33 Amendments of Sandro GOZI related to 2022/0269(COD)
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The eradication of forced labour in all its forms, including state imposed forced labour, is a priority for the Union. Respect for human dignity and the universality and indivisibility of human rights are firmly enshrined in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union. Article 5(2) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights provide that no one is to be required to perform forced or compulsory labour. The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly interpreted Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights as requiring Member States to penalise and effectively prosecute any act maintaining a person in the situations described set out in Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights.19 _________________ 19 For instance paras. 89 and 102 in Siliadin v. France or para. 105 in Chowdury and Others v. Greece.
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Union trade policy supports the fight against forced labour in both unilateral and bilateral trade relationships. The trade and sustainable development chapters of Union trade agreements contain a commitment to ratify and effectively implement the fundamental ILO Conventions, which include ILO Convention No. 29 and ILO Convention No. 105. Moreover, unilateral trade preferences under the Union’s General Scheme of Preferences couldan be withdrawn for serious and systematic violations of ILO Convention No. 29 and ILO Convention No. 105.
Amendment 143 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (’SMEs’) can have limited resources and ability to ensure that the products they place or make available on the Union market are free from forced labour. The Commission should therefore issue thorough guidelines on due diligence in relation to forced labour, which should take into account also the size and economic resources of economic operators. In addition, the Commission should issue clear guidelines on forced-labour risk indicators and on publicly available information in order to help SMEs, as well as other economic operators, to comply with the requirements of the prohibition. The guidelines should be publicly available at least 18 months before the date of application of this Regulation.
Amendment 179 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23 a (new)
Recital 23 a (new)
(23a) In order to ensure consistency in the actions and decisions by competent authorities, the Commission should issue clear guidelines for the competent authorities and coordinate their work.
Amendment 209 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) Competent authorities that establish that economic operators violated the prohibition, should without delay prohibit the placing and making available of such products on the Union market and their export from the Union, and require the economic operators that have been investigated to withdraw the relevant products already made available from the Union market and have them recycled, and if that is not possible, they should have the products destroyed, rendered inoperable, or otherwise disposed of in accordance with national law consistent with Union law, including Union legislation on waste management.
Amendment 224 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) If the economic operators fail to comply with the decision of the competent authorities by the end of the established timeframe, the competent authorities should ensure that the relevant products are prohibited from being placed or made available on the Union market, exported or withdrawn from the Union market and that any such products remaining with the relevant economic operators are recycled, and if that is not possible, they should have the products destroyed, rendered inoperable, or otherwise disposed of in accordance with national law consistent with Union law, including Union legislation on waste management at the expense of the economic operators.
Amendment 235 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) Any person, whether it is a natural or legal person, or any association not having legal personality, should be allowed to submit information to the competent authorities, through a designated webportal at Union level, when it considers that products made with forced labour are placed and made available on the Union market and to be informed of the outcome of the assessment of their submission.
Amendment 244 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) Decisions of the competent authorities establishing a violation of the prohibition should be communicated to customs authorities, who should aim at identifying the product concerned amongst products declared for release for free circulation or export. The Commission and Member States shall ensure that the Customs authorities have sufficient resources to carry out these controls. The competent authorities should be responsible for the overall enforcement of the prohibition with regard to the internal market as well as products entering or leaving the Union market. Since forced labour is part of the manufacturing process and does not leave any trace on the product, and Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 covers only manufactured products and its scope is limited to release for free circulation, the customs authorities would be unable to act autonomously under Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 for the application and enforcement of the prohibition. The specific organisation of controls of each Member State should be without prejudice to Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council32 and its general provisions on the control and supervisory powers of customs authorities. _________________ 32 Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code (recast) (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1).
Amendment 248 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) The information currently made available to customs authorities by economic operators includes only general information on the products but lacks information on the manufacturer or producer and product suppliers as well as specific information on products. In order for customs authorities to be able to identify products entering or leaving the Union market that may violate the Regulation and should accordingly be stopped at the EU external borders, economic operators should submit to customs authorities information allowing matching a decision of the competent authorities with the product concerned. This should include information on the manufacturer or producer and the product suppliers as well as any other information on the product itself. To this end, the Commission should be empowered to adopt delegated acts identifying the products for which such information should be provided using, amongst others, the database established under this Regulation as well as the information and decisions of the competent authorities encoded in the information and communication system set out in Article 34 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 (‘ICSMS’). Moreover, the Commission should be empowered to adopt, the implementing acts necessary to specify the details of the information to be made available to customs by the economic operators. This information should include the description, name or brand of the product, specific requirements under Union legislation for the identification of the product (such as a type, reference, model, batch or serial number affixed on the product, or provided on the packaging or in a document accompanying the product, or unique identifier of the digital product passport) as well as details on the manufacturer or producer and the product suppliers, including for each of them their name, trade name or registered trademark, their contact details, their unique identification number in the country they are established and, where available, their Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number. The review of the Union Customs Code will consider introducing in the customs legislation the information required to be made available to customs by the economic operators for the enforcement of this Regulation and more broadly to strengthen the transparency of the supply chain. The Commission should issue guidance and support to economic operators, especially SMEs, on how to collect the required information.
Amendment 260 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
Recital 37
(37) Where the competent authorities conclude that a product corresponds to a decision establishing a violation of the prohibition, they should immediately inform customs authorities which should refuse its release for free circulation or export. The product should be recycled, and if that is not possible, the product should be destroyed, rendered inoperable, or otherwise disposed of in accordance with national law consistent with Union law, including legislation on waste management, which excludes re-export in case of non-Union goods.
Amendment 264 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) A uniform enforcement of the prohibition as regards products entering or leaving the Union market can only be achieved through systematic exchange of information and cooperation amongst competent authorities, customs authorities and the Commission. This cooperation should be coordinated by the Commission.
Amendment 279 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 44
Recital 44
(44) To ensure effective enforcement of the prohibition, it is necessary to establish a network aimed at structured coordination and cooperation between the competent authorities of the Member States and, where appropriate, experts from customs authorities, and the Commission. That network should alsobe coordinated by the Commission and aim at streamlining the practices of the competent authorities within the Union that facilitate the implementation of joint enforcement activities by Member States, including joint investigations. That administrative support structure should allow the pooling of resources and maintain a communication and information system between Member States and the Commission, thereby helping to strengthen the enforcement of the prohibition.
Amendment 353 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point n
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point n
(n) ‘substantiated concern’ means a well-founded reason, based on objective and verifiable information, for the competent authorities to suspect that products were likely made with forced labour;
Amendment 513 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 4 – point c
(c) an order for the economic operators that have been subject to the investigation to recycle the products concerned or, when that is not possible, dispose of the respective products in accordance with national law consistent with Union law.
Amendment 533 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 5 – point c
(c) that any product remaining with the economic operator concerned is recycled, or, where that is not possible, disposed of in accordance with national law consistent with Union law at the expense of the economic operator.
Amendment 545 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 6
Article 6 – paragraph 6
6. Where economic operators provide evidence to the competent authorities that they have complied with the decision referred to in paragraph 4, and that they have eliminated forced labour from their operations or supply chain with respect to the products concerned, the competent authorities shall withdraw their decision for the future and inform the economic operators. The economic operators shall also be removed from the database.
Amendment 593 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) any decision to prohibit placing and making available of the products on the market and their export, as well as to order the withdrawal of the products already placed or made available on the market and their recycling or disposal referred to in Article 6(4);
Amendment 609 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The Commission shall make available a dedicated, centralised webportal for submissions of information referred to in paragraph 1.
Amendment 641 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall ensure that the database is made publicly available by the external expertise at the latest 124 months after the entry into force of this Regulation.
Amendment 650 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall designate one or more competent authorities responsible for carrying out the obligations set out in this Regulation. Designated Member State competent authorities shall be responsible for ensuring the effective and uniform implementation of this Regulation throughout the Union, coordinated by the Commission.
Amendment 669 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2
Article 14 – paragraph 2
2. A competent authority that has received, through the information and communication system referred to in Article 22(1), a request from a competent authority of another Member State for information to verify any evidence provided by an economic operator shall provide that information withinas soon as possible and at the latest 15 working days from the date of receipt of the request.
Amendment 680 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4
Article 15 – paragraph 4
4. Customs authorities shall rely on the decisions communicated pursuant to paragraph 3 to identify products that may not comply with the prohibition laid down in Article 3. For that purpose, they shall carry out controls on products entering or leaving the Union market in accordance with Articles 46 and 47 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013. The Commission and Member States shall ensure that the Customs authorities have sufficient resources to carry out these controls.
Amendment 711 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
Article 20 – paragraph 1
Where the release for free circulation or export of a product has been refused in accordance with Article 19, customs authorities shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the product concerned is recycled, or where that is not possible, disposed of in accordance with national law consistent with Union law. Articles 197 and 198 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 shall apply accordingly.
Amendment 712 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. To enable a risk-based approach for products entering or leaving the Union market and to ensure that controls are effective and performed in accordance with the requirements of this Regulation, competent authorities and customs authorities shall cooperate closely and exchange risk-related information coordinated by the Commission.
Amendment 725 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 3
Article 22 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall develop an interconnection to enable the automated communication of decisions referred to in Article 15(3) from the information and communication system referred to in paragraph 1 to the environment referred to in paragraph 4. That interconnection shall start operating no later than two year12 months from the date of the adoption of the implementing act referred to in paragraph 7, point (b), in respect of that interconnection.
Amendment 727 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 5
Article 22 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall interconnect the national single window environments for customs with the information and communication system referred to in paragraph 1 to enable the exchange of requests and notifications between customs and competent authorities pursuant to Articles 17 to 20 of this Regulation. That interconnection shall be provided through [EU CSW-CERTEX pursuant to Regulation XX/20XX]40 within fourtwo years from the date of adoption of the implementing act referred to in paragraph 7(c). The exchanges referred to in paragraph 4 shall take place through that interconnection as soon as it is operational. _________________ 40 Established by the Regulation on the EU Single Window Environment for Customs (EU SWE-C).
Amendment 730 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The Commission shall issue guidelines no later than 182 months after the entry into force of this Regulation, which shall include the following:
Amendment 760 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1
Article 24 – paragraph 1
1. A Union Network Against Forced Labour Products (‘the Network’) is established. The Network shall serve as a platform for structured coordination and cooperation between the competent authorities of the Member States and the Commission, and to streamline the practices of enforcement of this Regulation within the Union, thereby making enforcement more effective and coherent. The Network shall be lead by the Commission.
Amendment 767 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Article 24 – paragraph 2
2. The Network shall be composed of representatives from each Member States’ competent authority, representatives from the Commission and, where appropriate, experts from the customs authorities.
Amendment 785 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 4
Article 24 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall support and encourage cooperation between enforcement authorities through the Network and prepare and participate in the meetings of the Network.
Amendment 801 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1
Article 26 – paragraph 1
1. In order to facilitate effective implementation and enforcement of this Regulation, the Commission may as appropriateshall cooperate, engage and exchange information with, amongst others, authorities of third countries, international organisations, civil society representatives and business organisations. International cooperation with authorities of third countries shall take place in a structured way as part of the existing dialogue structures with third countries or, if necessary, specific ones that will be created on an ad hoc basis.
Amendment 803 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 2
Article 26 – paragraph 2
2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, cooperation with, amongst others, international organisations, civil society representatives, business organisations and competent authorities of third countries may result in the Union developing accompanying measures to support the efforts of companies, especially SMEs, and partner countries efforts and locally available capacities in tackling forced labour. and its root causes.
Amendment 814 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1
Article 30 – paragraph 1
1. The Member StatesCommission shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to non- compliance with a decision referred to in Article 6(4) and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented in a harmonised way in accordance with national law.