Publications Archive

With a world population set to reach 9,7 billion in 2050, and the associated problems of food availability, cultured meat has become a central issue for the European Union as well.

After 20 years, the Commission wants to comprehensively reform the outdated pharmaceutical legislation. The legislative proposals contain numerous delegations of power to the Commission. The Centre for European Policy (cep) considers many of these delegations to be too far-reaching. In particular, the possibility of changing the requirements of an Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) has far-reaching consequences for the authorisation of medicinal products.

Medicine shortages are increasingly threatening public health. The reasons also lie in disruptions of supply chains and problems with the supply of ingredients. 19 Member States - including Germany, France and Italy - therefore formulated a so-called non-paper in May. The Centre for European Policy (cep) proposes a three-pillar strategy as a solution to the difficulties.

In the EU, tens of thousands of people die every year as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. Ireland therefore wants to be the first Member State to require a warning label similar to the one on cigarette packets for alcoholic beverages. The Centres for European Policy Network (cep) considers this so-called whiskey label to be sensible but argues for a uniform introduction in the EU.

Smartphones, laptops, fridges: especially electrical appliances should be easier to repair for the sake of the environment. The EU Commission therefore wants to introduce a so-called right to repair with a new directive promoting the repair of goods. According to the Centre for European Policy (cep), the Commission’s proposal overshoots the mark to some extent.

Diagnosis, therapy, prevention: virtual worlds, known as metaverse, will revolutionise healthcare. The Commission plans to present an EU metaverse strategy in July. The Centre for European Policy (cep) sees huge opportunities for the health sector but insists on a binding seal of quality to protect personal data.

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.

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.

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.

Medical findings, X-rays, prescriptions: With the Health Data Space (EHDS), the Commission wants to utilise storing and making use of sensitive patient data throughout the EU. In essence, it provides for national electronic health records that can be used across borders. The Centre for European Policy (cep) calls for better control rights for EU citizens, especially regarding the so-called secondary use of health data.