Publication Archive

 

 

This archive contains all documents published by cep over the last few years:

cepAdhoc: Incisive comment on current EU policy issues

cepPolicyBrief: Concise reviews of EU proposals (Regulations, Directives, Green Papers, White Papers, Communications) – including an executive summary

cepInput: Impulse to current challenges of EU policies

cepStudy: Comprehensive examination of EU policy proposals affecting the economy

 

 

2015

The European Commission clarifies its Strategic Framework for an Energy Union and the associated climate and energy policy measures which it is planning for the coming years. It supports inter alia in this regard an expansion of cross-border gas infrastructure in the EU and tighter CO2 limits for motor vehicles.

2015

Due to the one-sided dependence of many Central and Eastern European Member States of the EU on Russian gas imports, the options for joint gas purchasing from non-EU countries are currently discussed. This cepInput describes the economic impacts of mandatory as well as voluntary joint gas purchasing mechanisms in the EU and explains the legal preconditions for joint gas purchasing associations.

2015

The Commission assumes an investment gap in the EU, as investments have fallen in the EU by 15% since 2007. Consequently, it wants to mobilise investments in the EU amounting to € 315 billion by creating a European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

 

 

2015

The European Council calls for the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to be developed to the main European instrument to prevent climate change. The cep examines how an extension of the EU ETS, for example on the road transport sector, can induce effective and efficient climate protection. It is straightforward that an extension of the EU ETS using the upstream approach can be implemented and is preferable to regulatory climate change measures.

2015

The Commission wants to combat unfair trading practices in the food supply chain. It wants to examine the effectiveness of the voluntary Supply Chain Initiative (SCI) and encourage more companies and associations to join. In addition, the exchange of information about national legislation to combat unfair trading practices between the Member States will be improved. The authorities responsible for implementing national legislation will work together "effectively". The Commission wants to assess the progress of national implementation measures.

2015

The cep traces the development of the principle of subsidiarity and demonstrates that to date – five years after entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty – the principle of subsidiarity has failed to limit the exercise of power. It then offers five suggestions on how to strengthen the principle of subsidiarity in the EU.

 

 

 

2015

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker would like to revise the rules on the immigration to the EU of highly qualified employees from non-EU states to cope with the global competition for the cleverest minds. The Blue Card Directive forms the central pillar of EU law on the immigration of highly qualified people to the EU from non-EU countries. Therefore, the cep considers whether the provisions on the Blue Card should be revised and offers four concrete recommendations for action.

2015

The European Council has agreed on the following key targets for the future climate and energy policy of the European Union for the period from 2021 to 2030: (1) to reduce the EU’s domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 40% relative to 1990 levels; (2) to increase the proportion of renewable energy to 27% of overall EU energy consumption; (3) to reduce projected energy consumption by 27%; (4) to increase the level in each Member State of electricity interconnections to other Member States to 15% of their installed production capacity.

2015

By bringing infringement proceedings, the European Commission has increased the pressure on several Member States to transpose into national law the EU requirements for completion of the internal energy market. Member States will, in principle, refrain from state intervention in the internal energy market, with just a few exceptions – such as government support for renewable energy sources.

 

 

 

2015

The Commission wants to improve the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Intellectual property rights, e.g. patents and trademarks, ensure that companies, inventors and creators are able to obtain a return on their investment, inventions and work. In order to improve the enforcement of these rights, the Commission, together with the "European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights", is planning ten non-legislative measures to prevent commercial scale infringements of intellectual property rights.

2015

"Non-road mobile machinery" (NRMM) is currently subject to emission limits which have not been changed since 2004. In the European Commission's view, they no longer correspond to the state of the art. Stricter emission limits will now therefore be adopted in order to protect, in particular, human health and the environment and in order to bring EU requirements into line with those of the USA.

2015

The European Commission used a "stress test" to examine the resilience of the European gas system and recommends measures which will have a positive impact on security of the gas supply in Europe. In particular, the Member States will cooperate to a greater extent on ensuring security of the gas supply.

2014

The Commission discusses whether and how geographical indications for non-agricultural products can be protected EU wide. A protected geographical indication consists of a product denomination which contains the geographical origin of a product. A protected geographical indication may be used by all producers provided their products originate from the specified geographical place of origin and the products possess the established product characteristics – e.g. quality features, production methods or "reputation" – attributable to that place of origin. The Commission discusses in particular whether protected geographical indications could be entered into a central register which would be administered e.g. by the Commission. 

2014

The EU-Commission has put forward an “Investment Plan for Europe” which is to trigger Investment of up to € 315 billion. The plan entails the establishment of an European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and an “investment advisory hub” at the European Investment Bank. Also, the Commission aims at improving the investment environment.

2014

In January 2011, the European Union established three European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) for the financial sector: The European Banking Authority (EBA, in London), the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA, in Frankfurt) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA, in Paris). Currently, the Commission is reviewing the regulations governing the three ESAs and will bring forward its proposals for amendments in early 2015.

2014

The European Commission wants to bring about stricter compliance with the waste hierarchy by introducing quantitative targets for recycling and the avoidance of food waste. A new "early-warning system" will indicate at an early stage if Member States are at risk of failing to meet the targets.

2014

The Commission wants to increase the stability and transparency of money market funds.

2014

The European Commission wants to create the requirements necessary to allow the civilian use of drones ("RPAS") as from 2016. This requires EU-wide regulations on the manufacture and operation of RPAS which are capable of dealing with the potential risks, e.g. accidents and breaches of privacy. The RPAS sector will be subsidised so that the market "develops" more quickly. In particular, SMEs will be informed about the various means of support.