Activities of Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO related to 2018/0231(COD)
Shadow opinions (2)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Programme for single market, competitiveness of enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises, and European statistics and repealing Regulations (EU) No 99/2013, (EU) No 1287/2013, (EU) No 254/2014, (EU) No 258/2014, (EU) No 652/2014 and (EU) 2017/826
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Programme for single market, competitiveness of enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises, and European statistics and repealing Regulations (EU) No 99/2013, (EU) No 1287/2013, (EU) No 254/2014, (EU) No 258/2014, (EU) No 652/2014 and (EU) 2017/826
Amendments (72)
Amendment 27 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The internal market is a cornerstone of the Union. Since its inception, it has proved a major contributor to growth, competitiveness and employment. It has generated new opportunities and economies of scale for European businesses, notablyeven when such options were very far from the everyday realities of micro-, small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs), and strengthened their industrial competitiveness. The internal market contributed to the creation of jobs and offered greater choice at lower prices for consumers. It continues to. The dynamics of the internal market have been complex as regards job creation and losses, although consumers have been offered greater choice at what are, normally, lower prices. The internal market can be an engine for building a stronger, more balanced and fairer economy in the new global context. It is one of the Union'’s major achievements and its best assetmilestones and can be an important tool in an increasingly global world.
Amendment 28 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The internal market has to continuously adapt to a rapidly changing environment of digital revolution and globalisation. A new era of digital innovation continues to, a process that demands far- reaching organisational change and social engagement in order to turn new challenges into an opportunity for inclusion and progress. This new era of digital innovation can provide opportunities for businesses, workers and individuals, and creates new products and business models, but equally constitutes a challenge when it comes to regulation and enforcementinclusion of workers and consumers in the process.
Amendment 31 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Still, barriers tohat hinder the proper functioning of the internal market remain, and the new obstacles are emergeing. Adopting rules is only a first step, but making them work is as important. This is ultimately a matter of citizens'’ trust in the Union, in its capacity to deliver, and in its ability to create quality jobs and sustainable growth while protecting the public interest.
Amendment 32 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) It is also important to bring in an element of self-criticism, highlighting the fact that the single market has not always worked in the way it was expected to, and that, in its implementation, the social and environmental consequences have not always been borne in mind. The new global situation that is emerging means it is absolutely essential that a new approach be taken to the development of the internal market. That approach should be based on integration capacity, and on the involvement of society, workers and consumers in the ongoing process of change.
Amendment 33 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Several programmes for Union action exist currently in the fields of competitiveness of enterprises including SMEs, consumer protection, customers and end-users in financial services, policy making in financial services and food chain. Some additional activities are financed directly under the internal market budget lines. It is necessary to streamline and exploit synergies between various actions and provide for a more flexible and agile framework to finance activities aiming to achieve a well-functioning internal market in the most cost-efficient mannerinclusive way possible. It is therefore necessary to establish a new programme bringing together activities financed previously under those other programmes and other relevant budget lines. The programme should also include new initiatives which aim to improve the functioning of the internal market, taking as a priority goal: reducing the increasing divergence observed since the 2008 crisis between EU countries.
Amendment 37 #
(8) The Programme should support the design, implementation and enforcement of Union legislation underpinning the proper functioning of the internal market and improvements thereto in terms of social equality and minimising the increasing divergence between countries. The Programme should support the creation of the right conditions to empower all actors of the internal market: businesses, citizens including consumers, civil society and public authorities. To that end, the Programme should aim to ensure the competitiveness of businesses, notably SMEs, and the creation of quality jobs, but also 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 the Union’s policy- making. Furthermore, the Programme should aim to respect and keep labour laws and to enhance regulatory and administrative cooperation, notably through exchange of best practices, building of knowledge and competence bases, including the use of strategic 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, therebywhich should contributinge 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. 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 39 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) A modern internal market promotes competition and benefits consumers, businesses and employeeworkers. Making better use of the ever evolving internal market in services should help European businesses create quality jobs and grow across borders, offer a wider choice of services at better prices, and maintain high standards for consumers and workers, and fulfilment of the EU’s environmental commitments. 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 and stamp out practices that give rise to insecure labour markets devoid of rights.
Amendment 41 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) New regulatory and enforcement challenges relate to a rapidly changing environment of the digital revolution, concerning issues such as cybersecurity, internet of things or artificial intelligence. The major challenge in this respect is not a strictly technological one: it is cultural, organisational and social. This entails a commitment to address the digital switchover with the support of all sectors concerned: businesses, workers in the public and private sectors, consumers, public administrations, etc. Should damage occur, stringent rules on product safety and liability are essential to ensure a policy response that allows European citizens, including consumers and businesses, to benefit from such rules. The Programme should therefore contribute to the rapid adaptation and enforcement of a Union product liability regime which fosters innovation.
Amendment 43 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) As consumer markets know no borders with the development of online trade and travel services, it is important to ensure that consumers residing in the Union can benefit from adequate protection when importing goods and services from economic operators based in third countries. The Programme should therefore allow supporting cooperation with relevant bodies located in key trading third -country trading partners of the Union, and with any other country, where necessary.
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Public procurement is used by public authorities to ensure value for public money spent and to contribute to a more innovative, sustainable, inclusive and competitive internal market. Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council49, Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council50 and Directive 2014/25/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council51 provide the legal framework for the integration and effective functioning of the public procurement markets representing 14 % of Union’s gross domestic product, to the benefit of public authorities, businesses as well as citizens, including consumers. The Programme should therefore support measures to ensure a wider uptake of strategic public procurement, the professionalisation of public buyers, improved access to procurement markets for SMEs, social enterprises and business networks, increase of transparency, integrity and better data, boosting the digital transformation of procurement and promotion of joint procurement, through strengthening a partnership approach with the Member States, improving data gathering and data analysis including through development of dedicated IT tools, supporting exchange of experiences and good practices, providing guidance, pursuing beneficial trade agreements, strengthening cooperation among national authorities, participation of the various sectors involved in the programme, and launching pilot projects. _________________ 49 Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the award of concession contracts (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 1). 50 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 (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 65). 51 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 (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 243).
Amendment 45 #
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. It is therefore absolutely essential that workers and workers’ organisations are involved in the process of redesigning public administration, making it more proactive and committed to meeting the needs of citizens. 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 citizens, 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 47 #
(18) The Programme should also promote the correct and full implementation and application of the Union legal framework for anti-money laundering, combating tax avoidance and tax evasion and countering terrorism financing by the Member States and the development of future policies to address new challenges in the field. It should also support the relevant activities of the international organisations of European interest, such as the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism of the Council of Europe.
Amendment 48 #
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 and the European Parliament should have an active role in constantly monitoring financial markets and financial stability, 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 IT systems and communication tools.
Amendment 52 #
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, 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, in view of the tax problems and other effects represented by this new situation, 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 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 also support cooperation with third country authorities, as 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 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 55 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) Strengthening the competitiveness of European enterprises while reassuring an effective level playing field and an open and competitive internal market is of the utmost importance. SMEs are the engine of the European economy making up 99 % of all businesses in Europe, providing two thirds of jobs, and contributing substantially to the creation of new jobs with a regional and local dimension. The Programme should therefore be geared towards the creation of quality jobs in all sectors.
Amendment 55 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The internal market is a cornerstone of the Union. Since its inception, it has proved a major contributor to growth, and competitiveness and employment. It has generated new opportunities and economies of scale for European businesses, notablyeven though such options are a world away from the everyday realities of micro-, small and medium -sized enterprises (SMEs), and strengthened their industrial competitiveness. The internal market contributed to the creation of jobs and. The dynamics of the internal market have been complex with regard to the creation and destruction of employment, although consumers have been offered greater choice, generally at lower prices for consumers. It can continues to be an engine for building a stronger, more balanced and fairer economy as long as more emphasis is placed on environmental and social conditions. It is one of the Union’s major achievements and its best assetpillars and an important tool in an increasingly global world.
Amendment 56 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) SMEs share common challenges that do not affect larger firms to the same extent to obtain finance, to find skilled work force, to alleviate administrative burden, to take-up creativity and innovation, to access markets and foster internationalisation activities. The Programme should address such market failures proportionally, while not unduly distorting competition in the internal market but aiming to correct these imbalances so harmful to small and medium-sized enterprises in particular and hence, the whole of society.
Amendment 57 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The internal market has to continuously adapt to a rapidly changing environment of digital revolution and globalisation. A new era of digital innovation continues toThis is a process that requires far-reaching organisational change and social engagement in order to turn new challenges into an opportunity for inclusion and progress. This new era of digital innovation can provide opportunities for businesses, workers and individuals, and creates new products and business models, but equally constitutes a challenge when it comes to regulation and enforcement. including workers and consumers in the process.
Amendment 62 #
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 sectors 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 extend its geographical coverage and thus offer wider range of matching possibilities to entrepreneurs in complementarity with other Union initiatives where relevant.
Amendment 63 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27 a (new)
Recital 27 a (new)
(27a) The Programme can help build up and/or improve the relationship between micro, small and medium sized- enterprises and universities, research centres and other institutions involved in knowledge creation and dissemination. This relationship can help improve businesses’ abilities to tackle the strategic challenges posed by the new international context.
Amendment 63 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Still, barriers tohat hinder the proper functioning of the internal market remain, and the new obstacles are emergeing. Adopting rules is only a first step, but making them work is as important. This is ultimately a matter of citizens’ trust in the Union, in its capacity to deliver, and in its ability to create jobs andquality jobs and sustainable growth while protecting the public interest.
Amendment 65 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) The Union should 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 empowerment of consumers and others involved in the process of establishing the single market should mean the establishment of a set of practices geared towards strategic and relevant involvement in the field concerned. The Union should help to stimulate an economy that promotes less unequal societies on the basis of quality jobs and workers’ involvement in addressing the major challenges that the digital economy poses for businesses and society as a whole. 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. Lastly, the Union needs to see to it that states honour their commitments to combating climate change. The Union also needs to stimulate sustainable economic development.
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) It is also important to bring in an element of self-criticism, highlighting the fact that the single market has not always worked in the way it was expected to, and that, in its implementation, the social consequences have not always been borne in mind. The new global situation that is emerging means it is absolutely essential that a new approach be taken to the development of the internal market. That approach should be based on integration capacity, and on the involvement of society, workers and consumers in the processes of change that are under way.
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 44
Recital 44
(44) A high level of health protection through the food supply chain is necessary to allow the internal market to operate efficiently. A safe and sustainable food supply chain is a prerequisite for society and for the internal market. The food supply chain guarantee must be based on an sustainable, organic and local agricultural economy. Cross border health crises and food scares disrupt the functioning of the internal market by limiting the movements of persons and goods and disrupting production.
Amendment 71 #
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 and improvement of the internal market. The Programme should support the creation of the right conditions to empower all actors of the internal market: businesses, workers, citizens including consumers, civil society and public authorities. To that end, the Programme should aim to ensure the competitiveness of businesses, notably SMEs, as well as the creation of quality employment, but also 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. An aim of the Programme should also be to respect and adhere to labour law. Furthermore, the Programme should aim to enhance regulatory and administrative cooperation, notably through exchange of best practices, building of knowledge and competence bases, including the use of strategic 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. 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 73 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 53
Recital 53
(53) Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union's commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Programme should contribute to mainstream climate actions and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the Union budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. In line with that objective, the programme should be given the means it needs primarily to rule out, or, where appropriate, to minimise financial or any other support for proposals that are inconsistent with the objectives of the Paris Agreement on climate change or the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Relevant actions will be identified during the Programme's preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of the relevant evaluations and review processes.
Amendment 76 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 69 a (new)
Recital 69 a (new)
(69a) Within two years, the Commission should draw up a report on the efforts made to identify synergies with the programmes referred to in recitals 64, 65, 66, 67, 68 and 69, and on the outcomes thereof. The report should be submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Amendment 77 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) A modern internal market promotes competition and benefits consumers, businesses and employeeworkers. Making better use of the ever evolving internal market in services should help European businesses create quality jobs and grow across borders, offer wider choice of services at better prices, and maintain 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.
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) New regulatory and enforcement challenges relate to a rapidly changing environment of the digital revolution, concerning issues such as cybersecurity, the internet of things or artificial intelligenceand artificial intelligence. The major challenge in this respect is not strictly a technological one: it is cultural, organisational and social. This entails a commitment to address the digital switchover with the support of all sectors concerned: businesses, workers in the public and private sectors, consumers, administrators, etc. Should damage occur, stringent rules on product safety and liability are essential to ensure a policy response that allows European citizens, including consumers and businesses, to benefit from such rules. The Programme should therefore contribute to the rapid adaptation and enforcement of a Union product liability regime which fosters innovation.
Amendment 81 #
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 and the competitiveness of enterprises, social enterprises and social enterprise networks including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises 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 82 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a (new)
(a) ‘Social enterprise’ means an enterprise the main objective of which is to meet a social need before making a private profit. A social enterprise may operate in the environmental, social, care and educational sectors. An enterprise shall be regarded as social where the distribution of profits is limited, where its operating practices include the participation of users and beneficiaries, and where gender-based equal opportunities are guaranteed.
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to improve and correct the functioning of the internal market, and especially to protect and empower citizens, workers, consumers and businesses, in particular micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by enforcement of Union law, the creation of quality jobs, facilitation of market access, standard setting, and by promoting human, animal and plant health and animal welfare; as well as to enhance cooperation between the competent authorities of Member States and between the competent authorities of Member States and the Commission and the decentralised Union agencies;
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) As consumer markets know no borders with the development of online trade and travel services, it is important to ensure that consumers residing in the Union can benefit from adequate protection when importing goods and services from economic operators based in third countries. The Programme should therefore allow supporting for cooperation with relevant bodies located in key trading third- country trading partners of the Union, and in any other country, where necessary.
Amendment 85 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) making the internal market more effective, environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive, and gearing it towards facilitating the prevention and removal of obstacles, 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 85 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Public procurement is used by public authorities to ensure value for public money spent and to contribute to a more innovative, sustainable, inclusive and competitive internal market. Directive 2014/23/EU49 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directive 2014/24/EU50 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Directive 2014/25/EU51 of the European Parliament and of the Council provide the legal framework for the integration and effective functioning of the public procurement markets representing 14 % of Union’s gross domestic product, to the benefit of public authorities, businesses as well as citizens, including consumers. The Programme should therefore support measures to ensure a wider uptake of strategic public procurement, the professionalisation of public buyers, improved access to procurement markets for SMEs, social enterprises and enterprise networks, increase of transparency, integrity and better data, boosting the digital transformation of procurement and promotion of joint procurement, through strengthening a partnership approach with the Member States, improving data gathering and data analysis including through development of dedicated IT tools, supporting exchange of experiences and good practices, providing guidance, pursuing beneficial trade agreements, strengthening cooperation among national authorities, ensuring the participation of the various sectors involved in the programme, and launching pilot projects. __________________ 49 Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the award of concession contracts (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 1). 50 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 (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 65). 51 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 (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 243).
Amendment 87 #
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. It is absolutely essential that workers and workers’ organisations are involved in the process of redesigning public administration, making it more proactive and committed to meeting the needs of citizens. 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 citizens, 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 88 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) promoting quality jobs and new opportunities for workers; fostering the involvement of workers and workers’ organisations in the transformation processes that businesses are going through as a result of the ongoing digital revolution;
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d – point i
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d – point i
(i) empowering, assisting and educating consumers, workers, businesses and civil society; ensuring a high level of consumer protection, sustainable consumption and product safety notably by supporting competent enforcement authorities and consumer representative organisations and cooperation actions; ensuring that all consumers have access to redress and; provision of adequate information on markets and consumers;. To this end, the Commission, in accordance with recital 36, shall establish a set of practices associated with the concept of empowerment, so that this criterion functions and becomes a determining factor in the allocation of resources from the programme.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The Programme should also promote the correct and full implementation and application of the Union legal framework for anti-money laundering, combating tax avoidance and tax evasion and countering terrorism financing by the Member States and the development of future policies to address new challenges in the field. It should also support the relevant activities of the international organisations of European interest, such as the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism of the Council of Europe.
Amendment 92 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) contributing to a high level of health for humans, animals and plants along the food chain and in related areas, including by preventing and eradicating diseases and pests, and to support the improvement of the welfare of animals as well as a sustainable food production and consumption; fostering organic, sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture; favouring short-cycle food chains and promoting the elimination from the food chain of risky practices and products that could be harmful to health; applying the precautionary principle when introducing new components, practices or measures; lastly, taking action to limit the market capacity of mediators in the distribution and marketing chain, whose impact clearly negatively affects both farmers’ incomes and end prices for consumers;
Amendment 93 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) EUR 12 000 000 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(b);
Amendment 93 #
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 and the European Parliament should have an active role in constantly monitoring financial markets and financial stability, 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 IT systems and communication tools.
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. The amount referred to in paragraph 1 may be used for technical and administrative assistance for the implementation of the Programme, concerning in particular preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities as well as use of information technology networks focusing on information processing and exchange, and use and development of corporate information technology tools. Expenditure on technical and administrative tasks must not exceed 5% of the total amount.
Amendment 95 #
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, 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. The fiscal problems that this new situation brings with it, alongside other effects, need to be borne in mind. 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 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 also support cooperation with third country authorities, as 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 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 96 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
Amendment 97 #
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, especially micro- enterprises and small businesses, workers, citizens and consumers, 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 organizsation of trainings;
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) Strengthening the competitiveness of European enterprises while reassuring an effective level playing field and an open and competitive internal market is of othe utmost importance. SMEs are the engine of the European economy making up 99% of all businesses in Europe, providing two thirds of jobs, and contributing substantially to the creation of new jobs with a regional and local dimension. For these reasons, the programme should be geared towards the creation of quality jobs in all sectors.
Amendment 99 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) provision of mechanisms for citizens, consumers, end-users, workers and their representatives, civil society and businesses representatives from the Union to contribute to political discussions, policies and decision making process, notably by supporting the functioning of representative organisations at national and the Union level;
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) to provide various forms of support to SMEs, micro-enterprises, social enterprises and enterprise networks made up of SMEs and micro-enterprises;
Amendment 105 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point e a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point e a (new)
(ea) seeing to it that the outcome of these actions has an impact on the creation of quality jobs and achievement of the environmental objectives recognised by the European Union and its states.
Amendment 106 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a – point ii
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a – point ii
Amendment 112 #
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 sectors 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 extend its geographical coverage and thus offer wider range of matching possibilities to entrepreneurs in complementarity with other Union initiatives where relevant.
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28 a (new)
Recital 28 a (new)
(28a) The programme can help build up and/or improve the relationship between micro-enterprises and SMEs and universities, research centres and other institutions involved in knowledge creation and dissemination. This relationship can help improve firms’ abilities to tackle the strategic challenges posed by the new international context.
Amendment 126 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) The Union should 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 empowerment of consumers and others involved in the process of establishing the single market should mean the establishment of a set of practices geared towards strategic and relevant involvement in the field concerned. The Union should help stimulate an economy that promotes social inclusion on the basis of quality jobs and workers’ involvement in addressing the major challenges that the digital economy poses for businesses. 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. Lastly, the Union needs to see to it that states honour their commitments to combating climate change. The Union also needs to stimulate sustainable economic development.
Amendment 132 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 44
Recital 44
(44) A high level of health protection through the food supply chain is necessary to allow the internal market to operate efficiently. A safe and sustainable food supply chain is a prerequisite for society and for the internal market. The food supply chain guarantee must be based on an organic, sustainable and local agricultural economy. Cross border health crises and food scares disrupt the functioning of the internal market by limiting the movements of persons and goods and disrupting production.
Amendment 138 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 53
Recital 53
(53) Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Programme should contribute to mainstream climate actions and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the Union budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. In line with that objective, the programme should be given the means it needs primarily to rule out, or, where appropriate, to minimise financial or any other support for proposals and projects that are inconsistent with the objectives of the Paris Agreement or the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Relevant actions will be identified during the Programme’s preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of the relevant evaluations and review processes.
Amendment 143 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 70 a (new)
Recital 70 a (new)
(70a) Within two years, the Commission should draw up a report on the efforts made to identify synergies with the programmes referred to in recitals 64, 65, 66, 67, 68 and 69, and on the outcomes thereof. The report should be submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Amendment 147 #
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 and the competitiveness of enterprises, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, social enterprises and social enterprise networks, 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 150 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point a (new)
(a) ‘Social enterprise’ means an enterprise the main objective of which is to meet a social need before making a private profit. A social enterprise may operate in the environmental, social, care and educational sectors. An enterprise shall be regarded as a social one where the distribution of profits is limited, where its operating practices include the participation of users and beneficiaries, and where gender-based equal opportunities are guaranteed.
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to improve and correct the functioning of the internal market, and especially to protect and empower citizens, workers, consumers and businesses, in particular micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by enforcement of Union law, the creation of quality jobs, facilitation of market access, standard setting, and by promoting human, animal and plant health and animal welfare; as well as to enhance cooperation between the competent authorities of Member States and between the competent authorities of Member States and the Commission and the decentralised Union agencies;
Amendment 158 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) making the internal market more effective, environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive, and gearing it towards facilitating the prevention and removal of obstacles, 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 166 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) promoting quality jobs and new opportunities for workers; fostering the involvement of workers and workers’ organisations in the transformation processes that businesses are going through as a result of the ongoing digital revolution;
Amendment 167 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d – point i
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d – point i
(i) empowering, assisting and educating consumers, workers, businesses and civil society; ensuring a high level of consumer protection, sustainable consumption and product safety notably by supporting competent enforcement authorities and consumer representative organisations and cooperation actions; ensuring that all consumers have access to redress and; provision of adequate information on markets and consumers;. To this end, the Commission, in accordance with recital 36, shall establish a set of practices associated with the concept of empowerment, so that this criterion becomes a determining factor in the allocation of resources from the programme.
Amendment 170 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) contributing to a high level of health for humans, animals and plants along the food chain and in related areas, including by preventing and eradicating diseases and pests, and to support the improvement of the welfare of animals as well as a sustainable food production and consumption, fostering organic, sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture; favouring short-cycle food chains and promoting the elimination from the food chain of risky practices and products that could be harmful to health; applying the precautionary principle when introducing new components, practices or measures; lastly, promoting the inclusion of SMEs in this area of production with a view to boosting competitiveness and improving the quality and variety of products;
Amendment 178 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) EUR 12 000 000 000 to the objective referred to in Article 3(2)(b);
Amendment 183 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. The amount referred to in paragraph 1 may be used for technical and administrative assistance for the implementation of the Programme, concerning in particular preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities as well as use of information technology networks focusing on information processing and exchange, and use and development of corporate information technology tools. Expenditure on technical and administrative tasks must not exceed 5%.
Amendment 188 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
Amendment 191 #
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, especially micro- enterprises and small businesses, workers, citizens and consumers, 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 organizsation of trainings;
Amendment 194 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) provision of mechanisms for citizens, consumers, end-users, workers and their representatives, civil society and businesses representatives from the Union to contribute to political discussions, policies and decision making process, notably by supporting the functioning of representative organisations at national and the Union level;
Amendment 197 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) to provide various forms of support to SMEs, micro-enterprises, social enterprises and enterprise networks made up of SMEs and micro-enterprises;
Amendment 211 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point f a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point f a (new)
(fa) seeing to it that the outcome of these actions has an impact on the creation of quality jobs and achievement of the environmental objectives recognised by the European Union and its states.
Amendment 212 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a – point ii
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a – point ii