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Dear Readers,
Despite the strict ban on fireworks, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen still managed to usher in the New Year with a political bang. Just before midnight, she classified nuclear power and natural gas as environmentally friendly.
Von der Leyen’s proposal on the green taxonomy has been eagerly anticipated so any discreet attempt to muffle the vote behind New Year’s Eve celebrations was to no avail. The genie was out of the bottle and the ensuing furore has been huge.
Germany, which wants to give up both coal-fired and nuclear power simultaneously, relies on natural gas as a bridging technology. France draws its power from fifty-six nuclear power stations, not least in order to avoid carbon emissions. Austria and Luxembourg have already announced that it will sue over the classification of nuclear power. And what about Poland? Will Warsaw now try to declare coal a green energy source?
This rhetorical question goes to the heart of the problem: greenwashing to satisfy the interests of powerful Member States makes a farce of the whole system of the green taxonomy. Modern gas power stations may be more efficient and cleaner than the old charcoal burners but green they are not. Nuclear power stations may reduce CO2 but, in view of the unsolved issues of radioactive waste and residual risk, they are neither responsible nor sustainable.
As a result, von der Leyen’s Green Deal has lost its credibility. Similar problems will arise in other areas and sectors - from the financial sector through to sustainability certifications, which are going to become mandatory in less than twelve months without, as yet, any clear standards or specifications. Companies that fall outside the green taxonomy will, in future, find it difficult to obtain credit.
Rest assured that we will be keeping our usual constructively critical eye on further developments.
Stay tuned!
Best wishes
Dr. Jörg Köpke
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Green taxonomy: Ursula von der Leyen wants to classify nuclear power and natural gas as environmentally friendly. As opposition grows in the Member States, the Commission has already extended the deadline for objections to 21 January.
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Latest EU Proposals in Focus
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Digital goals: Formulation of principles
On 26 January, the Commission will submit a proposal on “Principles for the Digital Decade”. It will set out digital principles and digital rights in a joint declaration by the Commission, the Parliament and the Council. In particular, the Commission will focus on the following principles:
- universal access to internet services,
- a secure and trusted online environment,
- universal digital education and skills for active participation in society and the democratic process,
- access to digital systems and devices that respect the environment,
- accessible and human-centric digital public services and administration,
- ethical principles for human-centric algorithms,
- protecting and empowering children in the online space,
- access to digital health services.
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Pandemic: EU COVID certificates will have expiry date from February on
On 21 December, the Commission adopted rules on the EU Digital COVID Certificate. Previously, the vaccination status “fully vaccinated” remained valid indefinitely following the first vaccination cycle. Now, the certificate, which is recognised for travel within the EU, will be limited as from February to nine months following completion of the first vaccination cycle. The time limit takes account of the guidance from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Due to a lack of scientific evidence, no acceptance period has yet been specified for EU COVID certificates following the administration of booster vaccinations.
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The Commission, the Council and the European Parliament are regularly negotiating in the so-called trilogue on EU legislative proposals in order to find a common position. We have put together a summary of the most important trilogue decisions since the latest Newsletter.
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Trilogue agreement on Regulation for Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E)
On 14 December 2021, a political agreement was reached on the revision of the Trans-European Networks for Energy Regulation (TEN-E) [(EU) No. 347/2013; see cepPolicyBrief]. The TEN-E Regulation lays down guidelines for the development and interoperability of predominantly cross-border energy infrastructures for the transfer, distribution and storage of energy forms such as electricity and gas. In future, financial support for new natural gas and oil projects is to be ended and mandatory sustainability criteria brought in for all projects. In addition, permit and authorisation procedures will be simplified and accelerated.
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Trilogue agreement on the Regulation on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the EU
On 9 December, a political agreement was reached on the Regulation on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the EU [COM(2021) 85]. The current Roaming Regulation provides that calls, text messaging and use of data whilst travelling in other EU countries must be provided at domestic prices (“roam like at home”). This rule was due to expire at the end of June 2022. The Commission, Council and European Parliament have now agreed that the roam like at home policy will continue at least until 2032. The wholesale prices that mobile communications operators charge each other for roaming will be further reduced. It will also become easier for customers of roaming providers in other EU countries to gain access to emergency services.
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Trilogue Agreement by Council for a Regulation on emergency framework for medical countermeasures
On 20 December, the Council reached a political agreement for a Regulation [COM(2021) 577] on an emergency framework for medical countermeasures. The Parliament was not involved in the agreement as the EU Treaties designate the Council as sole legislator in this regard. The Regulation forms the legal basis for relief measures during medical emergencies, e.g. for the purchase of medicines, vaccines and raw materials. The Member States have limited the powers of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), which were specified in the original Commission proposal, and extended their own role. Thus, for example, the measures must now be coordinated with the Member State holding the rotating presidency of the Council at the relevant time. Member States still have to be informed of the purchase of medical products prior to conclusion of a contract and may make comments in this regard which then have to be taken into consideration. In addition, Member States can mandate the Commission to act as a central purchasing body.
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The EU Commission asks decision-makers and interested parties from civil society for their opinion on European policy proposals. Here is our short-list of the most important consultations:
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Chemicals: Simplification and digitalisation of labelling
In order to simplify the information on packaging used for chemicals, the Regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) [(EC) No. 1272/2008], the Detergents Regulation [(EC) No. 648/2004] and the Fertilising Products Regulation [(EC) No. 2003/2003] are to be revised. In particular, the introduction of digital labelling is being considered for glues, laundry and dish-washing detergents and fertilising products.
The submission period for opinions ends on 16 February 2022.
Go to consultation
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Marine pollution by ships: Examination of EU rules
The Ship-source Pollution Directive [2005/35/EC] relating to illegal discharges from ships is to be examined. The Commission will use the consultation to gather information, as well as the opinions of stakeholders and the public, on how to improve the effectiveness of the existing rules.
The submission period for opinions ends on 3 March 2022.
Go to consultation
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Bus and coach drivers: driving and rest times
The rules on driving and rest times for occasional bus and coach drivers [Regulation (EC) No. 561/2006] are to be revised. This will improve drivers’ working conditions, ensure more effective monitoring of compliance with the rules, reduce costs and help to overcome particular challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The submission period for opinions ends on 15 February 2022.
Go to consultation
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Planning and booking journeys: multimodal digital mobility services
As part of its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy [cepPolicyBrief 09/2021], the Commission will propose a new Regulation to simplify the planning and booking of journeys involving several modes of transport, by means of “digital mobility services” - such as apps for route planning and for purchasing tickets and “mobility as a service”. The consultation will identify what challenges exist in this regard – such as the availability of data and interoperability of payment systems.
The submission period for opinions ends on 23 February 2022.
Go to consultation
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Industrial products: evaluation of the New Legislative Framework
A range of products, including lifts, toys and medical devices, are subject to the so-called New Legislative Framework (NLF) Typical for such legislation includes the central role of conformity assessment bodies, which verify whether a product complies with the requirements of EU law and can be brought onto the market. In its consultation, the Commission will now seek to ascertain whether the NLF has proven to be effective, namely as regards the free movement of goods in the EU.
The submission period for opinions ends on 7 March 2022.
Go to consultation
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Food labelling I: revision of labelling on alcoholic beverages
The Commission wants to revise the food labelling on alcoholic beverages. It will have a mandatory list of ingredients and a nutrition declaration. The background to this is the high level of alcohol consumption in Europe which is responsible for numerous types of cancer. The EU Commission already announced the proposal at the start of 2021 in its “Beating Cancer Plan“ [COM(2021) 44]. The introduction of harmonised labelling for alcoholic beverages, as part of the revision of the Food Information to Consumers Regulation [(EU) 1169/2011], aims to improve consumers’ ability to make informed choices.
The submission period for opinions ends on 7 March 2022.
Go to consultation
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Food labelling II: revision of the rules on consumer information
As part of its “Farm to Fork” Strategy [COM(2020) 381; cepPolicyBrief], the Commission wants to improve consumer information regarding food to enable healthier and more sustainable consumer choices. In order to achieve this, the list of possible measures includes the mandatory introduction of nutrient profiles (see consultation), the extension of mandatory origin or provenance indication for certain products and the revision of EU rules on date marking (“use by” and “best before” dates) on food packaging [cepInput 13/2021].
The submission period for opinions ends on 7 March 2022.
Go to consultation
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Healthier food choices: establishing nutrient profiles
As part of its “Farm to Fork” Strategy [COM(2020) 381; cepPolicyBrief], the Commission will introduce mandatory nutrient profiles by revising the Food Information to Consumers Regulation [(EU) 1169/2011]. If foods exceed the thresholds for fat, sugar and/or salt contained therein, nutritional and health-related information such as e.g. “Calcium contributes to normal bone growth”, will not be permitted to be shown on the packaging or will be restricted. This aims to protect consumers from misleading information and allow them to make better informed and healthier choices. In addition, it will create incentives for producing healthier foods.
The submission period for opinions ends on 7 March 2022.
Go to consultation
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17 January 2022
Brussels
Meeting of the Eurogroup.*
17-20 January 2022
Strasbourg
The EU Parliament will meet in plenary and elect inter alia the President of the EU Parliament.
18 January 2022
Brussels
Meeting of the Council for Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) This concerns the directive to ensure a global minimum tax level for multinationals in the EU, as well as the state of implementation of the Recovery and Crisis Facility (RRF).
19 January 2022
Strasbourg
Inaugural address by Emmanuel Macron during the plenary of the EU Parliament.
25 January 2022
Brussels
Meeting of the General Affairs Council. Among other things, it is about the Conference on the Future of Europe and the EU-level-coordination of COVID-19.
27 January 2022
Brussels
The EU Parliament will meet in plenary.*
* The agenda was not yet fixed at the time of copy deadline.
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cep Publications to Current Topics
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cepAdhoc: Club of the Willing
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Whether on the unanimity rule, the rule of law or its geostrategic importance: the European Union is at a turning point. Germany, France and Italy - supported by new bilateral treaties - want to make the EU more capable of action and reinstate it as a major player on the international stage. The Centres for European Policy Network has analysed the 2019 Franco-German Treaty of Aachen and the Franco-Italian Quirinale Treaty of November 2021. These contracts could lay the basis for necessary reforms of the European Union.
Go to cepAdhoc 2/2021
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cepPolicyBrief: European Artificial Intelligence Act
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Whether in health, work, consumption or media; artificial intelligence (AI) will change the life of many people in a multitude of ways. The Commission therefore wants to create rules to protect the health, security and fundamental rights of AI users. It will prohibit systems that are particularly dangerous. Others will be subject either to obligations or voluntary codes of practice according to the level of risk. The Centrum für Europäische Politik sees the commissions’ proposals mostly positive and historically unique.
Go to cepPolicyBrief 27/2021
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cepPolicyBrief: EU Green Bond Standard
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Investing money sustainably and with a clear conscience: With ecological bonds totalling 250 billion euros, the Commission intends to refinance about one third of the Corona bailout fund over the next five years. It is using a globally recognised market standard for these issues. According to the Centrum für Europäische Politik, however, the link to the green taxonomy carries considerable risks.
Go to cepPolicyBrief 26/2021
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Dear Readers,
Probably by the end of the month, Ursula von der Leyen will officially submit the Commission’s proposal for a green taxonomy. Parliament and the Council will then have four months to approve it - or reject it. It is going to be a tense wait until we get the result.
Best wishes
Dr. Jörg Köpke
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