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

 

 

2023

Rare earths, renewable energies, knowledge: In the global competition for secure supply chains, critical resources are increasingly coming into focus. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) recommends that the European Union establishes strategic partnerships with resource-rich third countries. This is preferable compared to subsidy-based policies like the U.S. IRA, which distort global trade.

2023

More rights in damage cases: The Commission has presented a recast of the Product Liability Directive. The directive dates back to 1985 and is to be adapted to digitalisation and the circular economy. In the future, software is to be considered as a product throughout the Union. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) sees the rights of injured parties strengthened, but warns of legal uncertainties and vagueness when looking in the details.

2023

It is essential for Europe's transformation into a digital and sustainable economy to secure supplies of rare metals such as lithium and cobalt. Until now, information on raw material deposits has been patchy and detected at random. On average, only one out of a hundred searches for materials are successful. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) therefore advises using artificial intelligence (AI). According to initial practical tests, the success rate would increase by 25 times and make Europe less dependent on third countries.

2023

Employment contracts, pay slips, proof of medical examination: European family businesses are groaning under bureaucratic  burdens that leads to inefficiencies – first, by the requirements of the European Union itself and second, by the impractical  implementation and operation on the national level. Moreover, different rules in individual member states complicate the process. This can be seen in the posting of workers across national borders.

2023

In mid-March, the Commission plans to present a package of reforms to European pharmaceutical legislation. Antibiotics are a key issue. Misuse of these drugs leads to antimicrobial resistance, so that deadly infections can sometimes no longer be fought with available antibiotics. Acute shortages of certain antibiotics also highlight the need for action. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) has presented the most comprehensive catalogue of measures to date.

2023

Cyberattacks on software and hardware products cause enormous financial losses worldwide, more than 5.5 trillion euros solely in 2021. With the Cyber Resilience Act, the Commission strives to establish uniform cybersecurity rules for manufacturers, importers and distributors of products with digital elements (PWDE). The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) evaluates the draft positively. Exception: the non-transparent differentiation between critical products.

2023

Whether as a substitute for natural gas in heating, for the production of synthetic fuels or as a raw material for the chemical industry: green hydrogen produced by electrolysis with the help of renewable energies is considered the driving force of the energy transition. Since production and use should be as close to each other as possible for a rapid market ramp-up, the Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) sees the North Sea regions of the Netherlands and Germany as a future joint hydrogen centre of the EU – if Brussels' bureaucracy does not become a brake.

 

2023

European Family Businesses are groaning under the strain of bureaucracy of the European Union, which is full of inconsistencies – on the one hand, because of the requirements of the EU itself and on the other hand, because of its impracticable, domestic implementation. This is visible in the so-called A1 Certificate. The Centres for European Policy Network (cep), the Prognos AG Berlin and the Centre for Industrial Studies Milano issued this study for the Foundation for Family Businesses.

2022

In the EU, emissions of pollutants into the air, water and soil from industrial and livestock facilities are to be reduced. To this end, the Commission has proposed amendments to the Industrial Emissions Directive. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) considers parts of the proposals to be contrary to EU law.

2022

Whether to protect against credit card fraud, to create climate models or to distribute police forces: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is penetrating everyday life ever more deeply. The data required for this mostly comes from phases of relative stability, which cannot be readily applied in times of crisis. The Centre for European Policy (cep) sees this as an underestimated systemic risk - and calls for rules.

2022

Maritime transport accounted for around 2 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2018. This corresponded to about 85 percent of German emissions. Commission, Council and Parliament want to agree on reduction measures for the European Union. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) warns against Brussels going it alone.

2022

Well intended, not well done: The European Union wants to oblige companies to protect human rights and the environment in the EU and third countries - from raw materials to products and their disposal, throughout the entire value chain. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) criticises the Commission's draft directive as too vague.

2022

Blood, plasma and other Substances of Human Origin (SoHOs) are becoming increasingly important, especially in the fight against rare diseases. Since essential products are not sufficiently available in the EU, dependence on imports, especially from the USA, is growing. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) believes that the Commission's goal of providing better care for EU citizens in the future is right - but that some of the planned measures are questionable.

2022

In the EU, greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced to zero by 2050. On the way there, they are to be reduced by 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990. To achieve this goal, the Commission has presented a comprehensive package of measures ("Fit for 55") for all sectors. The Centre for European Policy (cep) considers central proposals to amend the directive on emissions trading for industry and energy to be questionable. The think tank fears production and emissions relocations to third countries.

2022

The European Union wants to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990. To this end, a separate emissions trading system for buildings and road transport is to be introduced. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) is opposing demands from member states and the European Parliament to suspend or soften the introduction in view of skyrocketing energy prices.

2022

Lithium, cobalt, rare earths: The energy transition and electromobility require substantial quantities of critical metals. The prerequisite is a new European risk management in business and politics. Until now, many raw materials have come from autocratic states – especially China. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) has developed a multi-stage strategy plan. It envisages diversifying sources of supply and specifically promoting the recycling of critical metals.