In order to reduce CO₂ emissions in the transport sector, the EU introduced CO₂ thresholds for new passenger cars. These thresholds will be tightened to 95 grams CO₂ per kilometre as of 2020. Now the Commission proposes measures in order to achieve the CO₂ targets valid as of 2020 for a manufacturer’s passenger car fleet as neutral as possible from the point of view of competition. For this purpose the formula determining the specific CO₂ emissions for manufacturers shall be modified and benefits for passenger cars with particularly low CO₂ emissions shall be reduced.

According to the Commission, the costs and risks of cross-border securities transactions are too high compared to national securities transactions, the access of market actors – among them trade venues, central counterparties and central securities depositories – is limited and the competition between central securities depositories insufficient. The Commission wishes to address these deficits by measures to increase the safety of securities transactions and to open national securities markets. 

Due to the economic crisis, the demand for and price of CO₂ emission allowances are lower than originally expected. As a result, the Commission holds that the functionality of the EU emission trading system is jeopardised. Therefore, it wishes to be afforded the possibility to change the timetable for auctioning emission allowances in order to be able to temporarily hold back these allowances (“backloading“).

Motor vehicles for the commercial use of goods and passengers and their trailers are not only inspected regularly but due to their intense use inspected also randomly and unexpectedly on public roads (“roadside inspections”) in order to be able to assess their compliance with technical rules and environmental requirements at any time. Now the Commission wishes to harmonise and strengthen the existing rules (Directive 2000/30/EC) in order to enhance transport safety and to improve environmental protection.

In its Communication, the Commission proposes to Member States measures to create new jobs in the EU.

The Commission outlines its medium-term strategy for EU consumer policy by 2014 under the European Consumer Agenda.

The Commission wishes to improve the access of European providers to public contracts in third countries and therefore extend the right to exclude providers from third countries from public procurement in the EU.