40 Amendments of Alfred SANT related to 2018/0231(COD)
Amendment 26 #
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 2
Citation 2
Article 43(2), Article 168(4)(b) and Articles 114, 173, 195 and 338 thereof,
Amendment 30 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The substantial body of Union legislation underpins the functioning of the internal market. This concerns, in particular, competitiveness, standardisation, consumer protection, market surveillance and food chain regulation but also rules concerning business, trade and financial transactions and the promotion of fair competition providing for a level playing field essential for the functioning of the internal market with the aim of benefiting all EU citizens.
Amendment 35 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The development, production and dissemination of European statistics are subject to a separate European Statistical Programme established by Regulation (EU) No 99/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council47 . In order to provide continuity of producing and disseminating European statistics, the new programme should also include activities covered by the European Statistical Programme by providing a framework for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics. The new programme should establish the financial framework for European statistics to provide high-quality, comparable and reliable statistics on Europe, as well as on pertinent issues that impact the internal market, such as those related to trade and migration, in order to underpin the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all Union policies. _________________ 47 Regulation (EU) No 99/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2013 on the European statistical programme 2013-17 (OJ L 39, 9.2.2013, p 12).
Amendment 38 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The Programme should support the design, implementation and enforcement of Union legislation underpinning the proper functioning of the internal market. The Programme should support the creation of the right conditions to empower all actors of the internal market: businesses, citizens including consumers, businesses, civil society and public authorities. To that end, the Programme should aim to ensure the competitiveness of businesses, notably SMEs, but also based across all EU regions, notably SMEs, including in the tourism sector, and with that, supporting the enforcement of consumer protection and safety rules and by raising the awareness of businesses and individuals by providing them with the right tools, knowledge and competence to make informed decisions and strengthen their participation in Union’s policy- making. Furthermore, the Programme should aim to enhance regulatory and administrative cooperation as well as capability, notably through exchange of best practices, building of knowledge and competence bases, including the use of strategic and transparent public procurement. The Programme should also aim to support the development of high- quality international standards that underpin the implementation of Union legislation. This also includes standard setting in the field of financial reporting and audit, thereby contributing to the transparency and well-functioning of the Union’s capital markets and to enhancing investor protection. The Programme should support rulemaking and standard setting also by ensuring the broadest possible stakeholder involvement, as well as through investment in market surveillance tools for Member States. The objective of the Programme should also be to support the implementation and enforcement of Union legislation providing for a high level of health for humans, animals and plants along the food chain and the improvement of the welfare of animals.
Amendment 40 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) A modern internal market promotes competition and benefits consumers, businesses and employees. Making better use of the ever evolving internal market in services should help European businesses create better jobs and grow across borders, offer wider choice of services at better prices, andwhile maintaining high standards for consumers and workers. To achieve this, the Programme should contribute to the removal of remaining barriers, and to ensure a regulatory framework that can accommodate new innovative business models ,such as social entrepreneurship.
Amendment 46 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) In order to meet the objectives of the Programme and to facilitate the lives of citizens and businesses, high-quality user- centric public services need to be put in place. This implies that public administrations will need to start working in new ways, bring down silos between the different parts of their administrations, and to engage in the co-creation of these public services with citizens and businesses. Moreover, the continuous and steady increase of cross-border activities in the internal market requires provision of up-to- date information on the rights of businesses and citizencitizens and businesses, but also information explaining the administrative formalities. In addition, provision of legal advice and helping to solve problems which occur at cross national level becomes essential. Furthermore, connecting national administrations in a simple and efficient manner as well as evaluating how the internal market works on the ground is necessary. The Programme should therefore support the following existing internal market governance tools: the Your Europe Portal which should be a backbone of the upcoming Single Digital Gateway, Your Europe Advice, SOLVIT, the Internal Market Information system and the Single Market Scoreboard in order to improve citizens' daily lives and businesses' ability to trade across borders.
Amendment 49 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The implementation and development of the internal market in the area of financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union including sustainable finance, highly depends on the evidence based policy measures taken by the Union. In order to achieve this objective, the Commission should have an active role in constantly monitoring financial markets and financial stability, where relevant assessing the implementation of Union legislation by Member States, evaluating whether the existing legislation is fit for purpose and identifying potential areas of action where new risks emerge, with a continuous involvement of stakeholders throughout the policy cycle. Such activities rely on the production of analyses, studies, training materials, surveys, conformity assessments, evaluations and statistics and are supported by secured IT systems and communication tools.
Amendment 51 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) Considering that the internal market as set out in Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union includes a system of rules ensuring that competition is not unnecessarily distorted, the Programme should support the Union’s competition policy, networks and cooperation with national authorities and courts, as well as outreach to a wider group of stakeholders in communicating and explaining the rights, benefits and obligations of Union competition policy.
Amendment 53 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) The Programme in particular needs to tackle the radical implications for competition and the functioning of the internal market resulting from the ongoing transformation of the economy and business environment the digital economy, in particular through the exponential growth and use of data, taking account of the increasing recourse to artificial intelligence and other IT tools and expertise by companies and their advisors. It is also essential that the Programme supports networks and cooperation with Member State authorities and courts, considering that undistorted competition and the functioning of the internal market depend critically also on action by those entities. In view of the particular role of competition policy in preventing harm to the internal market resulting from anticompetitive conduct beyond the Union’s border, the Programme should alsoin addition support cooperation with third country authorities, aswhere appropriate. Finally, widening outreach activities is necessary in order to allow more citizens and businesses to reap the full benefits of fair competition in the internal market. Given that a number of initiatives in the Programme are new and that the competition part of the Programme is particularly affected by dynamic developments in the conditions of competition in the internal market, notably relating to the digital economy, including Artificial Intelligence, algorithms, big data, cybersecurity and forensic technology, the pace and magnitude of which are difficult to estimate, it is anticipated that flexibility will be required to face the evolving needs under this part of the Programme.
Amendment 57 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) Many of the Union's competitiveness problems involve SMEs' difficulties in obtaining access to finance because they struggle to demonstrate their credit-worthiness and have insufficient collateral. This is especially the case for social enterprises. Additional financing challenges arise from SMEs' need to stay competitive by engaging e.g. in digitization, internationalization and innovation activities and skilling up their workforce. Limited access to finance has a negative effect on businesses creation, growth and survival rates, as well as on the readiness of new entrepreneurs to take over viable companies in the context of a business succession.
Amendment 58 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) To overcome these market failures and to ensure that SMEs continue to play their role as the foundation for the Union economy´s competitiveness, small and medium sized enterprises need extra support also through debt and equity instruments to be established under the SME window of the InvestEU Fund established by Regulation […] of the European Parliament and of the Council52 . The loan guarantee facility put in place under Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council53 has a proven added value and is expected to bring a positive contribution to at least 500 000 SMEs; a successor will be established under the SME window of the InvestEU Fund. _________________ 52 COM(2018) 439 final 53 Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing a Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (COSME) (2014 - 2020) and repealing Decision No 1639/2006/EC (OJ L 347 of 20.12.2013, p. 33).
Amendment 59 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) The policy objectives of this Programme will be also addressed through grants, financial instruments and budgetary guarantee under the SME window of the InvestEU Fund. Financial support should be tailor-made to the economic needs of the different regions of Europe, and used to address market failures or sub- optimal investment situations, in a proportionate manner and actions should not duplicate or crowd out private financing or distort competition in the internal market. Actions should have a clear European added value, particularly in relation to market size and risk appetite of regional development and promotional banks, and financial institutions. Actions should not duplicate or crowd out private financing or distort competition in the internal market. Actions ,including those aimed at dealing with access to finance market gaps, should have a clear European added value reflected in an expected impact which goes in line with EU policy objectives.
Amendment 60 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) The Programme should provide effective support for SMEs throughout their life-cycle. It should build on the unique knowledge and expertise developed with regard to SMEs and, industrial sectorsand service sectors, including tourism, and on a long experience in working with European, national and regional stakeholders. This support should build on the successful experience of the Enterprise Europe Network as a one-stop-shop to improve SMEs competitiveness and develop their business in the Single Market and beyond. The Network plans to continue delivering services on behalf of other Union programmes, notably for the Horizon2020 programme, using the financial resources of these programmes. Also the mentoring scheme for new entrepreneurs should remain the tool to enable new or aspiring entrepreneurs to gain business experience by matching with an experienced entrepreneur from another country and thus allow strengthening entrepreneurial talents. The Programme should further strive to grow and fully extend its geographical coverage and thus offer wider range of matching possibilities to entrepreneurs in complementarity with other Union initiatives where relevant.
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) Clusters are a strategic tool for supporting the competitiveness and scaling-up of SMEs as they offer favourable business environments. Joint Cluster Initiatives should achieve critical mass to accelerate the growth of SMEs. By connecting specialised eco-systems, clusters create new business opportunities for SMEs and integrate them better in European and global strategic value chains. Support should be provided for the development of transnational partnership strategies and the implementation of joint activities with special attention to businesses facing a geographical handicap, supported by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform. Sustainable partnering should be encouraged with continuation funding if performance and participation milestones are reached. Direct support to SMEs should be channelled through cluster organisations for the following: uptake of advanced technologies, new business models, low- carbon and resource-efficient solutions, creativity and design, skills upgrading, talent attraction, entrepreneurship acceleration, and internationalisation. Other specialised SME support actors should be associated to facilitate industrial transformation and implementations of smart specialisation strategies. The Programme should thus contribute to growth and build linkages with the Union's (digital) innovation hubs and investments made under Cohesion Policy and Horizon Europe. Synergies with the Erasmus programme can also be explored.
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) The Union contributes to ensuring a high level of consumer protection, empowering consumers and putting them at the heart of the internal market by supporting and complementing Member States’ policies in seeking to ensure that citizens when acting as consumers can fully reap the benefits of the internal market and that, in so doing, their safety and legal and economic interests are properly protected by means of concrete actions. The Union has also to ensure that consumer and product safety laws are properly and equally enforced on the ground and that businesses enjoy a level playing field with fair competition in the internal market. Moreover, it is necessary to empower, encourage and assist consumers in making sustainable choices, thus contributing to a sustainable, energy and resource efficient and circular economy which follows the goals set under the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
Recital 41
(41) Citizens are particularly affected by the functioning of financial services markets and should, therefore, be further informed on pertinent rights, risks and benefits. These are a key component of the internal market and require a solid framework for regulation and supervision which ensures not only financial stability and a sustainable economy, but also provides a high level of protection to consumers and other financial services end users, including retail investors, savers, insurance policyholders, pension fund members and beneficiaries, individual shareholders, borrowers and SMEs. It is important to enhance their capacity to participate in policy making for the financial sector.
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 49
Recital 49
(49) European statistics are indispensable for Union decision-making and for the measurement of the performance and impact of Union initiatives. Therefore, the continued provision and development of European statistics, taking a Union-wide approach and going beyond an internal market perspective should be ensured in order to cover all Union activities and policy areas, including empowering businesses and citizens to take informed decisioncitizens and businesses to take informed decisions, specifically in the framework of the programme dealing with the social dimension of Europe and its stated objective to support the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Amendment 72 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 52
Recital 52
(52) The Union and Member States are committed to the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, the Union and Member States will foster a stronger, more sustainable, inclusive, secure and prosperous Europe. Internal Market policies should be predetermined by this guided principle. The Programme should contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including by balancing the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.
Amendment 74 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 60
Recital 60
(60) Considering the increasing interconnectivity of the world economy, including the digital economy, the Programme should continue to provide the possibility of involving external experts, such as officials of third countries, representatives of international organisations or economic operators in certain activities.
Amendment 75 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 63
Recital 63
(63) This Programme should contribute to the overall support addressing specific needs of outermost regions and their integration in the internal market, as recently reconfirmed in the Commission's Communication "A stronger and renewed strategic partnership with the EU's outermost regions66 . _________________ 66The same approach should be applied to geographical areas which suffer from permanent natural or demographic handicaps as referred to in Article 174 TFEU. _________________ 66 COM(2017) 623 final COM(2017) 623 final
Amendment 77 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 71
Recital 71
(71) Where relevant the Programme's actions should be used to address market failures or sub-optimal investment situations, with special consideration to the peripheral regions of the EU, in a proportionate manner, without duplicating or crowding out private financing and have a clear European added value.
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 74
Recital 74
(74) To ensure regular monitoring and reporting, a proper framework for monitoring the actions and results of the Programme should be put in place from the very beginning. Such monitoring and reporting should be based on indicators, measuring the effects of the actions under the Programme against pre-defined baselines founded on the market size where potential beneficiaries are located.
Amendment 79 #
(81) Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council90 governs the processing of personal data carried out in the Member States in the context of this Regulation and under the supervision of the Member States competent authorities. Regulation (EC) 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council91 governs the processing of personal data carried out by the Commission within the framework of this Regulation and under the supervision of the European Data Protection Supervisor. Any exchange or transmission of information by competent authorities, including in the process of developing and disseminating statistics where the principle of statistical confidentiality is also recognised through Regulation (EC) No223/2009, is to comply with the rules on the transfer of personal data as laid down in Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and any exchange or transmission of information by the Commission is to comply with the rules on the transfer of personal data as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 45/2001. _________________ 90 Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1). 91 Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1).
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
This Regulation establishes the programme for improving the functioning of the internal market andto the benefit of all EU citizens and, in this respect, the competitiveness of enterprises, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, financial services, and the framework for financing of development, production and dissemination of European statistics within the meaning of Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 (the 'Programme').
Amendment 84 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to provide high-quality, comparable and, reliable, and well- timed statistics on Europe, as well as on pertinent issues that impact the internal market, such as those related to trade and migration, which underpin the design, monitoring and evaluation of all the Union policies and help citizens, policy makers, businesses, academia, citizens and media to make informed decisions and actively participate in the democratic process.
Amendment 86 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) making the internal market more effective, facilitating the prevention and removal of obstacles, including those related to geographical handicaps, supporting the development, implementation and enforcement of the Union law in the areas of the internal market for goods and services, public procurement, market surveillance as well as in the areas of company law and contract and extra- contractual law, anti- money laundering, free movement of capital, financial services and competition, including the development of governance tools;
Amendment 87 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) improving the competitiveness of enterprises with special emphasis on SMEs and achieving additionality through the provision of measures that provide various forms of support to SMEs, access to markets including the internationalisation of SMEs, favourable business environment for SMEs, the competitiveness of sectors, such as the tourism sector, the modernisation of industry and the promotion of entrepreneurship;
Amendment 89 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c – point ii
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c – point ii
(ii) support the development of high- quality international financial reporting and auditing standards, facilitate their integration into the Union law and promote the innovation and development of best practices in corporate reporting for both small and big companies;
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 6
Article 4 – paragraph 6
6. Resources allocated to Member States under shared management may, at their voluntary request, be transferred to the Programme. The Commission shall implement those resources directly in accordance with point (a) of Article 62(1) of the Financial Regulation or indirectly in accordance with point (c) of that Article. Where possible those resources shall be used for the benefit of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) creation of the right conditions to empower all actors of the internal market, including businesses, citizens and consumers, businesses, civil society and public authorities through transparent information and awareness raising campaigns, best practice exchange, promotion of good practices, exchange and dissemination of expertise and knowledge and organization of trainings;
Amendment 100 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) support for the effective enforcement and modernisation of the Union legal framework and its rapid adaptation to the ever-changing environment, particularly in the digital context, including through data gathering and analyses; studies, evaluations and policy recommendations; organization of demonstration activities and pilot projects; communication activities; development of dedicated IT tools ensuring transparent and efficient functioning of the internal market.
Amendment 102 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) facilitating SMEs' access to EU and global markets, supporting them in addressing global and societal challenges and business internationalisation, and strengthening Union industrial leadership in global value chains, including the Enterprise Europe Network;
Amendment 103 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point c
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point c
(c) addressing market barriers, including geographical barriers, administrative burden and creating a favourable business environment to empower SMEs tofrom all EU regions to be able to equally benefit from the internal market;
Amendment 104 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point d
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point d
(d) facilitating the growth of businesses in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including skills development, digital, and industrial transformation across manufacturing and service sectors;
Amendment 107 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. For actions implementing the specific objective referred to in Article 3(2)(a) of this Regulation with reference to market surveillance authorities of the Member States and of the third countries associated to the Programme and with reference to Union testing facilities as referred to in Article 20 of [Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules and procedures for compliance with and enforcement of Union harmonisation legislation on products], the Programme may finance up to a maximum of 100% of eligible costs of an action, provided that the co-financing principle as defined in the Financial Regulation is not infringed.
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – indent 5
Annex II – indent 5
– better measuring of trade in goods and services, foreign direct investment, global value chains and the impact of globalisation on the Union economies.
Amendment 110 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – indent 8
Annex II – indent 8
– providing high quality, timely and reliable statistics to support the European Pillar of Social Rights and the Union Skills Policy, including, but not exclusive to, statistics on the labour market, employment, education and training, income, living conditions, poverty, inequality, social protection, undeclared work and satellite accounts on skills;
Amendment 111 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – indent 19
Annex II – indent 19
– providing timely and comprehensive statistical indicators on regions, including the Union outermost regions, islands, cities and rural areas to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of territorial development policies, and to evaluate the territorial impacts of sectoral policies;
Amendment 112 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – indent 22
Annex II – indent 22
– systematically promoting European statistics as a trustworthy source of evidence and facilitating fact checkers, especially in the context of an ongoing fake news climax, researchers and public authorities to use it in tackling disinformation online;
Amendment 113 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – indent 32
Annex II – indent 32
– building on the ongoing cooperationg with international organisations and third countries for the benefit of global official statistics.