The responsibilities and powers of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) are to be significantly widened. For this purpose, the EU Commission has proposed a Regulation. In addition to ESMA, this will principally affect investment funds, investment firms, trading venues, data reporting services, benchmark administrators and contributors, issuers and of course investors.

The EU wants to help reduce marine pollution caused by plastic products and packaging. For this purpose, the EU Commission has submitted the proposal for a Directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. This would affect consumers, manufacturers and traders in single-use plastic products, the catering sector and fisheries.

The supervision of investment firms in the EU should be more adapted to their respective business models and risks. With this aim, the EU Commission has developed a proposal for a Directive which, by dividing investment firms into three classes, counteracts the consolidation of the sector brought about by regulation.

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) for reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) covers only about 45% of EU GHG emissions. Non-covered economic sectors include road transport, buildings, agriculture and waste management. In these sectors, GHG emissions are to be reduced through "effort-sharing" within the EU.

Greece is still not creditworthy. The country has received €289 billion in financial assistance for eight years, but there is still a long way to go to regain its creditworthiness. This is the result of the updated cepDefault-Index on the occasion of the expiry of the third EU adjustment programme for Athens on 20 August.

The EU Commission wants to improve the application of EU law in the area of labour mobility. For this purpose, it proposes setting up a European Labour Authority. The Authority will facilitate access to information and services on labour mobility for citizens and companies and promote cooperation between national authorities.

The supervision of investment firms in the EU will become more adapted to their business models and risks. For this purpose, the EU Commission has proposed inter alia a Regulation on prudential requirements for investment firms.

The EU Emission Trading System (EU ETS) is the most important instrument for climate protection in the European Union and makes a material contribution to achieving EU climate targets. Prior to its 4th trading period (2021–2030), the ETS has been comprehensively reformed. cep has prepared an Input assessing the status and perspectives following the reform.

By way of a new Directive, the EU Commission wants to promote transparent and predictable working conditions for workers. At the same time, the Directive should ensure the adaptability of the labour market. Affected are employers and employees, particularly those in non-standard employment relationships.

Minimum standards will protect micro, small and medium-sized suppliers against unfair trading practices in the food trade. For this purpose, the EU Commission has proposed a Directive. Until now there have been no EU-wide standard rules on dealing with unfair trading practices.

The principle of mutual recognition in the field of the free movement of goods is to be strengthened. A proposed Regulation from the EU Commission aims to ensure that goods, which are already lawfully marketed in a Member State, will not be subject to hasty bans or restrictions in other Member States due to only divergent product requirements.

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.