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

 

 

2014

The euro zone currently finds itself in an existential crisis. The increasingly dramatic rescue measures that have been taken to save over-indebted euro states from insolvency have failed, without exception, to calm the situation. There are growing concerns about further countries being swept aside with it. Therefore, the cep has developed a fact-based Default Index reflecting the erosion of creditworthiness in euro zone member states.

2014

The EU has been granting tariff preferences to developing countries since 1971 to help them improve their performance on the global market and to aid their economic development. The basis for that is the “Scheme of Generalised Tariff Preferences” (GSP). The Commission wishes to revise the existing tariff preference scheme and to suspend a number of countries which until now have been GSP beneficiaries as it deems them competitive at international level. 

2014

The Commission proposes two Regulations regarding the introduction of a unitary patent protection in 25 Member States. Italy and Spain will not be participating in this enhanced cooperation. The Patent Regulation provides for the possibility of granting unitary patent protection to the European patent, which consists of a “bundle” of various national patents, in 25 Member States. The Translation Requirements Regulation contains translation requirements for the EU Patent with unitary effect.

2014

With its White Paper, the Commission instigates a discussion on how to provide policyholders with comprehensive protection that is harmonised at EU level for the event of insurance companies becoming insolvent. Similar to the bank deposit guarantee scheme, the Commission’s aim is to establish a European guarantee scheme for insurances covering both life and non-life insurances. 

2014

The Data Retention Directive stipulates that providers of telecommunications, mobile and internet services are obliged to retain traffic and location data of users. The purpose of this is the investigation, detection and prosecution of “serious crime”. In its Report, the Commission evaluates the Member States’ application of the Data Retention Directive, its benefit and impact. 

2014

According to the Commission, short-termism and excessive risk-taking endanger sustainable economic growth and the stability of the financial market. To tackle these issues, the Commission proposes to increase shareholders’ participation in corporate decisions and the transparency of asset managers’ and advisors’ activities. Finally the Commission discusses the promotion of women and calls for a women’s quota system.

2014

In order to limit global climate change to a global warming of below 2°C, the EU is to move towards a “competitive low carbon economy” in 2050. To this end, the Commission presents a roadmap for possible action up to 2050 which could enable the EU to meet its climate protection target for 2050. The roadmap is based on analysis of alternative scenarios.

2014

The European institutions have paved the way for a Single European Sky (SES) with two packages of measures in 2004 and 2009. The objectives of the SES are to organise and to control the European airspace more according to actual traffic flows than to national borders; to increase its capacity and to establish an internal market for air navigation services. The cep summarises and analyses the efforts to establish a Single European Sky.

2014

The Commission proposes a Directive serving to contribute to a “smoothly functioning internal market with a high level of consumer protection” for mortgage lending. Herein the Commission focuses on consumer protection and rules for the activities of credit intermediaries.

2014

With the White Paper, the Commission continues the transparent discussion, which was instigated by the Commission itself, on the future of transport. It describes the challenges to European transport policy, teh Commission’s vision for a competitive and sustainable transport system by 2050 and a strategy to implement it. The transport sector is to reduce at least 60% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 compared to emission levels in 1990.

2014

EU Member States are pursuing the goal of increasing energy efficiency by saving 20% of the EU energy consumption projected for 2020. The Commission estimates that the set target will not be achieved through the current measures and therefore proposes additional actions. Amongst other things, it is considering energy savings by Member States.

2014

The Commission deems early childhood education and care (ECEC) an essential foundation for successful lifelong learning, social integration and personal development. Children with a solid ECEC foundation, later have much better options on the labour market for employability.

2014

In its consultation paper the Commission presents a model for infrastructure financing („Europe 2020 Project Bond Initiative“): Private or public-private project companies issue bonds on capital markets to finance infrastructure (“project bonds”). Limited payment guarantees or credits provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB) are to encourage private investors to buy project bonds.

2014

The Commission wishes to introduce a number of amendments to the Prospectus and Solvency II Directive. The aim is to extend the powers of the EU supervisory authorities (ESMA and EIOPA) to develop technical standards, to substantiate their arbitration powers and to introduce transitional periods for the Solvency II Directive. In addition, the Commission’s power to adopt implementing measures, which are still based on the legal position of the Treaty of Nice, are to be adapted to the Lisbon Treaty.

2014

According to the Commission, Member States can reach their target for the development of renewable energy by 2020. To this end, the Commission calls for a “greater convergence” of national support schemes in the EU and an increased cooperation among Member States and with third countries. Moreover, networks should be further developed, interconnected at cross-border level and modernised.

2014

To date, the “Unisex Directive“ (2004/113/EC) allowed for sex-differentiated insurance premiums and benefits “where the use of sex is a determining factor in the assessment of risk based on relevant and accurate actuarial and statistical data”. On 1 March 2011, the European Court of Justice held that this was not in line with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

2014

Citizens, organisations and authorities may comment on the Green Paper and its 114 concrete questions within a consultation procedure. The Commission wishes to reform the tools and methods of public procurement in order to improve teh process and to increase the efficiency of public spending. In future, public procurement is to take into account “policy objectives”, such as the promotion of innovation.

2014

According to the Commission’s proposals “PNR data” of passengers travelling from or to third countries are to be collected by air carriers during the passengers’ flight booking procedure and must be transferred to Member States’ authorities. The Directive regulates data processing (collection, retention and analysis) through national authorities, the data exchange between Member States and the data transfer to third countries.

2014

The Commission proposes two options for reviewing the Working Time Directive and invites the social partners to express whether and which issues they would wish to negotiate. The Commission intends to revise at least the provisions on on-call time and compensatory rest for on-call time (option 1). These revisions are anyway required by the ECJ’s ruling. The second option provides for a comprehensive revision of the Working Time Directive. The Commission aspires to increase flexibility in working time. Moreover, rules on the “work-life balance”, the “opt-out”, paid annual leave and individual sector-specific issues are to be reviewed.