The entire draft on the principles annexed to the Commission's work programme for 2004, published in the EUROPE/Documents series (N.2334, 6 November 2003), is published below.
ANNEX 1
COMMISSION LEGISLATIVE AND WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2004
List of legislative proposals and non-legislative acts
List 1: Legislative proposals and non-legislative acts corresponding to the political priorities for 2004
List 2: Other legislative proposals and non-legislative acts likely to be brought forward in 2004
Explanatory Notes
List 1 contains specific proposals or non-legislative acts corresponding to the priorities as well as proposals carried over from 2003 which the Commission engages itself to pursue in 2004.
List 2 contains an indicative forecast of other proposals and acts that the Commission could envisage being adopted in 2004.
The lists only exist in the original language version (part English, part French).
The Commission updates its planning each month and transmits a “3-month rolling programme” to the other EU institutions to help them organise their work In the interests of transparency, this is also made avaiable to the public on the Commission's Internet homepage http: //europa.eu.int/com/index_en.htm (“The Commission at your service”, “Work Programme”, “3-month rolling programme”.
The first list is arranged by political priority and then by policy area (e.g. “Agriculture” or “Internal Market”), while the second list is arranged by policy area. The lists provide the following information:
Reference number: e.g. 2004/ADMIN/001.
Commission department(s) responsible
estimated date of adoption
whether legislative proposal or non-legislative act
provisional indication of the likely legal base and the corresponding interinstitutional procedure (e.g. co-decision)
whether mandatory or optional consultation of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and/or the European Economic and Social Committee (CESE) is foreseen
brief description, political motivation, and an indication of whether the proposal will undergo an extended impact assessment
“Political motivation sort code”, enabling proposals to be re-ordered according to the political priorities: accession, stability, sustainable growth.
ANNEX 2
Proposals that will undergo an extended impact assessment before their adoption
N.B. Given the specific circumstances of 2004 (see introduction) there are a number of
important proposals on which the Commission cannot guarantee the timing of the
delivery, but for which it will undertake an impact assessment. They are listed in the table
with an asterisk.
In the Work Programme list, these proposals are flagged with the abbreviation "EXT" in the impact assessment column.
ISG = Inter-departmental Steering Group
Before submitting any proposal in the social field, the Commission is bound to consult the social partners on its possible type and content (according to Article 138 of the Treaty). This consultation is an integral part of the impact assessment process.
- For the table, please refer to the paper version -
ANNEX 3
Provisional assessment of progress towards the Prodi Commission's strategic objectives
Introduction
The Prodi Commission established four strategic objectives at the start of its mandate The Commission's strategic objectifs for 2000-2005, “Shaping the New Europe”; COM(2000) 154 of 9 Febrary 2000: promoting new forms of European governance, a stable Europe with a stronger voice in the world, a new economic and social agenda and a better quality of life. An assessment of progress against these strategic objectives shows that the Prodi Commission is building a significant legacy for its successors. The Prodi Commission will leave behind a European Union of twenty-five Member States, with a reformed Treaty, a reformed Commission and reformed policies.
I. Promoting New Forms of European Governance
Revised Treaty
The Commission made its contribution to the Inter-Governmental Conference, which concluded in the Treaty of Nice. The Commission has supported the implementation of this Treaty. The Treaty of Nice made the adjustments necessary for the accession of the ten new Member States, and this was an important step.
Nevertheless, the Commission, along with other parties, considered that the Treaty of Nice could be improved. The Commission supported the establishment of the Convention to consider the institutional structure of a European Union of 25 Member States. The Commission delegation, led by Commissioners Barnier and Vitorino, have been active participants in the Convention. The Commission considers that the Convention is a significant improvement on previous negotiations on the Treaty, but also believes that the draft text can be improved in the Inter-Governmental Conference.
Internal Commission Reforms
The Prodi Commission came into office with a commitment to achieve a broad programme of internal reform. The three main pillars covered are personnel reform, strategic planning and programming and financial management. Key achievements include:
Agreeing with the Council revised staff regulations, allowing new pay and pensions structures to be put in place. A new system of performance appraisal and promotion has been introduced.
Introducing a new strategic planning and programming cycle, which has assisted in the Commission's preparations for enlargement. Accountability has been improved through a new system of Annual Activity Reports for each Commission service.
Agreeing a new Financial Regulation for the management of Community funds.
Introducing new procedures on public access to Commission documents and a code of conduct for Commission officials.
The scale of the reform programme means that not all of its benefits will be felt immediately and will increase in the years to come. New procedures take time to be fully established, and some, such as the accounting procedures, are not yet fully in place. Difficulties do remain in the Commission's administration, shown by the recent allegations concerning Eurostat. The Commission remains determined to address these difficulties.
Better Governance
The Commission has carried out a number of initiatives to improve European governance. The Governance White Paper of July 2001 contained a number of proposals. This led directly to the Better Regulation package of June 2002. Measures included a new Impact Assessment procedure for developing major proposals, and minimum standards for consultation. In addition, the Commission is carrying forward a major programme to simplify European Union legislation. The full benefits of these initiatives will be evident shortly.
II. Stabilising the continent and boosting Europe's voice in the world
Enlargement
The Prodi Commission has supported the successful conclusion of the enlargement process. At the Copenhagen European Council of December 2002, Member States agreed to the Commission's recommendation that Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia should join the European Union. All nine subsequent referenda have shown strong popular support in those countries for entry into the European Union.
The Commission has supported the preparations of accession states to enter the European Union. The Commission has also carried out internal preparations to ensure that programmes and policies will accommodate the new Member States. The accession day of 1 May 2004 marks a decisive step in the history of the European continent. The Commission has also supported the preparations of Bulgaria and Romania for entry into the European Union with target dates of 2007. The Commission is supporting Turkey's efforts made in order to fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria for opening accession negotiations with the Union and is preparing its Opinion on Croatia's application to join the Union.
Stability
The Commission has played an important part in the development of stability beyond the borders of an enlarged European Union. The « Wider Europe » agenda is likely to continue in the years to come. A clear success at this stage has been the programme of stabilisation in the Balkans. Significant progress has been made in those countries. A European Union's peacekeeping force is deployed in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia at the explicit request of their government.
The Commission has also developed its links with Russia and the other countries of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Wider Europe - Neighbourhood
In a Communication on Wider Europe - Neighbourhood of March 2003, the Commission put forward an ambitious vision: the creation of an enlarged area of peace, stability and prosperity encompassing the neighbours to the East and the South that currently do not have a perspective of EU membership, based on shared values, common interests, and deep integration. This combines progress demonstrating shared values and effective implementation of political, economic and institutional reforms, with the prospect of closer economic and political links with the EU, including a stake in the internal market and improved cross-border and regional/transnational co-operation at the Union's external borders.
In addition, the Commission has taken forward the Barcelona process towards a Euro- Med free trade area. Progress has been hampered by the crisis in Israel and Palestine. The Commission has supported all efforts to broker peace, notably the road-map initiative. The European Union has entered an Association Agreement with Egypt, and concluded negotiations for Association Agreements with Algeria and Lebanon.
Action in the world
The Prodi Commission has played a leading part in efforts to establish new multilateral global governance. The Commission played a leading role in the drive for ratification of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, for a successful conclusion of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 and in the launch of new multilateral trade negotiations in Doha. The Commission remains convinced that multi-lateral dialogue is the best way forward as countries deal with the effects of globalisation. The Commission also remains committed to the United Nations' Millennium Development goals. In this context, it completed the negotiations of the Cotonou Agreement and prepared a new Community development policy. The institution has improved the focus and delivery of development programmes to maximise its contribution.
III. A New Economic and Social Agenda
Lisbon and Sustainable Development
On the basis of the Commission's contribution, the European Council agreed in March 2000 in Lisbon, on an objective that the European Union should become by 2010 «the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion». As proposed by the Commission, the Göteborg European Council of June 2001 integrated the environmental dimension into the Lisbon Strategy and established a sustainable development strategy. The Commission has taken forward the Lisbon economic reform agenda with determination. Achievements include the liberalisation of energy markets and telecommunications services, the creation of the European Research Area and proposals to liberate rail and air transport. A key factor in the European Union's ultimate success in achieving the Lisbon objective will be the level of engagement of Member States.
The Nice Social Agenda complements and forms part of the Lisbon Strategy. It was revised in June 2003 to take into account the evolution of the labour market and of society. The Commission has introduced the open method of coordination in the fields of social inclusion and pensions, has renewed the European Employment Strategy and has coordinated the European Year of People with Disabilities. In the field of industrial relations, it has supported social dialogue and when necessary has initiated specific legal proposals, for example on health and safety at work and on temporary work.
Single Market and the Introduction of the Euro
The euro notes and coins were successfully introduced in 12 Member States. Based on the undertaking to conduct sound macroeconomic policies, the euro contributes to growth, competitiveness and employment. However, the introduction of the euro also highlights further changes that are still needed for Europe to gain the full benefits of the single market. Given the success of the physical introduction of the euro, economic and monetary union undoubtedly qualifies as one of the significant landmarks of European integration, ranking alongside such earlier achievements as the customs union of 1968 and the single market of 1992.
Agriculture and Fisheries
The Commission's reform agenda has continued into the Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy. On 26 June 2003, EU farm ministers adopted a fundamental reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The new CAP will be geared towards sustainable agriculture, while giving EU farmers the freedom to produce what the market wants. In future, the vast majority of subsidies will be paid independently from the volume of production.
In December 2002, EU Fisheries Ministers agreed on a reform of the Common Fisheries Policy with a view to conserve fish stocks better, protect the marine environment, ensure the economic viability of the fishery and aquaculture sectors and provide good quality food to consumers.
IV. Better Quality of Life
Justice and Home Affairs
The Commission has taken forward measures to create a European area of freedom, security and justice, as mandated by the European Council in Tampere in October 1999. The Commission's growing expertise in this area enabled it to respond promptly to the events of 11 September 2001. The Council has agreed on a number of proposals, including a common European arrest warrant and on combating illegal immigration. Nevertheless, further progress is needed to respond to the demands of citizens and the European Council's political goals.
Public Health, Environment, Transport and Energy
The European Commission is working with Member States to ensure that the European Union achieves its goals for reduction in carbon emissions agreed at the Kyoto environmental conference. Climate change is one of the principal themes of the European Union's Sixth Environment Action Programme, to be completed by 2012, alongside protecting nature and biodiversity, contributing to the quality of life and social well-being for citizens, better resource efficiency and resource and waste management. The Commission is managing a new Public Health Action Programme from 2003 to 2008. The Commission has established a Food Safety Authority, a Maritime Safety Agency and is proposing a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
The Commission has also devised a ten year Transport Programme, which will run to 2010, with the goal of refocusing Europe's transport policy on the demands and needs of its citizens. The Commission has also developed a long-term strategy to ensure the security of energy supply in Europe. The Commission has contributed actively to stimulating implementation of the trans-European transport network, opening rail networks to competition and improving transport safety (notably maritime safety). It has also actively promoted the access to quality services of general interest.
Finally, the Commission has introduced a “Solidarity Fund” to enable the European Union to assist Member States and accession states following a natural disaster. The Solidarity Fund has already been used following the floods in Central Europe of summer 2002 and the forest fires in Southern Europe in summer 2003.
ANNEX 4
Commission proposals awaiting action by the legislative authority in 2004
General Affairs and External Relations
Proposal for a Regulation on decentralised co-operation (2003/0156/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation on promoting gender equality in development co-operation (2003/0176/COD)
Taxation / Customs Union
Proposal for a Regulation on the prevention of money laundering by means of customs cooperation (2002/0132/COD)
Proposal for a Directive amending Directive 77/388/EEC as regards value added tax on services provided in the postal sector (2003/0091/CNS)
Proposal for a Directive amending Directive 92/81/EEC and Directive 92/82/EEC to introduce special tax arrangements for diesel fuel used for commercial purposes and to align the excise duties on petrol and diesel fuel (2002/0191/CNS and COM(2002) 410)
Justice and Home Affairs
Common asylum policy:
Proposal for a Directive on minimum standards on procedures in Member States for granting and withdrawing refugee status (2000/0238/CNS)
Common immigration policy and fight against illegal immigration:
Proposal for a Directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third country nationals for the purposes of studies, vocational training or voluntary service (2002/0242/CNS)
Proposal for a Directive on the short-term residence permit issued to victims of action to facilitate illegal immigration or trafficking in human beings who cooperate with the competent authorities (2002/0043/CNS)
Proposal for a Directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of paid employment and self-employed economic activities (2001/0154/CNS)
Internal and external borders, common visa policy:
Proposal for a Directive relating to the conditions in which third-country nationals shall have the freedom to travel in the territory of the Member States for periods not exceeding three months, introducing a specific travel authorisation and determining the conditions of entry and movement for periods not exceeding six months (2001/0155/CNS)
Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EC) 1683/95 laying down a uniform format for visas; and Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EC) 1030/2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals (2003/0217 /CNS and 2003/0218/CNS)
A genuine area of justice in civil law matters:
Proposal for a Regulation creating a European enforcement order for uncontested claims (2002/0090/CNS)
Proposal for a Directive on compensation to crime victims (COM(2002) 562)
Fight against crime and terrorism and a genuine area of justice in criminal matters:
Proposal for a Council Framework Decision on combating racism and xenophobia (2001/0270/CNS)
Proposal for a Council Framework Decision laying down minimum provisions on the constituent elements of criminal acts and penalties in the field of illicit drug trafficking (2001/0114/CNS)
Proposal for a Directive on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law (2001/0076/COD)
Proposal for a Directive on ship-source pollution and on the introduction of sanctions, including criminal sanctions, for pollution offences (2003/0037/COD)
Proposal for a Framework Decision to strengthen the criminal-law framework for the enforcement of the law against ship-source pollution (2003/0088/CNS)
Proposal for a Directive on the criminal-law protection of the Community's financial interests (2001/0115/COD)
Proposal for a Council Framework Decision on combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography (2001/0025/CNS)
Proposal for a Decision establishing a Community action programme to promote activities in the field of the protection of the Community's financial interests (2003/0152/COD)
Proposal for a Decision on counterfeit euro coins: analysis, cooperation and information exchange (2003/0158/CNS)
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs
Proposal for a Directive on working conditions for temporary workers (2002/0072/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) n° 1612/68 on freedom of movement for workers within the Community (1998/0229/COD) and proposal for a directive amending directive n° 68/360/EEC on the abolition of restrictions on movement and residence within the Community for workers of Member States and their families (1998/0230/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation on consumer protection cooperation (2003/0162/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation establishing a European centre for disease prevention and control (2003/0174/COD)
Social security: coordination of systems in view of the free movement of persons (1998/0360/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation amending Council Regulation (EEC) N° 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons and their families moving within the Community (2003/0138/COD)
Proposal for a Council Regulation on the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (2003/0185/CNS)
Competitiveness (Internal Market, Industry and Research)
Internal Market:
Proposal for a Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications (2002/0061/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation on sales promotion in the internal market ( 2001/0227/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation on the Community Patent (2000/0177/CNS)
Proposal for a Directive on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions (2002/0047/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation amending the regulation on the Community Trademark (2002/0308/CNS)
Proposal for a Directive on the enforcement of intellectual property rights (2003/0024/COD)
Proposal for a Directive amending Directives 72/166/EEC 84/5/EEC, 88/357/EEC, 90/232/EEC and Directive 2000/26/EC on insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles (2002/0124/COD)
Proposal for a Directive on take-over bids ( 2002/0240/COD)
Proposal for a Directive on the harmonisation of transparency requirements with regard to information about issuers whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market and amending Directive 2001/34/EC (2003/0045/COD)
Consumer policy:
Proposal for a Directive on the harmonisation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning credit for consumers (2002/0222/COD)
Proposal for a Directive concerning unfair commercial practices (2003/0134/COD)
Enterprise:
Proposal for a Decision on Interoperable Delivery of pan-European eGovernment Services to Public Administrations, Businesses and Citizens (IDABC) (2003/0147/COD)
Proposal for a Directive on the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles (Recast version) (2003/0153/COD)
Competition:
Proposal for a Regulation on the control of concentrations between undertakings (2002/0296/CNS) -if not adopted in 2003
Transport, Telecommunications and Energy
Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EURATOM) No 2587/1999 defining the investment projects to be communicated to the Commission in accordance with Article 41 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (COM(2003) 370)
Proposal for Directives concerning the alignment of measures with regard to security of supply for energy products (2002/0219/COD, 2002/0220/COD) and 2002/0221/CNS)
Proposal for a Directive establishing a framework for the setting of Eco-design requirements for Energy Using Products and amending Council Directive 92/42/EC (2003/0172/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation on the harmonisation of certain social legislation relating to road transport (2001/0241/COD)
Proposal for a Directive on a transparent system of harmonised rules for driving restrictions on heavy goods vehicles involved in international transport on designated roads (weekend bans) (1998/0096/COD)
Proposal for a Directive amending Directive 1999/62/EC on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures (“Eurovignette”) (2003/0175/COD)
Proposal for a Directive on the widespread introduction and interoperability of electronic road toll systems in the community (2003/0081/COD)
Amended Proposal for a Regulation on action by Member States concerning public requirements and the award of public service contracts in passenger transport by rail, road and inland waterway (2000/0212/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation on the negotiation and implementation of air service agreements between Member States and third countries (2003/0044/COD)
Proposal for a Directive on safety requirements for cabin crew (COM(1997) 382)
Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation 3922/91 to establish common requirements for the commercial operation of aeroplanes (2000/0069/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 establishing a European Maritime Safety Agency (2003/0159/COD)
Proposal for a Directive on ship-source pollution and on the introduction of sanctions, including criminal sanctions, for pollution offences (2003/0037/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation on enhancing ship and port facility security (2003/0089/COD) - Nuclear safety in the European Union - Proposals for Directives (COM(2002) 605)
Amended proposal for a Regulation amending the amended proposal for a Regulation amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2236/95 laying down general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of trans-European networks (COM(2003) 561, 2001/0226/COD)
Proposal for a Decision replacing Decision 1692/96/EC on the Community guidelines for the development of the transeuropean network in the field of transport - TEN-Guidelines (COM(2003) 564)
Agriculture and Fisheries
Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on official feed and food controls (2003/0030/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation on maximum residue levels of pesticides in products of plant and animal origin (2003/0052/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation laying down requirements for feed hygiene (2003/0071/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation on the protection of animals during transport and related operations, amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC (2003/0171/CNS)
Series of proposals linked to the implementation or follow-up of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, such as the proposal for a Council Regulation establishing measures for the recovery of cod stocks (COM(2003) 237) and the proposal for a Council Regulation establishing measures for the recovery of the Northern hake stock (COM(2003) 374- - if not adopted in 2003
Education, Youth and Culture
Proposal for a Decision modifying Council Decision 2000/821/EC of 20 December 2000 on the implementation of a programme to encourage the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works (MEDIA Plus - Development, Distribution and Promotion) (2003/0067/COD)
Proposal for a Decision modifying Decision No 163/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 January 2001 on the implementation of a training programme for professionals in the European audiovisual programme industry (MEDIA-Training) (2001-2005) (2003/0064/COD)
Proposal for a Decision modifying Decision No 508/2000/EE of 14/2/2000 establishing the “Culture 2000” Programme (2003/0076/COD)
Proposal for a Decision establishing a Community Action Programme to promote bodies active at European level in the field of youth (2003/0113/COD)
Proposal for a Decision establishing a Community action programme to promote bodies active at European level and support specific activities in the field of education and training (2003/0114/COD)
Proposal for a Decision establishing a Community action programme to promote bodies active at European level in the field of culture (2003/0115/COD)
Proposal for a Decision establishing a Community action programme to promote active European citizenship (civic participation) (2003/0116/CNS)
Draft Council Decision laying down the Rules of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training (ACVT) (COM(2003) 394)
Environment
Proposal for a Directive on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage (2002/0021/COD)
Proposal for a Directive concerning the quality of bathing water (2002/0254/COD)
Proposal for a Directive amending Directive 1999/32/EC as regards the sulphur content of marine fuels (2002/0259/COD)
Proposal for a Directive on the limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in decorative paints and varnishes and vehicle refinishing products and amending Directive 1999/13/EC (2002/0301/COD)
Proposal for a Directive on the management of waste from the extractive industries (2003/0107/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation on persistent organic pollutants and amending Directives 79/117/EEC and 96/59/EC (2003/0119/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation on Shipments of Waste (2003/0139/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1655/2000 concerning the Financial Instrument for the Environment (LIFE) (2003/0148/COD)
Proposal for a Directive relating to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air (2003/0164/COD)
Proposal for a Directive amending the Directive establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community, in respect of the Kyoto Protocol's project mechanisms (2003/0173/COD)
Proposal for a Regulation on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases (2003/0189/COD)
Proposal for a Directive on the protection of groundwater against pollution (2003/0210/COD)
The REACH proposal (2002/ENV+/015), adopted by the Commission on 29 October 2003
Proposal for a Directive on environmental access to justice (2003/0246/COD) and for a Regulation on the application of Aarhus principles to the Community (2003/0242/COD)
ANNEX 5
Simplification and codification of Community legislation
Simplification priorities 2004
The Commission launched in February 2003 a framework for action to up-date and simplify Community legislation COM(2003)71. A key action of this initiative aims at legislative simplification In the February Communication, the Commission defined simplification can, on the one hand, mean modification of legislation without affecting the substance of the underlying policy. This can be relevant when, for example, more efficient or proportional legislative instruments and techniques are available than those currently used. On the other hand, simplification can also mean simplifying the substance of a policy by adapting or entirely redesigning the legislative approach through a reinforced political attention and a new methodology based on the following steps:
the development of prioritisation indicators to guide the Commission in selecting sectors where simplification appears particularly relevant;
the Commission selects policy sectors and carries out a screening for simplification potential. This screening may result in identification of specific legislative acts as candidates for simplification;
legal acts identified as candidates for possible simplification are examined in detail and concrete simplification proposals are developed, using best practice methodology and procedures, and adopted as Commission proposals.
The main novelty of this methodology is the establishment of priority indicators and, on this basis, a more systematic and wide-spread screening of Community policy sectors by Commission services to identify simplification potential. The Framework for Action is being implemented in three phases. At the end of each phase (October 2003, April 2004 and end-2004), the Commission reports on the achievements during the previous phase and sets out planned work for the coming phase.
The Commission presented in October 2003 the first report on the implementation of the Framework for Action, covering Phase I (February - September 2003)9. This report demonstrates that very considerable efforts are currently being made by Commission services towards legislative simplification across a broad range of policy areas. Completion of this work, in the form of final Commission proposals, will take place over the coming years. The Commission's programming of simplification work follows the 3-phased implementation of the February 2003 initiative, in particular the screening of policy sectors. Individual legislation with confirmed simplification potential is programmed in the context of the ordinary programming cycle.
Simplification priorities for 2004
- For the table, please refer to the paper version -
Codification of EU legislation
The Commission is working towards its objective of completing its codification programme by the end of 2005. Around 60 codification proposals are planned for 2004. The Commission invites the European Parliament and the Council to give urgent consideration to the Commission's proposals under the codification programme in order to adopt all proposals no later than the end of 2006.