The EU Commission wants to promote the uptake of zero-emission and low-emission cars, lorries and buses by way of strict rules on public procurement. For this the Directive on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles is to be amended.

The EU Commission has revised the Drinking Water Directive: In future, in addition to bringing limits on pollutants into line with the latest scientific knowledge, a “risk-based approach” will ensure that threats to the drinking-water supply are recognised early. In addition, Member States must improve access to drinking water.

The EU Commission wants to support structural reforms in the Member States in order to strengthen their macroeconomic resilience in the event of crises. The Commission intends to stabilise the euro area and to support euro-area candidate countries with introduction of the euro. For this purpose, a realignment and an increase in funds for the “Structural Reform Support Programme” is proposed.

The EU Commission wants to set up a European cybersecurity certification scheme (ECCS) in order to increase confidence in products and services in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. In the light of increasing cybersecurity risks and attacks, it has therefore submitted the proposal for a Regulation.

The EU Commission wants to create joint clinical assessments and harmonised assessment procedures at EU level for innovative health technology in order to remove barriers in the internal market. Thus, redundant duplication of work both in national HTA centres and for developers of health technology can be avoided and costs, currently incurred by developers due to differing national assessment concepts, can be reduced.

By way of a new Directive, the EU Commission wants to improve the working conditions of drivers in the passenger and freight transport sector. It is therefore proposing to extend the current monitoring obligations of Member States to include the drivers’ Working Time Directive.

The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) will be transformed into the “European Monetary Fund” (EMF) and incorporated into EU law. In addition, the EU Commission wants to establish a financial backstop for the European Single Resolution Board (SRB) by way of the EMF.

The EU Commission wants to further deregulate international bus and coach services. In addition, national bus and coach services are to be opened up to foreign competition and inter-urban buses and coaches guaranteed fair access to bus stations.  

The EU Commission wants larger quantities of plastic waste to be recycled and, with proper disposal, prevented from entering the oceans. It has therefore submitted a Strategy for Plastics in the Circular Economy.