member States must be closely monitored, with a particular focus on small(er) Member States.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 36 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 52
(52) In order to reduce complexity and increase efficiency and transparency, project promoters of net-zero technologies manufacturing projects should be able to interact with a single national or federal authority responsible for coordinating the entire permit granting process and issuing a comprehensive decision within the applicable time limit. To that end, Member States should designate a single national competent authority or one competent authority per federal State, in line with the basic constitutional structures of the Member States as guaranteed by Article 4(2) TEU. Depending on a Member State’s internal organisation, it should be possible for the tasks of the national or federal competent authority to be delegated to a different authority, subject to the same conditions. To ensure the effective implementation of their responsibilities, Member States should provide their national or federal competent authorityies, or any authority acting on their behalf, with sufficient personnel and resources.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 37 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 63 a (new)
(63a) Far from choosing the path of state dirigisme, the European Union recognises the need for supple governments that create a stable legal framework that provides legal certainty to businesses and encourages investment. Competitiveness and completion of the internal market, including a capital union, are two absolute policy priorities. There is also a need for a further shift in the EU budget, allocating more resources for innovation, research and development. The EU needs a proactive welfare and jobs agenda, which also benefits open economies.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 38 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 66
(66) Building on previous experiences, such as the EU Pact for Skills and the European Battery Alliance, European Net- Zero Industry Academies should support the Member States in developing and deploying education and training content to upskill and reskill workers required for key net-zero technology value chains, such as solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, renewable hydrogen technologies and raw materials. The academies would aim to enable the training and education of 100.000 learners each, within three years of their establishment, to contribute to the availability of skills required for the net-zero technologies, including in small and medium-sized enterprises. That content should be developed and deployed with education and training providers in Member States, relevant Member States authorities and social partners. Education and training providers, industry and other actors involved in up- and reskilling in the Member States, such as Public Employment Services, should deliver the content produced by the academiesEducation and training providers, industry, social partners and other actors involved in up- and reskilling in the Member States, such as Public Employment Services, should develop and deploy the content. To this end, European academia shall support Member States and fully respect Member States’ competences as regards (vocational) training, in accordance with Articles 165 and 166 TFEU. To ensure skills transparency and portability and the mobility of workers, the European Net- Zero Industry Academies will develop and deploy credentials, including micro- credentials, covering learning achievements. They should be issued in the format of European credentials for learning and could be integrated in EUROPASS and, where relevant, included in National Qualifications Frameworks. Member States are encouraged to support the continuous reskilling and upskilling offered via the academies and the relevant education and training providers in their territories through national programmes and Union funding, including from the European Social Fund Plus, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the European Regional Development Fund, the Just Transition Mechanism, the Modernisation Fund and the Technical Support Instrument. The Net-Zero Europe Platform should assist in guiding the work of the Academies and providing oversight.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 39 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 68
(68) Where the learning programmes developed by the European net-zero industry academies lead to credentials that would be of assistance to persons seeking access to a profession that is regulated, Member States should, in order to facilitate the mobility in strategic net-zero industry professions and when they deem there to be equivalence, accept these credentials as sufficient proof of the knowledge, skills and competences to which they attest.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 40 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation establishes the framework of measures for innovating and scaling up the manufacturing capacity of net-zerocurrent and future net-zero technologies and energy efficiency technologies in the Union to support the Union’s 2030 target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % relative to 1990 levels and the Union’s 2050 climate neutrality target, as defined by Regulation (EU) 2021/1119, and to ensure the Union’s access to a secure and sustainable supply of net-zero technologies needed to safeguard the resilience of the Union’s energy system and to contribute to the creation of quality jobs.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 41 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The Commission shall regularly review the list of net-zero and strategic net-zero technologies, and do so at least every two years. It shall focus in that regard on the contribution of technologies to the EU’s objectives in the areas of transition to climate neutrality, energy efficiency, sustainability, environmental protection and circular economy.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 43 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) ‘net-zero technologies’ means renewable energy technologies66; electricity and heat storage technologies; heat pumps; grid technologies; renewable fuels of non-biological origin technologies; sustainable alternative fuels technologies67; electrolysers and fuel cells; advanced technologies to produce energy from nuclear processes with minimal waste from the fuel cycle, small modular reactors,nuclear-energy technologies and related best-in-class fuels; carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies; and energy-system related energy efficiency technologies. They refer to the final products, specific components and specific machinery primarily used for the production of those products. They shall have reached a technology readiness level of at least 8. __________________ 66 ‘renewable energy' means ‘renewable energy’ as defined in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources 67 ‘sustainable alternative fuels’ means fuels covered by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport, COM/2021/561 final and by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and Council on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport COM/2021/562 final.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 46 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. By …[3 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation], Member States shall designate one national competent authority or one authority per competent federal state which shall be responsible for facilitating and coordinating the permit-granting process for net-zero technology manufacturing projects, including for net-zero strategic projects, and to provide advice on reducing administrative burden in line with Article 5.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 47 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The national or federal competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 shall be the sole point of contact for the project promoter in the permit-granting process leading to a comprehensive decision for a given project and shall coordinate the submission of all relevant documents and information.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 48 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. The responsibilities of the national or federal competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 or the tasks related to it may be delegated to, or carried out by, another authority, for any given project, provided that:
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 49 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 5
5. The national or federal competent authority shall take into consideration any valid studies conducted, and permits or authorisations issued, for a given project before the project entered the permit-granting process in accordance with this Article and shall not require duplicate studies and permits or authorisations, unless otherwise required under Union law.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 49 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) The net-zero transformation is already causing huge industrial, economic, and geopolitical shifts across the globe, which will become ever more pronounced as the world advances in its decarbonisation efforts. The road to net zero translates into strong opportunities for the expansion of Union’s net-zero industry, making use of the strength of the Single Market, by promoting investment in technologies in the field of renewable energy technologies , electricity and heat storage technologies, heat pumps, grid technologies, renewable fuels of non- biological origin technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, fusion, small modular reactorstechnologies for nuclear energy and related best-in-class fuels, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies, and energy-system related energy efficiency technologies and their supply chains, allowing for the decarbonisation of our economic sectors, from energy supply to transport, buildings, and industry. A strong net zero industry within the European Union can help significantly in reaching the Union’s climate and energy targets effectively, as well as in supporting other Green Deal objectives, while creating jobs and growth.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 50 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 6
6. The national or federal competent authority shall ensure that applicants have easy access to information on and simple procedures for the settlement of disputes concerning the permit-granting process and the issuance of permits to construct or expand projects, including, where applicable, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 51 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7
7. Member States shall ensure that the national competent authority responsible for the entire permit-granting processes, including all procedural steps, has a sufficient number of qualified staff and sufficient financial, technical and technological resources necessary, including for up- and re-skilling, for the effective performance of its tasks under this Regulation.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 52 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 8
8. The Platform referred to in Article 28 and 29 shall periodically discuss the implementation of this Section and Articles 12 and 13 and share best-practices for organising national competent authorities and speeding up permitting procedures.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 54 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) To achieve the 2030 objectives a particular focus is needed on some of the net-zero technologies, also in view their significant contribution towards the path to net zero by 2050. These technologies include solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, technologies for nuclear energy, onshore and offshore renewable technologies, battery/storage technologies, heat pumps and geothermal energy technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, sustainable biogas/biomethane, carbon capture and storage technologies and grid technologies. These technologies play a key role in the Union’s open strategic autonomy, ensuring that citizens have access to clean, affordable, secure energy. Given their role, these technologies should benefit from even faster permitting procedures, obtain the status of the highest national significance possible under national law and benefit from additional support to crowd-in investments.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 56 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. Applications for recognition of net- zero technology projects as net-zero strategic projects shall be submitted by the project promoter to the relevant Member State. The Member State shall communicate the application to the European Commission, which shall provide relevant data and information to the Member State within one month and assist the Member State in the evaluation process.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 57 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) a concise business plan evaluating the financial viability of the project consistent with the objective of creating quality jobs. The Net-Zero Europe Platform shall provide a template for the business plan.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 57 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) The Union has helped build a global economic system based on open, fair and rules-based trade, pushed for respecting and advancing social and environmental sustainability standards, and is fully committed to those values. The Union should build up international partnerships concerning net-zero technologies so as to enhance our competitiveness at a global level. A diversification of supply chains in these technologies will reduce our dependencies. The Union should engage with third countries in an open manner by pursuing an ambitious, sustainable trade policy (including tariff reductions, non- tariff barriers and regulatory cooperation), developing technical standards in net-zero technologies and promoting them in relevant (international) fora.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 58 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) An initial estimate of a timetable for the project so that it can be estimated when the project can contribute to the benchmark for domestic capacity or for CO2 storage.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 61 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 5
5. Where the Commission, following its assessment in accordance with paragraph 4, confirms the rejection of the application by the Member State, it shall notify the applicant of its conclusion in the form of a letter. The project promoter shall have the right to resubmit the application six months after the initial rejection if significant improvements have been made to the application, account having been taken of the comments made. Where the Commission differs in its assessment from the Member State, the Net-Zero Europe Platform shall discuss the project in question.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 74 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The tender’s sustainability and resilience contribution shall be based ontake account of the following cumulindicative criteria which shall be objective, transparent and non- discriminatory:
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 78 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31 a (new)
(31a) The European industrial agenda is not protectionist. The EU must be and remain the guardian of rules-based trade. The guiding principle is 'to protect without protectionism': to protect our people, jobs and industry, without being protectionist. We take firm action against dumping and do not tolerate unfair competition. At the same time, the EU closely monitors the proper functioning and global level playing field.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 82 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
(39) As indicated in the Communication on the Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age, published on 1 February 2023, the Union’s industry’s market shares are under strong pressure, due to subsidies in third countries which undermine a global level playing field. This translates in a need for a rapid and ambitious reaction from the Union in modernising its legal framework. In addition, to maintain competitiveness at a global level and assume a leadership role in technology development and strongly anchor the industry in the net-zero age, it is essential that the EU invests in research and innovation, in efficient and interconnected infrastructures, in automation, in digitization, as well as in energy- and resource-efficiency. Notably, attaching particular attention to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be a crucial component for achieving success.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 85 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) the tender’s contribution to resilience, taking into account the proportion of the products originating from a single source of supply, as determined in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council72, from which more than 65% of the supply for that specific net-zero technology within the Union originates in the last year for which data is available for when the tender takes place. __________________ 72 Regulation (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). and security of supply, in particular diversification of supply channels
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 97 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 52
(52) In order to reduce complexity and increase efficiency and transparency, project promoters of net-zero technologies manufacturing projects should be able to interact with a single national or regional authority responsible for coordinating the entire permit granting process and issuing a comprehensive decision within the applicable time limit. To that end, Member States should designate a single national or regional competent authority in line with their constitutional organisation, as enshrined in article 4, paragraph 2, TEU. Depending on a Member State’s internal organisation, and allowed by their constitutional organisation it should be possible for the tasks of the national or regional competent authority s to be delegated to a different authority, subject to the same conditions. To ensure the effective implementation of their responsibilities, Member States should provide their national or regional competent authority, or any authority acting on their behalf, with sufficient personnel and resources.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 104 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The tender’s contribution to sustainability and resilience shall in no way be used by contracting authorities or contracting entities to favour national suppliers over suppliers from other Member States.
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 105 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 63 a (new)
(63a) The absence of progress towards the objectives may indicate the need for adopting additional measures. The Commission should therefore monitor the progress towards those objectives. The Commission should also monitor the international context influencing the implementation of this Regulation referred to in recital 39.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 118 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) developWhile fully respecting Member State competences as regards (vocational) training in accordance with Articles 165 and 166 TFEU, Member States shall support the development of learning programmes, content and learning and training materials for training and education on developing, producing, installing, commissioning, operating, maintaining and recycling net- zero technologies, on raw materials, as well as to support the capacities of public authorities competent to issue permits and authorisations referred to in Chapter II and contracting authorities referred to in Chapter IV of this Regulation;
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 121 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 5
(5) facilitate the development of European occupation profiles consisting of a common set of knowledge, skills and competences for key professions in the net-zero technologies, drawing inter alia upon the learning programmes developed by the European Net-Zero Industry Academies, and, where appropriate, using the terminology provided by the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) classification to facilitate transparency and mobility between jobs and across internal market borders;deleted
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 127 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 2
2. The modalities and the conditions for the establishment and operation of the net-zero regulatory sandboxes under this Regulation shall be adopted through implementing acts in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 36. The modalities and conditions shall to the extent possible support flexibility for national competent authorities to establish and operate their Net-zero regulatory sandboxes, foster innovation and regulatory learning and shall particularly take into account the special circumstances and capacities of participating SMEs, including start-ups. The implementing acts referred to in paragraph 3 shall include common main principles on the following issues: (a) participation in the net-zero regulatory sandboxes; (b) participation, monitoring, exiting from and termination of the net-zero regulatory sandboxes, including the sandbox plan and the exit report; (c) the terms and conditions applicable to the participants.deleted eligibility and selection for procedure for the application,
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 132 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The Commission shall regularly, and every two years at least, review and update the list/annex of "net-zero technologies" and "strategic technologies" by means of delegated acts, with active industry involvement. The Commission shall focus on the contribution of the technology to the EU's goals of transition to climate neutrality, energy efficiency, sustainability, environmental protection and circular economy. The Commission shall mandate the Net-Zero Europe Platform to establish a clear set of criteria for selecting “net- zero technologies” and “strategic net-zero technologies’’ that enable the net-zero transition.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 138 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) ‘net-zero technologies’ means renewable energy technologies66 ; electricity and heat storage technologies; heat pumps; grid technologies; renewable fuels of non-biological origin technologies; sustainable alternative fuels technologies67 ; electrolysers and fuel cells; advanced technologies to produce energy from nuclear processes with minimal waste from the fuel cycle, small modular reactors,nuclear energy and related best- in-class fuels; carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies; and energy- system related energy efficiency technologies and enabling technologies. They refer to the final products, specific components and specific machinery primarily used for the production of those products. They shall have reached a technology readiness level of at least 8. _________________ 66 ‘renewable energy' means ‘renewable energy’ as defined in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources 67 ‘sustainable alternative fuels’ means fuels covered by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport, COM/2021/561 final and by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and Council on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport COM/2021/562 final.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 141 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) ‘component’ means a smallnufactured part of a net-zero technology that is manufactured and traded by a company starting from processed materialsend-product;
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 142 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I a (new)
9. Energy efficiency technologies
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 143 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I b (new)
10. Nuclear energy
2023/06/02
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 153 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. By …[3 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation], Member States shall designate one national or regional competent authority which shall be responsible for facilitating and coordinating the permit-granting process for net-zero technology manufacturing projects, including for net-zero strategic projects, and to provide advice on reducing administrative burden in line with Article 5.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 157 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The national or regional competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 shall be the sole point of contact for the project promoter in the permit-granting process leading to a comprehensive decision for a given project and shall coordinate the submission of all relevant documents and information.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 160 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. The responsibilities of the national or regional competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 or the tasks related to it may be delegated to, or carried out by, another authority, for any given project, provided that:
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 168 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 6
6. The national or regional competent authority shall ensure that applicants have easy access to information on and simple procedures for the settlement of disputes concerning the permit-granting process and the issuance of permits to construct or expand projects, including, where applicable, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 171 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7
7. Member States shall ensure that the national or regional competent authority responsible for the entire permit-granting processes, including all procedural steps, has a sufficient number of qualified staff and sufficient financial, technical and technological resources necessary, including for up- and re-skilling, for the effective performance of its tasks under this Regulation.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 174 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 8
8. The Platform referred to in Article 28 and 29 shall periodically discuss the implementation of this Section and Articles 12 and 13 and share best-practices for organising national or regional competent authorities and speeding up permitting procedures.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 275 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) organise awareness raising activities about the Act’s objectives in general and in particular about the participation to the regulatory sandboxes by small and medium enterprises;
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 281 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The Platform shall advise the Commission in defining clear criteria for selecting future technologies that enable the net-zero transition.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 310 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1
1. The Platform shall be composed Member States and of, the Commission and will regularly consult relevant industry stakeholders . It shall be chaired by a representative of the Commission.
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 339 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I a (new)
9. Technologies for energy efficiency
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 340 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I b (new)
10. Nuclear energy
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 341 #

2023/0081(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I c (new)
11. Enabling technologies
2023/06/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 85 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
(20) In order to reduce complexity and increase efficiency and transparency in permitting process, project promoters of critical raw materials projects should be able to interact with a single national or regional authority, which is responsible for facilitating and coordinating the entire permit granting process and in the case of Strategic Projects shall issue a comprehensive decision within the applicable time limit. To that end, Member States should designate a single national or regional competent authority. Where needed in light of a Member State's internal organisation, the tasks of the nat in line with their constitutional organisation, as enshrined in article 4, paragraph 2, TEU. Where needed in light of a Member State's internal organisation, and allowed by their constitutional organisation the tasks of the single national or regional competent authority should be able to be delegated to a different authority, subject to the same conditions. To ensure the effective implementation of its responsibilities, Member States should provide their national competent authority, or any authority acting on its behalf,ies with sufficient personnel and resources.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 86 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
(21) In order to ensure clarity about the permitting status of Strategic Projects and to limit the effectiveness of potential abusive litigation, while not undermining effective judicial review, Member States should ensure that any dispute concerning the permit granting process for Strategic Projects is resolved in a timely manner. To that end, national competent authorities should ensure that applicants and project promoters have access to simple dispute settlement procedure and that Strategic Projects are granted urgent treatment in all judicial and dispute resolution procedures relating to the projects. In addition, this regulation shall facilitate the exchange of best practices to resolve disputes, such as ad-hoc working groups under neutral arbiters to solve open issues.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 95 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
(38) In order to ensure that they are sufficiently prepared to face supply disruptions, large companies manufacturing strategic technologies in the Union usingoperating in sectors using a substantial share of strategic raw materials should audit their supply chains and report accordingly to their board of directors. This will ensure that they take into account the supply risks of strategic raw materials and develop appropriate mitigation strategies to be better prepared in the event of a supply disruption. Similarly, the large companies falling within this scope should run regular stress tests of their strategic raw materials supply chains to ensure that they consider all different scenarios that may affect their supply in the event of a disruption. These measures will lead to additional considerations being given to the costs of potential supply risks.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 114 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a – point iii a (new)
(iiia) As part of the report referred to in Article 1 paragraph 3, the Commission is required to publish its methodology for calculating and reporting on these benchmarks. Calculation and reporting should take into account the specific profile of each raw material, and any aggregation must apply a volume weighting factor to reflect tonnage differences.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 124 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. Where, based on theNot later than 6 months after publication of this regulation, the Commission is required to publish a report outlining its methodology for applying these benchmarks to each strategic raw material, quantifying the level of investment required per material and the main bottlenecks to be overcome. Where, based on this initial report or the additional three-year progress report referred to in Article 42, the Commission concludes that the Union is likely not to achieve the objectives set out in paragraph 2, it shall assess the feasibility and proportionality of proposing measures or exercising its powers at Union level in order to ensure the achievement of those objectives. Member States are also required to prepare national Raw Materials plans detailing their actions to contribute to the Critical Raw Materials Act benchmarks, for submitting to the European Commission by end-2025.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 127 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall take into account the objectives and benchmarks laid down in paragraph 2, point a(iii), as related Union priorities in all relevant EU legislation, including within the meaning of Article 5(4)(a)(i) of Regulation XX/XXXX [OP please insert: the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation], when preparing ecodesign requirements to improve the following product aspects: durability, reusability, reparability, resource use or resource efficiency, possibility of remanufacturing and recycling, recycled content and possibility of recovery of materials; and including within the REACH Regulation when defining measures for safe production and use of targeted strategic raw materials.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 136 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 19
(19) ‘permit granting process’ means a process covering all relevant administrative permits to plan, build and operate the Strategic Projects referred to in Article 5, including building, chemical and grid connection permits and environmental assessments and authorisations where these are required, and encompassing all administrative applications and procedures from the acknowledgment of the validity of the application to the notification of the comprehensive decision on the outcome of the procedure by the responsible national or regional competent authority referred to in Article 8(1);
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 137 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 20
(20) ‘comprehensive decisdecision on the permit application' means the decision or set of decisions taken by Member State authorities not including courts or tribunals that determines whether or not a project promoter is authorised to implementbuild and operate a raw material project, without prejudice to any decision taken in the context of an administrative appeal procedure;
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 144 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The raw materials listed in Annex I, Section 1 shall be considered strategic raw materials. For strategic raw materials that are a byproduct of other extraction or recycling processes, those main commodity operations shall also automatically qualify as strategic.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 185 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1
The Commission shall, taking account of the Board's opinion referred to in paragraph 4, adopt its decision on the recognition of the project as Strategic Project within 60 days and notify the applicant and the Member State or third country whose territory is concerned thereof.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 187 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 8
8. Where the Commission finds that a Strategic Project no longer fulfils the criteria set out in Article 5(1) or where its recognition was based on an application containing incorrect information, it may, taking into account the opinion of the Board and the responsible project promoter, repeal the decision granting a project the status of Strategic Project. The Commission shall provide justifications for its decision.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 202 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. By [OP please insert: 39 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation], Member States shall designate one national or regional competent authority which shall be responsible for facilitating and coordinating the permit- granting process for critical raw material projects and provideing information on the elements referred to in Article 17.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 203 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. The national or regional competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 shall be the sole point of contact for the project promoter in the permit granting process leading to a comprehensive decision for a given critical raw material project and shall coordinate the submission of all relevant documents and information.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 205 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. The responsibilities of the national or regional competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 or the tasks related to it may be delegated to, or carried out by, another authority, for each critical raw material projects, provided that:
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 207 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) the national or regional competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 notifies the project promoter of that delegation;
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 209 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 5
5. The national or regional competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 shall take into consideration any valid studies conducted and permits or authorisations issued for a given critical raw material project before the project entered the permit granting process in accordance with this Article, and shall not require duplicate studies and permits or authorisations, unless otherwise required under Union law.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 211 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 6
6. The national or regional competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 shall ensure that applicants have easy access to information on and simple procedures for the settlement of disputes concerning the permit granting process and the issuance of permits for critical raw materials projects, including, where applicable, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. The Board shall share and discuss best practices including from other relevant mining regions ensuring structured and predictable formats.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 213 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 7
7. Member States shall ensure that the national or regional competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 has a sufficient number of qualified staff and sufficient financial, technical and technological resources necessary, including for up- and re-skilling, for the effective performance of its tasks under this Regulation.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 216 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 8 – point b
(b) where relevant, propose to the Commission guidelines for the implementation of this Section to be taken into account by national or regional competent authorities referred to in paragraph 1.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 217 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3
3. In exceptional cases, where the nature, complexity, location or size of the proposed project so require, the national competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) may extend the time limits referred to in paragraph 1, point (a), and 2, point (a), by a maximum of 3 months and the time limits referred to in paragraph 1, point (b), and 2, point (b), by a maximum of 1 month, before their expiry and on a case- by-case basis. In that event, the national or regional competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) shall inform the project promoter of the reasons justifying the extension and of the date when the comprehensive decisdecision on the permit application is expected in writing.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 218 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
No later than one month following the receipt of a permit granting application related to a Strategic Project, the national or regional competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) shall validate the application or, if the project promoter has not sent all the information required to process an application, request the project promoter to submit a complete application within fourteen days from this request.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 219 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
The date of the acknowledgement of the validity of the application by the national or regional competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) shall serve as the start of the permit granting process.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 220 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 6
6. No later than one month following the date of the acknowledgement of the validity of the permit granting application, the national or regional competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) shall draw up, in close cooperation with the project promoter and other authorities concerned, a detailed schedule for the permit granting process. The schedule shall be published by either the project promoter on the website referred to in Article 7(7) or by the national or regional competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) on a free access website.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 222 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Where an environmental impact assessment must be carried out for a Strategic Project in accordance with Articles 5 to 9 of Directive 2011/92/EU, the relevant project promoter shall request an opinion to the national or regional competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) on the scope and level of detail of the information to be included in the environmental impact assessment report under Article 5(1) of that Directive.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 224 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The national or regional competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) shall ensure that the opinion referred to in the first subparagraph is issued as soon as possible and within a period of time not exceeding 360 days from the date on which the project promoter submitted its request.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 226 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
In the case of Strategic Projects for which the obligation to carry out assessments of the effects on the environment arises simultaneously from Council Directive 92/43/EEC, Directives 2000/60/EC, 2008/98/EC, 2009/147/EC 2010/75/EU, 2011/92/EU or 2012/18/EU of the European Parliament and the Council, the national or regional competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) shall ensure that a coordinated or a joint procedure fulfilling the requirements of that Union legislation is applied.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 228 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Under the coordinated procedure referred to in the first subparagraph, the national or regional competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) shall coordinate the various individual assessments of the environmental impact of a particular project required by the relevant Union legislation.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 230 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Under the joint procedure referred to in the first subparagraph, the national or regional competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) shall provide for a single assessment of the environmental impact of a particular project required by the relevant Union legislation.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 232 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3
3. The national or regional competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) shall ensure that the authorities concerned issue the reasoned conclusion referred to in Article 1(2), point (g)(iv) of Directive 2011/92/EU on the environmental impact assessment of a Strategic Project within three months of receiving all necessary information gathered pursuant to Articles 5, 6 and 7 of that Directive and completing the consultations referred to in Articles 6 and 7 of that Directive.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 259 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
The competent authorities of the Member States shall make the information on their mineral occurrences containing critical raw materials gathered through the measures set out in the national programmes referred to in paragraph 1 publicly available on a free access website. This information shall, where applicable, include the classification of the identified occurrences using the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 286 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall identify the large companies that manufacture strategic technologies usingBased on publicly available statistical data, Member States shall identify sectors and the companies operating in these sectors using a share of 10% of the strategic raw materials consumed on their territory.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 288 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The strategic technologies referred to in the first subparagraph shall include, but are not limited to, batteries for energy storage and e-mobility, equipment related to hydrogen production and utilisation, equipment related to renewable energy generation, traction motors, heat pumps, data transmission and storage, mobile electronic devices, equipment related to additive manufacturing, robotics, drones, rocket launchers, satellites and advanced chips.deleted
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 339 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The Board shall periodically discussNo longer than 1 year after entry into force, the Board shall publish a strategy report on the EU’s strategic partnerships, outlining:
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 405 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 – point c
(c) once a year (1) in order to discuss the progress of the implementation of Member State obligations linked to exploration set out in Chapter 3, Section 4, including in light of updates to the lists of critical or strategic raw materials and (2) in order to monitor and report on the added value and cost-effectiveness of the provisions under this Regulation as regards encouraging CRM strategic projects, development of CRM circular economy, taking into account EU-level and national climate and energy policies and measures.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 419 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2
Where appropriate, the Board mayshall invite relevant economic operators, experts, other third parties or representatives of third countries to attend meetings of the standing or temporary sub- groups referred to in paragraph 6 as observers or to provide written contributions.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 430 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 42 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission shall provide a detailed methodology for the calculation of targets. The calculation of these targets shall be different for critical raw materials with existing domestic mining/refining/recycling capacities and for those with no current EU capacities. Individual targets should also be considered to take into account the level and evolution of domestic production and capacities.
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 431 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Section 1 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The following raw materials shall be considered strategic, including their respective carrier metals and minerals with which these strategic raw materials are extracted:
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 432 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Section 1 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) Boron - metallurgy grade
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 433 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Section 1 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) Lithium - battery grade
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 434 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Section 1 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) Manganese - battery grade
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 435 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Section 1 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) Natural Graphite - battery gradand synthetic Graphite
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 437 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Section 1 – paragraph 1 – point k
(k) Nickel - battery grade
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 439 #

2023/0079(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Section 1 – paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
(pa) Zinc
2023/06/08
Committee: INTA
Amendment 47 #

2022/2188(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Agrees with the Commission that the horizontal and product-specific rules in the TCA are satisfactory and that product- specific rules should not be revisited beyond technical adaptations, as these rules strike a fair balance while contributing to the Union’s overarching objective of achieving strategic autonomy in essential sectors; calls, however, for reasonable solutions to be found with regard to the upcoming changes to the rules of origin for electric vehicles, given the difficulties encountered by EU manufacturers in sourcing parts, in particular batteries, from within the EU; calls on the UK and the EU, as like-minded partners, to explore both bilaterally and within the WTO new avenues for cooperation on the supply of raw materials, energy, the development and standard setting of net-zero technologies and other global trade issuesf emerging technologies and other global trade issues; believes that the development of a EU macro-region for the North Sea would incite closer EU-UK cooperation in this respect;
2023/09/08
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 54 #

2022/2188(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Recalls that as a consequence of a separate sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulatory regime following its withdrawal from the EU, the UK is subject to all EU rules applicable to third countries not dynamically aligning with EU legislation; takes note of the fact that post-Brexit, the EU and UK remain important trading partners for agri-food products and that from January to October 2022, EU exports to the UK reached EUR 39.5 billion, a 15 % increase compared to 2021, while the UK was the third most important partner for the EU in terms of agri-food imports8 ; calls on the UK Government to considersupport an SPS agreement, as an alignment of this type would facilitate EU-UK agri-food trade, including trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland; _________________ 8 ‘Monitoring EU agri-food trade’, European Commission, Directorate- General for Agriculture and Rural Development, Brussels, 2022, https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/system/files /2023-01/monitoring-agri-food-trade- oct2022_en_1.pdf.
2023/09/08
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 56 #

2022/2188(INI)

23. Recalls that the TCA includes a chapter on the needs and interests of micro enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); acknowledges that the administrative burden associated with adapting to the new regime for trade under the TCA has impacted particularly heavily on these business, which have fewer resources to adapt to new trading arrangements; calls upon both parties to establish a SME contact point to help SMEs to facilitate trade and minimize administrative burden;
2023/09/08
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 57 #

2022/2188(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Commends the ongoing work of the Trade Partnership Committee and of the specialised and trade-specialised committees, and urges the parties to fully explore their potential as bilateral bodies established under the TCA, which can address all implementation issues in a direct manner; invites the Commission to continue the good practice of keeping the European Parliament fully and immediately informed of the ongoing work of and developments in these committees; incites both parties to also focus future works of the Trade Partnership Committee on topics discussed in the Trade and Technology Council the EU has established with the US on the one hand, and with India on the other;
2023/09/08
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 68 #

2022/2188(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Welcomes the amendment of the sunset clause in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill which was and remains a cause of concern, and stresses that the European Parliament will continue following the legislative developments in the UK in this regard; calls for the strengthening of EU-UK regulatory cooperation to minimise likely divergences; calls on the Commission to continue to closely monitor regulatory divergences in the UK, which could pose a risk of non-compliance with the TCA, notably in areas relevant to the level playing field such as subsidy control, taxation, labour and social standards, the environment and climate; considers, in this context, that the active involvement of the business, SME and industry associations, DAG and the Civil Society Forum provides a valuable contribution to the process; highlights the particular challenge that monitoring and managing regulatory divergence poses for Northern Ireland;
2023/09/08
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 5 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that the new Industrial Strategy was updated to reflect the lessons learned from COVID-19, and that this strategy will be key to enhancing EU competitiveness and overcoming future challenges; recalls that a strong governance system and market surveillance are essential in order to relaunch the single market; calls on the Commission to put the proper functioning of the internal market and its further deepening at the heart of its policies and focus on ensuring that the industrial strategy helps remove single market barriers and avoid further fragmentation; stresses that the COVID-19 crisis and the war in Ukraine have highlighted the urgent need for a unified European energy, capital, digital and services market to increase our resilience and prosperity;
2022/04/06
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 18 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls the uncoordinated restrictions that seriously disrupted the proper functioning of the internal market at the start of the pandemic and stresses that any form of protectionism must be avoided; regrets that protectionism in the EU has reared its head again; also draws attention to practices of de facto protectionism whereby the internal borders are de facto closed again for a number of goods, for example because retailers only want to sell products produced in their own country, with labels such as ‘produit de …’ or ‘made in …’; calls on the Commission to investigate these de facto obstacles and the role of public authorities in this regard and to take decisive action to put an end to these harmful practices;
2022/04/06
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 19 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Considers that the best relaunch measure is to complete the internal market; refers to estimates made by the European Commission that further improvements in the single market for industrial products could generate between EUR 183 billion and EUR 269 billion a year, while profits from further integration of services markets could reach EUR 297 billion a year, which alone would increase the economic benefits from 8-9% to around 12% of additional GDP; emphasises that the internal market is crucial for the competitiveness of the European Union and its businesses;
2022/04/06
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 32 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines the need to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs and industry by addressing supply risks, dependencies, disruptions and vulnerabilities, especially in the green and digital economies; stresses that effective public procurement will lead to more jobs, growth and innovative investmentpoints out that self-sufficiency is neither desirable nor feasible, but advocates diversification of supply chains, the creation of rolling strategic stocks and a policy that facilitates strategic re- and near-shoring; advocates openness in the world and defends the motto ‘to protect without protectionism’; stresses that effective public procurement will lead to more jobs, growth and innovative investments; encourages the EU to take as its starting point trust in people and businesses that are overwhelmingly bona fide and believes that the EU should guard against over-regulation and the imposition of unnecessarily heavy burdens on our businesses, especially our SMEs;
2022/04/06
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 45 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates the need to enhancestrengthen open European strategic autonomy by investing in skills, digital infrastructures and key technologies such as AI, cybersecurity, 5G and 6G, microprocessors and semiconductors, high-performance computing and quantum technologies; points to the continuing need for shifts in the EU budget with much more funding for research and development; advocates smart and targeted investments with a long-term vision, cooperation among Member States, and a focus on a few specific areas to ensure that a leading role can be played in the world; states that oversight of the resources used is crucial; emphasises the importance of improving the availability of data and advocates a unified European data market; believes that the EU should work together with the United States to achieve compatible digital standards;
2022/04/06
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 59 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls the commitments to increase R&D investments to 3 % of GDP and to develop a single market for research and innovation; regrets that the EU average for R&D investment is only just over 2%, which is far below the level in the United States, Japan, South Korea and Israel; stresses that increased investment in research and development is an absolute necessity if the EU is to remain competitive; underlines that industrial alliances and public-private partnerships are important to develop breakthrough technologies; calls on the Commission to ensure consistency and synergy in all initiatives, funding and regulatory instruments supporting industry; regrets that too much funding in the EU still goes to small, short-term, fragmented and even overlapping projects;
2022/04/06
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 78 #

2022/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Emphasises that European industrial policy must benefit all Member States and ensure that smaller Member States are not disadvantaged;
2022/04/06
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 20 #

2022/0068(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
(5 a) The Commission should keep both the Council and the Parliament informed in a timely manner and well in advance of developments that may lead to situations requiring the adoption of autonomous measures. Both the European Parliament and the Council should also be duly and timely informed of any event of non- cooperation and of the possible responses at the disposal of the Union to ensure a full and proper implementation of these Agreements, as well as the follow-up to any measures taken. The latter principle also applies in the event when urgent action is required.
2022/09/12
Committee: AFETINTAAFCO
Amendment 22 #

2022/0068(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) In order to ensure that this Regulation remains fit for purpose, the Commission should undertake, within fivthree years of its entry into force, a review of its scope and implementation and report its findings to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
2022/09/12
Committee: AFETINTAAFCO
Amendment 27 #

2022/0068(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the temporary suspension of the relevant preferential treatment of the product or products concerned as set out in Article 34 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement;
2022/09/12
Committee: AFETINTAAFCO
Amendment 28 #

2022/0068(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) remedial temporary measures as set out in Article 469 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement;
2022/09/12
Committee: AFETINTAAFCO
Amendment 29 #

2022/0068(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point l
(l) temporary measures restricting trade, investment or other activities within the scope of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, if adjudication is not possible because the United Kingdom is not taking the steps that are necessary for a dispute settlement procedure under that Agreement or the Withdrawal Agreement to function, including unduly delaying the proceedings amounting to non-cooperation in the process;
2022/09/12
Committee: AFETINTAAFCO
Amendment 32 #

2022/0068(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) where the measure consists of the temporary suspension of an obligation under any of the agreements referred to in Article 1(1), to impose restrictions on trade, investment or other activities within the scope of the agreement concerned which would otherwise be precluded by the suspended obligation.
2022/09/12
Committee: AFETINTAAFCO
Amendment 33 #

2022/0068(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Where appropriate, tThose implementing acts shall specify the duration of the adopted measures and be proportionate to the objectives pursued.
2022/09/12
Committee: AFETINTAAFCO
Amendment 36 #

2022/0068(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The measures to be adopted pursuant to paragraph 1 shall be determined on the basis of the following criteriatake into account the following criteria and any specific criteria established in those agreements in connection with the measures referred to in Article 1(2), in light of available information and of the Union's general interest:
2022/09/12
Committee: AFETINTAAFCO
Amendment 46 #

2022/0068(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall be empowered to amend, suspend or repeal the measures referred to in Article 1(2) by means of implementing acts. Where appropriate, tThose implementing acts shall specify the duration of the suspension.
2022/09/12
Committee: AFETINTAAFCO
Amendment 52 #

2022/0068(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4
4. Where there is a particular concern of one or more Member States, that or those Member States may request the Commission to adopt measures referred to in Article 1(2). If the Commission does not respond positively to such a request, it shall inform the European Parliament and the Council in a timely manner of its reasons.
2022/09/12
Committee: AFETINTAAFCO
Amendment 57 #

2022/0068(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 5
5. If, due to persisting significant divergences, rebalancing measures referred to in Article 1(2), point (c), of this Regulation last for more than a year, one or more Member States may request the Commission to activate the review clause provided for in Article 411 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Commission shall examine this request in a timely manner and shall consider seizing as appropriate the Partnership Council of that matter, in accordance with the provisions set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. If the Commission does not respond positively to such a request, it shall inform the European Parliament and the Council in a timely manner of its reasons.
2022/09/12
Committee: AFETINTAAFCO
Amendment 68 #

2022/0068(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
By [Publications Office: Please insert the date fivthree years after the entry into force of this Regulation], the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the application of this Regulation.
2022/09/12
Committee: AFETINTAAFCO
Amendment 43 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
(15) Companies should take appropriate steps to set up and carry out due diligence measures, with respect to their own operations, their subsidiaries, as well as their established direct and indirect business relationships throughoutin the first link of their valuesupply chains in accordance with the provisions of this Directive. This Directive should not require companies to guarantee, in all circumstances, that adverse impacts will never occur or that they will be stopped. For example with respect to business relationships where the adverse impact results from State intervention, the company might not be in a position to arrive at such results. Therefore, the main obligations in this Directive should be ‘obligations of means’. The company should take the appropriate measures which can reasonably be expected to result in prevention or minimisation of the adverse impact under the circumstances of the specific case. Account should be taken of the specificities of the company’s value chain,, the sector or the geographical area in which its value chain partners operate, the company’s power to influence its direct and indirect business relationships in the first link, and whether the company could increase its power of influence. In addition, this Directive adopts a risk- based approach, which means that companies can set priorities in their diligence activities based on a previous analysis, taking account in particular of the nature and extent of adverse impacts and the urgency and likelihood with which these effects arise.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 48 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
(17) Adverse human rights and environmental impact occur in companies’ own operations, subsidiaries, products, and in their value chains, in particular at the level of raw material sourcing, manufacturing, or at the level of product or waste disposal. In order for the due diligence to have a meaningful impact,to achieve effective and workable due diligence, in a first phase it should cover only human rights and environmental adverse impacts generated throughout the life-cycle of production and use and disposal of product or provision of services, at the level of own operations, subsidiaries and in valueby the first link in the supply chain. Following evaluation of the impact of this Directive, taking account in particular of the consequences for SMEs, the economy, human rights and the environment, it may be appropriate to broaden the due diligence requirements to further links in the supply chains.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 50 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) Intra-EU relationships should be excluded from the scope of this Directive, as very high standards already apply with respect to human rights and the environment in the EU.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 51 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
(18) The value chain should cover activities related to the production of a good or provision of services by a company, including the development of the product or the service and the use and disposal of the product as well as the related activities of established business relationships of the company. It should encompass upstream established direct and indirect business relationships that design, extract, manufacture, transport, store and supply raw material, products, parts of products, or provide services to the company that are necessary to carry out the company’s activities, and also downstream relationships, including established direct and indirect business relationships, that use or receive products, parts of products or services from the company up to the end of life of the product, including inter alia the distribution of the product to retailers, the transport and storage of the product, dismantling of the product, its recycling, composting or landfilling.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 56 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 19
(19) As regards rRegulated financial undertakings providing loan, credit, or other financial services, “value chain” with respect to the provision of such services should be limited to the activities of the clients should be excluded from the scope of this Direcetiving such servicese, ands the subsidiaries thereof whose activities are linked to the cony are already subject to straict in question. Clients that are households and natural persons not acting in a professional or business capacity, as well as small and medium sized undertakings, should not be considered to be part of the value chain. The activities of the companies or other legal entities that are included in the value chain of that client should not be coveredregulation in the field of sustainability.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 62 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 20
(20) In order to allow companies to properly identify the adverse impacts in their value chain and to make it possible for them to exercise appropriate leverage, the due diligence obligations should be limited in this Directive to established business relationships. For the purpose of this Directive, established business relationships should mean such direct and indirect business relationships which are, or which are expected to be lasting, in view of their intensity and duration and which do not represent a negligible or ancillary part of the value chain. The nature of business relationships as “established” should be reassessed periodically, and at least every 12 months. If the direct business relationship of a company is established, then all linked indirect business relationships should also be considered as established regarding that company.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 67 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 21
(21) Under this Directive, EU companies with more than 500 employees on average and a worldwide net turnover in the Union exceeding EUR 150 million in the financial year preceding the last financial year should be required to comply with due diligence. As regards companies which do not fulfil those criteria, but which had more than 250 employees on average and more than EUR 40 million worldwide net turnover in the Union in the financial year preceding the last financial year and which operate in one or more high-impact sectors, due diligence should apply 2 years after the end of the transposition period of this directive, in order to provide for a longer adaptation period. In order to ensure a proportionate burden, companies operating in such high- impact sectors should be required to comply with more targeted due diligence focusing on severe adverse impacts. Temporary agency workers, including those posted under Article 1(3), point (c), of Directive 96/71/EC, as amended by Directive 2018/957/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council103, should be included in the calculation of the number of employees in the user company. Posted workers under Article 1(3), points (a) and (b), of Directive 96/71/EC, as amended by Directive 2018/957/EU, should only be included in the calculation of the number of employees of the sending company. _________________ 103 Directive (EU) 2018/957 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 June 2018 amending Directive 96/71/EC concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services (OJ L 173, 9.7.2018, p. 16).
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 69 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 22
(22) In order to reflect the priority areas of international action aimed at tackling human rights and environmental issues, the selection of high-impact sectors for the purposes of this Directive should be based on existing sectoral OECD due diligence guidance. The following sectors should be regarded as high-impact for the purposes of this Directive: the manufacture of textiles, leather and related products (including footwear), and the wholesale trade of textiles, clothing and footwear; agriculture, forestry, fisheries (including aquaculture), the manufacture of food products, and the wholesale trade of agricultural raw materials, live animals, wood, food, and beverages; the extraction of mineral resources regardless of where they are extracted from (including crude petroleum, natural gas, coal, lignite, metals and metal ores, as well as all other, non-metallic minerals and quarry products), the manufacture of basic metal products, other non-metallic mineral products and fabricated metal products (except machinery and equipment), and the wholesale trade of mineral resources, basic and intermediate mineral products (including metals and metal ores, construction materials, fuels, chemicals and other intermediate products). As regards the financial sector, due to its specificities, in particular as regards the value chain and the services offered, even if it is covered by sector-specific OECD guidance, it should not form part of the high-impact sectors covered by this Directive. At the same time, in this sector, the broader coverage of actual and potential adverse impacts should be ensured by also including very large companies in the scope that are regulated financial undertakings, even if they do not have a legal form with limited liabilityThe Commission should, no later than two years after the entry into force of this Directive, issue guidance describing in more detail which high-risk parts of the stated sectors are considered to be high- impact.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 74 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 23
(23) In order to achieve fully the objectives of this Directive addressing human rights and adverse environmental impacts with respect to companies’ operations, subsidiaries and value chains, third-country companies with significant operations in the EU should also be covered. More specifically, the Directive should apply to third-country companies which generated a net turnover of at least EUR 150 million in the Union in the financial year preceding the last financial year or a net turnover of more than EUR 40 million but less than EUR 150 million in the financial year preceding the last financial year in one or more of the high- impact sectors, as of 2 years after the end of the transposition period of this Directive.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 77 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 25
(25) In order to achieve a meaningful contribution to the sustainability transition, due diligence under this Directive should be carried out with respect to adverse human rights impact on protected persons resulting from the violation of one of the rights and prohibitions as enshrined in the international conventions as listed in the Annex to this Directive. In order to ensure a comprehensive coverage of human rights, aDue diligence should further encompass adverse environmental impacts resulting from the violation of aone of the prohibition or right not specifically listed in that Annex which directly impairs a legal interest protected in those conventions should also form part of the adverse human rights impact covered by this Directive, provided that the company concerned could have reasonably established the risk of such impairment and any appropriate measures to be taken in order to comply with the due diligence obligations under this Directive, taking into account all relevant circumstances of their operations, such as the sector and operational context. Due diligence should further encompass adverse environmental impacts resulting from the violation of one of the prohibitions and obligations pursuant to thes and obligations pursuant to the international environmental conventions listed in the Annex to this Directive. There is a need for standards to be clear and applicable so that companies have sufficient legal certainty. Particular account should be taken here of the fact that most international environmental conventions listed in the Annex to this Directiveare addressed to governments.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 79 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 27
(27) In order to conduct appropriate human rights, and environmental due diligence with respect to their operations, their subsidiaries, and their value chains, companies covered by this Directive should integrate due diligence into corporate policies, identify, prevent and mitigate as well as bring to an end and minimise the extent of potential and actual adverse human rights and environmental impacts, establish and maintain a complaints procedure, monitor the effectiveness of the taken measures in accordance with the requirements that are set up in this Directive and communicate publicly on their due diligence. In order to ensure clarity for companies, in particular the steps of preventing and mitigating potential adverse impacts and of bringing to an end, or when this is not possible, minimising actual adverse impacts should be clearly distinguished in this Directive.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 81 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 27 a (new)
(27a) This Directive is aimed at creating a level playing field and is intended to put an end to fragmentation in the internal market. It is crucial to the effectiveness of this Directive that uniform rules apply to businesses in the internal market. Therefore, Member States should not maintain or introduce, in their national law, provisions diverging from those laid down in this Directive, including more or less stringent provisions to ensure a different level of diligence.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 83 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 29
(29) To comply with due diligence obligations, companies need to take appropriate measures with respect to identification, prevention and bringing to an end adverse impacts. An ‘appropriate measure’ should mean a proportionate measure that is capable of achieving the objectives of risk-based due diligence, commensurate inter alia with the degree of severity, the extent and the likelihood of the adverse impact, the degree to which the company has contributed with its own operations, and reasonably available to the company, taking into account the circumstances of the specific case, including characteristics of the economic sector and of the specific business relationship and the company’s influence thereof, and the need to ensure prioritisation of action. In this context, in line with international frameworks, the company’s influence over a business relationship should include, on the one hand its ability to persuade the business relationship to take action to bring to an end or prevent adverse impacts (for example through ownership or factual control, market power, pre-qualification requirements, linking business incentives to human rights and environmental performance, etc.) and, on the other hand, the degree of influence or leverage that the company could reasonably exercise, for example through cooperation with the business partner in question or engagement with another company which is the direct business partner of the business relationship associated with adverse impact.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 88 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 31
(31) In order to avoid undue burden on the smallermedium-sized companies operating in high- impact sectors which are covered by this Directive, those companies should only be obliged to identify those actual or potential severe adverse impacts that are relevant to the respective sector.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 93 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 34
(34) So as to comply with the prevention and mitigation obligation under this Directive, companies should be required to take the following actions, where relevant. Where necessary due to the complexity of prevention measures, companies should develop and implement a prevention action plan. Companies should seek to obtain contractual assurances from a direct partner with whom they have an established business relationship that it will ensure compliance with the code of conduct or the prevention action plan, including by seeking corresponding contractual assurances from its partners to the extent that their activities are part of the companies’ value chain. The contractual assurances should be accompanied by the appropriate measures to verify compliance. To ensure comprehensive prevention of actual and potential adverse impacts, companies should also make investments which aim to prevent adverse impacts, provide targeted and proportionate support for an SME with which they have an established business relationship such as financing, for example, through direct financing, low-interest loans, guarantees of continued sourcing, and assistance in securing financing, to help implement the code of conduct or prevention action plan, or technical guidance such as in the form of training, management systems upgrading, and collaborate with other companies.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 97 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 35
(35) In order to reflect the full range of options for the company in cases where potential impacts could not be addressed by the described prevention or minimisation measures, this Directive should also refer to the possibility for the company to seek to conclude a contract with the indirect business partner, with a view to achieving compliance with the company’s code of conduct or a prevention action plan, and conduct appropriate measures to verify compliance of the indirect business relationship with the contract.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 99 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 36
(36) In order to ensure that prevention and mitigation of potential adverse impacts is effective, companies should prioritize engagement with business relationships in the value chain, instead of terminating the business relationship, as a last resort action after attempting at preventing and mitigating adverse potential impacts without success. However, the Directive should also, for cases where potential adverse impacts could not be addressed by the described prevention or mitigation measures, refer to the obligation for companies to refrain from entering into new or extending existing relations with the partner in question and, where the law governing their relations so entitles them to, to either temporarily suspend commercial relationships with the partner in question, while pursuing prevention and minimisation efforts, if there is reasonable expectation that these efforts are to succeed in the short-term; or to terminate the business relationship with respect to the activities concerned if the potential adverse impact is severe. In order to allow companies to fulfil that obligation, Member States should provide for the availability of an option to terminate the business relationship in contracts governed by their laws. It is possible that prevention of adverse impacts at the level of indirect business relationships requires collaboration with another company, for example a company which has a direct contractual relationship with the supplier. In some instances, such collaboration could be the only realistic way of preventing adverse impacts, in particular, where the indirect business relationship is not ready to enter into a contract with the company. In these instances, the company should collaborate with the entity which can most effectively prevent or mitigate adverse impacts at the level of the indirect business relationship while respecting competition law.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 102 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 37
(37) As regards direct and indirect business relationships, industry cooperation, industry schemes and multi- stakeholder initiatives can help create additional leverage to identify, mitigate, and prevent adverse impacts. Therefore it should be possible for companies to rely on such initiatives to support the implementation of their due diligence obligations laid down in this Directive to the extent that such schemes and initiatives are appropriate to support the fulfilment of those obligations. Companies could assess, at their own initiative, the alignment of these schemes and initiatives with the obligations under this Directive. In order to ensure full information on such initiatives, the Directive should also refer to the possibility for the Commission and the Member States toshould facilitate the dissemination of information on such schemes or initiatives and their outcomes. The Commission, in collaboration with Member States, mayshould issue guidance for assessing the fitness of industry schemes and multi-stakeholder initiatives. In addition, the Commission should develop a system in which industry schemes and multi-stakeholder initiatives can be formally recognised. Compliance with these recognised industry schemes and multi-stakeholder initiatives should lead to presumption of conformity with the diligence requirements imposed by this Directive.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 107 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 39
(39) So as to comply with the obligation of taking appropriate measures for bringing to an end and minimising the extent of actual adverse impacts under this Directive, companies should be required to take the following actions, where relevant. They should endeavour to neutralise the adverse impact or to minimise its extent, with an action proportionate to the significance and scale of the adverse impact and to the contribution of the company’s own conduct to the actual adverse impact. Where necessary due to the fact that the adverse impact cannot be immediately brought to an end, companies should develop and implement a corrective action plan with reasonable and clearly defined timelines for action and qualitative and quantitative indicators for measuring improvement. Companies should also seek to obtain contractual assurances from a direct business partner with whom they have an established business relationship that they will ensure compliance with the company’s code of conduct and, as necessary, a prevention action plan, including by seeking corresponding contractual assurances from its partners, to the extent that their activities are part of the company’s value chain. The contractual assurances should be accompanied by the appropriate measures to verify compliance. Finally, companies should also make investments aiming at ceasing or minimising the extent of adverse impact, provide targeted and proportionate support for an SMEs with which they have an established business relationship and collaborate with other entities, including, where relevant, to increase the company’s ability to bring the adverse impact to an end.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 110 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 40
(40) In order to reflect the full range of options for the company in cases where actual impacts could not be addressed by the described measures, this Directive should also refer to the possibility for the company to seek to conclude a contract with the indirect business partner, with a view to achieving compliance with the company’s code of conduct or a corrective action plan, and conduct appropriate measures to verify compliance of the indirect business relationship with the contract.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 112 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 41
(41) In order to ensure that bringing actual adverse impacts to an end or minimising them is effective, companies should prioritize engagement with business relationships in the value chain, instead of terminating the business relationship, as a last resort action after attempting at bringing actual adverse impacts to an end or minimising them without success. However, this Directive should also, for cases where actual adverse impacts could not be brought to an end or adequately mitigated by the described measures, refer to the obligation for companies to refrain from entering into new or extending existing relations with the partner in question and, where the law governing their relations so entitles them to, to either temporarily suspend commercial relationships with the partner in question, while pursuing efforts to bring to an end or minimise the extent of the adverse impact, or terminate the business relationship with respect to the activities concerned, if the adverse impact is considered severe. In order to allow companies to fulfil that obligation, Member States should provide for the availability of an option to terminate the business relationship in contracts governed by their laws.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 114 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 42
(42) Companies should provide the possibility for persons and organisations to submit complaints directly to them in case of legitimate concerns regarding actual or potential human rights and environmental adverse impacts. Organisations who could submit such complaints should include trade unions and other workers’ representatives representing individuals working in the value chain concerned and civil society organisations active in the areas related to the value chain concerned where they have knowledge about a potential or actual adverse impact. Companies should establish a procedure for dealing with those complaints and inform workers, trade unions and other workers’ representatives, where relevant, about such processesdirectly and individually affected by a negative impact to submit complaints directly to them. Recourse to the complaints and remediation mechanism should not prevent the complainant from having recourse to judicial remedies. In accordance with international standards, complaints should be entitled to request from the company appropriate follow-up on the complaint and to meet with the company’s representatives at an appropriate level to discuss potential or actual severe adverse impacts that are the subject matter of the complaint. This access should not lead to unreasonable solicitations of companies.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 120 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 43
(43) Companies should monitor the implementation and effectiveness of their due diligence measures. They should carry out periodic assessments of their own operations, those of their subsidiaries and, where related to the value chafirst linsk of the companyir supply chain, those of their established business relationships, to monitor the effectiveness of the identification, prevention, minimisation, bringing to an end and mitigation of human rights and environmental adverse impacts. Such assessments should verify that adverse impacts are properly identified, due diligence measures are implemented and adverse impacts have actually been prevented or brought to an end. In order to ensure that such assessments are up-to- date, they should be carried out at least every 12 months and be revised in-between if there are reasonable grounds to believe that significant new risks of adverse impact could have arisen.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 126 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 45
(45) In order to facilitate companies’ compliance with their due diligence requirements through their value chain and limiting shifting compliance burden on SME business partners, the Commission should provide guidance on model contractual clauses. In so doing, it should develop model contracts in close collaboration with industry, in particular with SMEs.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 130 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 46
(46) In order to provide support and practical tools to companies or to Member State authorities on how companies should fulfil their due diligence obligations, the Commission, using relevant international guidelines and standards as a reference, and in consultation with Member States and, industry and relevant stakeholders, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, the European Environment Agency, and where appropriate with international bodies having expertise in due diligence, should have the possibility to issue guidelines, including for specific sectors or specific adverse impacts and paying particular attention to SMEs.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 132 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 47
(47) Although SMEs are not included in the scope of this Directive, they could be impacted by its provisions as contractors or subcontractors to the companies which are in the scope. The aim is nevertheless to mitigate financial or administrative burden on SMEs, many of which are already struggling in the context of the global economic and sanitary crisis. In order to support SMEs, Member States should set up and operate, either individually or jointly, dedicated websites, portals or platforms, and Member States could also financially support SMEs and help them build capacity. Such support shouldThe Member States should provide for at least one unique help desk in order to inform and support companies, in particular SMEs. The Commission should coordinate the Member State initiatives and provide a unique portal which is simple to consult in all official languages of the EU. The Commission should also provide for adequate information on the human rights and environmental situation globally on this portal, paying particular attention to high-impact sectors. Such support can also be made accessible, and where necessary adapted and extended to upstream economic operators in third countries. Companies whose business partner is an SME areshould also be encouraged to support themis SME to comply with due diligence measures, in case such requirements would jeopardise the viability of the SME, and use fair, reasonable, non- discriminatory and proportionate requirements vis-a-vis the SMEs.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 136 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 50
(50) In order to ensure that this Directive effectively contributes to combating climate change, companies should adopt a plan to ensure that the business model and strategy of the company are compatible with the transition to a sustainable economy and with the limiting of global warming to 1.5 °C in line with the Paris Agreement. In case climate is or should have been identified as a principal risk for or a principal impact of the company’s operations, the company should include emissions reduction objectives in its plan.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 137 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 51
(51) With a view to ensue that such emission reduction plan is properly implemented and embedded in the financial incentives of directors, the plan should be duly taken into account when setting directors’ variable remuneration, if variable remuneration is linked to the contribution of a director to the company’s business strategy and long- term interests and sustainability.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 138 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 53
(53) In order to ensure the monitoring of the correct implementation of companies’ due diligence obligations and ensure the proper enforcement of this Directive, Member States should designate one or more national supervisory authorities. These supervisory authorities should be of a public nature, independent from the companies falling within the scope of this Directive or other market interests, and free of conflicts of interest. In accordance with national law, Member States should ensure appropriate financing of the competent authority. They should be entitled to carry out investigations, on their own initiative or based on complaints or substantiated concerns raised under this Directive. Where competent authorities under sectoral legislation exist, Member States could identify those as responsible for the application of this Directive in their areas of competence. They could designate authorities for the supervision of regulated financial undertaking also as supervisory authorities for the purposes of this Directive.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 140 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 56
(56) In order to ensure effective compensation of victims of adverse impacts, Member States should be required to lay down rules governing the civil liability of companies for damages arising due to its failure to comply with the due diligence process. The company should be liable for damages if they failed to comply with the obligations to prevent and mitigate potential adverse impacts or to bring actual impacts to an end and minimise their extent, and as a result of this failure an adverse impact that should have been identified, prevented, mitigated, brought to an end or its extent minimised through the appropriate measures occurred and led to damagecaused by the company’s own actions. The three classic conditions for civil liability should be respected, namely fault, damages and causal connection.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 143 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 57
(57) As regards damages occurring at the level of established indirect business relationships, the liability of the company should be subject to specific conditions. The company should not be liable if it carried out specific due diligence measures. However, it should not be exonerated from liability through implementing such measures in case it was unreasonable to expect that the action actually taken, including as regards verifying compliance, would be adequate to prevent, mitigate, bring to an end or minimise the adverse impact. In addition, in the assessment of the existence and extent of liability, due account is to be taken of the company’s efforts, insofar as they relate directly to the damage in question, to comply with any remedial action required of them by a supervisory authority, any investments made and any targeted support provided as well as any collaboration with other entities to address adverse impacts in its value chains.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 147 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 58
(58) The liability regimis Directive does not regulate who should prove that the company’s action was reasonably adequate under the circumstances of the case, therefore this question is left to national lawthe burden of proof on civil liability.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 149 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 59
(59) As regards civil liability rules, the civil liability of a company for damages arising due to its failure to carry out adequate due diligence should be without prejudice to civil liability of its subsidiaries or the respective civil liability of direct and indirect business partners in the value chain. Also, the civil liability rules under this Directive should be without prejudice to Union or national rules on civil liability related to adverse human rights impacts or to adverse environmental impacts that provide for liability in situations not covered by or providing for stricter liability than this Directive.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 152 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 61
(61) In order to ensure that victims of human rights and environmental harms can bring an action for damages and claim compensation for damages arising due to a company’s failure to comply with the due diligence obligations stemming from this Directive, even where the law applicable to such claims is not the law of a Member State, as could be for instance be the case in accordance with international private law rules when the damage occurs in a third country, this Directive should require Member States to ensure that the liability provided for in provisions of national law transposing this Article is of overriding mandatory application in cases where the law applicable to claims to that effect is not the law of a Member State.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 153 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 62
(62) The civil liability regime under this Directive should be without prejudice to the Environmental Liability Directive 2004/35/EC. This Directive should not prevent Member States from imposing further, more stringent obligations on companies or from otherwise taking further measures having the same objectives as that Directive.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 154 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 63
(63) In all Member States’ national laws, directors owe a duty of care to the company. In order to ensure that this general duty is understood and applied in a manner which is coherent and consistent with the due diligence obligations introduced by this Directive and that directors systematically take into account sustainability matters in their decisions, this Directive should clarify, in a harmonised manner, the general duty of care of directors to act in the best interest of the company, by laying down that directors take into account the sustainability matters as referred to in Directive 2013/34/EU, including, where applicable, human rights, climate change and environmental consequences, including in the short, medium and long term horizons. Such clarification does not require changing existing national corporate structures.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 156 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 64
(64) Responsibility for due diligence should be assigned to the company’s directors, in line with the international due diligence frameworks. Directors should therefore be responsible for putting in place and overseeing the due diligence actions as laid down in this Directive and for adopting the company’s due diligence policy, taking into account the input of stakeholders and civil society organisations and integrating due diligence into corporate management systems. Directors should also adapt the corporate strategy to actual and potential impacts identified and any due diligence measures taken.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 164 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) on obligations for companies regarding actual and potential human rights adverse impacts and environmental adverse impacts, with respect to their own operations, the operations of their subsidiaries, and the valuefirst link of their supply chain operations carried out by entities with whom the company has an established business relationship and
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 181 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the company had more than 500 employees on average and had a net worldwide turnoverturnover in the Union of more than EUR 150 million in the last financial year for which annual financial statements have been prepared;
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 186 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
(b) the company did not reach the thresholds under point (a), but had more than 250 employees on average and had a net worldwide turnoverturnover in the Union of more than EUR 40 million in the last financial year for which annual financial statements have been prepared, provided that at least 50% of this net turnover was generated in one or more of the high-risk parts of the following sectors:
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 206 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Intra-EU relationships shall be excluded from scope of this Directive.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 207 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. For the application of paragraph 1(b) and paragraph 2(b), the Commission shall, no later than two years after entry into force of this Directive, establish guidance describing in more detail which high-risk parts of the stated sectors are meant.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 208 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Financial services shall be excluded from the scope of this Directive.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 222 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) ‘established business relationship’ means a direct business relationship, whether direct or indirect, in the first link of the supply chain which is, or which is expected to be, lasting, in view of its intensity or duration and which does not represent a negligible or merely ancillary part of the valuesupply chain;
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 225 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) ‘value chain’ means activities related to the production of goods or the provision of services by a company, including the development of the product or the service and the use and disposal of the product as well as the related activities of upstream and downstream established business relationships of the company. As regards companies within the meaning of point (a)(iv), ‘value chain’ with respect to the provision of these specific services shall only include the activities of the clients receiving such loan, credit, and other financial services and of other companies belonging to the same group whose activities are linked to the contract in question. The value chain of such regulated financial undertakings does not cover SMEs receiving loan, credit, financing, insurance or reinsurance of such entities;deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 232 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) ‘risk-based approach’: this approach makes it possible to set priorities for the diligence activities of the company based on a previous analysis, taking account in particular of the nature and extent of the adverse impacts, the urgency and the likelihood of these impacts arising.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 236 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) ‘independent third-party verification’ means verification of the compliance by a company, or parts of its value chain, with human rights and environmental requirements resulting from the provisions of this Directive by an auditor which is independent from the company, free from any conflicts of interests, has the necessary experience and competence in environmental and human rights matters and is accountable for the quality and reliability of the audit;
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 238 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) ‘SME’ means a micro, small or a medium-sized enterprise, irrespective of its legal form, that is not part of a large group, as those terms are defined in Article 3(1), (2), (3) and (7) of Directive 2013/34/EU;
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 245 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point n
(n) ‘stakeholders’ means the company’s employees, the employees of its subsidiaries, and other individuals, groups, communities or entities whose rights or interests are or could be affected byaffected by adverse human rights impacts and adverse environmental impacts arising from the products, services and operations of that company, its subsidiaries and its business relationships, as defined by this Directive;
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 255 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point o
(o) ‘director’ means: (i) any member of the administrative, management or supervisory bodies of a company; (ii) where they are not members of the administrative, management or supervisory bodies of a company, the chief executive officer and, if such function exists in a company, the deputy chief executive officer; (iii) other persons who perform functions similar to those performed under point (i) or (ii);deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 258 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point p
(p) ‘board of directors’ means the administrative or supervisory body responsible for supervising the executive management of the company, or, if no such body exists, the person or persons performing equivalent functions;deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 261 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point q
(q) ‘appropriate measure’ means a proportionate measure that is capable of achieving the objectives of risk-based due diligence, commensurate inter alia with the degree of severity, the nature and the likelihood of the adverse impact and the degree to which the company has contributed to the adverse impact, and reasonably available to the company, taking into account the circumstances of the specific case, including characteristics of the economic sector and of the specific business relationship and the company’s influence thereofn, and the need to ensure prioritisation of action.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 265 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 a (new)
Article 3a Level of harmonisation Member States shall not maintain or introduce, in their national law, provisions diverging from those laid down in this Directive, including more or less stringent provisions to ensure a different level of diligence, unless otherwise provided for in this Directive.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 277 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States shall ensure that parent companies falling under the scope of this Directive may fulfil the diligence obligations provided for in Articles 6 to 11 on behalf of companies which are their subsidiaries and which fall under the scope of this Directive.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 278 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Member States shall ensure that companies consider the due diligence referred to in Articles 6 to 11 on the basis of a risk-based approach.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 282 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States shall ensure that companies integrate due diligence into all their corporate policies and have in place a due diligence policy. The due diligence policy shall be proportionate and risk- based and shall contain all of the following:
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 302 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that companies take appropriate measures, proportionate and risk-based, to identify actual and potential adverse human rights impacts and adverse environmental impacts arising from their own operations or those of their subsidiaries and, where related to their valuesupply chains, from their established business relationships in the first link, in accordance with paragraph 2, 3 and 4.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 312 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, companies referred to in Article 2(1), point (b), and Article 2(2), point (b), shall only be required to take appropriate measures to identify actual and potential severe adverse impacts relevant to the respective sector mentioned in Article 2(1), point (b).
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 317 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. When companies referred to in Article 3, point (a)(iv), provide credit, loan or other financial services, identification of actual and potential adverse human rights impacts and adverse environmental impacts shall be carried out only before providing that service..deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 326 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that companies take appropriate, proportionate and risk-based measures to prevent, or where prevention is not possible or not immediately possible, adequately mitigate potential adverse human rights impacts and adverse environmental impacts that have been, or should have been, identified pursuant to Article 6, in accordance with paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this Article.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 336 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) seek contractual assurances from a business partner with whom it has a direct business relationship at the first tier in the supply chain that it will ensure compliance with the company’s code of conduct and, as necessary, a prevention action plan, including by seeking corresponding contractual assurances from its partners, to the extent that their activities are part of the company’s value chain (contractual cascading). When such contractual assurances are obtained, paragraph 4 shall apply;
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 345 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) provide targeted and proportionate support for an SME with which the company has an established business relationship, whein order to ensure compliance with the prevention action plan would jeopardise the viability of the SMEcode of conduct or with the code of conduct or the prevention action plan;
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 353 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. As regards potential adverse impacts that could not be prevented or adequately mitigated by the measures in paragraph 2, the company may seek to conclude a contract with a partner with whom it has an indirect relationship, with a view to achieving compliance with the company’s code of conduct or a prevention action plan. When such a contract is concluded, paragraph 4 shall apply.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 358 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
The contractual assurances or the contract shall be accompanied by the appropriate, proportionate and risk-based measures to verify compliance. For the purposes of verifying compliance, the company may refer to suitable industry initiatives or independent third-party verification.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 359 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
When contractual assurances are obtained from, or a contract is entered into, with an SME, the terms used shall be fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory, with particular attention being paid to the different bargaining power and more limited resources of SMEs. Where measures to verify compliance are carried out in relation to SMEs, the company shall bear the cost of the independent third-party verification.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 365 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
As regards potential adverse impacts within the meaning of paragraph 1 that could not be prevented or adequately mitigated by the measures in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4, the company shall be required to refrain from entering into new or extending existing relations with theat partner in connection with or in the value chain of which the impact has ariseat the first tier in the supply chain and shall, where the law governing their relations so entitles them to, take the following actions:
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 371 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Member States shall provide for the availability of an option to terminate the business relationship in contracts governed by their laws.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 373 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Companies shall disengage as a last resort only, particular account being taken of the fact that disengagement may exacerbate adverse effects.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 374 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 6
6. By way of derogation from paragraph 5, point (b), when companies referred to in Article 3, point (a)(iv), provide credit, loan or other financial services, they shall not be required to terminate the credit, loan or other financial service contract when this can be reasonably expected to cause substantial prejudice to the entity to whom that service is being provided.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 378 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that companies take appropriate, proportionate and risk-based measures to bring actual adverse impacts that have been, or should have been, identified pursuant to Article 6 to an end, in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 6 of this Article.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 383 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. Where the adverse impact cannot be brought to an end, Member States shall ensure that companies seek to minimise the extent of such an impact.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 389 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) seek to neutralise the adverse impact or to minimise its extent, including by the payment of damages to the affected persons and of financial compensation to the affected communities. The action shall be proportionate to the significance and scale of the adverse impact and to the contribution of the company’s own conduct to the actual adverse impact;
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 395 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point c
(c) seek contractual assurances from a direct partner with whom it has an established business relationship at the first tier in the supply chain that it will ensure compliance with the code of conduct and, as necessary, a corrective action plan, including by seeking corresponding contractual assurances from its partners, to the extent that they are part of the value chain (contractual cascading). When such contractual assurances are obtained, paragraph 5 shall apply.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 404 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point e
(e) provide targeted and proportionate support for an SME with which the company has an established business relationship, whein order to ensure compliance with the corrective action plan would jeopardise the viability of the SMEde of conduct or with the code of conduct or the corrective action plan;
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 409 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. As regards actual adverse impacts that could not be brought to an end or adequately mitigated by the measures in paragraph 3, the company may seek to conclude a contract with a partner with whom it has an indirect relationship, with a view to achieving compliance with the company’s code of conduct or a corrective action plan. When such a contract is concluded, paragraph 5 shall apply.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 412 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
The contractual assurances or the contract shall be accompanied by the appropriate, proportionate and risk-based measures to verify compliance. For the purposes of verifying compliance, the company may refer to suitable industry initiatives or independent third-party verification.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 413 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
When contractual assurances are obtained from, or a contract is entered into, with an SME, the terms used shall be fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory, with particular attention being paid to the different bargaining power and more limited resources of SMEs. Where measures to verify compliance are carried out in relation to SMEs, the company shall bear the cost of the independent third-party verification.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 417 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
As regards actual adverse impacts within the meaning of paragraph 1 that could not be brought to an end or the extent of which could not be minimised by the measures provided for in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5, the company shall refrain from entering into new or extending existing relations with theat partner in connection to or in the value chain of which the impact has ariseat the first tier in the supply chain and shall, where the law governing their relations so entitles them to, take one of the following actions:
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 422 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2
Member States shall provide for the availability of an option to terminate the business relationship in contracts governed by their laws.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 424 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Companies shall disengage as a last resort only, particular account being taken of the fact that disengagement may exacerbate adverse effects.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 425 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 7
7. By way of derogation from paragraph 6, point (b), when companies referred to in Article 3, point (a)(iv), provide credit, loan or other financial services, they shall not be required to terminate the credit, loan or other financial service contract, when this can be reasonably expected to cause substantial prejudice to the entity to whom that service is being provided.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 433 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that companies provide the possibility for persons and organisations listed in paragraph 2 to submit complaints to them where they have legitimate concerns regarding actual or potentialare directly and individually affected by an adverse human rights impacts and adverseor environmental impacts with respect to their own operations, the operations of their subsidiaries and their value chainfirst-tier suppliers.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 474 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Member States shall ensure that companies carry out periodic assessments of their own operations and measures, those of their subsidiaries and, where related to the value chains of the companyfirst tier of their supply chain, those of their established business relationships, to monitor the effectiveness of the identification, prevention, mitigation, bringing to an end and minimisation of the extent of human rights and environmental adverse impacts. Such assessments shall be based, where appropriate, on qualitative and quantitative indicators and be carried out at least every 12 months and whenever there are reasonable grounds to believe that significant new risks of the occurrence of those adverse impacts may arise. The due diligence policy shall be updated in accordance with the outcome of those assessments.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 481 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2
The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 28 concerning the content and criteria for such reporting under paragraph 1, specifying information on the description of due diligence, potential and actual adverse impacts and actions taken on those. The Commission shall develop simplified reporting requirements, in particular for companies referred to in Article 2(1)(b) and (2)(b).
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 484 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1
In order to provide support to companies to facilitate their compliance with Article 7(2), point (b), and Article 8(3), point (c), the Commission shall adopt guidance about voluntary model contract clauses. In the process, the Commission shall develop model contracts in close cooperation with industry, and in particular SMEs, no later than six months after the entry into force of this Directive.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 488 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 1
In order to provide support to companies or to Member State authorities on how companies should fulfil their due diligence obligations, the Commission, in appropriate consultation with Member States and, industry and relevant stakeholders, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, the European Environment Agency, and where appropriate with international bodies having expertise in due diligence, mayshall issue guidelines, including for specific sectors or specific adverse impacts and focusing on SMEs.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 490 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 14 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall, in order to provide information and support to companies and the partners with whom they have established business relationships inat the first tier of their valuesupply chains in their efforts to fulfil the obligations resulting from this Directive, set up and operate individually or jointly dedicated websites, platforms or portals. Member States shall provide at least one one-stop shop to take on this support and information role. Companies shall be given appropriate advice and guidance at that one-stop shop. Specific consideration shall be given, in that respect, to the SMEs that are present in the value chains of companiespect, to the needs of SMEs.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 493 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The Commission shall coordinate the Member State initiatives referred to in paragraph 1 and shall provide a single portal that is easily accessible in all official languages of the EU. On that portal the Commission shall also provide appropriate information on the global human rights and environmental situation, focusing on the sectors referred to in Article 2(1)(b) and (2)(b).
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 500 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 14 – paragraph 4
4. Companies may rely on industry schemes and multi-stakeholder initiatives to support the implementation of their obligations referred to in Articles 5 to 11 of this Directive to the extent that such schemes and initiatives are appropriate to support the fulfilment of those obligations. The Commission and the Member States mayshall facilitate the dissemination of information on such schemes or initiatives and their outcome. The Commission, in collaboration with Member States, may and industry, shall issue guidance for assessing the fitness of industry schemes and multi- stakeholder initiatives. The Commission shall develop a system for formally recognising industry schemes and multi- stakeholder initiatives. Compliance with recognised industry schemes and multi- stakeholder initiatives shall create a presumption of compliance with the due diligence requirements under Articles 5 to 11. The Commission shall publish a schedule of recognised industry schemes and multi-stakeholder initiatives no later than one year after the entry into force of this Directive, and shall keep that schedule up to date.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 504 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that companies referred to in Article 2(1), point (a), and Article 2(2), point (a), shall adopt a plan to ensure that the business model and strategy of the company are compatible with the transition to a sustainable economy and with the limiting of global warming to 1.5 °C in line with the Paris Agreement. This plan shall, in particular, identify, on the basis of information reasonably available to the company, the extent to which climate change is a risk for, or an impact of, the company’s operations.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 507 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall ensure that, in case climate change is or should have been identified as a principal risk for, or a principal impact of, the company’s operations, the company includes emission reduction objectives in its plan.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 508 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall ensure that companies duly take into account the fulfilment of the obligations referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 when setting variable remuneration, if variable remuneration is linked to the contribution of a director to the company’s business strategy and long- term interests and sustainability.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 512 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall designate one or more supervisory authorities to supervise compliance with the obligations laid down in national provisions adopted pursuant to Articles 6 to 11 and Article 15(1) and (2) (‘supervisory authority’).
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 521 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Supervisory authorities shall take a proportionate and risk-based approach to exercising their powers. In doing so, they shall abide by the right to property and the freedom to conduct a business which are recognised by the Charter.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 522 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Taking remedial action does not preclude the imposition of administrative sanctions or the triggering of civil liability in case of damages, in accordance with Articles 20 and 22, respectively.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 527 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 19 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that natural and legal persons affected by an adverse impact are entitled to submit substantiated concerns to any supervisory authority when they have reasons to believe, on the basis of objective circumstances, that a company is failing to comply with the national provisions adopted pursuant to Articles 6 to 11 of this Directive (‘substantiated concerns’).
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 542 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 20 – paragraph 2
2. In deciding whether to impose sanctions and, if so, in determining their nature and appropriate level, due account shall be taken of the company’s efforts to comply with any remedial action required of them by a supervisory authority, any, where appropriate, of the following non-exhaustive and indicative criteria: (a) the nature, seriousness and duration of the infringement, (b) intent, (c) the nature and extent of the harm caused, (d) the company’s efforts to limit the harm, rectify matters and comply with any remedial action required of them by a supervisory authority, (e) previous infringements of provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive, (f) investments made and any targeted support provided pursuant to Articles 7 and 8, as well as(g) the cumulative effect of all sanctions, financial penalties, remedial action and compensation measures, (h) suspending or terminating a commercial relationship that has led to a loss of income and/or increased costs for replacing a supplier, and (i) collaboration with other entities to address adverse impacts in its value chains, as the case may be. supply chain.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 545 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 20 – paragraph 3
3. When pecuniary sanctions are imposed, they shall be based on the company’s turnover.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 548 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 20 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Any decision by a supervisory authority shall be reasonable, non- discriminatory and proportionate. The 'non bis in idem' principle shall be observed.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 550 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 20 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Member States shall notify the Commission of the provisions referred to in paragraph 1 by (two years after the entry into force of this Directive) at the latest and shall inform it without delay of any amendments to them.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 557 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) they failed to comply with the obligations laid down in Articl harm was caused by the company’s own activities 7 and 8 and;
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 560 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) as a result of this failure an adverse impact that should have been identified, prevented, mitigated, brought to an end or its extent minimised through the appropriate measures laid down in Articles 7 and 8 occurred and led to damagethe three classic conditions for civil liability have been met: fault, harm and causal connection.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 563 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Notwithstanding paragraph 1, Member States shall ensure that where a company has taken the actions referred to in Article 7(2), point (b) and Article 7(4), or Article 8(3), point (c), and Article 8(5), it shall not be liable for damages caused by an adverse impact arising as a result of the activities of an indirect partner with whom it has an established business relationship, unless it was unreasonable, in the circumstances of the case, to expect that the action actually taken, including as regards verifying compliance, would be adequate to prevent, mitigate, bring to an end or minimise the extent of the adverse impact.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 574 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 3
3. The civil liability of a company for damages arising under this provision shall be without prejudice to the civil liability of its subsidiaries or of any direct and indirect business partners in the value chain.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 581 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 4
4. The civil liability rules under this Directive shall be without prejudice to Union or national rules on civil liability related to adverse human rights impacts or to adverse environmental impacts that provide for liability in situations not covered by or providing for stricter liability than this Directive.
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 582 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 5
5. Member States shall ensure that the liability provided for in provisions of national law transposing this Article is of overriding mandatory application in cases where the law applicable to claims to that effect is not the law of a Member State.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 586 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 24
24 Member States shall ensure that companies applying for public support certify that no sanctions have been imposed on them for a failure to comply with the obligations of this Directive. Member States shall ensure that companies applying for public support certify that no sanctions have been imposed on them for a failure to comply with the obligations of this Directive.Article 24 deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 590 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 25
1. Member States shall ensure that, when fulfilling their duty to act in the best interest of the company, directors of companies referred to in Article 2(1) take into account the consequences of their decisions for sustainability matters, including, where applicable, human rights, climate change and environmental consequences, including in the short, medium and long term. 2. Member States shall ensure that their laws, regulations and administrative provisions providing for a breach of directors’ duties apply also to the provisions of this Article.Article 25 deleted Directors’ duty of care
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 593 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 26
Setting up and overseeing due diligence 1. Member States shall ensure that directors of companies referred to in Article 2(1) are responsible for putting in place and overseeing the due diligence actions referred to in Article 4 and in particular the due diligence policy referred to in Article 5, with due consideration for relevant input from stakeholders and civil society organisations. The directors shall report to the board of directors in that respect. 2. Member States shall ensure that directors take steps to adapt the corporate strategy to take into account the actual and potential adverse impacts identified pursuant to Article 6 and any measures taken pursuant to Articles 7 to 9.Article 26 deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 609 #

2022/0051(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Annex I – Part I – point 21
21. Violation of a prohibition or right not covered by points 1 to 20 above but included in the human rights agreements listed in Section 2 of this Part, which directly impairs a legal interest protected in those agreements, provided that the company concerned could have reasonably established the risk of such impairment and any appropriate measures to be taken in order to comply with the obligations referred to in Article 4 of this Directive taking into account all relevant circumstances of their operations, such as the sector and operational context.deleted
2022/11/10
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 14 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas Europe and the Indo- Pacific together represent over 70 % of global trade in goods and services and over 60 % of foreign direct investment (FDI) with their annual trade reaching EUR 1.5 trillion in 2019; whereas the region produces 60 % of global gross domestic product (GDP) and contributes to two thirds of global economic growth; whereas the EU is the biggest investor in the area, which includes four (China, Japan, South Korea and India) out of the EU’s top 10 global trading partners; 1a _________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files /jointcommunication_indo_pacific_en.pdf
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 32 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership is an open, 21st century trade agreement that aims to secure a level playing field and rules-based trade environment in the Indo-Pacific and provides a model of regional trade integration; whereas the US withdrew from the agreement in January 2017 while China, Taiwan and the UK formally submitted a request to accede in September 2021;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 45 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas the geopolitical reality has dramatically changed since Russia’s invasion to Ukraine in February 2022 and makes our further engagement with Indo- Pacific partners even more important and urgent in order to diversify our trade relations, to deepen our cooperation on critical and emerging technologies, digital issues and raw materials, to strengthen supply chains resilience and help tackle global challenges.
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 64 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to work closely with its Indo-Pacific like-minded partners to reinforce value chains by strengthening and diversifying trade relations in order to reduce strategic dependencies in critical supply chains with a particular focus on technologies and raw materials, by working towards the full implementation and better enforcement of existing trade agreements, by finalising ongoing trade negotiations and by developing cooperation in strategic sectors; underlines the importance of working together with like-minded Indo-Pacific countries on establishing technical standards, to further promote the EU as a global standard-setter, underlines the importance to develop new Digital Partnership Agreements, starting with Japan, Republic of Korea and Singapore;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 88 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Believes the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement has been instrumental in creating more sustainable trade; welcomes the increase in the preference utilisation rates for EU exports to Japan in 2020; underlines thcalls to start negotiations to include data furtherlows provisions in the EPA; underlines that progress ihas nbeeded in the implementation of the agreement, in particular as regards then made-in the expansion of GIs protection for both parties, utilisation rates of tariff rate quotas opened by Japan for EU exporters, the and the process for ratification of ILO convention No 105 by Japan while further progress is needed in the implementation of the agreement, including liberalisation of trade in services and the ratification of ILO Conventions No 105 and No 111;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 97 #

2021/2200(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Call on the Member States to ratify the EU-Vietnam IPA so that it enters into force and creates favourable conditions to boost EU investment in Vietnam and in the region, in particular in areas promoting green transformation and the circular economy; urges Vietnam to continue working to achieve equal treatment of EU Member States with regard to pharmaceuticals and to guarantee a full implementation of the sanitary and phytosanitary provisions; invites Vietnam to complete its key labour reforms in accordance with the agreement and to swiftly ensure the ratification of ILO Convention No 87 by 2023;
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 151 #

2021/2200(INI)

17 a. Regrets the fact that negotiations for a bilateral trade and investment agreement with Thailand, launched in 2013 and put on hold in 2014 following the military take-over, are still paused; stresses the importance of taking steps (in line with the Council Conclusions of 2019) towards the resumption of negotiations on an ambitious and comprehensive FTA and invites the Thai authorities to provide clear indications in this respect and to engage in structural reforms.
2022/03/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the EU and India, as the world’s two largest democracies, share strong political, economic, social and cultural ties; whereas, however, bilateral trade relations have not yet reached their full potential;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 34 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Expects a swift follow-up to the EU-India leaders’ meeting in order to openly address values-based cooperation at the highest level in matters of trade and investment; welcomes both partners’ readiness to work towards the conclusion of an ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade agreement;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 50 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that the existing negotiating mandate is comprehensive and broad enough for negotiations to restart; takes the view, however, that an addendumit is necessary to ensure that the prospective comprehensive trade agreement contains as integral parts thereof a dedicated chapter for SMEs, a dedicated chapter on raw materials to remove all export duties on raw materials, and an ambitious and enforceable trade and sustainable development chapter aligned with the Paris Agreement;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 76 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point ii
ii. expedited, more transparent and less onerous customs, sanitary and phytosanitary procedures as well as a comprehensive single-window electronic certification process and the removal of disproportionate import bans;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 78 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point ii a (new)
ii a. transparent and expeditious market access approval, regionalization and audit procedures, underpinned by scientifically justified SPS import measures, by international standards and by disciplines that go beyond the WTO SPS Agreement; the agreement should seek to ensure the quick approval by India of all the existing and future market access applications, including those delayed by trial shipments and certification issues, and; SPS related cooperation;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 89 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point v
v. ensuring a level playing field in subsidies and commercial practices of state owned enterprises;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 93 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point vi
vi. a robust chapter on high-level protection for intellectual property rights (IPR), which should facilitate a non- restrictive and swift patent appincluding in the digital realm which should facilitate respect for and compliance with copyright oblicgation process and the rapid and effective enforcement of IPR standards;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 104 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point viii a (new)
viii a. the removal of all discriminatory and disproportionate obstacles to establishment in both services and manufacturing sectors as well as to the supply of cross-border services, in order to ensure a level-playing field between EU and Indian service providers;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 105 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point ix
ix. an enhanced cybersecurity framework through risk-based approachdigital trade rules grounded in globalEU standards and bestglobal practices; considers, in particular, that 5G must not be deployed using mandatory technology transfer such as the forced disclosure of source codes, algorithms and encryption keys;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 106 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point x
x. effective bilateral measures on safeguards in addition to the existing WTO trade defence instruments;deleted
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 109 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point x a (new)
x a. the confirmation of both sides' rights and obligations under the WTO Agreements (anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard), the exploration of areas of common interest that go beyond these WTO standards, and the inclusion of a temporary bilateral safeguard mechanism;
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 114 #

2021/2177(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Believes that the agreement should remove all discriminatory and disproportionate obstacles to establishment in services and manufacturing sectors in order to ensure a level playing field between EU and Indian operators;deleted
2022/04/27
Committee: INTA
Amendment 8 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. IEmphasizes the US as a crucial trading partner and identifies trade policy as a strategic geopolitical tool for the transatlantic agenda; highlights the need to identify joint actions based on shared interests and values in order to contribute to a global sustainable and inclusive economic recovery; stresses that standards setting, ‘workers and wages’ and more resilient and responsible supply chains should be at the core of such an agenda;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 49 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for enhanced cooperation on WTO reform, including reinstating the appellate body, regulating trade in health products, setting an ambitious environmental and digital agenda, and agreeing on concrete deliverables for the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12); encourages both sides to stick to multilateral agreements;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 61 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Advocates a joint strategic approach towards China, addressing the roots of unfair trade practices and tackling industrial subsidies, state-owned enterprises as well as forced labour and human rights concerns;
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 92 #

2021/2038(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Encourages both sides to find a framework for joint action and look for selective agreements building on the Joint EU-US statement of 25 July 2018; calls for a stronger regulatory, green and digital partnership through the Trade and Technology Council, an agreement on conformity assessment and a coordinated approach to critical technologies, a carbon border adjustment mechanism and digital and global taxes.
2021/05/28
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2021/2007(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A
A. whereas global intellectual property (IP) registrations are constantly increasing and the single market remains fragmented by differences in national legislation; whereas legislation applying across the single market for intellectual property protection creates a solid framework for European companies; whereas gaps remain, in particular in enforcement, which arecan hindering the development of companies, in particular SMEs, and consumers’ access to innovative and safe products;
2021/04/28
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 7 #

2021/2007(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas although intellectual property rights (IPR) are well regulated in most Member States, infringements and hold-backs are jeopardisinge the openrobustness of the system that leads to innovations; whereas counterfeit products are still abundantcommonly found in the single market, with most of them entering the EU through thein particular marketed via digital marketchannels, causing financial losses of approximately EUR 60 billion per year;
2021/04/28
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 14 #

2021/2007(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the importance of better cooperation between the European Union and the Member States to harmonise IP legislation and facilitate the access of economic operators toimprove enforcement of IPR registration at EU level; recommends that the current legislation be adapted in order to improve the functioning of the single market for IPights across the Union;
2021/04/28
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 19 #

2021/2007(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that innovative capacity across the EU is strong, with particular excellence in some essential technologies for the future; stresses the importance of an IPR framework that supports this capacity and protects the investments made by innovators and companies in new technologies or approaches;
2021/04/28
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 20 #

2021/2007(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Underlines the global nature of IPR development, in particular the need for trade-related support for European companies; stresses that international competitiveness and attractiveness is nevertheless rooted in a strong and resilient internal market, including in IPR protection and enforcement;
2021/04/28
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 21 #

2021/2007(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Notes that the EU lags behind in IPR filing statistics and in the concentration of filings in computer technologies compared to other global competitors, recommends that the Commission takes steps to facilitate greater uptake of IPRs, including via swift implementation of the UPC;
2021/04/28
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 23 #

2021/2007(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. CRecalls on the Commission to formulate aAction Plan in IPR Enforcement and the subsequent industry initiatives; calls on the Commission to update its strategy to tackle and minimise infringements, hold-backs, counterfeiting and piracy, which continue to thrive and have proven to be even more dangerous dur; considers that illegal products can present a risk to consumers, which is particularly acute ing the COVID-19 pandemic;
2021/04/28
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 33 #

2021/2007(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that a green and digital recovery and resilience in the single market must be based on the full use of intangiblwill be predicated on the application of new technologies, including those basseted on new IPRs; highlights the importance of disseminating information about the benefits of IP and the Commission’s support programmes for all economic operators, in particular SMEcluding the need for such information to be specifically targeted at SMEs active in knowledge-intensive sectors;
2021/04/28
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 39 #

2021/2007(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Urges the Commission to cooperate with the Member States to facilitate access to financial support and credits based on intangible assets in order to encourage SMEs to register their IP and reap the full benefits, ensuring a faster and better economic recoverywhich aids relevant SMEs to develop and implement IP protection strategies; notes that not all companies should or would wish to register rights, depending on their strategy, and so support and advice offered should incorporate all valid IP strategies to ensure the most effective exploitation of a company's IPRs; considers that where registration is the preferred option, SMEs should be supported through simplified registration procedures and lower administrative fees.
2021/04/28
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 99 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) The CBAM seeks to replace these existing mechanisms by addressing the risk of carbon leakage in a different way, namely by ensuring equivalent carbon pricing for imports and domestic products and by ensuring that EU products exported in the global market are not replaced by more carbon intensive products. To ensure a gradual transition from the current system of free allowances to the CBAM, the CBAM should be progressively phased in while free allowances in sectors covered by the CBAM are phased out after a test phase and a due assessment by the Commission that proves the effectiveness of the CBAM regulation in terms of protection from the risk of carbon leakage both for imports and exports to ensure a global level playing field. The combined and transitional application of EU ETS allowances allocated free of charge and of the CBAM should in no case result in more favourable treatment for Union goods compared to goods imported into the customs territory of the Union.
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 110 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) While the objective of the CBAM is to prevent the risk of carbon leakage, this Regulation would also encourage the use of more GHG emissions-efficient technologies by producers from third countries, so that less emissions per unit of output are generated. The export of more sustainable products manufactured in the EU should thus more be incentivized while substitutes at a global level with higher carbon footprint should be avoided.
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 126 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
(13) As an instrument to prevent carbon leakage and reduce GHG emissions the CBAM should ensure that imported products are subject to a regulatory system that applies carbon costs equivalent to the ones that otherwise would have been borne under the EU ETS. The CBAM is a climate measure which should prevent the risk of carbon leakage and support the Union’s increased ambition on climate mitigation, while ensuring WTO compatibility. and making sure that the CBAM is a tool at a global level whilst maintaining the export competitiveness of EU industries.
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 215 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 54
(54) The Commission shall pursue and strengthen communication and climate diplomacy outreach in the relevant international fora and with its main commercial partners. The Commission should strive to engage in an even handed manner and in line with the international obligations of the EU, with the third countries whose trade to the EU is affected by this Regulation, to explore possibilities for dialogue and cooperation with regard to the implementation of specific elements of the Mechanism set out this Regulation and related implementing acts. It should also explore possibilities for concluding agreements to take into account their carbon pricing mechanism. , provided that they deliver equivalent GHG emissions reductions and carbon costs constraints. This may involve, where appropriate, coordination in relevant international fora.
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 236 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. The mechanism willseeks to progressively become an alternative to the mechanisms established under Directive 2003/87/EC to prevent the risk of carbon leakage, notably the allocation of allowances free of charge in accordance with Article 10a of that Directive if it has proven to be effective to prevent the risk of carbon leakage both for imports into, or exports from the customs territory of the Union and without prejudice to maintaining EU ETS allowances free of charge at benchmark level until a test period has proven such effectiveness.
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 295 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. The authorised declarant shall ensure that the total embedded emissions declared in the CBAM declaration submitted pursuant to Article 6 are verified by a verifier accredited pursuant to Article 18, based on the verification principles set out in Annex V. The competent authority is authorised to verify the accuracy of the information in the CBAM declaration.
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 305 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
2. The authorised declarant shall keep records of the documentation, certified by an independent person,accredited verifier. The accredited verifier is required to demonstrate that the declared embedded emissions were subject to a carbon price in the country of origin of the goods and keep evidence of the proof of the actual payment for that carbon price which should not have been subject to an export rebate or any other form of compensation on exportation.
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 308 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission is empowered to adopt implementing acts establishing the methodology for calculating the reduction in the number of CBAM certificates to be surrendered, regarding the conversion of the carbon price paid in foreign currency into euro at yearly average exchange rate in accordance with paragraph 1, and regarding the qualifications of the independent personaccredited verifier certifying the information as well as elements of proof of the carbon price paid and energy tax rebates and the absence of export rebates or other forms of compensation on exportation being applied as referred to in paragraph 2. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 29(2).
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 312 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall, upon request by a register the information on operators of an installations located in a third country, register the information on that operator and on itsies and on those installation in a central database referred to in Article 14(4).
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 319 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 6
6. The records referred to in paragraph 5, point (c), shall be sufficiently detailed to enable the verification in accordance with paragraph 5, point (b), and to enable any competent authority to verify and to review, in accordance with Article 19(1), the CBAM declaration made by an authorised declarant to whom the relevant information was disclosed in accordance with paragraph 8.
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 356 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. If irregularities are identified as a result of the controls carried out under paragraph 2, the Commission shall inform the Member State or Member States concerned for further investigation in order to correct the identified irregularities. Identified irregularities shall be corrected in due time and where they were identified, and where appropriate, penalties pursuant to article 27 shall apply.
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 362 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the declarant has not been involved in a serious infringement or repeated infringements of customs legislation, circumvention of antidumping or antisubsidy duties, taxation rules and market abuse rules and has no record of serious criminal offences relating to its economic activity during the five years preceding the application;
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 406 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. An authorised declarant who submits false information in its CBAM declaration may be excluded from the register. The respective verifier who has certified the accuracy of the information in the CBAM declaration can have its certification withdrawn by the issuing national authority.
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 418 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2
2. Practices of circumvention include situations where a change in the pattern of trade in relation to goods included in the scope of this Regulation, whether slightly modified or not, stems from a practice, process or work has insufficient due cause or economic justification other than avoiding obligations as laid down in this Regulation and consist in replacing those goods with slightly modified products, which are not included or undermining the list of goods in Annex I but belong to a sector included in the scope of this Regulationir effects.
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 422 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Resource shuffling, whereby exporting countries would use their cleanest industrial plants to export to the EU and keep more polluting installations for the domestic or global market, is to be considered a practice of circumvention.
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 476 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2
2. Before the end of the transitional period, the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Regulation. The report shall contain, in particular, an in-depthe assessment of the impact on competitiveness of the EU industry, including the downstream industry, and the possibilities to further extend the scope of embedded emissions to indirect emissions and to other goods at risk of carbon leakage than those already covered by this Regulation, as well as an assessment of the governance system. It shall also contain the assessment of the possibility to further extend the scope to embedded emissions of transportation services as well as to goods further down the value chain and services that may be subject to the risk of carbon leakage in the future. The report should also analyse whether the obligations laid down in this Regulation have led to movements in the resale prices or subsequent selling prices of the imported product in the Union.
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 485 #

2021/0214(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The Commission shall monitor and evaluate the mechanism's effectiveness with regard to the risk of carbon leakage before phasing out free allocation to sectors at risk of carbon leakage covered by this regulation. To this end, the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and the Council evaluating: - the first three years (2026-2028) of the surrendering obligation pursuant to article 22; - the risk of carbon leakage on export markets. If the evaluation is positive, the report shall be accompanied by a legislative proposal implementing a solution to address the risk of carbon leakage on export markets.
2021/12/16
Committee: INTA
Amendment 76 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) There should be a financial contribution or any other advantage provided, directly or indirectly, by the public authorities of a third country. The financial contribution or advantage may be granted through public or private entities. Whether a public entity provides a financial contribution or advantage should be determined on a case- by-case basis with due regard to elements such as the characteristics of the relevant entity and the legal and economic environment prevailing in the country in which the entity operates including the government’s role in the economy. Financial contributions or advantages may also be granted through a private entity if its actions can be attributed to the third country.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 80 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) Such a financial contribution or advantage should confer a benefit to an undertaking engaging in an economic activity in the internal market. A financial contribution or advantage that benefits an entity engaging in non- economic activities does not constitute a foreign subsidy. The existence of a benefit should be determined on the basis of comparative benchmarks, such as the investment practice of private investors, rates for financing obtainable on the market, a comparable tax treatment, or the adequate remuneration for a given good or service.. If no directly comparable benchmarks are available, existing benchmarks could be adjusted or alternative benchmarks could be established based on generally accepted assessment methods.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 158 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48
(48) In order to ensure a level playing field on the internal market also in the long term, with a view to ensuring adequate coverage of cases investigated both through notifications as well as ex officio, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission in respect of amending the notification thresholds for concentrations and for public procurement procedures, exempting certain categories of undertakings from the notification obligations under this Regulation, as well as amending the time limits for the preliminary review and the in-depth investigations of notified concentrations or notified financial contributions in the context of a public procurement procedure. In relation to financial contributions in the context of a public procurement procedure, the power to adopt such acts should be exercised in a way that takes into account the interests of SMEs. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out analysis during the preparations of those acts, mainly including the quantified cost- benefit analysis and ex-ante analysis on impact on investments and consumers welfare. It is also of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations during the preparations of those acts, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making47 . In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council should receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically should have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. _________________ 47 Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making (OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1).
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 165 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
(2) This Regulation addresses foreign subsidies granted conferring an advantage to an undertaking engaging in an economic activity in the internal market. An undertaking acquiring control or merging with an undertaking established in the Union or an undertaking participating in a public procurement procedure is considered to be engaging in an economic activity in the internal market.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 166 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
(1) For the purpose of this Regulation, a foreign subsidy shall be deemed to exist where a third country provides a financial contribution or any other advantage which confers a benefit to an undertaking engaging in an economic activity in the internal market and which is limited, in law or in fact, to an individual undertaking or industry or to several undertakings or industrie, including any commercial interaction with a public or private operator, regardless of the place where the commercial interaction occurs and which is limited, in law or in fact, to an individual undertaking or industry or to several undertakings or industries. Such advantage is deemed to exist from the moment it first causes a distortion, even if prior to the beneficiary's actual receipt of, or full entitlement to, the advantage. This can occur, for example, if the advantage is conditional or if there is a pattern of advantages granted to such a beneficiary in similar situations.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 173 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a – introductory part
(a) a financial contribution shall include, in a non-exhaustive manner:
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 175 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a – point i
(i) the transfer of funds or liabilities, such as capital injections, grants, loans, loan guarantees, fiscal incentives, tax exemptions, setting off of operating losses, compensation for financial burdens imposed by public authorities, debt forgiveness, debt to equity swaps or rescheduling;
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 180 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a – point iii a (new)
(iii a) any financial advantage in any form whatsoever funded directly or indirectly through state resources of the third country;
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 186 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b – introductory part
(b) the financial contribution or any other advantage provided by the third country shall include the financial contribution or advantage provided by:
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 192 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
(2 a) For the purpose of this Regulation, other financial and competitive advantages shall be deemed to exist when: (i) financial relations with public undertakings are not structured at arms’ length or are not in line with normal market conditions in the market concerned;or (ii) exclusive or special rights have been granted explicitly or de facto to one or more undertakings who subsequently leverage those exclusive or special rights by off-setting costs or losses incurred on the European internal market by increased turnover or profits on the captive markets where those exclusive or special rights apply.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 195 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 b (new)
(2 b) For the purpose of this Regulation, where the Commission has well-founded evidence of the existence of significant distortions in a third country or a sector in a third country, public undertakings from this country, which are directly or indirectly state owned or controlled, shall be presumed having received distortive foreign subsidies in the absence of proof of the contrary.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 206 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
(2) A foreign subsidy is unlikely to distort the internal market if: (a) its total amount is below EUR 5 million over any consecutive period of three fiscal years, or (b) the foreign subsidy is granted by the third country, which has in place a legislative measure for the review of subsidies that guarantee the equivalent level of competition protection. By 30 June 2023, the Commission shall publish the list of such countries. This list shall be regularly reviewed.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 212 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
(2 a) By 30 June 2023, the Commission shall publish guidelines providing further examples and clarification on how each indicator of distortion will be applied, including the types and purposes of subsidies that cause distortion in the internal market. The guidelines shall be regularly updated.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 216 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 b (new)
(2 b) By 30 June 2023 the Commission shall publish a report on the possibility of introduction of an online tool for the indicative assessment of foreign subsidies, stating the risk level which is expected based on the provided data for quantitative indicators.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 234 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
(1) The Commission shall, where warranted, balance the negative effects of a foreign subsidy in terms of distortion on the internal market with positive effects on the development of the relevant economic activity, taking into account the contribution of a foreign subsidy to the objectives of Union policies in the field concerned.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 239 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
(2) The Commission shall take into account the balancing between the negative and positive effects when deciding whether to impose redressive measures or to accept commitments, and the nature and level of those redressive measures or commitments. The general objective of tackling distortions created by foreign subsidies, in particular those which may endanger the preservation of a strong industrial base in the Union with sustainable and diversified supply chains, should be given special consideration.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 255 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
(3) Commitments or redressive measures may consist of the following non-exhaustive list: :
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 268 #

2021/0114(COD)

(5) If an undertaking offers commitments which fully and effectively remedy the distortion on the internal market, the Commission mayshall accept them and make them binding on the undertaking in a decision with commitments according to Article 9(3).
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 273 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 6
(6) Where the undertaking concerned proposes to repay the foreign subsidy including an appropriate interest rate, the Commission shallmay accept such repayment as commitment if it can ascertain that the repayment is transparent and effective, while taking into account the risk of circumvention.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 279 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
The Commission may on its own initiative or upon request examine information from any source regarding alleged distortive foreign subsidies, including a Member State concerned and undertakings or their respective trade associations, regarding alleged distortive foreign subsidies. The Commission shall provide information once a Member State concerned or undertakings or their respective trade associations have submitted a request justifying the initiation of an investigation and the Commission has completed its analysis thereof, or where the Commission has itself determined that there is a need to initiate an investigation.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 294 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(c a) hear the interested parties which have made a written request within the period prescribed in the notice published in the Official Journal of the European Union showing that they are an interested party likely to be affected by the result of the proceedings and that there are particular reasons why they should be heard.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 308 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The Commission may take interim measures, including during the preliminary review period, where:
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 338 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) specifying the subject matter and purpose of the inspection; The subject matter and the scope of the inspection shall be proportionate and include minimum tasks necessary to confirm foreign subsidies and their distortive effect on the internal market.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 404 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
(2) The Commission may initiate an in- depth investigation under Article 8(2) no later than 25 working days after receipt of the complete notification and shall publish a notice of formal investigation in the Official Journal of the European Union, which invites interested parties, Member States and the third country concerned to express their views in writing within a prescribed period of time. The interested parties which have made themselves known shall be heard if they have, within the period prescribed in the notice published in the Official Journal of the European Union, made a written request for a hearing showing that they are an interested party likely to be affected by the result of the proceedings and that there are particular reasons why they should be heard.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 430 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1
(1) When submitting a tender or a request to participate in a public procurement procedure, undertakings, main subcontractors and main suppliers shall either notify to the contracting authority or the contracting entity all foreign financial contributions received in the three years preceding that notification or confirm in a declaration that they did not receive any foreign financial contributions in the last three years. Undertakings which do not submit such information or declaration shall not be awarded the contract. Any subcontractor or main supplier selected or known after submitting a tender or a request to participate in a public procurement procedure shall notify foreign subsidies according to the first sentence without undue delay after their selection.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 448 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 a (new)
Article 28 a Own initiative request for the assessment of foreign subsidies 1. The Commision shall carry out an assessment of foreign subsidies upon an own-initiative request of the undertaking which plans to apply for the public procurement. 2. The Commission shall carry out the assessment based on the rules set in this Regulation. The undertaking concerned may withdraw from the request for the assessment. 3. By 30 June 2023, the Commission shall publish guidelines providing details and procedure on how to request the assessment of foreign subsidies, including possible fees.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 455 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2
(2) The Commission shall carry out a preliminary review no later than 640 days after it received the notification.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 456 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 3
(3) The Commission shall decide whether to initiate an in-depth investigation within the time limit for completing the preliminary review and inform the undertaking concerned and the contracting authority or the contracting entity without delay. Where the Commission has not taken a decision to initiate an in-depth investigation within 40 days, the foreign subsidies shall be deemed as not distorting the internal market.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 462 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 4
(4) The Commission may adopt a decision closing the in-depth investigation no later than 1200 days after it received the notification. In exceptional circumstances, this time limit may be extended after consultation with the concerned contracting authority or contracting entityby a maximum of 60 additional days.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 469 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 3 a (new)
(3 a) The Commission shall publish the decisions, which shall indicate inter alia the thorough explanation of the decision, quantified indicators on which the decision is based and the right and the time limit of the undertaking to have the decision reviewed by the Court of Justice of the European Union.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 473 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 3
(3) The contract may be awarded to an undertaking submitting a declaration under Article 28 before the Commission takes any of the decisions referred to in Article 30 or before the time limit laid down in Article 29(4) elapses only if the tender evaluation has established that the undertaking in question has in any case submitted the most economically advantageous tender. By 30 June 2023, the Commission shall publish the guidelines providing the criteria and procedure for the assessment of the most economically advantageous tender.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 523 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 1
Within fivthree years after the entry into force of this Regulation atnd the latestn each three years, the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Regulation, accompanied, where the Commission considers it appropriate, by relevant legislative proposals.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 529 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 47 – paragraph 1
(1) This Regulation shall apply to foreign subsidies granted in the tenfive years prior to the date of application of this Regulation where such foreign subsidies distort the internal market after the start of application of this Regulation.
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 533 #

2021/0114(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 48 – paragraph 2
It shall apply from [date: sixnine months after entry into force].
2022/02/11
Committee: INTA
Amendment 30 #

2020/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that the EU has always sought pragmatic and flexible solutions to address implementation challenges experienced by stakeholders in Northern Ireland, and notably through far reaching proposals put to the UK in October 2021 aimed at lessening the impact of Brexit in Northern Ireland; regrets that it has taken about a year for the UK Government has noto earnestly engaged with the EU on these proposals thus far; yet incites both parties to come to a durable agreement;
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 41 #

2020/2202(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Recalls that in addition to the implementation challenges of the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement, we should strive to build a comprehensive strategic partnership with the UK for the future on various domains where the ambitions could reach much further like the Horizon Programme and innovation, Erasmus, cooperation in and around the North Sea, energy and CO2-storage.
2022/10/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2020/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas Article 50 of the TEU confirms that the Member States are the ‘masters of the Treaties’ and the EU is a free association of states and not a mandatory project;
2021/07/21
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 29 #

2020/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas, in the judgment in Wightman and others (C-621/18, 10 December 2018), the Court of Justice declared that a Member State can unilaterally revoke the notification of its intention to withdraw, at least before the deadline laid down in Article 50(3) of the TEU expires;
2021/07/21
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 32 #

2020/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the two-phase approach adopted by Michel Barnier, the chief negotiator on behalf of the European Commission, proved to be the correct one;
2021/07/21
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 33 #

2020/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas under Article 10(1) of the TEU, citizens are directly represented at Union level in the European Parliament; whereas Article 14(2) of the TEU establishes that that representation shall be digressively proportional; whereas Article 10(3) of the TEU stipulates that decisions shall be taken as closely as possible to the citizen;
2021/07/21
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 42 #

2020/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas the withdrawal process has led to unpredictability and has constituted a challenge not only for the EU and the withdrawing Member State, but also and even more so for the citizens and entities most directly affected; whereas the economic and social costs of this uncertainty have proven to be very high and have also put pressure on the political relations between the EU and the withdrawing Member State; whereas greater certainty could be achieved during the separation process by, amongst other things, demanding that the notification of the decision to withdraw be accompanied by a blueprint of the future relationship that the withdrawing Member State has in mind;
2021/07/21
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 44 #

2020/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas regions that become independent in a legal and democratic manner should be able to accede to the EU automatically via a simplified and accelerated procedure, with a transition period during which relations between the EU and that region remain unchanged; whereas those regions already subscribe to European values and fundamental rights and apply Union law and their citizens are Union citizens;
2021/07/21
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 88 #

2020/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Believes, nevertheless, that the withdrawal process was characterised by hesitancy on the part of the UK, leading to protracted uncertainty from the outset, reflected in the time gap between the referendum and the withdrawal notification under Article 50 of the TEU, and until the end of the negotiations, due to the spectre of a no-deal withdrawal; therefore calls for greater clarity as to the process that a withdrawal from the EU should follow; takes the view that the withdrawal notification should be accompanied by an outline of the withdrawing Member State’s ambitions as regards future cooperation;
2021/07/21
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 115 #

2020/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 – indent 1 a (new)
- an obligation to enclose an outline of ambitions as regards future cooperation with the notification of the intention to withdraw,
2021/07/21
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 118 #

2020/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 – indent 1 b (new)
- specification of a two-phase approach, starting with a withdrawal agreement, followed by the negotiation of the future relationship,
2021/07/21
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 123 #

2020/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 – indent 3
- explicit conditions for the revocation ofrecognition of the right to unilaterally revoke the notification of the intention to leave,
2021/07/21
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 130 #

2020/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 – indent 4 a (new)
- a simplified and accelerated accession procedure for regions that have become independent in a legal and democratic manner, with a transition period during which relations between the EU and the region remain unchanged;
2021/07/21
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 172 #

2020/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Considers, in this context, that the role of the Parliament is essential in safeguarding the parliamentary and democratic dimension of a procedure with such a constitutional and institutional impact on the Union; considers that its supervisory role must be enhanced in any future Treaty reform, in all aspects of the process from the negotiations to the implementation of a withdrawal agreement, including for major decisions such as extensions in accordance with Article 50(3) of the TEU;
2021/07/21
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 183 #

2020/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Reiterates its call for an in-depth reflection on the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, and on its impact on the future of the EU; believes that such a reflection should ensure an open and broadened dialogue on the reforms that the Union needs in order to reinforce democracy and the capacity to deliver on citizens needs and expectations;
2021/07/21
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 192 #

2020/2136(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Believes that it is the responsibility and role of the Union and its Member States to prevent the repetition of a withdrawal from the EU; calls on Member States to consistently provide wide- reaching information to EU citizens on the functioning of the European Union, its areas of action and its decision-making processes; considers that for this purpose the Conference on the Future of Europe offers an opportunity for enhanced dialogue with citizens and civil societythe EU can only bridge the gap to the citizen by achieving results and not by organising expensive conferences that are unrepresentative and mainly reach an elite and the pillarised society; takes the view that citizens expect the EU to demonstrate its added value by protecting them and creating prosperity; stresses that Article 10(1) onf the European Union and how it should evolveTEU stipulates that the functioning of the EU shall be founded on representative democracy;
2021/07/21
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 21 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital R (new)
R. whereas Trade policy must play its full roll in the recovery from theCOVID19 pandemic and towards more dynamic, innovative and competitive Europe in the world;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 22 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital S (new)
S. whereas international trade in goods and services is to increase by 8.4%in 2022 according to estimations by International Monetary Fund1a ; __________________ 1a World Economic Outlook, April 2021: Managing Divergent Recoveries(imf.org)
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 27 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the mainstreaming of the European Green Deal into the communication on the Trade Policy Review (TPR) and calls for a concrete action plan to make this ambition a reality;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 41 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the incorporation of the Paris Agreement as an essential element in all trade, investment and partnership agreements; stresses that ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) core conventions and respect for human rights are requirements for concluding FTAs; asks for ambitious chapters on gender, women empowerment and on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to be included in all trade agreements;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 51 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that the post-COVID-19 recovery is a unique opportunity to set the agenda for sustainable growth; calls on the Commission, therefore, to present its review of the 15-point action plan on TSD chapters without delay; expects the review to address the enforceability of TSD commitments as a matter of urgency, as it is not currently included; recalls, in this regard, the non-paper from the Netherlands and France on trade, social economic effects and sustainable development11 ; suggests that, as a minimum, recent advances in enforceability should be applied to EU trade policy, namely the ability to tackle any non-compliance by partners through unilateral sanctions, including thesuch as an introduction of tariffs or quotas on certain products or the cross- suspension of other parts of an agreement; __________________ 11Non-paper from the Netherlands and France on trade, social economic effects and sustainable development, accessed at ‘the Netherlands at International Organisations (permanentrepresentations.nl)’.
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 78 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the EU to take a leading role at a multilateral level to end harmful subsidies by advocating transparency and strict regulation and disciplines in trade agreements and at the World Trade Organization (WTO); stresses the importance of drawing up sustainability impact assessments on an ex-ante, intermediate and ex-post basis; stresses the need to develop a comprehensive framework with concrete targets to advance the SDGs, the Green Deal and the ILO Decent Work Agenda in trade and investment agreements; emphasises that new agreements should only be concluded once these targets have been fulfilledwhen tangible commitments are made by our trading partners and that existing agreements should be revised accordingly;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 117 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the importance of ensuring fair competition and a level playing field for European businesses in both the internal market and third-country markets; stresses, in this regard, the importance of trade defence instruments and calls on the Commission to swiftly complete the EU’s trade defence toolbox through legislative proposals, supported by impact assessments in 2021, giving priority to an instrument to tackle distortions caused by foreign subsidies and state-owned enterprises and to the conclusion of negotiations on the International Procurement Instrument12 ; __________________ 12Amended proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 January 2016 on the access of third- country goods and services to the Union’s internal market in public procurement and procedures supporting negotiations on access of Union goods and services to the public procurement markets of third countries (COM(2016)0034).
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 124 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Is convinced that openness should go hand in hand with safeguarding our strategic sectors and should be closely connected with an ambitious, forward- looking industrial policy in line with the Green Deal and digital strategy, boosting economic recovery, increasing competitiveness of our businesses, creating quality jobs and ensuring that Europe plays a crucial role in the production of innovative goods and future services;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 137 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Is convinced that the EU is too dependent on a limited number of suppliers for critical goods and services; insists that the EU should overcome these undesirablexcessive dependencies via a mix of policies to incentivise companies to stockpile, diversify sourcing strategies and promote nearshoring, which could create new trading opportunities for partners in the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhoods and shall be accompanied by regulatory approximation in strategic sectors; underlines that our priority should be further diversification of sources and constant private sector adaptation to shocks;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 179 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Is concerned about the recent rise in export restrictions on vaccines by the main manufacturing countries such as the US, the UK, China and India and by the EU and emphasises that this endangers the rapid global scaling up of vaccine production capacity, disrupts production chains and could lead to retaliations; urges the Commission to engage with producing countries to swiftly eliminate export barriers and to replace the export authorisation mechanism with an export and import notification requirement; insists on having timely and comprehensive access to such data;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 199 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Emphasises that international trade policy must play a proactive role in this endeavour by facilitating trade in raw materials, alleviating shortages of qualified and experienced personnel, solving supply chain problems and revisiting the global framework for intellectual property rights for future pandemics; insists, in this regard, on a constructive dialogue about a temporary waiver of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) in order to ensure that countries do not face retaliation over COVID-19 related patent infringements during the pandemic;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 206 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Underlines that researchers and industry have put major efforts into the development of new COVID diagnosis, treatments and vaccines; in this regard, opines that The Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) allows for the necessary flexibilities in relation to IP and does not represent a genuine barrier as regards access to COVID-related technologies;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 211 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Invites the Commission to set out concrete and specificmap vulnerable supply chains and identify possible actions and a roadmap to implement the concept of open strategic autonomy; stresses that the EU’s market strength, values and adherence to cooperation, fairness and rule-based trade should be the basis of such openness; strongly recommends that the EU seeks out partnerships with like-minded partners; stresses, however, that where cooperation is not possible, the EU should pursue its interests through autonomous measures to protect its values and fight unfair trading practices;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 225 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the TPR’s affirmation of multilateralism and extensive proposals for the necessary in-depth reform of the WTO; shares the Commission’s emphasis on sustainable development in its vision for WTO reform and urges the Commission to bring to bear all efforts to implement a sustainable development agenda; stresses the importance of taking forward the WTO initiative on trade and climate, technology and climate and make progress on plurilateral negotiations on e-commerce and investment facilitation;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 235 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Shares the suggestion made in the TPR that the G20 should cooperate and take a leading role in achieving carbon neutrality worldwide; stresses, however, that in order for this approach to be effective, some members will need to raise their emission reduction commitmentshowever stresses that reintroducing new trade tariffs would have implications for trade and global economy at a time when we want to maximise the strength of the post-Covid recovery;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 243 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Supports the new, forward-looking transatlantic agenda based on common interests and, shared values and goals; urges the Commission and the US administration to cooperate closely in orderto find a solution to ongoing transatlantic trade disputes such as Boeing-Airbus conflict, digital taxes or tariffs on steel and aluminium, to cooperate in the framework of Transatlantic Trade and Technology Council and to work together on a new ambitious and comprehensive trade agreement; in order to increase market access to EU companies, to secure a level playing field and to agree on ambitious social and environmental standards and build on each other’s experience to enforce these more efficiently; calls for joint efforts to overcome the pandemic, speed up the economic recovery and facilitate trade in essential medical goods; reiterates that we should work together to achieve meaningful WTO reform and find common solutions to common problwith regard to the WTO’s dispute settlement systems;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 251 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Is aware of the importance of the EU’s multifaceted trade relationship with China which has become in 2020 the most important trading partner of the EU in trade of goods; firmly believes that EU- China trade relations require a more balanced and reciprocal approach; stresses that the ratification process of the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment making it beneficial for both sides; stresses that the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) aims at increasing market access for investors and establishing rules that are to improve the level playing field for European companies in China; underlines that the ratification process of the CAI cannot be separated from the evolving dynamics of the wider EU-China relationship and can only begin once the EU has the requisite autonomous measures in place, including a ban on products made using forced labour, an upgraded trade defence toolbox and a working sanctions mechanism on human rights; demands that the Commission move forward with the Investment Agreement with Taiwan;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 267 #

2020/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Welcomes the TPR’s engagement towards Africa and the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhoods and looks forward to concrete steps to deepen the EU’s relations with these partners; emphasizes that far more focus shall be placed on the Asia Pacific region - the most important part of the world in terms of economic growths for the foreseeable future and calls for comprehensive and ambitious Indo-Pacific strategy; reiterates the importance of a strategic and sustainable partnership with Southeast Asia, India and Latin America;
2021/04/20
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2020/2098(REG)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the sanitary crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed that its Rules of Procedure did not providrequire fmor all appropriate measures in order to facilitate thee developed procedures in order to ensure the unlimited functioning of Parliament in different types of extraordinary circumstances;
2020/09/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 11 #

2020/2098(REG)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 3
3. Takes notUnderlines the importance of the temporary measures adopted, in compliance with the rule of law, by its President and its governing bodies in the current sanitary crisis, in order to cope with such extraordinary circumstances; underlinstresses that there were no alternatives to those measures were neein ordedr to guarantee the continuity of Parliament’s business, as required by the Treaties, and that they allowinged Parliament to carry out its legislative, budgetary and political control functions during the crisis in accordance with the procedures provided for by the Treaties;
2020/09/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 13 #

2020/2098(REG)

Proposal for a decision
Paragraph 4
4. RecogniStresses that those temporary measures were fully justified and that they ensured the validity of all votes taken during their period of application;
2020/09/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 17 #

2020/2098(REG)


Title XIII a (new)
TITLE XIIIa: EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES
2020/09/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 20 #

2020/2098(REG)


Title XIII a (new) – rule 237 a (new)
Rule 237a Extraordinary measures 1. This Rule applies to situations in which the European Parliament, due to exceptional and unforeseeable circumstances beyond its control, is hindered from carrying out its duties and exercising its prerogatives under the Treaties in accordance with Parliament’s usual procedures set out elsewhere in these Rules. In these circumstances, a temporary derogation from the above usual procedures and the adoption of extraordinary measures may be necessary to enable Parliament to carry out those duties and to exercise those prerogatives. Such extraordinary circumstances shall be considered to exist where the President, with the agreement of the Conference of Presidents, comes to the conclusion, on the basis of reliable evidence confirmed, where appropriate, by Parliament’s services, that it is or will be impossible or dangerous for Parliament to convene in accordance with its usual procedures as set out elsewhere in these Rules and its adopted calendar. 2. Where the conditions set out in paragraph 1 are fulfilled, the President may decide, with the agreement of the Conference of Presidents, to apply one or more of the measures referred to in paragraph 3. Where the conditions set out in paragraph 1 are fulfilled and it is impossible or dangerous for Parliament to convene physically or by remote connection in accordance with its adopted calendar, the President may decide, with the agreement of the Conference of Presidents, to apply the measures referred to in paragraph 3(a). If it is impossible, due to reasons of imperative urgency, for the Conference of Presidents to convene, the President may decide to apply one or more of the measures set out in paragraph 3 points (a), (b) and (c). Such a decision shall lapse five days after its adoption unless approved by the Conference of Presidents within that deadline. The decision by the President, approved by the Conference of Presidents, shall be submitted to the next plenary for approval. Each of the measures taken shall be put to the vote separately. No amendments may be tabled. If a measure fails to obtain a majority of the votes cast, it shall lapse after the announcement of the result of the vote. A measure approved by the plenary may not be the subject of a further vote during the same part-session. A political group or Members reaching at least the low threshold may, at any time, request that some or all of the measures taken under paragraph 3 of this rule be submitted to the next plenary for approval. The vote in plenary shall be placed on the agenda of the first sitting following the day on which the request was tabled. No amendments may be tabled. If a measure fails to obtain a majority of the votes cast, it shall lapse after the announcement of the result of the vote. A measure approved by the plenary may not be the subject of a further vote during the same part-session. 3. The decision referred to in paragraph 2 may relate to the following appropriate measures in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2, to the extent that they are suitable, necessary and proportionate: (a) postponement of a scheduled part- session, sitting or meeting of a committee to a later date and/or cancellation or limitation of meetings of inter- parliamentary delegations and other bodies; (b) displacement of the part-session, sitting or meeting of a committee from Parliament’s seat to one of its working places or to an external location or from one of its working places to Parliament’s seat, to one of Parliament’s other working places or to an external location; (c) holding of the part-session or the sitting on the premises of Parliament but fully or partially in separate meeting rooms allowing for appropriate physical distancing; (d) holding of the part session, sitting or meeting of bodies of Parliament under the remote participation regime laid down in Rule 237c; 4. A decision referred to in paragraph 2 shall be limited in time and shall state the reasons on which it is based. It shall enter into force upon its publication on Parliament’s website or, if circumstances prevent such publication, by the best available means. All Members shall also be informed individually of the decision without delay. The decision may be renewed by the President, with the agreement of the Conference of Presidents, in accordance with the procedure under paragraph 2 once or more for a limited time. A decision to renew shall state the reasons on which it is based. The President, with the agreement of the Conference of Presidents, shall revoke a decision adopted under this Rule once it is no longer suitable, necessary and proportionate. 5. Given that this Rule provides for an exception to Parliament's usual procedures, it shall be strictly interpreted and applied. Application of this Rule shall not lead to any breach of representative democracy, bearing in mind the uniquely representative nature of Parliament, the principle of equal treatment of Members, the right of Members to exercise their parliamentary mandate without impairment, their right to speak in one of the official languages of the European Union and their right to vote freely, individually and in person. The democratic and transparent functioning of the European Parliament shall be respected in all circumstances and all its Members shall be treated equally.
2020/09/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 27 #

2020/2098(REG)


Title XIII a (new) – rule 237 b (new)
Rule 237b Impairment of the political balance in Parliament 1. The President may, with the agreement of the Conference of Presidents, adopt the necessary measures in order to facilitate participation of Members or a political group concerned if, on the basis of reliable evidence, the President comes to the conclusion that the political balance in Parliament is severely impaired because it is impossible or dangerous for a significant number of Members or a political group to take part in Parliament’s proceedings in accordance with its usual procedures as set out elsewhere in these Rules. The sole aim of such measures referred to in paragraph 1 shall be to allow the remote participation of Members concerned by the application of selected technical means under Rule 237c(1) or by other appropriate means serving the same purpose. 2. The President may, with the agreement of the Conference of Presidents, adopt the measures provided for under Rule 237a(3), point (a) if, on the basis of reliable evidence, the President comes to the conclusion that the political balance in Parliament is severely impaired because it is impossible or dangerous for a significant number of Members or a political group to take part in Parliament’s proceedings, in person or by remote connection, in accordance with its adopted calendar. 3. Measures under paragraphs 1 and 2 may be adopted if a significant number of Members are affected by exceptional and unforeseeable circumstances beyond their control. In assessing whether a significant number of Members are involved, severe impairment of the political balance shall be the decisive factor, in line with the principle of degressively proportional representation set out in Article 14 TEU. Measures may be taken in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2, to the extent that they are suitable, necessary and proportionate. 4. Rule 237a(2), third fourth and fifth subparagraphs, and the rules and principles laid down in Rule 237a(4) and (5) shall apply accordingly.
2020/09/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 34 #

2020/2098(REG)


Title XIII a (new) – rule 237 c (new)
Rule 237c Remote participation regime 1. Where the President, with the agreement of the Conference of Presidents, decides under Rule 237a(2), to apply the remote participation regime by adopting a measure under Rule 237a(3), point (d), Parliament may conduct its proceedings remotely inter alia by permitting all Members to exercise their parliamentary rights by electronic means. Where the President, with the agreement of the Conference of Presidents, decides in accordance with Rule 237b that selected technical means under the remote participation regime are to be used, this Rule shall apply only in so far as it is suitable, necessary and proportionate and only to the Members concerned. The remote participation regime shall ensure that : - Members are able to exercise their parliamentary mandate, including, in particular, their right to speak in plenary and in the committees, to vote and to table texts, without impairment; - all votes are cast by Members individually and in person; - the remote voting system enables Members to cast ordinary votes, roll call votes and secret ballots; - a uniform voting system is applied for all Members, whether present or not on Parliament’s premises; - translation and interpretation services are provided to the greatest possible extent; - the information technology solutions made available to Members and their staff are ‘technology neutral’; - participation of Members in parliamentary debates and votes takes place using secure electronic means that are managed and supervised by Parliament’s services. 3. When taking the decision referred to in paragraph 1, the President shall, with the agreement of the Conference of Presidents, determine whether that regime applies to the exercise of Members’ rights in plenary only, or also to the exercise of Members’ rights in Parliament’s committees and/or other bodies. The President, with the agreement of the Conference of Presidents, shall also determine in his or her decision how rights and practices which cannot be exercised appropriately without the Members’ physical presence are adapted for the duration of the regime. These rights and practices concern, inter alia: - the manner in which attendance at a sitting or meeting is counted; - the conditions under which a request for a check of the quorum is made; - the tabling of texts; - requests for split or separate votes; - the allocation of speaking time; - the scheduling of debates; - the presentation of, and objection to, oral amendments; - the order of votes; - the deadlines and time limits for the setting of the agenda and for procedural motions. 4. For the purposes of the application of the provisions of the Rules relating to quorum and voting in the Chamber, Members who are participating remotely shall be deemed to be physically present in the Chamber. By way of derogation from Rule 171(11), Members who have not spoken in a debate may, once per sitting, hand in a written statement, which shall be appended to the verbatim report of the debate. Where necessary, the President shall, with the agreement of the Conference of Presidents, determine the manner in which the Chamber may be used by Members during the application of the remote participation regime, and in particular the maximum number of Members who can be physically present. 5. Where the President, with the agreement of the Conference of Ministers, decides in accordance with paragraph 3, first subparagraph, to apply the remote participation regime to committees or other bodies, paragraph 4, first subparagraph, shall apply, mutatis mutandis. 6. The Bureau shall adopt measures concerning the operation and security of the electronic means used under this Rule, in accordance with the requirements and standards laid down in paragraph 2. 7. Parliament’s competent bodies shall take all measures, including financial measures, necessary to ensure the availability of state-of-the-art technology and optimal conditions for the effective implementation of Rules 237a to 237d. To this end, they shall comply in full with the principles of sound administration and diligent financial management.
2020/09/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 37 #

2020/2098(REG)


Title XIII a (new) – rule 237 d (new)
Rule 237d Holding of the plenary sitting in separate meeting rooms Where the President, with the agreement of the Conference of Presidents, decides in accordance with Rule 237a(3), point (c), to allow a plenary sitting of Parliament to be held in whole or in part in more than one meeting room, including, where appropriate, the Chamber, the following rules shall apply: - the meeting rooms used in this context shall be considered to collectively constitute the Chamber; - if necessary, the President may, with the agreement of the Conference of Presidents, determine the manner in which the respective meeting rooms can be used, in order to ensure that physical distancing requirements are respected.
2020/09/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 41 #

2020/2098(REG)


Title XIII a (new) – rule 237 e (new)
Rule 237e Parliamentary business during a period of extraordinary circumstances 1. Without delay after the adoption of a decision by the President under Rule 237a(2), the Conference of Presidents shall issue general guidelines for those activities that are essential and urgent for Parliament during the period of extraordinary circumstances referred to in Rule 237a(1). Those activities shall include measures that need to be taken with regard to the extraordinary circumstances, to budgetary matters, to urgent legislative procedures or to major political events. 2. During the period of validity of a decision adopted under Rule 237(2), the parliamentary business conducted in part- sessions and committee meetings shall, in principle, be limited to the consideration and adoption of measures identified as essential by the Conference of Presidents in accordance with paragraph 1. A committee, political group or a number of Members reaching at least the low threshold may at any time request the Conference of Presidents to consider an activity as essential. Where the Conference of Presidents rejects such a request, it shall state its reasons for doing so.
2020/09/24
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 4 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Takes note of the Commission’s initiatives to support European SMEs’ access to international markets; Calls for the need to include a separate chapter for SME's in all future trade agreements to ensure SME's reap maximal fruits of the market access gained; Calls furthermore on the Commission to support the national and regional export agencies in their efforts to allow SME's to take best advantage of trade agreements. Indicates in this regard the new role and functioning of the chief Trade Enforcement Officer, stresses, however, that SMEs have to deal with too many regulations and burdens and excessive bureaucracy; stresses that SMEs are kept at a competitive disadvantage by investing in climate neutrality to comply with the Green Deal while trying to remain competitive and thrive on export markets;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to focus on domestic productivity within Europe, in order to establish less dependence on vulnerable supply chains in core industry sectors such as the tech and telecommunications, medical products and pharmaceuticals sectors, especially in times of global crisis, and to remain competitive on the global markets;deleted
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 37 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Calls on the Commission to contribute to build up the EU’s strategic autonomy based on more resilient supply chains, import diversification and appropriate stockpiling; calls for a EU Strategy on smart reshoring of industries in order to ease our dependency- innovation, modernisation, research, digitisation and robotisation will be key to ensure competitiveness of companies concerned;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 46 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Supports, in principle, the initiative to reinforce a rule-based multilateral trading system; expresses its concern, however, about the functioning of the WTO, owing to some international actors abusing their market powerincites the Commission to step up its efforts to achieve agreement on WTO reform and the WTO dispute settlement system, in particular WTO Appellate body;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 65 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the reinforcement of the safeguard instruments in order to make them more efficient and betterWarns against unjustifiable protectionist measures leading to disrupting the global economy; Calls for the robust deployment of the European safeguard instruments adapted to protect European industry and to tackle market distortions effectively;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 79 #

2020/2076(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to strengthen the screening of foreign direct investment and to protect access to strategic industries, infrastructure, key enabling technologies, or any other assets in the interests of security and cybersecurity.; Underlines the mainly coordinating role of the Commission with option for individual Member States to decide whether or not to apply a mechanism;
2020/06/02
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2020/2071(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Recognises that the EU depends on a narrow set of countries for a large proportion of its imports of low technology medical supplies, active pharmaceutical ingredients and chemical raw materials; stresses that this over- reliance can pose a risk when limitations in production capacity, excess demand or protectionist measures threaten the proper functioning of global supply chains and potentially undermine the availability of medicines in the EU; calls on the Commission to present a long-term strategy focused on ensuring the EU’s open strategic autonomy in health;
2020/05/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 30 #

2020/2071(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the EU is a leading global exporter of pharmaceutical products and one of the most research intensive region in this area in the world; notes that the protection and enforcement of IP rights in free trade agreements (FTAs) and at the WTO is crucial to the development of new medicines and treatments; underlines that the flexibilities provided in the TRIPS agreement can be used to address potential supply shortages in exceptional circumstances;
2020/05/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 56 #

2020/2071(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that a complete repatriation of medical supply chains is noteither possible in a global economyor desirable as global medical markets and global specialisation is to the benefit of the EU; urges the Commission and the Member States to work with the EU’s partners, the WHO and WTO, on establishing an international framework that can prevent the breakdown of supply chains and limit resort to protectionist measures during health crises.
2020/05/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 26 #

2020/2043(INI)

2. Supports, in the absence of a global carbon price and a multilateral solution, a market-based EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) covering imports from countries not subject to a equivalent carbon trading scheme; on condition that it is compatible with EU free trade agreements (FTAs) and WTO rules (by being non- discriminatory and not constituting a disguised restriction on international trade), and that it is proportionate, based on the polluter pays principle and fit for purpose in delivering the climate objectives;
2020/11/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 72 #

2020/2043(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for thorough impact assessments and for the utmost transparency of the process leading to the CBAM, as well as engagement with WTO and the EU’s trading partners to build coalitions and avoid any possible retaliations;
2020/11/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 79 #

2020/2043(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that many carbon- and trade- intensive industrial sectors could potentially be impacted by the CBAM, either directly or indirectly, and that it could influence supply chains; emphasises therefore, that any CBAM design should be a complementary measure to the existing carbon leakage measures to better control the cost impact and to safeguard the EU industrial sectors’ global level playing-field vis a vis third country competition with non-equivalent CO2 reduction targets and costs; stresses that any CBAM should be easy to administer anshould not place an unduexcessive financial and administrative burden on enterprises, especially small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) and should not harm competitiveness of EU businesses and industries at a global stage.
2020/11/03
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the EU is seeking to establish an ambitious and comprehensive new partnership with the UK that covers the areas of interest outlined in the Political Declaration: trade and economic cooperation, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, foreign policy, security and defence, andcounter- terrorism, cyber security and other thematic areas of cooperation;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 15 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas as a third country, the UK cannot have the same rights and enjoy the same benefits as a member and the situation in both the EU and the UK will therefore change significantly as of January 2021;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 19 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas the UK is an important player and ally in the field of foreign affairs, security and defence, characterized by its large defence budget, its far-reaching diplomatic network, high- class security and intelligence services and permanent seat on the UN Security Council, and a founding member of NATO
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 20 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
D a. Whereas the EU is the UK’s largest trading partner; in 2018 UK exports to the European Union represented 45% of all UK exports while UK imports from the EU went up 53% of all UK imports; whereas a surplus in trade in services was outweighed by deficit in trade of goods;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 30 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
I a. whereas the future relationship must be based on a balance of rights and obligations, taking into account the principles of each Party
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 38 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the fact that there is a high level of convergence between the negotiating objectives expressed in its resolution of 12 February 2020 and the negotiating directivesose adopted by the Council on 25 February 2020; emphasises that the Commission has Parliament’s full support in negotiating with the UK in accordance with the established directives, as all three institutions broadly share the objectives thato be achieved through these negotiations should achieve;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 44 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the UK has submitted various draft texts to the EU which – unlike the EU’s text – are not public and cover, inter alia, a trade agreement including annexes, an air transport agreement, an aviation safety agreement and an agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation via Euratom;deleted
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 57 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – introductory part
4. Recalls that any future association agreement concluded between the EU and the UK pursuant to Article 217 of the TFEU (‘the Agreement’) must be in strict concordance with the following principles:
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 85 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the fact that from the EU’s perspective, the aim of the negotiations is to establish a new partnership with the UK that is comprehensive and covers the areas outlined in the Political Declaration: trade and economic cooperation, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, foreign policy, security and defence, and thematic areas of cooperation; calls for pragmatism and flexible approach on both sides;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 87 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the fact that from the EU’s perspective,at the aim of the negotiations is to establish a new, ambitious and comprehensive partnership with the UK that is comprehensive and covers the areas outlined in the Political Declaration: trade and economic cooperation, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, foreign policy, security and defence, andcounter-terrorism, cyber security and wider thematic areas of cooperation;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 100 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises the importance of being ready for the UK’s withdrawal from the internal market and the customs union at the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, regardless of the outcome of the negotiations; stresses that the consequences will be even more significant should no agreement be reached; welcomes, in this regard, the Commission’s sector-specific ‘readiness notices’, which seek to ensure that EU industry is ready for the inevitable shock that the UK’s withdrawal from the single market will cause;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 123 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the Withdrawal Agreement is the instrument for implementing the arrangements for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and that the only purpose of the EU-UK Joint Committee is to oversee its applicunder the Withdrawal Agreement is to oversee its implementation, application and interpretation; underlines the importance of the effective implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement as a litmus test for the good faith that the UK brings to the negotiating process and recalls that the outcome of the negotiations would be linked to itrust between the parties to the Agreement;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 143 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that under the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, after the end of the transition period the UK, while being a third country, will have the task ofo implementing parts of the Union Customs Code, which will require unprecedentednew structures to be set up even before the end of the transition period, necessitating due consideration for the issue of proper implementation and enforcement; calls on the Commission to carry out efficient checks and controls; notes that the term goods ‘at risk of subsequently being moved into the Union’ used in Article 5 of that Protocol is unclear and depends on subsequent decisions of the Joint Committee which are exempt from formal European Parliament scrutiny; requests to be kept fully informed on the application of that Article and any proposals for decisions of the Joint Committee in that regard;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 151 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Recalls that until 31 December 2020the end of the transition period, the United Kingdom is obliged to contribute to the financing of the European Defence Agency, the European Union Institute for Security Studies, and the European Union Satellite Centre, and to the costs of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 156 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the fact thatat during the transition period the UK must implement all pre-nd upheld all new and existing EU restrictive measures and sanctions and any decided during the transition period, must support EU statements and positions in third countries and international organisations, and participate on a case-by- case basis in EU military operations and civilian missions established under the CSDP, yet without any leading capacity within a new Framework Participation Agreement, while respecting the EU’s decision-making autonomy and the relevant EU decisions and legislation, including on procurement and transfers in the field of defence; asserts that such cooperation is conditional on full compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law and EU fundamental rights;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 190 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point iii
(iii) while striving for the widest possible trade in goods, the Commission should evaluate possible quotas and tariffs for the most sensitive sectors as well as the need for safeguard clauses to protect the integrity of the EU single market; reiterates, moreover, that for instance with respect to food and agricultural products, access to the single market is conditional on strict compliance with all EU laws and standards, particularly in the fields of food safety, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides, geographical indications, animal welfare, labelling and traceability, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, and human, animal and plant health;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 193 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – point iii
(iii) while striving for the widest possible trade in goods, tThe Commission should evaluate possiblensure zero quotas and tariffs, for the most sensitive sectorsees or charges across all sectors as outlined in the Political Declaration as well as the need for safeguard clauses to protect the integrity of the EU single market; reiterates, moreover, that for instance with respect to food and agricultural products, access to the single market is conditional on strict compliance with all EU laws and standards, particularly in the fields of food safety, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides, geographical indications, animal welfare, labelling and traceability, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, and human, animal and plant health;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 237 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Regrets the UK’s negotiating position with the EU of hitherto not engaging in detailed negotiations on the level playing field; points out that this position does not reflect paragraph 77 of the Political Declaration signed by both sides where was stated that the precise nature of the commitments ensuring a level playing field should be commensurate with the scope and depth of the future relationship and the economic connectedness of both sides;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 294 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Recalls that this is contrary to the provisions of the Political Declaration, which contains a part dedicated specifically to the EU-UK futurealls for the establishment of a future broad, comprehensive and balanced EU-UK security partnership, and to which the UK has agreed;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 296 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Recalls the importance of the UK's military, intelligence and diplomatic sources and its commitment to European security; calls, with a view to international peace and stability, Europe's security and the safety of their respective citizens, on the UK and the EU and its Member States to maintain a strong and close relationship, including through NATO, in terms of security and defence in order to address issues of shared concern;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 326 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Underlines the fact that the EU is anand its Member States are important partners for the UK in foreign and security policy, as the need for common responses to address foreign, security and defence policy challenges is crucial to both sides; encourages the exchange of information and intelligence as well as close cooperation in the areas of counter- terrorism, space policy, cyberwarfare and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defence;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 332 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Emphasises that as of 1 January 2021, if there is nothe absence of a timely agreement on cooperation ion foreign and security policy, the UK will be considered a third country, which will have an unwelcome impact on existing cooperation in foreign and security policythis field as of 1 January 2021;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 345 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. ConsiderStresses that it is in the commonmutual interest of the UK and the EU to cooperate on the development of effective and genuinely interoperable defence capabilities, including within the European Defence Agency, and to continue the highly valuable partnerships within NATO and EU programmes on defence and external security, such as the European Defence Fund, Galileo and cyber-security programmes;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 349 #

2020/2023(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Recalls that a number of restrictive measures (sanctions regimes) are currently in force in the UK under EU legislation; underlines the fact that the UK will still be bound to apply UN sanctions regimes following its withdrawal; cCalls for the establishment of a proper coordination mechanism for sanctions between both parties in order to maximise their impact and to ensure convergence and that mutual interests are pursued and met in the promotion of common values;
2020/05/28
Committee: AFETINTA
Amendment 4 #

2020/2014(INL)

Draft opinion
Recital A
A. whereas Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays an increasing role in our everyday lives and has the potential to contribute to the development of innovations in many sectors and offer benefits for consumers through innovative products and services and, for businesses, through optimised performance and increased competitiveness;
2020/05/27
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 10 #

2020/2014(INL)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas the use and development of AI applications in products might also present challenges to the existing legal framework on products and reduce their effectiveneswhich is not necessarily adapted to these new applications, thus potentially undermining consumer trust and welfare due to their specific characteristics; believes, however, that this should not lead to reactionary regulation but on the contrary calls for a policy based on reflection and enhancing trust;
2020/05/27
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 17 #

2020/2014(INL)

Draft opinion
Recital C
C. whereas robust liability mechanisms remedying damage contribute to better protection of consumers, creation of trust in new technologies integrated in products and acceptance for innovation while ensuring legal certainty for business; underlines that in order to build acceptance, the theoretical benefits of artificial intelligence should also contribute effectively to wellbeing and development;
2020/05/27
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 23 #

2020/2014(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission’s aim, which is to make the Union legal framework fit the new technological developments, ensuring a high level of protection for consumers from possible harm caused by new technologies while maintaining the balance with the needs ofobjective of digitisation of industrial and consumer products and supporting technological innovation;
2020/05/27
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 40 #

2020/2014(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to assess whether definitions and concepts in the product liability framework need to be updated due to the specific characteristics of AI applications such as complexity, autonomy and opacity, in particular to account for changes in the applications that may occur autonomously after the product has been placed on the market;
2020/05/27
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 45 #

2020/2014(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Urges the Commission to scrutinise whether it is necessary to include software in the definition of ‘products’ under the Product Liability Directive and to update concepts such as ‘producer’, ‘damage’ and ‘defect’, and if so, to what extent; recommends that the basic distinction between a producer and its product, in this case, an artificial intelligence application, should remain and AI should not be granted its own autonomous personality; asks the Commission to also examine whether the product liability framework needs to be revised in order to protect injured parties efficiently as regards products that are purchased as a bundle with related services;
2020/05/27
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 62 #

2020/2014(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to evaluate whether and to what extent the burden of proof should be reversed in order to empower harmed consumers while preventing abuse and providing legal clarity for businesses; stresses that any such finding, where demonstrated necessary, should be limited in scope;
2020/05/27
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 277 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
(22) In order to benefit from the exemption from liability for hosting services, the provider should, upon obtaining actual knowledge or awareness off manifestly illegal content, act expeditious related to serious crimes, act promptly to remove or to disable access to that content. The removal or disabling of access should be undertaken in the observance of the principle of freedom of expression. The provider can obtain such actual knowledge or awareness through, in particular, its own-initiative investigations or notices submitted to it by individuals or entities in accordance with this Regulation in so far as those notices are sufficiently precise and adequately substantiated tso allow a diligent economic operator to reasonably identify, assess and where appropriate act against the allegedly illegal contentthat it is evident to a layperson, without any substantive analysis, that the content is illegal and related to serious crimes.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 352 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
(35) In that regard, it is important that the due diligence obligations are adapted to the type and nature of the intermediary service concerned. This Regulation therefore sets out basic obligations applicable to all providers of intermediary services, as well as additional obligations for providers of hosting services and, more specifically, very large online platforms and very large social online platforms. To the extent that providers of intermediary services may fall within those different categories in view of the nature of their services and their size, they should comply with all of the corresponding obligations of this Regulation. Those harmonised due diligence obligations, which should be reasonable and non-arbitrary, are needed to achieve the identified public policy concerns, such as safeguarding the legitimate interests of the recipients of the service, addressing illegal practices and protecting fundamental rights online.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 356 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
(36) In order to facilitate smooth and efficient communications relating to matters covered by this Regulation, providers of intermediary services should be required to establish a single point of contact and to publish relevant information relating to their point of contact, including the languages to be used in such communications. The point of contact can also be used by trusted flaggers and by professional entities which are under a specific relationship with the provider of intermediary services. In contrast to the legal representative, the point of contact should serve operational purposes and should not necessarily have to have a physical location.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 361 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
(37) Providers of intermediary services that are established in a third country that offer services in the Union should designate a permanent, sufficiently mandated legal representative in the Union and provide information relating to their legal representatives, so as to allow for the effective oversight and, where necessary, enforcement of this Regulation in relation to those providers. It should be possible for the legal representative to also function as point of contact, provided the relevant requirements of this Regulation are complied with.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 365 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
(38) Whilst the freedom of contract of providers of intermediary services should in principle be respected, it is appropriate to set certain rules on the content, application and enforcement of the terms and conditions of those providers in the interests of protecting fundamental rights, in particular freedom of expression and of information, transparency, the protection of recipients of the service and the avoidance of unfair or arbitrary outcomes.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 367 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38 a (new)
(38a) Very large social online platforms play an essential role in the public debate. They can be considered the modern-day version of a postal service. Anyone who is barred from this handful of platforms is largely silenced. It is not appropriate that those platforms should be free to engage in censorship as they see fit, whether or not by means of automated systems, enabling them to steer the public debate (intentionally or unintentionally) in a particular direction. Moreover, practice has shown that content moderation by automated systems is context-insensitive and all too often removes humour, satire, irony, legitimate forms of protest, and political opinions. To ensure freedom of expression and of information, provision should be made for a derogation from freedom of contract for these providers of intermediary services. A universal service obligation should be imposed on very large social online platforms. Those platforms should allow anyone, in principle, to post and receive content on their platforms. They should remove, on their own initiative, only manifestly illegal content related to serious crimes. Universal service should be provided without discrimination of any kind. Any universal service tariffs should be objective, transparent, non-discriminatory and fair.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 380 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 40
(40) Providers of hosting services play a particularly important role in tackling illegal content online, as they store information provided by and at the request of the recipients of the service and typically give other recipients access thereto, sometimes on a large scale. It is important that all providers of hosting services, regardless of their sizewith the exception of micro or small enterprises as defined in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC, put in place user-friendly notice and action mechanisms that facilitate the notification of specific items of information that the notifying party considers to be illegal content to the provider of hosting services concerned ('notice'), pursuant to which that provider can decide whether or not it agrees with that assessment and wishes to remove or disable access to that content ('action'). Very large online social platforms should remove, on their own initiative, only manifestly illegal content related to serious crimes, including in response to a notice. Provided the requirements on notices are met, it should be possible for individuals or entities to notify multiple specific items of allegedly illegal content through a single notice. The obligation to put in place notice and action mechanisms should apply, for instance, to file storage and sharing services, web hosting services, advertising servers and paste bins, in as far as they qualify as providers of hosting services covered by this Regulation.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 390 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
(42) Where a hosting service provider, within the limits of the rules laid down by this Regulation, decides to remove or disable information provided by a recipient of the service, for instance following receipt of a notice or acting on its own initiative, including through the use of automated means, that provider should inform the recipient of its decision, the reasons for its decision and the available redress possibilities to contest the decision, in view of the negative consequences that such decisions may have for the recipient, including as regards the exercise of its fundamental right to freedom of expression. That obligation should apply irrespective of the reasons for the decision, in particular whether the action has been taken because the information notified is considered to be manifestly illegal content related to serious crimes, illegal content or incompatible with the applicable terms and conditions. This obligation should not apply to micro and small enterprises as defined in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC. Available recourses to challenge the decision of the hosting service provider should always include judicial redress.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 406 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 46
(46) Action against illegal content can be taken more quickly and reliably where online platforms take the necessary measures to ensure that notices submitted by trusted flaggers through the notice and action mechanisms required by this Regulation are treated with priority, without prejudice to the requirement to process and decide upon all notices submitted under those mechanisms in a timely, diligent and objective manner. Such trusted flagger status should only be awarded to entities, and not individuals, that have demonstrated, among other things, that they have particular expertise and competence in tackling illegal content, that they represent collective interests and that they work in a diligent and objective manner. Such entities can be public in nature, such as, for terrorist content, internet referral units of national law enforcement authorities or of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (‘Europol’) or they can be non-governmental organisations and semi-public bodies, such as the organisations part of the INHOPE network of hotlines for reporting child sexual abuse material and organisations committed to notifying illegal racist and xenophobic expressions online. For intellectual property rights, organisations of industry and of right- holders could be awarded trusted flagger status, where they have demonstrated that they meet the applicable conditions. The rules of this Regulation on trusted flaggers should not be understood to prevent online platforms from giving similar treatment to notices submitted by entities or individuals that have not been awarded trusted flagger status under this Regulation, from otherwise cooperating with other entities, in accordance with the applicable law, including this Regulation and Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council43 . __________________ 43Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and replacing and repealing Council Decisions 2009/371/JHA, 2009/934/JHA, 2009/935/JHA, 2009/936/JHA and 2009/968/JHA, OJ L 135, 24.5.2016, p. 53deleted
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 419 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
(47) The misuse of services of online platforms by frequently providing manifestly illegal content or by frequently submitting manifestly unfounded notices or complaints under the mechanisms and systems, respectively, established under this Regulation undermines trust and harms the rights and legitimate interests of the parties concerned. Therefore, there is a need to put in place appropriate and proportionate safeguards against such misuse. Information should be considered to be manifestly illegal content and notices or complaints should be considered manifestly unfounded where it is evident to a layperson, without any substantive analysis, that the content is illegal respectively that the notices or complaints are unfounded. Under certain conditions, online platforms should temporarily suspend their relevant activities in respect of the person engaged in abusive behaviour. They should make assessments on a case-by-case basis at all times, taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances. Very large online social platforms should take particular account, albeit not in every respect, of the universal service obligation that they have in principle. Notwithstanding the universal service obligation for very large online social platforms, this is without prejudice to the freedom by online platforms to determine their terms and conditions and establish stricter measures in the case of manifestly illegal content related to serious crimes. For reasons of transparency, this possibility should be set out, clearly and in sufficiently detail, in the terms and conditions of the online platforms. Redress should always be open to the decisions taken in this regard by online platforms and they should be subject to oversight by the competent Digital Services Coordinator. The rules of this Regulation on misuse should not prevent online platforms, within the limits of the rules established by this Regulation, from taking other measures to address the provision of illegal content by recipients of their service or other misuse of their services, in accordance with the applicable Union and national law. Those rules are without prejudice to any possibility to hold the persons engaged in misuse liable, including for damages, provided for in Union or national law.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 466 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 53
(53) Given the importance of very large online platforms, due to their reach, in particular as expressed in number of recipients of the service, in facilitating public debate, economic transactions and the dissemination of information, opinions and ideas and in influencing how recipients obtain and communicate information online, it is necessary to impose specific obligations on those platforms, in addition to the obligations applicable to all online platforms. Those additional obligations on very large online platforms are necessary to address those public policy concerns, there being no alternative and less restrictive measures that would effectively achieve the same result. Very large social online platforms are a subcategory of very large online platforms, which people use primarily to build a social network and social relationships. Given the essential role that very large social online platforms play in the public debate and in social interaction, it is necessary to impose a universal service obligation on those platforms in addition to the obligations applicable to all very large online platforms.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 483 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 58
(58) Very large online platforms should deploy the necessary means to diligently mitigate the systemic risks identified in the risk assessment. Very large online platforms should under such mitigating measures consider, for example, enhancing or otherwise adapting the design and functioning of their content moderation, algorithmic recommender systems and online interfaces, so that they discourage and limit the dissemination of illegal content, adapting their decision-making processes, or adapting their terms and conditions. They may also include corrective measures, such as discontinuing advertising revenue for specific content, or other actions, such as improving the visibility of authoritative information sources. Very large online platforms may reinforce their internal processes or supervision of any of their activities, in particular as regards the detection of systemic risks. They may also initiate or increase cooperation with trusted flaggers, organise training sessions and exchanges with trusted flagger organisations, and cooperate with other service providers, including by initiating or joining existing codes of conduct or other self-regulatory measures. Any measures adopted should respect the due diligence requirements of this Regulation and be effective and appropriate for mitigating the specific risks identified, in the interest of safeguarding public order, protecting privacy and fighting fraudulent and deceptive commercial practices, and should be proportionate in light of the very large online platform’s economic capacity and the need to avoid unnecessary restrictions on the use of their service, taking due account of potential negative effects on the fundamental rights of the recipients of the service, in particular freedom of expression and of information. Such measures should be without prejudice to the universal service obligation for very large online social platforms. Very large online social platforms should allow anyone, in principle, to post and receive content on their platforms. Those platforms should remove, on their own initiative, only manifestly illegal content related to serious crimes.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 525 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 69
(69) The rules on codes of conduct under this Regulation could serve as a basis for already established self-regulatory efforts at Union level, including the Product Safety Pledge, the Memorandum of Understanding against counterfeit goods, the Code of Conduct against illegal hate speech as well as the Code of practice on disinformation. In particular for the latter, the Commission will issue guidance for strengthening the Code of practice on disinformation as announced in the European Democracy Action Plan. Codes of conduct are without prejudice to the obligations under this Regulation, including the universal service obligation to be met by very large social online platforms.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 692 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) ‘illegal content related to serious crimes’ means any information which, in itself or by its reference to an activity, including the sale of products or provision of services, appears on the list of ‘serious crimes’ in Annex I;
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 693 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
(gb) 'manifestly illegal content’ means content the illegality of which is evident to a layperson without any substantive analysis;
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 725 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point p
(p) ‘content moderation’ means, within the limits of the rules laid down by this Regulation, the activities undertaken by providers of intermediary services aimed at detecting, identifying and addressing illegal content or information incompatible with their terms and conditions, provided by recipients of the service, including measures taken that affect the availability, visibility and accessibility of that illegal content or that information, such as demotion, disabling of access to, or removal thereof, or the recipients’ ability to provide that information, such as the termination or suspension of a recipient’s account;
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 756 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) does not have actual knowledge of illegal activity or illegal content and, as regards claims for damages, is not aware of facts or circumstances from which the illegal activity or illegal content is apparent; ormanifestly illegal content related to serious crimes;
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 760 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) upon obtaining such knowledge or awarenessf manifestly illegal content, acts expeditiously to remove or to disable access to theat illegal content.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 763 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. For an interpretation of 'expeditiously', account shall be taken at all times of all specific circumstances, in particular the size of the service provider and the resources it has or ought to have.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 943 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. Providers of intermediary services shall act in a diligent, objective and proportionate manner in applying and enforcing the restrictions referred to in paragraph 1, with due regard to the rights and legitimate interests of all parties involved, including the applicable fundamental rights of the recipients of the service as enshrined in the Charter, in particular freedom of expression and of information.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 952 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall apply without prejudice to the universal service obligation that very large social online platforms have under Article 33a.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 988 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) without prejudice to Article 33a, the content moderation engaged in at the providers’ own initiative, including the number and type of measures taken that affect the availability, visibility and accessibility of information provided by the recipients of the service and the recipients’ ability to provide information, categorised by the type of reason and basis for taking those measures; providers of intermediary services shall furthermore provide clear information on the use of automated systems;
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 1026 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
1. Providers of hosting services, with the exception of micro or small enterprises as defined in Recommendation 2003/361/EC, shall put mechanisms in place to allow any individual or entity to notify them of the presence on their service of specific items of information that the individual or entity considers to be illegal content. Those mechanisms shall be easy to access, user- friendly, and allow for the submission of notices exclusively by electronic means.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 1062 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3
3. Notices that include the elements referred to in paragraph 2 shall be considered to give rise to actual knowledge or awareness, for the purposes of Article 5 , only in respect of the specific item of information concernedmanifestly illegal content related to serious crimes.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 1097 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. Where a provider of hosting services, within the limits of the rules laid down by this Regulation and in particular by Article 33a, decides to remove or disable access to specific items of information provided by the recipients of the service, irrespective of the means used for detecting, identifying or removing or disabling access to that information and of the reason for its decision, it shall inform the recipient, at the latest at the time of the removal or disabling of access, of the decision and provide a clear and specific statement of reasons for that decision.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 1123 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Micro or small enterprises as defined in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC shall be excluded from the scope of that provision.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 1177 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2
2. Online platforms shall ensure that their internal complaint-handling systems are easy to access, user-friendly and enable and facilitate the submission of sufficiently precise and adequately substantiated complaints. Complaints shall be handled in a language chosen by the service recipient.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 1257 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19
[...]delete
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 1346 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Very large social online platforms shall take particular account of the obligation to provide a universal service in principle.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 1540 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Very large social online platforms are a subcategory of very large online platforms, which people use primarily to build a social network and social relationships.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 1618 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) initiating or adjusting cooperation with trusted flaggers in accordance with Article 19;deleted
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 1648 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. This article shall be without prejudice to the universal service obligation that very large social online platforms have under Article 33a.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 1694 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1
1. Very large online platforms that use recommender systems shall set out in their terms and conditions, in a clear, accessible and easily comprehensible manner, the main parameters used in their recommender systems, as well as any options for the recipients of the service to modify or influence those main parameters that they may have made available, including at least one option which is not based on profiling, within the meaning of Article 4 (4) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 1807 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 a (new)
Article 33a Universal service obligation for very large social online platforms 1. Very large social online platforms fulfil an essential role in the public debate and social interaction. They shall have a universal service obligation to allow anyone, in principle, to post and receive content on their platforms. They shall provide that service without discrimination. 2. Very large social online platforms shall remove, on their own initiative, only manifestly illegal content related to serious crimes. 3. In the event of misuse as defined in Article 20(1), very large social online platforms may temporarily suspend their services to service recipients that frequently provide manifestly illegal content. When making their assessments in accordance with Article 20(3) and (3a), they shall take particular account of the universal service obligation imposed on them in principle. 4. Any universal service tariffs shall be objective, transparent, non- discriminatory and fair.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 1817 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) electronic submission of notices by trusted flaggers under Article 19, including through application programming interfaces;deleted
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 2279 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Without prejudice to Directive 2020/XX/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, recipients of intermediary services shall have the right to mandate a body, organisation or association to exercise the rights referred to in Articles 17, 18 and 198 on their behalf, provided the body, organisation or association meets all of the following conditions: __________________ 52 [Reference].
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 2297 #

2020/0361(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Chapter V a (new)
ANNEX 1 For the purposes of this Regulation, 'serious crimes' means the following forms of crime: terrorism, human trafficking, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, illicit drug trafficking, illicit arms trafficking, incitement to violence, money laundering, corruption, counterfeiting of means of payment, computer crime and organised crime.
2021/07/08
Committee: IMCO
Amendment 10 #

2019/2207(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Insists that Member States are responsible for ensuring a high level of mutual trust, which is premised on their obligation to respect the Treaties, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and EU legislation, as well as on the adherence of their institutions to EU values, including the respect for the rule of law (Article 2 of the TEU); stresses that the principle of mutual recognition on which the European arrest warrant system is based, is itself founded on the mutual confidence between the Member States that their national legal systems are capable of providing equivalent and effective protection of the fundamental rights recognised at EU level, particularly in the Charter;
2020/09/28
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 32 #

2019/2207(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that the FDEAW should be fully brought under the Lisbon Treaty as a new legislative instrument; is convinced that this would provide substantial benefits in terms of democratic legitimacy, legal certainty and transparency, enhance coherence with other criminal law instruments, and allow for clarification of ‘judicial authority’ as an autonomous concept of EU lawIs convinced that providing greater transparency and independent scrutiny regarding the use of the EAW, would bring significant democratic legitimacy and confidence to the EU’s wider criminal justice area;
2020/09/28
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 38 #

2019/2207(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Stresses that the Charter of Fundamental Rights, as a source of primary law, always has precedence over any piece of secondary legislation concerning the European arrest warrant; insists that, as is stated in Article 51(1) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Member States and, consequently their courts, must respect the Charter where they are implementing EU law, which is the case when the issuing judicial authority and the executing judicial authority are applying the provisions of national law adopted to transpose the Framework Decision; is of the opinion therefore that automatic surrendering is out of the question, as confirmed by the European Court of Justice in the Aranyosi-judgment (C-404/15); insists that judicial control is always necessary to verify, among others, if there is a lawful decision, a competent authority and respect for the fundamental rights; notes that where the judicial authority of the executing Member State is in the possession of evidence of a real risk of a violation of fundamental rights in the issuing Member State, that judicial authority is bound to assess the existence of that risk when it is called upon to decide on the surrender to the authorities of the issuing Member State;
2020/09/28
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 40 #

2019/2207(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the withdrawal of the UK from the EU creates opportunities for further unification of the criminal justice area; rRecalls that the Political Declaration on the future relationship states that the UK and EU ‘will provide for comprehensive, close, balanced and reciprocal law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters’; insists that any agreement between the EU and UK in the field of criminal justice cooperation must be underpinned, inter alia, by their commitments on fundamental rights, as well as by the role of the ECJ in this matter.
2020/09/28
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 15 #

2019/2131(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to continue negotiating ambitious, enforceable competition and State aid provisions in all future trade agreements as part of a holistic and ambitious EU trade policy; Underlines the specific needs for research funding as the basis of innovation and development for our businesses and industries and key element to boost competitiveness;
2019/12/10
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2019/2131(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to ensure that competition rules are compatible with the modern economy and best serve European consumers by fully taking into account the impact of the digitalisation of the economy on how global markets operate; welcomes, in this context, the ongoing plurilateral WTO e-commerce negotiations to ensure that companies can compete worldwide on a level playing field based on global trading rules. Emphasises that the EU should take the lead in these negotiations.
2019/12/10
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2019/0142M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes and acknowledges the fact that, while it remains unclear whether any compensation has been foreseen, Australia and other WTO members that export beef to the EU agreed to support this agreement by accepting that the vast majority of the quota would be allocated to the US;
2019/11/12
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2018/0358M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas Vietnam’s infrastructure and investment needs massively exceed public funds currently available;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 78 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the economic and strategic importance and value of this agreement, as the EU and Vietnam share a common agenda and common values – to stimulate growth and employment, boost competitiveness, fight against poverty and make progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 81 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines the significance of the agreement in terms of competitiveness of EU businesses in the region; notes that European companies are facing increased competition from countries with which Vietnam has already free trade agreements, notably the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans- Pacific Partnership (CPTPP);
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 119 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Notes that the agreement does not contain a specific SMEs chapter, different provisions on SMEs are however included in various parts of the agreement, stresses that implementation phase will be crucial for introducing concrete measures to boost utilisation rate of SMEs on both sides;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 148 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Acknowledges the significant decrease of the child labour in Vietnam in recent years and welcomes the commitment to child labour eradication by the Vietnamese government; reminds that Vietnam was the first country in Asia and second in the world to ratify the United Nations’ International Convention on the Rights of the Child;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 196 #

2018/0356M(NLE)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that the involvement of civil society in monitoring the implementation of the agreement is crucial, and calls for the swift establishment of domestic advisory groups following the entry into force of the agreement and for the balanced representation of civil society therein; points out the importance of preparatory implementation works as new recommendations have been already communicated by civil society organisations to Vietnamese authorities;
2019/11/13
Committee: INTA
Amendment 145 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) In the light of the overall policy objective of the Union to support small and medium-sized enterprises, this Regulation should also not apply to tenders submitted by SMEs established in the Union and in engaged in substantive business operations entailing a direct and effective link with the economy of at least one Member State.deleted
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 153 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) In the light of the overall policy objective of the Union to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), this Regulation should also not apply to tenders submitted by autonomous SMEs manufacturing the goods or providing services subject to the procurement covered by IPI measures.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 165 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
(18a) In order to determine whether an investigation is in the interest of the Union, the Commission should consider a wide variety of aspects of political, economic or any other nature, in relation to the investigation and its potential consequences. The Commission should weigh up effects of starting the investigation against the impact of the investigation (and potential measures under this Regulation) on the EU's broader interest. The general objective of opening third country markets and improving market access opportunities for EU economic operators should be taken into account. The objective of limiting any unnecessary administrative burden for contracting authorities and contracting entities as well as economic operators should be taken into account. Member States and interested parties should have the possibility to present their views with regard to the interest of the Union.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 191 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
(22) If the consultations with the country concerned do not lead to sufficient improvements to the tendering opportunities for Union economic operators, goods and services within a reasonable timeframe, the Commission should be able to adopt, where appropriate, price adjustmentIPI measure applying to tenders submitted by economic operators originating in that country and/or including goods and services originating in that country.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 210 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
(24) Price adjustmentIPI measures should not have a negative impact on on-going trade negotiations with the country concerned. Therefore, where a country is engaging in substantive negotiations with the Union concerning market access in the field of public procurement, the Commission may suspend the measures during the negotiations.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 215 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
(25) In order to simplify the application of a price adjustmentIPI measures by contracting authorities or contracting entities, there should be a presumption that all economic operators originating in a targeted third country with which there is no agreement on procurement will be subject to the measure, unless they can demonstrate that less than 50% of the total value of their tender is made up of goods or services originating in the third country concerned.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 221 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
(27) It is imperative that contracting authorities and contracting entities have access to a range of high-quality products meeting their purchasing requirements at a competitive price. Therefore contracting authorities and contracting entities should be able not to apply price adjustmentIPI measures limiting access of non-covered goods and services in case there are no Union and/or covered goods or services available which meet the requirements of the contracting authority or contracting entity to safeguard essential public needs, for example in the fieldsregarding public security ofr health and public safetyemergencies, or where the application of the measure would lead to a disproportionate increase in the price or costs of the contract. The disproportionate increase in price or costs should be assessed by comparing the remaining offers with the estimated value of the contract notice. The exception should only apply in cases where the estimated value is significantly lower than the value in the remaining offers, rendering the execution of the contract economically unviable. When contracting authorities or contracting entities apply these exceptions, the Commission should be informed in a timely and comprehensive manner to allow for appropriate monitoring of the implementation of this Regulation.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 231 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
(28) In case of misapplication by contracting authorities or contracting entities of exceptions to price adjustmentIPI measures limiting access of non-covered goods and services, the Commission should be able to apply the corrective mechanism of Article 3 of Council Directive 89/665/EEC20 or Article 8 of Council Directive 92/13/EEC21 . In addition, contracts concluded with an economic operator by contracting authorities or contracting entities in violation of price adjustmentIPI measures limiting access of non-covered goods and services should be ineffective. _________________ 20Council Directive 89/665/EEC on the coordination of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the application of review procedures to the award of public supply and public works contracts (OJ L 395, 30.12.1989, p. 33). 21Council Directive 92/13/EEC coordinating the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the application of Community rules on the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and telecommunications sectors (OJ L 76, 23.3.1992, p. 14).
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 232 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
(30) The examination procedure should be used for the adoption of implementing acts regarding the adoption, withdrawal, or suspension or reinstatement of a the price adjustment measureIPI measures and the Commission should be assisted by the Committee set up under the Trade Barriers Regulation. If necessary and for matters affecting the Union’s legal framework on public procurement, the Commission may also seek the advice of the Advisory Committee on Public Procurement established by Council Decision 71/306/EEC.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 240 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
(33) In accordance with the principle of proportionality, it is necessary and appropriate for achievement of the basic objective of establishing a common external policy in the field of public procurement to lay down common rules on the treatment of tenders which include goods and services not covered by the international commitments of the Union. This Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve the objectives pursued, in accordance with the fourth paragraph of Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union,deleted
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 249 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
It provides for the possibility of applying price adjustmentIPI measures to certain tenders for contracts for the execution of works or a work, for the supply of goods and/or the provision of services and for concessions, on the basis of the origin of the economic operators, goods or services concerned. .
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 380 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 - point ii
ii) decide, by implementing act, to impose a price adjustmentn IPI measure pursuant to Article 8.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 385 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6
6. In the event that consultations with a third country do not lead to satisfactory results within 15 months from the day those consultations started, the Commission shall terminate the consultations and shall take appropriate action. In particular, the Commission may decide, by means of an implementing act, to impose a price adjustmentn IPI measure, pursuant to Article 8. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 14(2).
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 390 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – title
Price adjustmentIPI measures
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 392 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph -1 (new)
-1. Where the Commission finds, following an investigation and consultations pursuant to Article 4, that a third country measure or practice exists, it may, if it considers it to be in the interest of the Union, adopt an implementing act to impose an IPI measure as provided in paragraph 5 of this article. An IPI measure shall only apply if the main subject of the procurement procedure falls within the scope of the implementing act as defined in accordance with paragraph 7(a). The design of the procurement procedure shall not be made with the intention of excluding it from the scope of this Regulation.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 393 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Tenders more than 50 % of the total value of which is made of goods and/or services originating in a third country, may be subject to a price adjustment measure where the third country concerned adopts or maintains restrictive and/or discriminatory procurement measures or practices.deleted
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 398 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Price adjustment measures shall only apply to contracts with an estimated value equal to or above EUR 5.000.000 exclusive of value-added tax.deleted
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 402 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The IPI measure shall be determined on the basis of the following criteria, in light of available information and the Union’s interest:
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 403 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. The price adjustment measure shall specify the penalty of up to 20% to be calculated on the price of the tenders concerned. It shall also specify any restrictions to the scope of application of the measure, such as those related to: (a) public procurement of specific categories of contracting authorities or contracting entities; (b) public procurement of specific categories of goods or services or tenders submitted by specific categories of economic operators; (c) public procurement above or within certain thresholds; (d) tenders submitted for specific categories of concessions; (e) the territories of certain subcentral levels of government.deleted
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 412 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) availability of alternative sources of supply for the goods and services concerned, in order to avoid or minimise a significant negative impact on contracting authorities or contracting entities;
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 413 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
(eb) proportionality of the IPI measure with regard to the third country measure or practice;
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 414 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3
3. Contracting authorities and contracting entities on the list adopted pursuant to Article 9 shall apply the price adjustment measure to the following: (a) to tenders submitted by economic operators originating in the third country concerned, unless these economic operators can demonstrate that less than 50 % of the total value of their tender is made up of goods or services originating in the third country concerned; and (b) to any tenders offering goods and services originating in the country concerned, where the value of these goods and services accounts for more than 50 % of the total value of the tender.deleted
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 418 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The IPI measure shall only apply to procurement procedures with an estimated value above a threshold to be determined by the Commission following the investigation and consultations, taking into consideration the criteria laid down in the previous paragraph. That estimated value should be equal to or above EUR 17 000 000 net of value-added tax for works and concessions, and equal to or above EUR 6 000 000 net of value-added tax for goods and services.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 420 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. The IPI measure shall also apply in the case of specific contracts awarded under a dynamic purchasing system, when those dynamic purchasing systems were subject to the IPI measure, with the exception of specific contracts the estimated value of which is below the respective values set out in Article 8 of Directive 2014/23/EU, Article 4 of Directive 2014/24/EU and Article 15 of Directive 2014/25/EU. The IPI measure shall not apply to procedures for the award of contracts based on a framework agreement. The IPI measure shall also not apply to individual lots to be awarded according to Article 5 (10) of Directive 2014/24/EU or Article 16 (10) of Directive 2014/25/EU.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 421 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. In its implementing act, the Commission may decide, within the scope defined in paragraph 6 of this Article, to restrict the access of operators, goods or services from third countries to procurement procedures by requiring contracting authorities or contracting entities to: (a) impose a score adjustment measure on tenders submitted by economic operators originating in that third country; or (b) exclude tenders submitted by economic operators originating in that third country; or (c) impose a combination of (a) and (b), if different sectors or categories of goods and services are subject to IPI measures.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 422 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. The score adjustment measure referred to in paragraph 5(a) shall apply only for the purpose of the evaluation and ranking of the tenders. It shall not affect the price due to be paid under the contract to be concluded with the successful tenderer.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 423 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 e (new)
3e. The implementing act, adopted in accordance with Article 10(2), shall specify the scope of application of the IPI measure, including: (a) the sectors or the categories of goods, services and concessions based on the Common Procurement Vocabulary as well as any applicable exceptions, (b) specific categories of contracting authorities or contracting entities; (c) specific categories of economic operators; (d) specific thresholds equal or above those set out in paragraph 3; (e) as regards the score adjustment measure referred to in paragraph 5(a), the percentage value of the adjustment shall be set up to 40% of the evaluation score of the tender depending on the third country and sector of goods, services, works or concessions envisaged.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 424 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 f (new)
3f. When determining the proportionality of the IPI measure according to paragraph 2(a), the Commission shall in particular consider the percentage value according to paragraph 7(e). The Commission shall impose an IPI measure in the form of exclusion according to paragraph 5(b) only when the third country measure or practice is sufficiently severe and the potential negative impact according to paragraph 2(b) due to the limited availability of alternative sources is comparatively small.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 425 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 g (new)
3g. The Commission may withdraw the IPI measure or suspend its application if the third country takes satisfactory corrective actions or undertakes commitments to end the measure or practice in question. If the Commission considers that the corrective actions or commitments undertaken have been rescinded, suspended or improperly implemented, it shall make publicly available its findings and may reinstate the application of the IPI measure at any time. The Commission may withdraw, suspend or reinstate an IPI measure in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 10(2) and followed by the publication of a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 426 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 h (new)
3h. An IPI measure shall expire five years from its entry into force or its extension, unless a review shows a need for continued application of an IPI measure. Such a review shall be initiated, by a publication of a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, on the initiative of the Commission nine months before the date of the expiry, and shall be concluded within six months. Following the review, the Commission may extend the duration of an IPI measure for a period of another five years in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 10(2).
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 444 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10
Withdrawal or suspension of price 1. The Commission may decide, by implementing act, to withdraw the price adjustment measure or suspend its application for a period of time if the country concerned takes satisfactory remedial or corrective actions. Where the remedial or corrective actions taken by the third country concerned are rescinded, suspended or improperly implemented, the Commission may reinstate the application of the price adjustment measure, at any time, by means of an implementing act. 2. The Commission shall make publicly available its findings regarding the remedial or corrective actions taken by the third country concerned. 3. The implementing acts referred to in this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 14(2).Article 10 deleted adjustment measures
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 450 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11
[...]deleted
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 468 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Contracting authorities and contracting entities may decide not to apply the price adjustmentIPI measure with respect to a procurement or a concession procedure if:
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 474 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) there are no Union and/or covered goods or services available which meet the requirements ofonly tenders from economic operators originating in the countracting authorityy subject to IPI measure, or contracting entityly such tenders meet tender requirements; or
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 478 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) this is justified for overriding reasons relating to the public interest; or
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 485 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) without prejudice to Article 69 of Directive 2014/24/EU and Article 84 of Directive 2014/25/EU, based on objective criteria taking into account, among others, the estimated value of the contract, the application of the measure would lead to a disproportionate increase in the price or costs of the contract, that would render its execution economically unviable.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 488 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. Where a contracting authority or contracting entity intenddecides not to apply a price adjustmentn IPI measure , it shall indicate its intentform the Commission, in the contract notice that it publishes pursuant to Article 49 of Directive 2014/24/EU or Article 69 of Directive 2014/25/EU or in the concession notice pursuant to Article 31 of Directive 2014/23/EU. It shall notify the Commissiona manner to be decided by the respective Member State, no later than tenhirty calendar days after the publicationaward of the contract notice.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 505 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
In the event that a contracting authority or contracting entity conducts a negotiated procedure without prior publication, under Article 2 of Directive 2014/24/EU or under Article 50 of Directive 2014/25/EU and decides not to apply a price adjustmentn IPI measure , it shall indicate this in the contract award notice it publishes pursuant to Article 50 of Directive 2014/24/EU or Article 70 of Directive 2014/25/EU or in the concession award notice it publishes pursuant to Article 32 of Directive 2014/23/EU and notify the Commission no later than ten calendar days after the publication of the contract award notice.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 517 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2
2. Contracts concluded with an economic operator in violation of price adjustmentIPI measures adopted or reinstated by the Commission pursuant to this Regulation shall be ineffective.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 528 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – title
Amendment of Directive 2014/25/EURepeals
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 529 #

2012/0060(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Articles 858 and 8659 of Directive 20104/2517/EUC shall be deleted with effect from the entry into force of this Regulation.
2021/10/18
Committee: INTA