Activities of Vicky FORD related to 2015/2354(INI)
Plenary speeches (2)
The Single Market strategy (debate)
The Single Market strategy (debate)
Amendments (27)
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the single market has been, and remains, the cornerstone of EU integration and the engine of growth and jobs by facilitating trade across the EU and thus contributing to growth and prosperity;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the single market is underperformingcould achieve more in almost all areas – in stimulating a digital-driven market, encouraging start- ups, integrating global supply chains, dealing with new business models and ensuring market facilitation, and standardisation and the licensing of professionals;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that it is necessary to adopt a set of common definitions or indicators of ‘„innovative’‟ start- ups and SMEs, or objective criteria, that can be used as a point of reference for the adoption of related measures; calls on the Commission to propose such a definition;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Considers that further development of the single market requires the elimination of barriers to trade between Member States; supports the European Declaration of Competitiveness from February 2016, in particular the commitment to regulatory simplification and burden reduction, to do more to reduce the overall burden of EU regulation especially on SMEs and microenterprises, and to establish where possible burden reduction targets in specific sectors; recommends that work on establishing such burden reduction targets should commence immediately;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the Commission’s determination to address the difficulties faced by SMEs as a result of the complexity of differing national VAT regulations; extendConsiders as a priority the development of a simplified, uniform and consistent online VAT system to reduce compliance costs for small and innovative companies operating across Europe; welcomes the introduction of the VAT Mini One-Stop Shop, which is a step towards ending the temporary EU VAT regime; nevertheless its full support to the Commission in respect of the VAT concerned that absence of the threshold puts certain SMEs in a difficult position to comply with the current regime; thereform;e calls on the Commission to assess the feasibility of further coordination and, in particular, to assess the possibility of a single tax in the e-commerce sector; urgently come forward with proposals to introduce this;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the Commission’s Single Digital Single Market Strategy, and in particular the announced Single Digital Gateway; calls on the Commission to explore all ways of making the best use of the Single Digital Gateway to help European start-ups to scale up across EuropeGateway, which should build on existing Points of Single Contact (PCSs) setup under the Services Directive and to connect PSCs to other similar single market networks; calls on the Commission to explore all ways of making the best use of the Single Digital Gateway to help European start-ups to scale up across Europe; urges the Commission to create a single entry point for businesses and consumers to all single market related information, assistance, problem solving and to national and EU-wide procedures needed to operate cross-border in the EU;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Emphasises that the collaborative (or sharing) economy is growing fast and changing the way that many services and assets are provided and consumed; underlines, furthermore, the strong link between these new business models and the performance of the single market; notes that the collaborative economy enables more flexible types of employment for many people otherwise unable to work; highlights the economic, societal and environmental benefits encouraged by the collaborative economy;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the Commission’s announced initiative on the European agenda for the collaborative economy, and its intention to look at that economybusiness established in that sphere in order to assess what needs to be done to accompany its growth and its major contribution to the economic systemy;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Considers that, in the collaborative economy, the same rules should apply to the same services, with a viewCommission should look at the existing regulatory framework for service providers and the consumer acquis to ensuringe a level playing field and consumer safety while avoiding fragmentation that would hamper the development of new business models;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Underlines the important role played by the standardisation system in the free circulation of products, and increasingly services; notes that the voluntary use of standards has contributed between 0.3 and 1% to GDP in Europe, and positively benefits labour productivity;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Recalls that the vast majority of standards are developed in response to an industry-identified need, following a bottom-up approach to ensure market relevance of the standards; supports the commitment contained in the Single Market Strategy towards ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of standards development globally; encourages standardisation which is compatible with an international approach either through the development of global international standards or the recognition of equivalent international standards where appropriate; notes the intention to establish a framework and priorities for standardisation activities under a Joint Initiative for Standardisation; calls on the Commission to ensure that the Joint Initiative remains driven by such a bottom-up, industry-identified need and thus prioritises and delivers only those standards which respond to identified needs and demonstrate market relevance, and does not lead to unnecessary standards being pursued or inconsistent requirements compared to other related standards being established;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Notes that the proposal for a Joint Initiative on European Standardisation will build on the Independent Review of the European Standardisation System, and supports its objective for the European standardisation community to develop actions that will improve the system as a whole, including recommendations regarding inclusiveness and support to the competitiveness of European business;
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d. Calls on the Commission in its engagement with European Standardisation Organisations (ESOs) to support ESOs and their national counter- parts in their efforts to improve the involvement of the SMEs, both in the standard-setting process itself and the take-up of standards once set; further encourages on the Commission to work closely with ESOs, National Standards Bodies and others to improve the transparency of the standards process, in implementation of commitments contained in the work programme for European standardisation for 2016 and the underling Regulation;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 e (new)
Paragraph 16 e (new)
16e. Considers that the Joint Initiatives should focus on continued improvements to working practices, in particular by establishing processes to review composition of technical committees and measures to promote an openness and inclusiveness allowing a broad range of stakeholders to contribute to discussions in technical committees;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 f (new)
Paragraph 16 f (new)
16f. Considers that a more transparent and accessible appeals mechanism would build trust and improve standards setting processes; believes that where a standard has been requested by the European Commission following the adoption of legislation by the European Union, the European Parliament relevant committee may be able to play a role in public scrutiny and debate as part of such a process, in advance of a decision for formal objection if appropriate; emphasises that when determining standardisation requests to be given to standardisation bodies, that principles of proportionality and a risk-based approach should be included;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 g (new)
Paragraph 16 g (new)
16g. Believes that increasing public awareness of proposed standards in draft form prior to final approval may increase accountability and transparency and provide for a more robust process, in line with the existing best practices found amongst the European standardisation community;
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 h (new)
Paragraph 16 h (new)
16h. Invites the Commission to report to the Parliament by the end of 2016 on its implementation of the Joint Initiative on European standardisation, and the progress that has been achieved in cooperation with the European standardisation community on the recommendations contained in the 2016 annual Union work programme;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for measures to facilitate access to the patent system in Europe for all micro-enterprises and SMEs that wish to use the European patent with unitary effect in innovating their products and processeUnderlines the importance of measures contained within the unitary patent scheme for improving access to SMEs, for instance assistance with translation costs; believes that further measures could be introduced, such as reductions in renewal fees for SMEs;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Points out that many measures have already been adopted but are not yet applied; points out, furthermore, that according to data provided by the Commission in mid-2015, around 1 090 infringement proceedings were pending in the area of the single market; calls on the Commission, therefore, to ensure that enforcement is prioritised at all levels by taking well-targeted enforcement actions, based on transparent and objective criteria, ensuring that the most economically significant cases of unjustified or disproportionate barriers are addressed;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. ERecognises that the Solvit network and Single Point of Contact have given great assistance to businesses and consumers but could be improved; emphasises that it is necessary to reinforce the Solvit network and to improve awareness of the network and its practical role in solving interpretation problems relating to the single market; considers that data on issues raised with the Solvit network should be taken into account when the Commission considers how to identify priorities for enforcement action;
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Takes note ofSupports the Commission proposal, as part of strengthening the single market for goods, to improve mutual recognition through action to increase awareness of the mutual recognition principle and through the revision of the Mutual Recognition Regulation;
Amendment 284 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Reiterates its call for the rapid adoption ofBelieves that the Product Safety and Market Surveillance Package by the Council; underlines the importance of the indication of country of originhad many potential benefits but that a new approach is needed if no agreement is reached in the Council; supports the Commission’s commitment to strengthen market surveillance through closer cooperation between Member States’ enforcement authorities; underlines the importance of product traceability, which is crucial to protect consumers and to strengthen the fight against counterfeiting;
Amendment 312 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Emphasises, in respect of the single market in services, that there is a clear need to improve the cross-border provision of services; urges the Member States to ensure proper and more effective application of the Services Directive, while avoiding the practice of gold-plating in order to deepen the single market for services and achieve better productivity and economy growth; welcomes the Commission proposal to improve notification under the Services Directive; agrees to extend thesupports a reformed notification procedure provided for in Directive 2015/1535 to all the sectors not covered by that directivethat is transparent and open to comment from all stakeholders, covering all sectors and subject to a robust proportionality methodology;
Amendment 325 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Supports the Commission proposal to introduce a services passport to helpensure service providers demonstrate that they satisfy the requirements applicable to them in the Member State where they wish to provide their service on a temporary basis or through secondary establishment; considers that this initiative should be aimed at reducing administrative burden for service providers and simplifying the procedures applicable to cross-border service provisionfacilitate mutual recognition of regulatory requirements so businesses do not have to recomply with rules in the host Member State that has the same aim as requirements they already follow at home, as well as reducing administrative burden for service providers and simplifying the procedures applicable to cross-border service provision; believes that to improve the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, where systems are similar but not identical, processes should be established to bridge any differences including through training programmes and induction schemes in order to avoid a race to the bottom in terms of service provision standards; recognises that the Internal Market Information Service is working well in some Member States but needs substantial improvement in others;
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Stresses the importance of consistent proportionality assessment of regulatory requirements and restrictions in services markets; notes the Commission’s proposed analytical framework for Member States to use when reviewing existing or new regulation of professions, and believes this can contribute to ensuring consistency across Member States through being mandatory in nature;
Amendment 354 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses that discrimination againstfferent terms and conditions for consumers and entrepreneurs on the basis of nationality or place of residence, in both online and offline environments, is not acceptableshould only occur within the single market if justified on the basis of objective reasons, such as compliance costs, copyright and non- viable business models;