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Public consultation on review of current regime for licensing of technology
The European Commission invites comments on the application of EU antitrust rules for the assessment of technology transfer agreements, i.e. patent, know-how and software licensing. The aim is to strengthen the incentives for research and innovation, facilitate the diffusion of intellectual property and stimulate competition.
The current regime, which entered into force in May 2004, will expire in April 2014. In light of stakeholders' submissions, the Commission will make a proposal on how to assess technology transfer agreements after the expiry of the current regime.
All stakeholders, including consumer interest associations, public authorities, and, in particular, the business community (including SMEs) who have had experience of applying the current rules on technology transfer agreements and/or are affected by such technology transfer agreements, are encouraged to participate in the consultation.
Comments can be submitted until 3 February 2012.
See here for information.
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Public consultation on acquisitions and holdings in the financial sector
The European Commission launched a consultation on 8 December seeking views on the application of Directive 2007/44 EC as regards acquisitions and increase of holdings in the financial sector.
Following events at the time, the Commission tabled a proposal in 2006 to minimise the scope for national supervisors to invoke rules in order to hinder cross-border mergers and acquisitions for protectionist reasons. The Directive was adopted in 2007 and laid down uniform rules and evaluation criteria for national supervisors to prudentially assess mergers and acquisitions in the financial sector. It contains a clause, calling for the Commission to review the application of the Directive and submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council, together with any appropriate proposals to review the Directive.
The responses to the consultation launched today will provide important information on how the Directive has been applied at national level and will feed into a report that the Commission is to prepare.
Replies can be submitted up to 10 February 2012.
Further information is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/consultations/2011/acquisitions_en.htm
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Public consultation on measures to break down barriers to disabled people
The European Commission launched on 13 December a public consultation on its future plans for breaking down barriers to Europeans with disabilities. The consultation will help the Commission to prepare its proposals for a European Accessibility Act, planned for autumn 2012.
The initiative aims to ensure that people with disabilities have access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transport and to information and communication services. It will also benefit people with limited mobility, such as the elderly.
The consultation – itself fully accessible – is aimed at gathering views from businesses, people with disabilities and the general public and will remain open until 29 February 2012.
See here for further information.
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Public consultation on the future of LED-based lighting in Europe
The European Commission today (Thursday) adopted a Green Paper and launched a public consultation on the future of LED-based lighting. LED lighting is one of the most energy-efficient and versatile forms of lighting - saving up to 70% energy and money compared to other lighting technologies. Faster LED deployment will ensure the success of Europe's lighting industry and help reduce energy use from lighting by 20% by 2020.
But Europe also faces a number of challenges and more input is needed from citizens and businesses to refine the policy. To this end a consultation will run until 29 February 2012 to collect feedback on the Commission's ideas.
LED lighting faces a number of challenges in the market: high purchase prices because it is a more sophisticated technology compared to the alternatives, lack of familiarity among potential users and a lack of common standards.
Further information on the consultation is available here.
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Public consultation on the right to family reunification of third-country nationals living in the EU
The European Commission launched on 15 November a public consultation on the right to family reunification of third-country nationals living in the EU. Depending on the outcome of the consultation, the Commission will decide whether any policy follow-up is necessary – such as setting up clear guidelines, modifying the current rules or leaving the legislation as it is.
Since 2003, common EU rules specify the conditions under which family members of a non-EU citizen, legally resident in a Member State, are allowed to enter and reside in the EU.
All stakeholders and the general public are now invited to reply – before 1 March 2012 - to questions such as:
- To whom the directive should apply: How to best define the migrants who benefit from the EU rules; whether the right to family reunification should be extended to other family members, outside than the core family; the problems experienced with forced marriages;
- The conditions for family reunification: Whether the integration measures that Member States are allowed to introduce need to be further specified; whether safeguards should be foreseen to ensure that such measures really foster integration and are not used as barriers to family reunification;
- Ways of tackling possible fraud and marriages of convenience;
- The functioning of certain obligations for Member States, such as taking the best interest of children into account when examining an application.
See here for further information.
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Public consultation on ways to improve the safe-keeping of cultural goods and the return between Member States of national treasures unlawfully removed from their territory
The European Commission launched on 29 November a public consultation on ways to improve the safe-keeping of cultural goods and the return between Member States of national treasures unlawfully removed from their territory. The consultation will provide an insight into the views of public authorities, citizens and other stakeholders on the most effective way to facilitate such return.
The protection of cultural property relies to a great extent on the legislation of the Member States. Nevertheless, the European Union also contributes to its protection, notably by means of Directive 93/7/EEC which establishes a mechanism for the return of certain national treasures that have been unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State after 1993. During the implementation of the Directive, Member States highlighted certain of its limitations, such as a one-year deadline for initiating recovery proceedings, with a direct consequence on its effectiveness.
Interested parties may submit their contributions to the following address: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/regulated-sectors/cultural-goods/
The public consultation will be open until 5 March 2012.
More information related to the current Directive and the implementation reports: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/regulated-sectors/cultural-goods/index_en.htm
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Public consultation on the possible revision of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on air passenger rights
The European Commission has just launched a public consultation on the possible revision of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on air passenger rights.
Regulation (EC) 261/2004 introduced important new rights for air passengers in the event of denied boarding, long delay, cancellations and downgrading. The Regulation took effect in 2005 and sets a minimum level of quality standards in order to protect passengers.
The present consultation aims to gather stakeholders' views on the identification of possible shortcomings of the Regulation and their extent, and on the options to improve its application, either via non-legislative measures or via a revision of the Regulation.
The public consultation runs from 19 December 2011 to 11 March 2012.
See here for further information.
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Public consultation on corporate restructuring: what lessons from the crisis?
The European Commission launched on 17 January a Europe-wide public debate on corporate restructuring and anticipating change.
The aim of the consultation is to identify successful practices and policies in the field of restructuring and adapting to change. The results will feed into the upcoming employment package and should help to improve further cooperation between workers and employers' representatives, government, local and regional authorities and the EU institutions.
The consultation will also help identify specific restructuring measures that could help deal with employment and social challenges, and help European companies improve competitiveness through innovation and a fast, but smooth adaptation to change.
The consultation period will run until 30 March 2012. During this period, anyone with an interest in the subject can submit their views via email or by post.
See here for further information.
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Public consultation on the EU's consumption and production policies
By 2050 the global population is set to reach 9 billion people and worldwide demand for food, feed and fibre is forecast to increase by 70%. To thrive in that context, economies will need to use natural resources in a far more efficient manner. The way we consume and produce will be key to Europe's success or failure in this process.
The public consultation invites all interested parties to share their views on the best ways to improve the EU's policies on Sustainable Consumption and Production in four areas, with the aim of providing targeted feedback on:
- Policies regarding product design, recycling and waste management, etc;
- Green Public Procurement (encouraging public bodies to favour ecologically friendly solutions);
- Actions for improving the environmental performance of products (Product Environmental Footprint – PEF);
- Actions for improving the environmental performance of organisations (Environmental Footprint of Organization – OEF).
This web-based consultation is part of a broader process of reflection that will feed into policy initiatives that are scheduled for adoption before the end of 2012.
The consultation that will remain open until 3 April 2012.
See here for further information.
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Public consultation on an integrated European market for card, internet and mobile payments
Carrying a virtual train ticket or repaying a friend with your mobile phone, buying your groceries online, paying with your debit card abroad – the way European citizens shop and pay is radically changing. A secure and transparent integrated payments environment throughout the EU could create more efficient, modern and safer means of payments – for the benefits of consumers, merchants and payment providers.
Based on the Green Paper consultation adopted on 11 January, the Commission seeks the views of stakeholders as to which obstacles hinder further market integration and how these could be resolved.
The deadline for submitting contributions to the consultation is 11 April 2012. On the basis of a thorough analysis of the consultation feedback, the Commission will announce the next steps to be taken before the summer of 2012.
See here for further information.
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Public consultation on regional state aid rules
The European Commission has launched a public consultation as the first step of a revision of the European Union rules on regional state aid rules. These rules lay down the provisions on the basis of which state aid granted to promote the economic development of certain disadvantaged areas within the European Union can be considered compatible with the internal market.
This consultation offers stakeholders the opportunity to provide input to the Commission at an early stage of policy making. Member States and other interested parties are invited to express their views on the EU rules currently applicable to regional state aid and to suggest possible amendments to these rules.
The Commission will carefully analyse the outcome of this consultation before deciding to what extent changes to the current rules are necessary and will, if appropriate, come forward with a proposal for revised rules.
Comments can be submitted until 26 April 2012.
Previous relevant documents and the consultation are available here.
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