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Document 52015DC0610

    COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Commission Work Programme 2016 No time for business as usual

    COM/2015/0610 final

    Strasbourg, 27.10.2015

    COM(2015) 610 final

    COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS


    Commission Work Programme 2016

    No time for business as usual


    One year ago, this Commission made a new start. Based on the Political Guidelines 1 , we defined the priorities of the Commission and committed to focus on the big things where citizens expect Europe to make a difference. We decided we would change the way we work, and be open and accountable for our actions. And we invited the European Parliament and the Council to work together with us to deliver this change, because delivering results together on the things that really matter is the only way to regain Europeans' trust that our Union is there to serve them.

    Citizens will judge the EU by its ability to deliver on the major challenges facing our societies today. The jobs, growth, and investment gap. Refugees fleeing instability and war to seek safe haven. Climate change and the pressure on natural resources. Inequality, intolerance and a sense of insecurity in some parts of our communities. The reality of global interdependence and our lack of self-confidence in Europe's place in an emerging new world order.

    The ten priorities set out in the Agenda for Jobs, Growth, Fairness and Democratic Change – which is both the Juncker Commission's mission statement and the basis on which we were elected – address these challenges. The defining events of the last year – from the slower than expected recovery of our economies and the need to restore stability to the Greek economy, to the migratory pressure on our external borders and the insecurity in our neighbourhood which is fuelling it, to the terrorist attacks on Charlie Hebdo and elsewhere on European soil – have only strengthened our resolve to maintain the focus on these priorities, to do different things and to do things differently.

    Doing different things

    Last year we said we would do different things and concentrate on the big things. Since then we have set out our vision and the concrete measures that need to be taken in the Investment Plan, the Digital Single Market, the Energy Union, the European Agenda on Security, the European Agenda on Migration, the Capital Markets Union, the Action Plan for Fair and Efficient Corporate Taxation, the new Trade Strategy and our most recent proposals to deepen and strengthen our Economic and Monetary Union. This week we present our Single Market Strategy for goods and services 2 , and we will complete the picture with our plans for a sustainable circular economy, labour mobility and better management of our external borders before the end of the year. All these actions are underpinned by the Commission's new Better Regulation Agenda.

    Following a continuous dialogue with the European Parliament and the Council launched by the President's State of the Union address of 9 September 3 , this Work Programme sets out the key initiatives we will take in the next twelve months to deliver on these commitments 4 . Not everything can be done in one year but what we are committing to represents a substantive legislative agenda, and a framework for further actions that will be included in future work programmes, for which preparatory work, including evaluation, consultations and impact assessments, will start in 2016.

    We have given priority to the legislative changes which – if agreed quickly – can have a direct impact on jobs and growth, on our environment and social well-being, on our security and the way we engage with an interconnected world.

    The directly elected European Parliament and the Council of ministers of each national government, which are the EU's co-legislators, have agreed with unprecedented speed the Commission's proposals for the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), for amending the EU budget for 2015 in order to strengthen financial support in the context of the refugee crisis, for a €35 billion package for jobs and growth in Greece and for the emergency decisions for relocation within the EU of refugees in need of international protection. This joint effort to deliver rapidly where decisions are quickly and most needed should no longer be the exception but must become the norm.

    So before designing this Work Programme the Commission has engaged in intensive and constructive discussions with our institutional partners to build a common understanding of where the focus should be. The best proposals will change nothing if they lie on the negotiating table for years without agreement. That is also why we have identified some existing proposals which merit speedy adoption by the co-legislators 5 , and why we intend to withdraw a number of earlier Commission proposals which are no longer relevant, have been blocked or no longer meet the necessary level of ambition, in order to free up space to focus on the priority proposals which do have a good chance of being agreed 6 .

    Doing things differently

    New challenges require new and ambitious responses, but we must remain just as ambitious in meeting ongoing challenges and, above all, check that where a European response is merited, this is as effective as possible in delivering our common goals. Results are what matter, not good intentions. This Commission's commitment to better regulation is about looking at the evidence and making sure that when the EU intervenes it does so in a way that actually will make a positive difference on the ground. So we need to be constantly attentive to make sure our legislation and spending programmes perform effectively and remain fit for purpose.

    In many areas a common approach at European level is needed if we are to achieve our ambitious policy goals – a high level of environmental protection, high social and employment standards, energy security, a thriving economy that benefits all, a migration policy that reflects our common values. But rules which are outdated or are too heavy or too complex to be applied in practice will not achieve their objectives.

    Checking that our rules actually deliver on our ambitions in these areas is not something to be feared but an opportunity to improve them – a chance to make sure that in areas such as health and safety legislation the rules are workable and will be enforced, so the high standards we have set are actually applied in workplaces everywhere, to the benefit of workers across the Union.

    That is why we have decided to include in this Work Programme our plans to review key areas of existing legislation and to make sure they are fit to make a real difference on the ground 7 . And we are proposing to repeal some laws that are no longer relevant 8 . In the same spirit we are highlighting for the information of citizens and businesses the new EU legislation that will apply for the first time in the course of next year 9 .

    Monitoring and where necessary enforcing the application of European legislation is one of the Commission's most important responsibilities, but has not always had the political attention it merits. We are changing that and stepping up enforcement activities in the areas which matter most, for example our common rules on asylum which must work properly if there is to be confidence in the Schengen area without internal borders. Applying our common European rules on the ground means working in close partnership with actors at all levels – national, regional and local.

    We are determined to leverage all the tools at our disposal to deliver on our objectives. At a time when resources are under more demand than ever, the EU budget must be geared to results. The mid-term review of the Multi-annual Financial Framework will look at how better to target funding on the priorities we face, such as the internal and external dimensions of the refugee crisis. Furthermore the Commission will propose a strategy on 'An EU budget focused on results' to ensure that future financing has a stronger focus on achieving results. More can be done to facilitate the use of innovative financial instruments, and there is considerable scope for simplification (in particular in agriculture, the European Structural and Investment Funds and further efforts on research), performance-enhancement and measures linking effectiveness of funds to sound economic governance.

    In this second year of our mandate this Commission's focus remains clear: being big on the big things, and better in how we deliver them 10 ; and remaining small and modest on small things which do not require common EU action. With this Work Programme, structured around the ten priorities set out by President Juncker at the start of our mandate, we reaffirm our commitment to work with our partners in the European Parliament and the Council to deliver the results Europeans expect. Given the challenges Europe faces today, this is no time for business as usual.

    ***

    1.    A New Boost for Jobs, Growth and Investment

    History has shown that Europeans have an inherent capacity to work hard, innovate, to create and to sell their ideas to the world. We cannot afford to lose a generation of this talent and potential. The Commission will continue helping Member States in their efforts to get people back to work. We have frontloaded €1 billion to speed up the implementation of the Youth Employment Initiative to help up to 650,000 young people find jobs, apprenticeships, traineeships or continued education across Europe. We have proposed guidance to Member States to better help long-term unemployed return to work.

    We need to equip Europeans to adapt to the needs of the rapidly changing world and emerging labour markets. Our New Skills Agenda will promote life-long investment in people, from vocational training and higher education through to digital and high-tech expertise and the life skills needed for citizens' active engagement in changing workplaces and societies. Special attention will be paid to work-life balance of working families, with a view to increasing women's participation in the labour market. The Women on Boards Directive should be adopted in 2016 and the Commission will continue its practical work to promote gender equality.

    We also want to see European companies make the most of the opportunities of the Single Market, to grow and compete on a global scale. For that they need stable financing, a sound business environment, and modern infrastructure. The Investment Plan for Europe is now up and running. The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) is operational and delivering high quality investments to further boost the European economy, including in research. We now will focus on improving the investment environment and deepening the Single Market so it delivers better outcomes for Europeans, fewer barriers for businesses and the right environment for innovation.

    We need to start work now to secure Europe's future sustainability. We will present a new approach to ensuring economic growth and social and environmental sustainability beyond the 2020 timeframe, taking into account the Europe 2020 review and the internal and external implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

    Optimising the use of resources is essential to ensure that growth is green and inclusive. Starting next year, we will implement an Action Plan on the Circular Economy to create a single market for the re-use of materials and resources, supporting the move away from a linear economy. This will require action in all parts of the economic cycle, from sourcing to production, consumption, waste and recycling and innovation to harness economically and environmentally efficient business opportunities.

    A sustainable future also means foreseeing and mitigating threats to a healthy environment. The Commission will continue its work to help Member States address the challenge of anti-microbial resistance and contribute to global efforts to tackle this threat. We will also launch preparatory work and will enhance consultation on Health Technology Assessment to improve the functioning of the single market for health products. We will conclude the complex preparatory work already under way to protect Europeans from the dangers of endocrine disruptors 11 and follow up on it. Our review of the existing occupational health and safety legislation, including on carcinogens and mutagens, will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of an EU framework for protecting workers.

    2.    A Connected Digital Single Market

    A thriving digital economy can expand markets and create new sources of employment. Europe can lead here if we can overcome fragmentation, improve the offer to European consumers and open up new opportunities for business. That is why the Commission proposed the Digital Single Market Strategy in May 2015. Our aim is to present all relevant proposals before the end of 2016 so that the Union can achieve a fully functional Digital Single Market during the mandate of this Commission.

    In December we will present our vision for a more modern, more European approach on copyright to take account of the digital revolution. We will also present proposals on digital contract rights. Further initiatives on copyright, geo-blocking, free flow of data, the cloud, and VAT for electronic commerce will follow in the course of 2016.

    Following the agreement on the Connected Continent proposals, including an end to roaming charges by 2017, we are working on a comprehensive review of the telecoms regulatory framework. Further to the respective REFIT reviews, we will revise the audio-visual and media services directive, the satellite and cable directive, and the regulation on consumer protection cooperation to make sure the system actually delivers for citizens. We will work with the co-legislators to reach agreement by the end of the year on the data protection reform and the network and information security directive – two essential elements for building trust and security in the growing digital single market.

    Our ambitious aim is and remains 12 to break down national silos in telecoms regulation, in copyright and data protection legislation, in the management of frequencies and in the application of competition law, taking full account of cultural diversity. By creating a connected Digital Single Market, we can generate up to €250 billion of additional growth in Europe in the course of the mandate of this Commission, thereby creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs, notably for younger job-seekers, and a vibrant knowledge-based society.

    3.    A Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy

    In our Energy Union Strategy the Commission has set out the key actions needed to secure Europe's energy supply and reduce import dependency, to integrate national energy markets, to put energy efficiency first, to de-carbonise the economy and to promote research, innovation and competitiveness. In 2016 we will bring forward the bulk of the items foreseen in the Energy Union roadmap. We will report on the progress made and what still needs to be done in a regular State of the Energy Union report.

    The EU being a lead player in the Paris climate talks, the implementation of the 2030 energy and climate package will be a key priority next year to ensure the targets are duly met. In 2016, the Commission will come up with an effort-sharing proposal for sectors outside the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), such as buildings, agriculture, and the de-carbonisation of transport. We will be promoting the use of non-discriminatory road charging schemes based on the polluter-pays and user-pays principles and efforts to create a single European transport area, allowing a more efficient use of the existing road infrastructure and a more flexible use of fleet capacity. To accelerate the energy transition, the Commission will also propose initiatives on a new energy market design, on reaching the 15% electricity interconnection target by 2030, on energy security of supply, on renewables and energy efficiency. Finally, we will develop an integrated strategy for Energy Union research, innovation and competitiveness in order to tap into the jobs and growth potential of the low-carbon economy.

    4.    A Deeper and Fairer Internal Market with a Strengthened Industrial Base

    The Single Market is Europe’s greatest and unique asset. It allows people, products, services and capital to move more freely. It ensures more choices and lower prices for consumers. It enables people to live, work and study where they wish. It offers opportunities for professionals and businesses, by reducing the red tape they would otherwise face when operating across borders. It is the bedrock for the competitiveness of our European industries.

    In adopting the Single Market Strategy this week, we have stressed the need to build on these strengths and further unleash our internal market's full potential, adapting to changing economic conditions and making it the launch pad for our companies and industry to thrive in the global economy. Now we will focus on concrete measures, from helping start-ups to grow, to releasing the potential of new business models emerging from the collaborative economy, to facilitating the cross-border provision of services, to upgrading our standards system and ensuring that Single Market legislation is properly applied and enforced in practice. We will work to remove legal and technical access barriers to the road transport market and to strengthen the enforcement of applicable social legislation. We are focused on helping SMEs and start-ups to grow by addressing regulatory obstacles and facilitating access to finance. We will table a new initiative on preventive restructuring procedures and to give a second chance to entrepreneurs after bankruptcy.

    Implementing the Capital Markets Union is a key part of this work, since achieving a single market for capital, funding and savings will play a critical role in removing investment bottlenecks and helping businesses to grow across the Single Market. It will be important that the co-legislators swiftly agree on the Commission's proposal on securitisation. Later this year, the Commission will also put forward a proposal to review the Prospectus Directive to make it easier for small firms to list and access market funding, as well as further measures to assist the creation of venture capital funds and develop a new venture capital culture to create opportunities for entrepreneurship.

    To help Europeans make the most of the job opportunities in the Single Market, we have already proposed measures to strengthen the European job mobility portal (EURES) and cooperation between employment services. The Labour Mobility proposals we will present later this year will include measures to tackle abuse by means of better enforcement and coordination of social security systems, and we will present a targeted revision of the Posting of Workers Directive to address unfair practices leading to social dumping and brain drain by ensuring that the same work in the same place is rewarded by the same pay.

    We will also put a particular emphasis on improving access to selected goods and services for people with disabilities.

    In 2016 we will also look more closely at a few selected sectors either because of their growth potential or because they face specific challenges. We will present a strategy for releasing the full benefits of the European space programmes such as Galileo and Copernicus for the European economy and citizens. We will develop and implement a European action plan to ensure that our defence market is ready to meet future security needs. We will deliver the follow-up to the aviation strategy that will be presented later this year. And given developments in the agricultural sector, we will bring forward our report on the functioning of the milk market already to next year.

    The Commission will present an action plan on VAT with further steps towards an efficient and fraud-proof definitive regime and initiatives on VAT rates and e-commerce in the context of the Digital Single Market. We also intend to withdraw a number of VAT proposals on the table that have made little progress in the Council or where their significant simplification potential has been unacceptably watered down, as is the case for the standard VAT declaration.

    We also want to make further progress towards fair, efficient and growth-friendly corporate taxation, based on the principle that companies should pay taxes in the country where profits are generated. We will present a set of measures to enhance transparency of the corporate tax system and fight tax avoidance, including by implementing international standards on base erosion and profit-shifting. We intend to withdraw the blocked proposal for a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base and replace it with proposals for a staged approach starting with agreeing a mandatory tax base. This will improve the Single Market for businesses whilst closing loopholes and ensuring that all companies pay their fair share of tax.

    5.    A Deeper and Fairer Economic and Monetary Union

    The Commission has just tabled key elements of the first stage of the process to complete Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) as set out in the Five Presidents' Report 13 . We have proposed a renewed approach to the European Semester and an improved toolbox for economic governance, including the introduction of national Competitiveness Boards and an advisory European Fiscal Board. We propose to build a better dialogue between the Commission and the European Parliament to improve the democratic accountability of our economic governance system. We also call for a more unified representation of the euro area within international organisations (notably the IMF). By the end of the year we will present a European bank deposit scheme based on a reinsurance mechanism and set out ways to further reduce risk and ensure a level playing field in the banking sector.

    These measures represent an important step forward towards a more resilient and prosperous EMU. In that context, the 2016 European Semester will also put a stronger focus on the economic and fiscal situation in the euro area as a whole, enhance further the emphasis on Member States' employment and social performance, and promote convergence, including by removing national barriers to investment.

    The development of a European pillar of social rights will contribute to this. The Commission will pursue two complementary work strands: firstly, modernising and addressing the gaps in existing social policy legislation to take account of today's work environment and to ensure that new models of work maintain a fair balance in the relationship between employers and workers; and secondly, identifying social benchmarks, notably as concerns the flexicurity concept, built on best practices in the Member States with a view to upwards convergence, in particular in the euro area, as regards the functioning of the labour market, skills and social protection.

    We will take this work forward in enhanced dialogue with the European Parliament, Member States, national Parliaments and social partners. To prepare the transition from stage 1 to stage 2 of completing the EMU and the Commission White Paper scheduled for spring 2017, the Commission will launch a wide consultation and debate across the EU. We will also draw on analytical input from a High Level Expert Group which we will set up in summer 2016. The European Parliament will be closely involved in all these preparatory steps.

    6.     A Reasonable and Balanced Free Trade Agreement with the US

    International trade and investment are key drivers for the European economic recovery. The EU is uniquely well-placed to ensure the opportunities of globalisation are made to work for the benefit of Europeans, in a transparent and socially and environmentally responsible manner. An active trade policy will ensure that we connect to new emerging centres of global growth and are part of new digital and global value chains. This will provide openings for our businesses and create high-quality jobs without compromising on our European values or standards.

    The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement (TTIP) with the United States remains a top priority for 2016. We are committed to negotiating a fair and balanced deal with the US, with a new approach to investment protection. We plan to step up cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region, for example through the EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and an EU-China investment agreement, by requesting authorisation to negotiate FTAs with Australia and New Zealand, as well as opening free trade negotiations with the Philippines and with Indonesia, once the conditions are right. This ambitious bilateral trade agenda, which already covers 27 negotiating partners, complements the multilateral World Trade Organisation system which remains at the heart of the EU approach.

    In 2016 the Commission aims to see the provisional application of a number of new agreements, including those ones with Canada and with several African, Caribbean and Pacific regions. We will closely monitor existing agreements such as those with our Eastern Neighbourhood. Work will begin on modernising some of our existing agreements in light of new economic realities, including with countries like Turkey, Mexico and Chile.

    With the new Trade and Investment Strategy we presented earlier this month, we aim to update the tools of trade policy and gear it more to services, digital trade, mobility, access to natural resources, innovation and other drivers of jobs and growth. We will work more on implementation and enforcement, to ensure that the opportunities created by trade agreements deliver real results, while paying particular attention to SMEs and helping workers adapt to change. We will also take forward our work on enhancing transparency for stakeholders and citizens about our trade negotiations.

    7.    An Area of Justice and Fundamental Rights Based on Mutual Trust

    Terrorism and radicalisation, organised crime, and cybercrime threaten the security of Europeans and are by nature transnational and require an EU response. The Commission will focus on the implementation of the European Agenda on Security, with proposals such as a revision of the Framework Decision on terrorism to address the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters and a proposal on combatting fraud and counterfeiting on non-cash means of payment. Work will continue to overhaul the legislative framework for controlling firearms. We will pay increased attention to developing the operational cooperation and tools which underpin the mutual trust that is essential for effective cross-border law enforcement work, whilst fully respecting fundamental rights.

    The data protection reform (Regulation and Directive) and the proposal on EU Passenger Name Records should be agreed by the co-legislators by the end of the year. The Commission aims to conclude a solid agreement with the United States on transfer of personal data for law enforcement purposes which provides the necessary guarantees including judicial review for individuals. In the light of recent case-law we will work towards a new framework ensuring proper protection of personal data stored by companies in the US.

    In 2016 it will be important that the co-legislators move forward on the European Public Prosecutor's Office and the reform of Europol. The Commission will also take forward work to clarify access to justice in environmental matters.

    The Commission will also pursue the work towards the accession of the EU to the European Convention on Human Rights, taking full account of the Opinion of the Court of Justice 14 .

    8.    Towards a New Policy on Migration

    Addressing the refugee crisis and managing the migratory pressure on our external borders is the most pressing priority the Union faces today, and instability, war and poverty in our neighbourhood mean that this issue will need to remain at the top of the political agenda for some years to come.

    The European Agenda on Migration which we presented in May 2015 provides a comprehensive approach to migration management based on the principles of solidarity and responsibility. Two emergency schemes to relocate 160,000 people in need of international protection from the Member States most affected to other EU Member States are already operational. Every day the Frontex Joint Operations Poseidon and Triton are rescuing people shipwrecked in the Mediterranean Sea. Migration management support teams in "hotspot" areas are now helping national authorities in Greece and Italy with the identification, registration and processing of new arrivals. Efforts have been stepped up to tackle people smuggling and dismantle human trafficker groups. Action is being taken to return more people who are not in need of international protection.

    The EU has already mobilised €4 billion in humanitarian, development, economic and stabilisation assistance to Syrians in their country and in host communities in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and Egypt. An additional €1.8 billion will be used to set up an 'Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa'. Stronger and deeper cooperation with third countries of origin and transit is key to managing migration better, including a concerted effort to provide support for the growing number of refugees and internally-displaced persons in third countries.

    The crisis has shown that beyond these immediate steps, we need to fundamentally rethink the way we manage our common external border and our European asylum framework. Later this year the Commission will present proposals for a European Border and Coast Guard, building on a significant strengthening of Frontex.

    We will overhaul our common asylum system to correct the gaps and weaknesses exposed in the Dublin system and to strengthen the role of the European Asylum Support Office. We will press for the Action Plan on return to be fully and quickly put into operation, and for agreement on the pending proposals implementing the European Agenda on Migration. We will also present proposals for a structured system for resettlement so that those in need of protection can be given safe passage into the EU, without risking their lives in the hands of smugglers, together with better protection schemes in neighbouring regions.

    And to meet Europe's future demographic and labour market needs, we will present a renewed approach on legal migration, including measures to improve the Blue Card Directive.

    9.     A Stronger Global Actor

    In an increasingly connected, contested and complex world marked by dynamic changes, the coherence of the EU's external action and our ability to use all available instruments in a joined up manner to achieve our objectives and complement our internal policies are ever more important. Challenges such as migration, access to energy and other resources, and climate change demonstrate the need for an effective external dimension to deliver on major internal policy objectives and to allow the EU to take advantage of opportunities to advance its values, such as democracy, human rights, equality and solidarity, as well as European history and culture, in the wider world. The Commission will therefore make a substantive contribution in support of the work of the High Representative/Vice-President on a new Global Strategy on foreign and security policy.

    In addressing acute crisis such as the conflicts in Syria, Libya and Ukraine, the Commission will continue to be pro-actively engaged in support of international actors such as the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, drawing on the full range of policies, financing and other tools at its disposal. We will review and further develop our instruments to enhance security and development in partner countries, and will bring forward measures to support them in improving security sector governance and capacity building.

    Following the ongoing public consultation, we will present a new post-Cotonou policy framework to govern relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and regions. The Commission's development policy, as well as the new Trade and Investment Strategy, will also promote economic development, support social and environmental protection, defend human rights, tackle corruption, and improve migration management whilst addressing its root causes.

    The Commission will continue to work towards a further concretisation of the accession perspective of the candidate countries. In this context, we will strengthen our partnership with Turkey, including by implementing the action plan on migration and modernising the customs union. The new European Neighbourhood Policy will provide a more focussed and tailor-made framework for the support of the stabilisation and democratic development of the countries in the Eastern and Southern neighbourhood.

    We will also support the High Representative/Vice-President in deepening bilateral relations with the EU's key partners. Tailored strategic approaches will need to be regularly updated, with the EU policy on China being a first example. Following on from the successful conclusion of the nuclear negotiations with Iran, a renewed framework for the EU's engagement with the country could be envisaged subject to the full implementation of the agreement.

    10. A Union of Democratic Change

    The Commission will work in partnership with the European Parliament and the Council to ensure that the negotiations on a new Inter-institutional Agreement on Better Regulation can conclude by the end of the year, to strengthen our common commitment to better regulation as a tool for better results, increase transparency about how European decisions are made, and equip the three institutions to better work together in the future.

    We will bring forward in 2016 our proposal for an Inter-institutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register for interest representatives seeking to influence policy making in the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.

    In the past year we have stepped up the Commission's engagement and dialogue with national Parliaments, both in terms of meetings and exchanges of view with parliamentary committees, and by a renewed commitment to the political dialogue on draft proposals. We plan to build on this further in 2016 with further steps to ensure that national parliaments have a strong voice in European policy-making.

    Finally, we will continue to expand our 'Citizens' Dialogues' which allow the Members of the Commission to listen directly to citizens in their own regions and reply on the issues that matter most to them.

    ***

    The European Union is at a defining moment. We are facing several unprecedented challenges: the refugee crisis, unemployment and the jobs and growth gap, the need to deepen our Economic and Monetary Union, climate change, instability in our Eastern and Southern neighbourhood, and a fair deal for the UK within a European Union committed to the four freedoms of the single market and the values which all 28 Member States share.

    This is therefore no time for business as usual, which is why in this Work Programme the Commission commits to bold, focussed and pragmatic action that will allow us to overcome these challenges and emerge stronger in a spirit of European solidarity and responsibility. We look to our partners in the European Parliament and the Council to engage with us to bring about swiftly the results Europeans expect their Union to deliver.

    (1)

    http://ec.europa.eu/priorities/docs/pg_en.pdf

    (2)

    COM (2015) 550, 28.10.2015.

    (3)

      http://ec.europa.eu/priorities/soteu .

    See also the Letter of Intent signed by the President and the First Vice-President and addressed to the Presidents of the European Parliament and of the Council. On this basis, meetings took place between the President and the Coreper on 10 September, the First Vice-President discussed with the General Affairs Council on 13 October, the Commission met with the Conference of Committee Chairs on 6 October and the President and the First -Vice-President met with the Conference of Presidents on 20 October.

    (4)

    Annex I.

    (5)

    Annex III.

    (6)

    Annex IV.

    (7)

    Annex II.

    (8)

    Annex V.

    (9)

    Annex VI.

    (10)

    In this context, the Commission will focus its communication work in 2016 on the priorities of the Commission, on the basis of the corporate communication action in 2016 under the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 (C(2015) 7346 of 27.10.2015).

    (11)

     Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that, at certain doses, can interfere with the hormone system in mammals.

    (12)

    http://ec.europa.eu/priorities/docs/pg_en.pdf

    (13)

    http://ec.europa.eu/priorities/economic-monetary-union/docs/5-presidents-report_en.pdf

    (14)

    OJ C 65, 23.2.2015, p. 2

    Top

    Strasbourg, 27.10.2015

    COM(2015) 610 final

    ANNEX

    to the

    COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS


    Commission Work Programme 2016

    No time for business as usual


    Annex I: New initiatives

    Title

    Type of initiative

    Description of scope and objectives

    A New Boost for Jobs, Growth and Investment

    1.

    New Skills Agenda for Europe

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    The Agenda aims at promoting skills development, including the mutual recognition of qualifications, supporting vocational training and higher education and reaping the full potential of digital jobs.

    2.

    New start for working parents

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    A set of legislative and non-legislative measures to better address the challenges of work-life balance faced by working parents and support the participation of women in the labour market.

    3.

    Circular Economy Package

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    The aim is to address economic and environmental concerns by maximizing efficiency in the use of resources, covering the whole value chain (including sustainable consumption, production, waste management) and through innovation, thereby enabling the development of new markets and business models. The package will consist of a broad action plan, including actions on monitoring effective progress, and a waste proposal with long-term targets.

    4.

    Review of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    The mid-term review of the MFF will address how better to target funding on the priorities the EU faces. The review will also look for ways to further orientate the EU budget towards results and simplify the applicable rules (REFIT) e.g. for the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and will explore the scope for further simplification under Horizon 2020 funding. 

    5.

    Next steps for a sustainable European future

    Non-legislative

    This initiative will set out a new approach to ensure Europe's economic growth and social and environmental sustainability beyond the 2020 timeframe, taking into account the Europe 2020 review and the internal and external implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

    A Connected Digital Single Market

    6.

    Implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    The Digital Single Market Strategy outlined in May 2015 will be taken forward with three sets of actions: 1) a Communication on copyright and legislative proposal on portability, followed by legislative proposals on copyright and the review of the satellite and cable directive (REFIT), legislative proposals on digital contract rights, geo-blocking, and VAT for electronic commerce (REFIT), and the review of the Regulation on consumer protection cooperation (REFIT); 2) reviews of the telecoms regulatory framework (REFIT) and the audiovisual and media services Directive (REFIT), and 3) a legislative proposal on the free flow of data.

    A Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy

    7.

    Energy Union Package

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    Following up on the Framework Strategy, the Package is composed of: legislative proposals on electricity market design and the regulatory framework, including the review of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), and the revision of the Regulation on security of electricity supply; the revision of the Regulation on security of gas supply and the revision of the Decision on inter-governmental agreements; the effort sharing decision and integration of the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry sector (LULUCF) into the 2030 climate framework; a renewable energy package (REFIT), including sustainability criteria for biomass, and an energy efficiency package, including energy efficiency for buildings (REFIT).

    A Deeper and Fairer Internal Market with a Strengthened Industrial Base

    8.

    Labour Mobility Package

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    This initiative consists of a Communication on labour mobility, a targeted revision of the Directive on the posting of workers, and the revision of Regulations on social security coordination.

    9.

    Follow-up to Single Market Strategy

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    The Single Market Strategy will be taken forward through guidance on how EU law applies to collaborative economy business models; action to help SMEs and start-ups grow; initiatives on the regulation of professions; a legislative initiative framing a new approach to business failure and insolvency; legislative initiatives to facilitate cross-border provision of services, tackle regulatory barriers in key business services and construction services, and address discrimination based on nationality or place of residence; review of the EU intellectual property enforcement framework (REFIT); action on standardisation including service standards; proposals for market information tools and an improved notification procedure under the Services Directive; and an action plan to increase awareness of the mutual recognition principles in the goods sector.

    10.

    European Defence Action Plan

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    The aim is a legal and policy framework to ensure that the European market and industrial and skills base will be able to deliver the military capability priorities that Member States may need to meet future security needs.

    11.

    Action Plan on VAT

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    The action plan aims at delivering efficient and fraud-proof VAT regimes and will include initiatives on VAT rates (REFIT) and a proposal on VAT for electronic commerce (REFIT) in the context of the Digital Single Market Strategy, and a Communication setting out the definitive VAT regime (REFIT).

    12.

    Corporate Tax Package

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    Following up on the Communication on A fair and efficient corporate tax system in the European Union: 5 key areas for action, the package includes a set of measures to enhance transparency of the corporate tax system and fight tax avoidance, including by implementing international standards on base erosion and profit shifting, and a staged approach starting with a mandatory tax base (REFIT) together with withdrawal of the existing CCCTB proposal.

    13.

    A Space Strategy for Europe

    Non- legislative

    The Strategy will coordinate the different strands of EU space activities, including a roadmap for concrete actions enabling targeted sectorial applications and further developing the EU space programmes to benefit the economy, public authorities and society as a whole.

    A Deeper and Fairer Economic and Monetary Union

    14.

    Pillar of Social Rights

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    The initiative will address gaps in existing legislation and identify common principles and reference benchmarks with a view to a greater convergence of employment and social performance over time.

    15.

    European Bank Deposit Insurance Scheme / Completion of the Banking Union

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    Following up to the Five Presidents' Report, the proposal will outline steps towards a European Bank Deposit Insurance Scheme based on a reinsurance mechanism. A Communication will set out further measures to complete the Banking Union.

    Trade: A Reasonable and Balanced Free Trade Agreement with the U.S.

    16.

    Follow-up to the Trade and Investment Strategy

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    Against the background of the Trade for All strategy for a more effective and transparent trade and investment policy based on values, the Commission will pursue the TTIP negotiations with the US, as well as make progress at WTO, engage strategically with Asia and ensure that EPAs are well implemented.

    An Area of Justice and Fundamental Rights Based on Mutual Trust

    17.

    Implementation of European Agenda on Security

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    Actions to implement the European Agenda on Security including a proposal to amend the Framework Decision on terrorism, improved rules on firearms and a proposal on combatting fraud and counterfeiting on non-cash means of payment.

    Towards a New Policy on Migration

    18.

    Better Migration Management

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    The initiative has two dimensions: 1) legal migration: a Communication and further legislative measures including extension of the Blue Card approach; 2) asylum and refugees: a proposal for a structured system on resettlement of refugees and revision of the Dublin system on asylum.

    19.

    Border Management Package

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    The aim is to progress towards a European Border and Coast Guard building on a reinforced Frontex.

    A Stronger Global Actor

    20.

    Post-Cotonou Framework

    Non-legislative

    New policy framework to govern relations with the ACP countries and regions.

    21.

    Capacity building in the security sector

    Legislative / non-legislative

    The package covers security sector reform and a possible new dedicated instrument for capacity building in support of security and development in third countries.

    22.

    Commission contribution to the Global Strategy

    Non-legislative

    The Commission will actively contribute to the Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy under the responsibility of the High Representative/Vice-President with a view to a better sense of direction to the EU external action.



    A Union of Democratic Change

    23.

    Proposal for an Inter-Institutional Agreement on a mandatory Transparency Register

    Non-legislative

    The proposal for an IIA with the European Parliament and the Council aims at enhancing openness and accountability by making the Trasparency Register mandatory for all interest representatives seeking to influence policy making in any of the three institutions.

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    COM(2015) 610 final

    ANNEX

    to the

    COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS


    Commission Work Programme 2016

    No time for business as usual


    Annex II: REFIT Initiatives 1  

    REFIT is the European Commission's Regulatory Fitness and Performance programme to make EU law simpler and to reduce regulatory costs without compromising policy objectives. REFIT thus contributes to a clear, stable and predictable regulatory framework supporting growth and jobs.

    Title

    Type of initiative 2

    Description of scope and objectives

    A New Boost for Jobs, Growth and Investment

    1.

    REACH

    Legislative / Evaluation

    Actions include a Commission Implementing Regulation on simplification of the authorisation procedure under REACH, a Commission Implementing Regulation on transparency and cost sharing in substance information exchange fora (SIEF) under REACH, and the launching of an evaluation to be completed in 2017 in view of the obligation stemming from Article 117(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 for the Commission to report by 1 June 2017 on the implementation of REACH.

    2.

    Standard Procurement Document and Standard Forms for Public Procurement

    Legislative

    Commission Implementing Regulation on the European Standard Procurement Document (introduced by the new Public Procurement Directives to avoid having to repeatedly file information for each tender submission). Commission Implementing Regulation – update to the standard forms for tender notices in public procurement.

    3.

    Lifts (Directive 95/16/EC)

    Evaluation

    The evaluation will cover the scope, the essential health and safety requirements and their links with the related conformity assessment procedure.

    4.

    State Aid: Commission Notice on a Simplified Procedure for the treatment of certain types of State Aid ('Simplified procedure Notice') (2009/C136/03)

    Evaluation

    The objective of this evaluation will be to take account of the evolution of State aid law, the decision-making practice, and the experience gained in applying the Simplified Procedure. The evaluation will also identify further administrative/procedural simplification.

    A Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy

    5.

    Targeted review of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014 (Ecological Focus Areas)

    Legislative

    Revised delegated/implementing act following up to the Commission undertaking to evaluate the experience with the implementation of Ecological Focus Areas (EFA) in the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014 after the first year of application. Part of the CAP simplification exercise.

    6.

    EU Nature Legislation

    Evaluation follow up

    Follow-up to the Fitness Check of Directive 2009/147/EEC on the conservation of wild birds, and Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

    7.

    European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) Regulation

    Evaluation follow up

    This initiative would follow on an evaluation under the Commission's REFIT programme and a report regarding the implementation of the E-PRTR Regulation for the period 2010 to 2013.

    8.

    Fuel Quality Directive

    Evaluation follow up

    This initiative would follow up on the results of a REFIT evaluation.

    9.

    Environmental Reporting Initiative

    Evaluation

    Fitness Check to identify opportunities to simplify and alleviate reporting obligations stemming from EU environmental law with a view to develop a more modern, efficient and effective system for regulatory monitoring.

    10.

    Energy Union Reporting initiative

    Evaluation

    Fitness Check / evaluations in the area of Energy and Climate Policy in order to assess the consistency and administrative burden of reporting obligations.

    A Deeper and Fairer Internal Market with a Strengthened Industrial Base

    11.

    Prospectus Directive Review

    Legislative

    Part of the Capital Markets Union following up on a REFIT evaluation of the Prospectus Directive.

    12.

    Review of the European Venture Capital (EuVECA) and European Social Entrepreneurship Fund (EuSEF) regulations

    Legislative

    Legislative review of the European Venture Capital Funds (EuVECA) regulation (No 345/2013) and European Social Entrepreneurship Funds (EuSEF) regulation (No 346/2013) with a view to improve the take-up of these funds as part of the Capital Markets Union without reducing the level of investors protection. These specialist venture capital investment funds have been available since 2013 but only a small number of funds set up as EuVECA and EuSEF have so far been launched.

    13.

    Tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 of 23 July 1987) - Recast

    Legislative

    The aim of the recast is to align the existing legislation to the Lisbon Treaty. The Commission will also simplify and reduce regulatory burden by increasing clarity and improving the readability of the regulation.

    14.

    Tobacco excise duty (Council Directive No 2011/64/EU) - revision

    Legislative

    Planned to address the results of a REFIT evaluation of Council Directive 2011/64/EU of 21 June 2011 on the structure and rates of excise duty applied to manufactured tobacco.

    15.

    Port reception facilities (Directive 2000/59/EC) – revision

    Legislative

    Initiative to adapt the Directive to substantial changes in the MARPOL Convention. In so doing, The revision also follows up on the results of the 2015 REFIT evaluation of the Directive.

    16.

    Occupational Health and Safety Legislation

    Evaluation follow up / Legislative

    Follow-up to the REFIT Evaluation of Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work and 23 related Directives with the aim of increasing its effectiveness and efficiency.

    17.

    Food Legislation

    Evaluation follow up

    Follow-up to the Fitness Check on the General Food Law.

    18.

    Follow-up to the 'Report of the Financial Legislation Review'

    Follow up

    The Commission is seeking to identify possible inconsistencies, incoherence and gaps in financial rules, as well as unnecessary regulatory burdens and factors negatively affecting long-term investment and growth. Following this call for evidence, Commission services will report on the main findings and next steps by mid-2016.

    19.

    Financial Conglomerates Directive

    Evaluation

    The Financial Conglomerates Directive (2011/89/EC amending 2002/87/EC) aims at the supplementary supervision of regulated entities that form part of a financial conglomerate, i.e. groups with licenses in both the banking and the insurance sector, by focusing on potential risks of double gearing (multiple use of capital) and on “group risks” (the risks of contagion, management complexity, risk concentration, and conflicts of interest). The evaluation will assess whether the Directive can be considered 'fit for purpose'

    20.

    Nutrition and Health Claims made on Food

    Evaluation / Legislative

    The purpose of this evaluation is to assess whether the current requirements for nutrient profiles and claims made on botanicals are fit-for-purpose.

    21.

    Maritime Legislation Fitness Check

    Evaluation

    The Fitness Check will cover legislation on flag state responsibilities, port state control, the Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System and the Reporting Formalities Directive.

    22.

    Seafarers (Directive 2008/106/EC and Directive 2005/45/EC)

    Evaluation

    Directive 32008/106/EC sets Minimum standards of training, certification and watch keeping for seafarers serving on board Community vessels. Directive 2005/45/EC covers the mutual recognition of seafarers' certificates issued by the Member States (amending Directive 2001/25/EC).

    23.

    Written Statement Directive 91/533/EC

    Evaluation

    Council Directive 91/533/EEC of 14 October 1991 on an employer's obligation to inform employees of the conditions applicable to the contract or employment relationship.

    24.

    Pesticides: legislation covering Maximum Residue limit setting and placing on the market of plant protection products

    Evaluation

    The purpose is to launch an evaluation of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 and Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 and to fulfil Commission's obligation under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 (Article 82 and 62(5) and Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 (Article 47) including the preparation of reports to the European Parliament and the Council.

    25.

    Motor Insurance Directive

    Evaluation

    Evaluation of Directive 2009/103/EC intended to help EU residents involved in a road accident in another EU country. Under the Directive, subscribers to compulsory motor insurance policies in all EU countries are covered for motoring throughout the EU.

    A Deeper and Fairer Economic and Monetary Union

    26.

    Statistics Package

    Legislative / Non-legislative

    The package includes the integration of social statistics, the integration of business statistics (FRIBS) and the Framework Regulation in Agricultural Statistics.

    An Area of Justice and Fundamental Rights Based on Mutual Trust

    27.

    Judgments in matrimonial matters and matters of parental responsibility (Brussels IIa)

    Legislative

    This initiative follows up on an assessment of the application of Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 on jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and matters of parental responsibility.

    (1)

    This annex lists new initiatives to be undertaken in 2016 not already listed in Annex I. All items are additional to those listed in the latest version of the REFIT Scoreboard: http://ec.europa.eu/smart-regulation/better_regulation/key_docs_en.htm

    (2)

    The type of initiative is indicative only and might change, notably in view of the outcome of an impact assessment process. The table refers to "evaluation follow up" for those cases where a REFIT evaluation is still on-going and, while some form of follow up action is planned for 2016, its scope and nature remains too uncertain at this stage. During 2016, Roadmaps / Inception Impact Assessments will be published to inform the public about any such follow up action under consideration and allow for stakeholders' feedback: http://ec.europa.eu/smart-regulation/roadmaps/index_en.htm

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    Strasbourg, 27.10.2015

    COM(2015) 610 final

    ANNEX

    to the

    COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS


    Commission Work Programme 2016

    No time for business as usual


    Annex III: Priority pending proposals

    Item

    Full title

    Reference

    A New Boost for Jobs, Growth and Investment

    1.

    Integration of long-term unemployed

    Proposal for a COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on the integration of the long-term unemployed into the labour market

    2015/0219/NLE

    2.

    EURES

    Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on a European network of Employment Services, workers' access to mobility services and the further integration of labour markets

    2014/0002/COD

    3.

    Women on Boards

    Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on improving the gender balance among non-executive directors of companies listed on stock exchanges and related measures

    2012/0299/COD

    A Connected Digital Single Market

    4.

    Network and Information Security (NIS)

    Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL concerning measures to ensure a high common level of network and information security across the Union

    2013/0027/COD

    A Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy

    5.

    Reduction of national emissions (NEC)

    Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants and amending Directive 2003/35/EC

    2013/0443/COD

    A Deeper and Fairer Internal Market with a Strengthened Industrial Base

    6.

    Financial transaction tax (FTT) – enhanced cooperation

    Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of financial transaction tax

    2013/0045/CNS

    7.

    EU securitisation framework

    Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL laying down common rules on securitisation and creating a European framework for simple, transparent and standardised securitisation and amending Directives 2009/65/EC, 2009/138/EC, 2011/61/EU and Regulations (EC) No 1060/2009 and (EU) No 648/2012

    2015/0226/COD

    8.

    Port Services

    Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing a framework on market access to port services and financial transparency of ports

    2013/0157/COD

    A Deeper and Fairer Economic and Monetary Union

    9.

    European Platform on undeclared work

    Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on establishing a European Platform to enhance cooperation in the prevention and deterrence of undeclared work

    2014/0124/COD

    An Area of Justice and Fundamental Rights Based on Mutual Trust

    10.

    Data Protection Reform

    Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (General Data Protection Regulation)

    Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by competent authorities for the purposes of prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of criminal offences or the execution of criminal penalties, and the free movement of such data

    2012/0010, 0011/COD

    11.

    European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO)

    Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office

    2013/0255/APP

    12.

    EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation and Training (Europol)

    Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation and Training (Europol) and repealing Decisions 2009/371/JHA and 2005/681/JHA

    2013/0091/COD

    13.

    EU Passenger Name Record (PNR)

    Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the use of Passenger Name Record data for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime

    2011/0023/COD

    14.

    Anti-discrimination

    Proposal for a Council Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation

    2008/0140/CNS

    Towards a New Policy on Migration

    15.

    Permanent relocation scheme

    Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing a crisis relocation mechanism and amending Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection lodged in one of the Member States by a third country national or a stateless person

    2015/0208/COD

    16.

    EU list of safe countries of origin

    Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing an EU common list of safe countries of origin for the purposes of Directive 2013/32/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on common procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection, and amending Directive 2013/32/EU

    2015/0211/COD

    A Union of Democratic Change

    17.

    Genetically modified organisms (GMO)

    Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 as regards the possibility for the Member States to restrict or prohibit the use of genetically modified food and feed on their territory

    2015/0093/COD

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    COM(2015) 610 final

    ANNEX

    to the

    COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS


    Commission Work Programme 2016

    No time for business as usual


    Annex IV: List of withdrawals or modifications of pending proposals

    The Commission intends to withdraw the proposals listed below within six months (by April 2016).

    Withdrawals for reasons other than obsolescence, as well as modifications, are indicated in bold.

    COM/ Inter-institutional reference

    Title

    Reasons for withdrawal/modification

    Economic & Financial Affairs, Taxation & Customs

    1.

    COM/2007/0746

    Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION laying down implementing measures for Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax, as regards the treatment of insurance and financial services

    The proposal dates from 2007 and no agreement is foreseen (no Council Presidency has recently taken up discussions).

    2.

    COM/2007/0747

    2007/0267/CNS

    Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE amending Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax, as regards the treatment of insurance and financial services

    The proposal dates from 2007 and no agreement is foreseen (no Council Presidency has recently taken up discussions).

    3.

    COM/2013/0721

    2013/0343/CNS

    Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE amending Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax as regards a standard VAT return

    Negotiations have resulted in a draft compromise text that has fully denatured the substance of the Commission proposal. In particular, the latest developments have run counter to the simplification, harmonisation and substantial burden reduction objectives of the Commission proposal.

    4.

    COM/2011/0594

    2011/0261/CNS

    Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE on a common system of financial transaction tax and amending Directive 2008/7/EC

    This proposal has been superseded by a corresponding proposal of 2013 under the procedure of enhanced cooperation.

    5.

    COM/2011/0738

    2011/0334/CNS

    Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION on the methods and procedure for making available the own resource based on the financial transaction tax

    The European Council of February 2013, when deciding on the 2014-2020 package, "called upon participating Member States to examine if it (i.e. the financial transaction tax) could become the base for a new own resource". It should be noted that the high-level Group on Own Resources has been tasked with undertaking "a general review of the own resources system guided by the overall objectives of simplicity, transparency, equity and democratic accountability". As the making available regulation was based on the Commission proposal of June 2011 for a new Own resources decision, which was in this respect not retained, the proposed making available regulation is no longer relevant and the Commission therefore intends to withdraw the proposal. Any possible future Commission proposal on a FTT own resource would again have to be accompanied by a corresponding making available regulation.

    6.

    COM/2011/0121

    2011/0058/CNS

    Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE on a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB)

    As announced in the Communication on "A fair and efficient corporate tax system in the European Union: 5 key areas for action" (COM(2015)302), the Commission is re-launching the work with a new staged approach. The existing proposal will be withdrawn in parallel.

    7.

    COM/1998/0637

    Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the representation and position taking of the Community at international level in the context of Economic and Monetary Union

    The proposal was withdrawn (C(2015)8001) and replaced by a new proposal on 21 October 2015 (COM(2015)603).

    Foreign Affairs & Security Policy

    8.

    COM2007/0141

    2007/0049/APP

    Proposal for a COUNCIL AND COMMISSION DECISION on the conclusion of the Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Turkmenistan, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union

    Obsolete: this Protocol of adaptation was to reflect the accession of Bulgaria and Romania, however it was never finalised and it was subsequently decided to propose a Decision covering all Member State accessions since 2004.

    9.

    COM/2007/0144

    Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the signing and provisional application of a Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Turkmenistan, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union

    Obsolete: this Protocol of adaptation was to reflect the accession of Bulgaria and Romania, however it was never finalised and it was subsequently decided to propose a Decision covering all Member State accessions since 2004.

    10.

    COM/2004/808

    Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the signature on behalf of the European Community and provisional application of certain provisions of a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States and the Syrian Arab Republic

    This agreement will not be finalised and the legal texts from 2004 and 2008 have become obsolete in the meantime.

    11.

    COM/2008/853

    Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the signature on behalf of the European Community and provisional application of certain provisions of a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States and the Syrian Arab Republic

    This agreement will not be finalised and the legal texts from 2004 and 2008 have become obsolete in the meantime.

    Trade

    12.

    COM/2008/0522

    2008/0169/APP

    Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concluding the agreement establishing a framework for an Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, on one part, and the East African Community Partner States, on the other part

    This agreement will not be finalised as it is overtaken by a more comprehensive agreement negotiated after 2007 and initialled in 2014.

    13.

    COM/2008/0565

    2008/0177/APP

    Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concluding the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, on the one part, and the SADC EPA States, on the other part

    This agreement will not be finalised as it is overtaken by a more comprehensive agreement negotiated after 2007 and initialled in 2014.

    14.

    COM/2012/0593

    2012/0287/NLE

    Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Cooperation Committee set up by the Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Members States, of one part, and the Russian Federation of the other part, of 24 June 1994 as regards the establishment of a list of conciliators

    Obsolete. Russia officially refused on 13 December 2012 to establish a list of conciliators to operationalise the dispute settlement system of the Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation. The EU has recourse to the general provisions of the WTO.

    Transport

    15.

    COM/2014/0083

    2014/0042/NLE

    Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union at the International Maritime Organization during the 66th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee on the adoption of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI concerning the delay of the Tier III NOx emission standards

    Although the position of the Commission as contained in the proposed Decision is still valid, the proposal has become obsolete as the 66th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee has already taken place (31 March – 4 April 2014).

    16.

    COM/2013/484

    2013/0226/COD

    Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EC) No 1365/2006 on statistics of goods transport by inland waterways as regards conferring of delegated and implementing powers upon the Commission for the adoption of certain measures

    If not agreed in six months, the proposal should be withdrawn.

    17.

    COM/2013/0611

    2013/0297/COD

    Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EC) No 91/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2002 on rail transport statistics, as regards the collection of data on goods, passengers and accidents

    If not agreed in six months, the proposal should be withdrawn.

    Migration, Home Affairs & Citizenship

    18.

    COM/2013/0095

    2013/0057/COD

    Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES) to register entry and exit data of third country nationals crossing the external borders of the Member States of the European Union (Smart Borders Package)

    The Commission has announced in its ˮEuropean Agenda on Migrationˮ (COM(2015)240) its intention to present a modified proposal in 2016.

    19.

    COM/2013/0097

    2013/0059/COD

    Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing a registered traveller programme (Smart Borders Package)

    The Commission has announced in its ˮEuropean Agenda on Migrationˮ (COM(2015)240) its intention to present a modified proposal in 2016.

    20.

    COM/2013/0096

    2013/0060/COD

    Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 as regards the use of the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the Registered Traveller Programme (RTP) (Smart Borders Package)

    The Commission has announced in its ˮEuropean Agenda on Migrationˮ (COM(2015)240) its intention to present a modified proposal in 2016.

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    Commission Work Programme 2016

    No time for business as usual


    Annex V: List of envisaged repeals

    Policy Area

    Title

    Reasons for repeal

    1.

    Agriculture

    Horizontal action declaring the obsolescence of a number of defunct acts in relation to the Common Agricultural Policy

    The aim of this action is to formally declare that acts that have exhausted their effects are obsolete while they cannot be repealed for lack of a legal base.

    2.

    Environment

    Council Directive of 23 December 1991 standardizing and rationalizing reports on the implementation of certain Directives relating to the environment (91/692/EEC)

    In 2016 the Commission intends to prepare a Communication which sets out the strategy and the ambition level of the Fitness Check of monitoring and reporting obligations in environment policy and documents some early actions in this field, among other things the state of play of the Standardised Reporting Directive and related questionnaires, including a possible proposal for its repeal.

    3.

    Environment

    "Water Questionnaire" (Commission Decision 95/337/EEC)

    This decision is an implementing decision based on the Standardised Reporting Directive which will potentially be repealed in 2016. In 2016 the Commission intends to prepare a Communication which sets out the strategy and the ambition level of the Fitness Check of monitoring and reporting obligations in environment policy and documents some early actions in this field, among other things the state of play of the Standardised Reporting Directive and related questionnaires, including a possible proposal for its repeal.

    4.

    Home Affairs

    Commission Decision (2008/602/EC) of 17 June 2008 laying down the physical architecture and requirements of the national interfaces and of the communication infrastructure between the central Visa Information System (VIS) and the national interfaces for the development phase (notified under document number C(2008) 2693) (OJ L 194, 23.7.2008, p. 3)

    This act is obsolete VIS has been developed and it is operational since October 2011.

    5.

    Home Affairs

    Commission Decision (2006/752/EC) of 3 November 2006 establishing the sites for the Visa Information System during the development phase (OJ L 305 of 4.11.2006, p. 13)

    This act is obsolete VIS has been developed and it is operational since October 2011.

    6.

    Home Affairs

    Council Regulation (EC) No 189/2008 of 18 February 2008 on the tests of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) (OJ L 57, 1.3.2008, p. 1);

    This Regulation was related to the testing of the SIS II Central system prior the entry into operation of the system. Its content is obsolete for the testing of the live system.

    7.

    Home Affairs

    Council Decision (2008/173/EC) of 18 February 2008 on the tests of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) (OJ L 57, 1.3.2008, p. 14; Corrigendum OJ L 24, 28.1.2009, p. 24)

    This Regulation was related to the testing of the SIS II Central system prior the entry into operation of the system. Its content is obsolete for the testing of the live system.

    8.

    Home Affairs

    Council Regulation (EC) No 1295/2003 of 15 July 2003 relating to measures envisaged to facilitate the procedures for applying for and issuing visas for members of the Olympic family taking part in the Olympic or Paralympic Games in Athens in 2004 (Schengen)

    This act is obsolete as its application had a temporal limitation (Athens Olympic games)

    9.

    Home Affairs

    European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 2046/2005 of 14 December 2005 relating to measures envisaged to facilitate the procedures for applying for and issuing visas for members of the Olympic family taking part in the Olympic and/or Paralympic Winter Games in Turin (Schengen) 2006

    This act is obsolete as its application had a temporal limitation (Turin Olympic games)

    10.

    Home Affairs

    The Schengen acquis: decision of the Executive Committee of 7 October 1997 on contributions from Norway and Iceland to the costs of installing and operating of the C.SIS (SCH/Com-ex (97) 18)

    The financing of the SIS II central system and the contribution to eu-LISA by the associated countries is based on the Association agreement and the eu-LISA founding regulation.

    11.

    Home Affairs

    The Schengen acquis: decision of the Executive Committee of 7 October 1997 on the development of the SIS (SCH/Com-ex (97) 24)

    This act is obsolete as SIS II has been developed and entered into operation on 9 April 2013.

    12.

    Home Affairs

    The Schengen acquis: decision of the Executive Committee of 16 September 1998 on forwarding the Common Manual to EU applicant States (SCH/Com-ex (98) 35 rev. 2)

    This act is obsolete as the Common Manual (which was "restricted") has been abolished at the moment the adoption of the Schengen Borders Code which is a Regulation published in the OJ

    13.

    Home Affairs

    The Schengen acquis: decision of the Executive Committee of 16 September 1998 setting up an ad hoc committee for Greece (SCH/Com-ex (98) 43 rev.);

    This act is obsolete as of the moment that Greece joined the Schengen zone

    14.

    Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

    Council Regulation (EU) No 1242/2012 of 18 December 2012 fixing for the 2013 fishing year the guide prices and Union producer prices for certain fishery products pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 104/2000.

    The act lacks a sunset clause but it is de facto no longer in force because it refers to past action(s).

    15.

    Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

    Council Regulation (EC) No 645/2008 of 8 July 2008 opening and providing for the administration of autonomous Community tariff quotas on imports of certain fishery products into the Canary Islands.

    The act lacks a sunset clause but it is de facto no longer in force because it refers to past action(s). Has been replaced by Council Regulation (EU) No 1412/2013 of 17 December 2013 opening and providing for the administration of autonomous Union tariff quotas for imports of certain fishery products into the Canary Islands from 2014 to 2020.

    16.

    Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

    Council Regulation (EU) No 1388/2011 of 16 December 2011 fixing for the 2012 fishing year the guide prices and Union producer prices for certain fishery products pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 104/2000.

    The act lacks a sunset clause but it is de facto no longer in force because it refers to past action(s).

    17.

    Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

    Council Regulation (EEC) No 110/76 of 19 January 1976 laying down general rules for granting export refunds on fishery products and criteria for fixing the amount of such refunds.

    The act lacks a sunset clause but it is de facto no longer in force because it refers to past action(s).

    18.

    Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

    Council Regulation (EC) No 1299/2008 of 9 December 2008 fixing for the 2009 fishing year the guide prices and Community producer prices for certain fishery products pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 104/2000.

    The act lacks a sunset clause but it is de facto no longer in force because it refers to past action(s).

    19.

    Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

    Council Regulation (EC) No 2326/2003 of 19 December 2003 fixing for the fishing year 2004 the guide prices and Community producer prices for certain fishery products pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 104/2000.

    The act lacks a sunset clause but it is de facto no longer in force because it refers to past action(s).

    20.

    Statistics

    Regulation (EC) No 48/2004 of 5 December 2003 on the production of annual Community statistics on the steel industry for the reference years 2003-2009

    The Regulation has become obsolete as the respective data is no longer collected. The Steel statistics regulation will be formally proposed for repeal as part of the Proposal for a Regulation on business statistics, planned for Commission adoption in 4th quarter 2016.

    21.

    Transport

    Council Regulation (EEC) No 1101/89 on structural improvements in inland waterway transport

    This Council Regulation expired on 28 April 1999 (see recital N1 of Council Regulation (EC) No 718/1999).

    22.

    Transport

    Commission Regulation (EC) No 2812/94 as regards the conditions which apply to the putting into service of new capacity in inland waterway transport

    This Regulation amends Regulation (EEC) No 1101/89 which expired on 28 April 1999.

    23.

    Transport

    Regulation (EC) No 685/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the distribution of authorisations among Member States received through the Agreements establishing certain conditions for the carriage of goods by road and the promotion of combined transport between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria and between the European Community and the Republic of Hungary

    The Regulation is no longer needed as Bulgaria and Hungary are EU Member States (they are no longer subject to a system of authorisations as far as access to the haulage market is concerned).

    24.

    Transport

    Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2158/93 concerning the application of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, and to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ships, 1973, for the purpose of Council Regulation (EEC) No 613/91

    The Commission regulation is no longer applicable because it refers to an instrument (Council regulation 613 of 1991) which has been repealed by Regulation (EC) 789/2004 on the transfer of cargo and passenger ships between registers).

    25.

    Transport

    Commission Regulation (EC) No 3298/94 laying down detailed measures concerning the system of Rights of Transit (Ecopoints) for heavy goods vehicles transiting through Austria

    The system of Ecopoints, which was intended to reduce the environmental impact of transit traffic by heavy goods vehicles, has become obsolete with the introduction of the HGV toll ("Maut") on Austrian motorways and expressways on 1 January 2004 and is no longer applied by Austria. The legal basis for Ecopoints has therefore also become obsolete and can therefore be repealed.

    26.

    Transport

    Regulation (EC) No 2888/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the distribution of permits for heavy goods vehicles travelling in Switzerland

    This Regulation on permits, which distributes the quotas which the Community received from Switzerland for the years 2001 to 2004 among the EU Member States, is no longer applied. The access to haulage market is now regulated by the EU-Swiss agreement.

    27.

    Transport

    Commission Regulation (EC) No 103/2007 on the extension of the transitional period referred to in Article 53(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1592/2002

    The transitional period was extended until 31 December 2007, this regulation is therefore obsolete.

    28.

    Taxation

    Commission Regulation (EC) No 2579/98 of 30 November 1998 establishing the list of textile products for which no proof of origin is required on release for free circulation in the Community

    This Commission Regulation was an implementing act to Council Regulation (EC) No 1541/98, which itself has been repealed in 2011.

    Top

    Strasbourg, 27.10.2015

    COM(2015) 610 final

    ANNEX

    to the

    COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS


    Commission Work Programme 2016

    No time for business as usual


    Annex VI: Legislation that becomes applicable in 2016

    Further information on delegated and implementing acts that become applicable in 2016 will be available at: http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/key-documents/index_en.htm.

    As regards the date(s) of application, an asterisk (*) means that, in addition to the date indicated, other dates may also apply to other parts of the legislative act.

    Title

    Policy area

    Date of application

    1.

    Council Directive 2014/48/EU of 24 March 2014 amending Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments

    Taxation

    01 January 2016

    2.

    Directive 2009/138/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the taking-up and pursuit of the business of Insurance and Reinsurance (Solvency II) (Text with EEA relevance)

    Financial Services

    01 January 2016*

    3.

    Directive 2014/61/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on measures to reduce the cost of deploying high-speed electronic communications networks

    Digital Economy and Society

    01 January 2016

    4.

    Regulation (EU) No 806/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2014 establishing uniform rules and a uniform procedure for the resolution of credit institutions and certain investment firms in the framework of a Single Resolution Mechanism and a Single Resolution Fund and amending Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010

    Financial Stability

    01 January 2016*

    5.

    Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007

    Agriculture and Rural Development

    01 January 2016*

    6.

    Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 February 2013 on the approval and market surveillance of agricultural and forestry vehicles

    Internal Market

    01 January 2016*

    7.

    Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2013 on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles

    Internal Market

    01 January 2016*

    8.

    Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012

    Financial Services

    01 January 2016*

    9.

    Regulation (EU) No 660/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 amending Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 on shipments of waste

    Environment

    01 January 2016*

    10.

    Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations

    Institutional

    01 January 2016*

    11.

    Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

    Agriculture and Rural Development

    04 January 2016*

    12.

    Regulation (EU) No 524/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on online dispute resolution for consumer disputes and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 and Directive 2009/22/EC (Regulation on consumer ODR)

    Consumers

    09 January 2016*

    13.

    Directive 2013/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2013 on recreational craft and personal watercraft and repealing Directive 94/25/EC

    Internal Market

    18 January 2016

    14.

    Directive 2013/55/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2013 amending Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications and Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012 on administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Information System (‘the IMI Regulation’)

    Internal Market

    18 January 2016

    15.

    Directive 2014/64/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 amending Council Directive 64/432/EEC as regards computer databases which are part of the surveillance networks in the Member States

    Food Safety

    18 January 2016

    16.

    Directive (EU) 2015/254 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2015 repealing Council Directive 93/5/EEC on assistance to the Commission and cooperation by the Member States in the scientific examination of questions relating to food

    Food Safety

    29 February 2016

    17.

    Council Decision (EU) 2015/137 of 26 January 2015 renewing the terms of office of the Vice-President of the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) and of two Chairmen of the Boards of Appeal of the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs)

    Internal Market

    01 March 2016*

    18.

    Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 February 2014 on tachographs in road transport, repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 on recording equipment in road transport and amending Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the harmonisation of certain social legislation relating to road transport

    Transport

    02 March 2016*

    19.

    Directive 2014/91/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 amending Directive 2009/65/EC on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS) as regards depositary functions, remuneration policies and sanctions

    Financial Services

    18 March 2016

    20.

    Directive 2014/17/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 February 2014 on credit agreements for consumers relating to residential immovable property and amending Directives 2008/48/EC and 2013/36/EU and Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010

    Financial Services

    21 March 2016

    21.

    Directive 2014/26/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on collective management of copyright and related rights and multi-territorial licensing of rights in musical works for online use in the internal market

    Digital Economy and Society

    10 April 2016

    22.

    Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the award of concession contracts

    Internal Market

    18 April 2016

    23.

    Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on public procurement and repealing Directive 2004/18/EC

    Internal Market

    18 April 2016

    24.

    Directive 2014/25/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and repealing Directive 2004/17/EC

    Internal Market

    18 April 2016

    25.

    Directive 2014/33/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to lifts and safety components for lifts

    Internal Market

    19 April 2016

    26.

    Directive 2014/28/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market and supervision of explosives for civil uses (recast)

    Internal Market

    20 April 2016

    27.

    Directive 2014/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of simple pressure vessels

    Internal Market

    20 April 2016

    28.

    Directive 2014/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility (recast)

    Internal Market

    20 April 2016

    29.

    Directive 2014/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of non-automatic weighing instruments

    Internal Market

    20 April 2016

    30.

    Directive 2014/32/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of measuring instruments (recast)

    Internal Market

    20 April 2016

    31.

    Directive 2014/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (recast)

    Internal Market

    20 April 2016

    32.

    Directive 2014/35/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits

    Internal Market

    20 April 2016

    33.

    Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code

    Taxation

    01 May 2016*

    34.

    Directive 2014/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products and repealing Directive 2001/37/EC

    Health

    20 May 2016

    35.

    Directive 2014/54/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on measures facilitating the exercise of rights conferred on workers in the context of freedom of movement for workers

    Employment

    21 May 2016

    36.

    Directive 2014/62/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the protection of the euro and other currencies against counterfeiting by criminal law, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2000/383/JHA

    Anti-Fraud

    23 May 2016

    37.

    Regulation (EU) 2015/751 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 on interchange fees for card-based payment transactions

    Financial Services

    09 June 2016*

    38.

    Directive 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment and repealing Directive 1999/5/EC

    Internal Market

    13 June 2016

    39.

    Regulation (EU) No 598/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on the establishment of rules and procedures with regard to the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at Union airports within a Balanced Approach and repealing Directive 2002/30/EC

    Environment

    13 June 2016

    40.

    Directive 2014/56/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 amending Directive 2006/43/EC on statutory audits of annual accounts and consolidated accounts

    Internal Market

    17 June 2016

    41.

    Regulation (EU) No 537/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on specific requirements regarding statutory audit of public-interest entities and repealing Commission Decision 2005/909/EC

    Internal Market

    17 June 2016*

    42.

    Directive 2014/67/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the enforcement of Directive 96/71/EC concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services and amending Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012 on administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Information System (‘the IMI Regulation’)

    Employment

    18 June 2016

    43.

    Regulation (EU) 2015/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015 on insolvency proceedings

    Justice

    26 June 2016*

    44.

    Council Directive 2013/64/EU of 17 December 2013 amending Council Directives 91/271/EEC and 1999/74/EC, and Directives 2000/60/EC, 2006/7/EC, 2006/25/EC and 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, following the amendment of the status of Mayotte with regard to the European Union

    Regional Policy

    30 June 2016*

    45.

    Directive 2013/35/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields) (20th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) and repealing Directive 2004/40/EC

    Employment

    01 July 2016

    46.

    Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on the sound level of motor vehicles and of replacement silencing systems, and amending Directive 2007/46/EC and repealing Directive 70/157/EEC

    Internal Market

    01 July 2016*

    47.

    Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market and repealing Directive 1999/93/EC

    Internal Market

    01 July 2016*

    48.

    Directive 2014/57/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on criminal sanctions for market abuse (market abuse directive)

    Internal Market

    03 July 2016

    49.

    Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments and amending Directive 2002/92/EC and Directive 2011/61/EU

    Financial Services

    03 July 2016

    50.

    Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on market abuse (market abuse regulation) and repealing Directive 2003/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Directives 2003/124/EC, 2003/125/EC and 2004/72/EC

    Internal Market

    03 July 2016*

    51.

    Regulation (EU) No 655/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 establishing a European Account Preservation Order procedure to facilitate cross-border debt recovery in civil and commercial matters

    Justice

    18 July 2016 (Art. 50 only, the rest of the regulation 18 January 2016)

    52.

    Directive 2014/68/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of pressure equipment

    Internal Market

    19 July 2016*

    53.

    Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on food intended for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes, and total diet replacement for weight control and repealing Council Directive 92/52/EEC, Commission Directives 96/8/EC, 1999/21/EC, 2006/125/EC and 2006/141/EC, Directive 2009/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Regulations (EC) No 41/2009 and (EC) No 953/2009

    Food Safety

    20 July 2016*

    54.

    Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning

    Maritime Affairs

    18 September 2016

    55.

    Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on marine equipment and repealing Council Directive 96/98/EC

    Transport

    18 September 2016

    56.

    Directive 2014/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on the comparability of fees related to payment accounts, payment account switching and access to payment accounts with basic features

    Financial Services

    18 September 2016

    57.

    Directive 2014/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the conditions of entry and stay of third-country nationals for the purpose of employment as seasonal workers

    Home Affairs

    30 September 2016

    58.

    Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1763 of 1 October 2015 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Burundi

    External Affairs

    03 October 2016

    59.

    Directive 2014/42/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 on the freezing and confiscation of instrumentalities and proceeds of crime in the European Union

    Justice

    04 October 2016

    60.

    Directive 2014/94/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure

    Energy

    18 November 2016

    61.

    Directive (EU) 2015/720 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 amending Directive 94/62/EC as regards reducing the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags

    Environment

    27 November 2016

    62.

    Directive 2013/48/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2013 on the right of access to a lawyer in criminal proceedings and in European arrest warrant proceedings, and on the right to have a third party informed upon deprivation of liberty and to communicate with third persons and with consular authorities while deprived of liberty

    Justice

    27 November 2016

    63.

    Directive 2014/66/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals in the framework of an intra-corporate transfer

    Home Affairs

    29 November 2016

    64.

    Directive 2014/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 amending Directive 2013/34/EU as regards disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by certain large undertakings and groups

    Internal Market

    06 December 2016

    65.

    Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, amending Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission Directive 1999/10/EC, Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Directives 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004

    Consumers

    13 December 2016*

    66.

    Directive 2014/104/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2014 on certain rules governing actions for damages under national law for infringements of the competition law provisions of the Member States and of the European Union

    Competition

    27 December 2016

    67.

    Council Directive 2014/112/EU of 19 December 2014 implementing the European Agreement concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time in inland waterway transport, concluded by the European Barge Union (EBU), the European Skippers Organisation (ESO) and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF)

    Employment

    31 December 2016

    68.

    Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2014 on key information documents for packaged retail and insurance-based investment products (PRIIPs)

    Financial Services

    31 December 2016*

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