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

 

 

2021

Anti-inflammatories and antipyretics that have been tried and tested for decades, such as dexamethasone or remdesivir, play an important role in the fight against Corona. They are intended to reduce mortality in hospitals. This is possible because the patents on many old pharmaceuticals are expiring. Off-patent drugs can be highly effective in treating completely different diseases.

2021

For a fortnight, the UN Climate Conference COP26 in Glasgow struggled to find solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While the EU Commission found little support for its plan to protect itself unilaterally from unfair competition with a so-called climate tariff, the CO2 border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), Germany, among others, pleaded for a climate club of the willing. The goal: as many countries as possible should agree on a minimum price for CO2 and use a common climate tariff against non-members to protect their industries.

2021

As part of its Green Deal, the EU wants to oblige the financial sector to make its contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the Commission presented an action plan this summer. The goal: the financial sector should become more sustainable.

2021

Identity cards, driving licences, digital money: according to the Commission, Member States are to introduce so-called digital wallets. Smartphone apps are to replace the paper and card economy in purses by mid-2023. Each Member State must present a technical solution by then. The Commission has presented a corresponding proposal for a Regulation.

2021

In the EU, around ninety million tonnes of food end up being wasted every year. Ten percent of this alone is said to be due to the misunderstanding of date marks on packaging. Often, consumers do not understand the meaning of "best before" and "use by" dates. The Commission therefore wants to launch consultations on food labelling before the end of the year. Brussels is putting forward three options for discussion.

2021

Online platforms are often misused to spread terrorist propaganda and hate speech. Providers such as Facebook play a key role in combating illegal content. With the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Commission wants to improve the internal market and create a safe and transparent online environment.

2021

Tech giants like Google, Amazon or Facebook dominate the global internet market. Competition law is not enough to prevent abuse of power. The Commission therefore presented the Digital Markets Act (DMA) last December. The law is intended to prevent operators of large internet platforms from restricting competition or imposing unfair conditions.

2021

In the fight against corruption and for higher social and environmental standards, the European Union wants to tighten the Directive on non-financial reporting. In the future, about 15,000 companies in Germany alone are to be obliged to also present an annual report on sustainability — thirty times more than before. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) has analysed the Commission's plans.

2021

The European Union wants to significantly reduce the pollution of air, water, soil and consumer goods by 2050. Pollutants should then be able to endanger neither human health nor the environment. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) has analysed the so-called zero-pollutant target.

2021

The COVID pandemic has led to a cross-border health emergency in the European Union. On the basis of a regulation, Brussels wants to determine when such a state of emergency begins and when it ends. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) has analysed the EU proposal.