Brussels, 27/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - Stronger rights for consumers/travellers in the digital era and the digital strategy will be the two main dossiers to be dealt with by the Competitiveness Council of the EU, which meets in Brussels on Friday 29 May.
The confirmation of the inter-institutional agreement on package travel in the digital age is the main formal decision expected from this session. However, the exchange of views on the digital strategy will also have its own importance, because it will examine the digital single market project from the point of view of competitiveness. The public deliberation on general product safety and market monitoring will also be fairly significant, as it will be the Latvian Presidency's final attempt to invite the ministers to come up with new ideas to break the deadlock on a dossier which has been at stalemate for years, over the obligatory geographical origin labelling of consumer products circulating within the single market - the famous “Made In” (Article 7 of the draft regulation on product safety).
Consumers
- Package travel. At a public debate, the Council will confirm the provisional agreement reached between the Parliament, the Council and the European Commission on 5 May on updating and modernising the legislation on package travel and assisted travel services to reinforce consumers' rights in the digital age. This will be a formality, as the member states' ambassadors have already confirmed the agreement (see EUROPE 11320 and 11308).
- Product safety and market monitoring. At a public debate, the Council will seek to reach a general approach allowing it to start discussions with the Parliament on this regulatory package dating from February 2013, which is still outstanding and which the Latvian Presidency has made a priority (see EUROPE 11225). The northern countries, particularly Germany, take the view that “Made In” is first and foremost a source of red tape. The independent study the European Commission was asked to carry out and which it submitted on 6 May on benefits to consumers, the cost/benefit ratio for business and the impact on administration (traceability controls) is a new element, which the Presidency hopes will allow it to win over the blocking minority.
Digital
- Digital strategy. On Thursday afternoon, the Council will examine the Commission's digital strategy proposals, to see whether they are compatible with the general objectives of growth and job creation. This will be an initial sounding-out by the Competitiveness Council on the digital single market project presented by the Commission on 6 May. On 19 May, the audiovisual ministers looked at the elements of the project relating to the audiovisual sector alone, at the last session of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (see EUROPE 11317).
Guided by the Presidency, the member states are invited to state whether they feel that the Commission's proposals are likely to overcome the obstacles still standing in the way of a digital single market and whether they are in line with the digital policies pursued at national level. They are expected to take position on the proposals on the first pillar of the strategy, aiming to achieve better access to online products and services for consumers and businesses. They will also be called upon to provide a more general opinion on the two other pillars of the strategy (creating fair competition conditions for the development of innovative digital networks and services on the one hand, and maximising the growth potential of the digital economy on the other).
- Digital single market. The Council will adopt conclusions on the digitisation of the European industrial fabric, from the point of view of a single market which needs to become increasingly digital.
Single market and industry
The Council will hold an exchange of views on the draft directive on limited liability one-person companies (SUP - for Societas Unius Personae), which was presented by the Commission in April 2014. Following this exchange, the economy and industry ministers will adopt a general approach ahead of negotiations with the European Parliament at first reading. This new status will allow companies, particularly SMEs, to set up abroad more easily (see EUROPE 11261) and will facilitate cross-border economic activities by simplifying and reducing the costs of administrative procedures. If adopted, it will replace Directive 2009/102 currently in force.
Any other business
Under any other business, the Council will: - take stock of the provisional agreement reached with the Parliament on the legislative mechanism on trademarks, the aim of which is to facilitate procedures and reduce the time and costs taken to register trademarks in the European Union; - be briefed by the Commission on the progress made on the European unitary patent, which aims to set in place supranational protection for inventions and innovations at European level; - take stock of the implementation of the Commission's communication on Defence; - assess the initiative on SMEs (Small Business Act). (Aminata Niang with Isabelle Lamberty and Pascal Hansens)