Activities of Evelyn REGNER related to 2012/0299(COD)
Plenary speeches (3)
Gender balance among non-executive directors of companies listed on stock exchanges (debate)
Gender balance among non-executive directors of companies listed on stock exchanges (debate)
Gender balance among non-executive directors of companies listed on stock exchanges (debate)
Reports (1)
RECOMMENDATION FOR SECOND READING on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on improving the gender balance among directors of listed companies and related measures
Legal basis opinions (0)
Amendments (15)
Amendment 59 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The proportion of women on company boards is progressing very slowly, with an average annual increase of just 0.6 percentage points during the past years. The rate of improvement has differed in individual Member States and has led to highly divergent results. Much more significant progress was noted in the Member States where binding measures have been introduced. Growing discrepancies between Member States are likely to increase given the very different approaches pursued by individual Member States to increase the representation of females on boards that are being pursued by individual Member StatesDoes not affect English text. Correction to a typo in the original German..
Amendment 68 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
Recital 18
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Companies listed on stock exchanges and other major undertakings enjoy a particular economic importance, visibility and impact on the market as a whole. The measures provided for in this Directive should therefore apply to listed companies, which are defined as companies incorporated in a Member State whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market within the meaning of Article 4(1) (14) of Directive 2004/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on markets in financial instruments, in one or more Member States. These companies set standards for the economy in its entirety and their practices can be expected to be followed by other types of companies. The public nature of listed companies justifies that they be regulated to a greater extent in the public interest, irrespective of their size. Incentives should also be created for other major undertakings to attain the objectives of this directive, so that they can more easily be incorporated into the directive at a later date if necessary.
Amendment 81 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) The Commission should collect and analyse facts and figures about the gender balance in other major undertakings which are also of great importance for the economy. An impact assessment should subsequently be carried out to gain an overview of the situation in other major undertakings in the Member States and evaluate whether measures at EU level are needed to incorporate such undertakings in the directive at a later date. At the same time the Commission should explain the available options to that end, since special schemes may be necessary for such undertakings owing to specific national circumstances.
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) In several Member States, a certain proportion of the non-executive directors can or must be appointed or elected by the company's workforce and/or organisations of workers pursuant to national law or practice. The quantitative objectives provided for in this Directive should apply to all non-executive directors including employee representatives. However, the practical procedures for ensuring that those objectives are attained, taking into account the fact that some non-executive Directors are employee representatives, should be defined byThis directive should take account of the diversity and national characteristics of selection procedures in the Member States concerned.
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – point 8
Article 2 – point 8
Amendment 111 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 3
Article 3
Amendment 119 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) The methods of recruiting and appointing directors differ from one Member State to another and from one company to another. They may involve the pre-selection of candidates to be presented to the shareholders' assembly, for example by a nomination committee, the direct appointment of directors by individual shareholders or a vote in the shareholders' assembly on individual candidates or lists of candidates. The directive respects the diversity and specific national features of selection procedures; requirements concerning the selection of candidates should be met at the appropriate stage of the selection process in accordance with national law and the articles of association of the listed companies concerned. In this respect, this Directive only establishes a minimum harmonisationallows for a diversity of selection procedures, making it possible to apply the conditions provided for by the case-law of the Court of Justice with a view to attaining the objective of a more balanced gender representation in the boards of listed companies.
Amendment 122 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The number of non-executive director positions necessary to meet the objective laid down in paragraph 1 shall be the number closest to the proportion of 40 per cent, but not exceeding 49at least 40 per cent.
Amendment 143 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The sanctions must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive and mayshall at least include the following measures:
Amendment 166 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) In accordance with the principle of proportionality, the objective to be met by listed companies should be limited in time and remain in force only until sustainable progress has been achieved in the gender composition of boards. For that reason, the Commission should regularly review the application of this Directive and report to the European Parliament and the Council. The Directive is due to expire on 31 December 2028 provided its objectives have been attained by all Member States. The Commission should assess, in its review, if there is a need to extend the duration of the Directive beyond that period.
Amendment 275 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The sanctions must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive and mayshall at least include the following measures:
Amendment 290 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) partial exclusion from the award of funding from the European structural funds,
Amendment 316 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. In its report, the Commission shall assess whether, in the light of developments in the representation of men and women in the boards of listed companies and at different levels of decision-making throughout the economy and taking into account whether the progress made is sufficiently sustainable, there is a need to extend the duration of this Directive beyond the date specified in Article 10(2) or to amend it. It shall also examine how other major undertakings may be incorporated within the directive in future.
Amendment 318 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 2
Article 10 – paragraph 2
2. ItThis directive shall expire on 31 December 20289 provided its objectives have been attained.