title: Recommendation for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) approving the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters amending the text of Table II annexed to Protocol No 2 of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

text:
ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (83) 492
Vol. 1983/0186
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
Conformément au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983,
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents
classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit
règlement.
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243,
27.9.2003, p. 1), this file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1.
Februar 1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983,
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. September 2003
(ABI. L 243 vom 27.9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.
 ---pagebreak---  C O M M IS S IO N        OF THE       EUROPEAN                  C O M M U N IT IE S
                                                     COM(83 ) 492 f i n a l
                                                     B ru s s e ls , 7 September 1983
                                 Recommendat i o n for a
                               COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC)
         approving the Agreement in the form of an exchange of l e t t e r s
           amending the t ext of Table II annexed to Protocol No 2 of
                        the Free Trade Agreement between the
            European Economic Community and the Swiss Conf ederat ion
                     (submitted to the Council by the Commission)
COM(83) 492 f i na l
 ---pagebreak---                       F i n a n c i a l Sheet
Since the proposal only covers modifications in the text of the
Free Trade Agreement between the Community and Switzerland which
have already been substantially in operation for two years, there
is no budgetary repercussion involved.
 ---pagebreak---                       Expl anatory Memorandum
By an exchange of Letters on 4 and 5 February 1981 the Community and
Switzerland agreed on certain concessions on trade in processed
agricultural products. These concessions refer to products Listed in
Table II annexed to Protocol No. 2 of the Free Trade Agreement of 1972
between Switzerland and the Community.
For the purposes of Swiss domestic law Switzerland has asked for these
concessions to be formally incorporated in the text of Table II mentioned
above. As the concessions were already agreed in the exchange of letters
of 4 and 5 February 1981 and have been in force since 1 May 1981 the
amendment is only of a formal nature.
 ---pagebreak---                RECOMMENDATION FOR A COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC)
approving the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters amending the
     text of Table II annexed to Protocol No. 2 of the Free Trade
     Agreement between the European Economie Community and the
                            Swiss Confederation
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economie Community,
and in particular Article 113 thereof,
Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission,
Whereas by means of an exchange of letters on 4 and 5 February 1981
the European Economie Community and the Swiss Confederation agreed on
trade concessions regarding processed agricultural products mentioned
in Table II annexed to Protocol No. 2 of the Agreement (1) of 22 July
1972 between these same parties
Whereas it has been found desirable fornBlly to amend the text of Table II
annexed to Protocol No. 2 of the said Agreement,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION :
                                Article 1
The exchange of letters dated                   between the European
Community and the Swiss Confederation, amending the text of the Agreement
between the European Economie Community and the Swiss Confederation
signed on 22 July 1972, is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.
The text of these letters is annexed to this Regulation.
( 1) O . J. No. L 300, 31 -   12.  1972, p. 189
 ---pagebreak---                              - 2 -
                           Article 2
The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate the
person empowered to sign the agreement in the form of an exchange of
Letters on behalf of the Community.
                           Article 3
This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following
its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable
in all Member States.
                                    Done at Brussels,
                                            For the Council
                                             The P resi dent
 ---pagebreak---                              L e t t e r No. 1
          AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS
 AMENDING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
                     AND THE SWISS CONFEDERATION
                                                          Brussels,
Si r,
      The exchange of letters between the Community and Switzerland signed
on 4 and 5 February 1981 regarding processed agricultural products
requires certain amendments to be made to Table II annexed to Protocol No. 2
of the Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the European
Economie Community signed on 22 July 1972.
      The modifications featured in the annex have in fact already been
agreed to by the exchange of letters mentioned above and, therefore, their
 incorporation in the text of Table II of Protocol No. 2 is only a formal
matter.
       I have the honour to confirm to you the agreement of my Government
 to these amendments. I should be grateful if you would confirm that the
 Community is in agreement with the above.
       Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.
                                                   On behalf of the
                                                Swiss Confederation
                                                    Carl o Jagmetti
 ---pagebreak---                              L e t t e r No. 2
                                                              Brussels,
Your Excellency,
      I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of
today's date which reads as follows:
      "The exchange of letters between the Community and Switzerland signed
on 4 and 5 February 1981 regarding processed agricultural products requires
certain amendments to be made to Table II annexed to Protocol No. 2 of the
Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the European Economie
Community signed on 22 July 1972.
        The modifications featured in the annex have in fact already been
agreed to by the exchange of letters mentioned above and, therefore, their
incorporation in the text of Table II of Protocol No. 2 is only a formal
matter.
         I have the honour to confirm to you the agreement of my Government
to these amendments. I should be grateful if you would confirm that the
 Community is in agreement with the above.”
         I have the honour to confirm that the Community is in agreement
with the contents of your letter.
         Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurance of my highest
 consideration.
                                               On behalf of the Council
                                            of the European Communities
 His Excellency
 Mr Carlo Jagmetti
 Head of the Swiss Mission
 to the European Communities
 102 rue de la Loi
 1040   B r u s s e  I s
 ---pagebreak--- Annex
Amendments to the Agreement between the European Economie Community and the
Swiss Confederation
TabLe II of Protocol No 2 is hereby amended as follows with effect from
1 May 1981:
Switzerland
 Swiss Customs                                                               Duty
      Tariff       Description                          Basic duties*    applicable
 heading No.                                                             on 1 May 1981*
                                                             SwF              SwF
                                                         per 100 kg      per 100 kg
                                                            gross            gross
  1510.
      ex. 20     Cunchanged)                             (unchanged)      (unchanged)
  17.04
          20     (unchanged)                              41.-   + vc     (unchanged)
          22      (unchanged)                             41.-   + vc     (unchanged)
          24      (unchanged)                             41.-   + vc     (unchanged)
          30      (unchanged)                             53.-   + vc     (unchanged)
          32      (unchanged)                              53.-  + vc     (unchanged)
           34     (unchanged)                              53.-  + vc     (unchanged)
           40     (unchanged)                              53.-  + vc     (unchanged)
           42     (unchanged)                              53.-  + vc     (unchanged)
           44     (unchanged)                              53.-  + vc     (unchanged)
           46     (unchanged)                              53.-  + vc     (unchanged)
           48     (unchanged)                              53.-  + vc     (unchanged)
           50     (unchanged)                              53.-  + vc     (unchanged)
           52     (unchanged)                              53.-   + vc     (unchanged)
           54     (unchanged)                              53.-   + vc     (unchanged)
    18.06.
                                                                       i
           10     (unchanged)                              2.50 + vc          vc 1
                  - cocoa powder, sweetened, containing
                     by weight of sucrose:
           30          more than 65 %                       10.- + vc         vc
           32          65% or less                          10.- + vc         vc
    On products containing alcohol the charges are those imposed by Swiss customs
     legislation on alcohol.
  4
    Until further notice Switzerland will levy a Standard duty of SwF 47.50 instead
    of the variable component.
 ---pagebreak--- Swiss custcms                                                                             Duty appl icabl f
    T a riff                                                                              on 1 May 1981*
heading Nb.              Description                                  Basic d u t i e s *
                                                                       SwF per               SwF per
                                                                     100 kg gross          100 kg gross
 (18.06)          mi Ik chocolate, in block form, con-
                  taining by weight of butterfat:
       40         - more than 6 % . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       10.- + vc                vc
       42          - more than 3 % but not more than 6%               10.- + vc                 vc
       44          - 3 % or less .. . . . . . . . .... .              10.- + vc                 vc
       46       - plain chocolate, in block form. . . . j 10.- + vc                             vc
                   other (than products falling within
                   sub headings 1806.10, 20/28, 30/32
                   or 40/46)
                    - containing milk constituents:
                    - - containing fat other than butter
                        fat (whether or not containing
                        butterfat)
        50          - - - tablets,.bars, chocolates and
                           the l i k e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10.- + vc                 vc
                                1                                      10.- + vc                 vc
         51         - - - other
         52         - - other^. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    10.- + vc                 vc
                    - not containing milk constituents:
         56         - - containing fat . . . . . . . . . . . .          10.- + vc                vc
         58      - - - other                                            10.- + vc                vc
   (19.02
         02/03   (unchanged)                                           (unchanged)            (unchanged)
                 - preparations in which potato flour
                     predominates, whether or not in the
                     form of semolina, flakes, etc. and
                     preparations containing powdered milk
                 - - containing more than 12 % by
                       weight of butterfat:
   ex 04          - - - infant food in containers of                      10.- + vc               vc
                          2 kg or less
      On products containing alcohol the charges are those imposed by Swiss customs
      legislation on alcohol.
    1 Description applicable from 1 September 1981.
 ---pagebreak--- |Swiss custcms
     T a riff                                                                     Duty applicable
  heading No.         De sc r ip ti o n                          Basic duties*   on 1 May 1981*
                                                                      SwF per        SwF per
                                                                  100 kg gross   100 kg gross
    (1902.)                    other:
      ex 06                       cont aim ng more than 25 % by
                                  weight of butterfat:
                                  in containers of 2 kg or Less      10.- + vc         vc
      ex 08                       other:
                                   in containers of 2 kg or Less     10.- + vc         vc
       10/18          (unchanged)                                 (unchanged)      (unchanged)
                         other preparations
                           contaimng more tnan       \ c /. Dy
                           weight of butterfat:
       ex 20                    cont aim ng more than 25 % by
                                weight of butterfat:
                                in containers of 2 kg or Less         20.- + vc         vc
       ex 22                    other:
                                in containers of 2 kg or Less         20.- + vc         vc
       30/70           vuncnangea >                                   20.- + vc     (unchanged)
     1903.01           (unchanged)                                      3.- + vc    (unchanged)
     1904.10/          (unchanged)                                  (unchanged)     (unchanged)
     1905.01
     1907.
              10       (unchanged)                                      1.- + vc        vc
              20       (unchanged)                                    15.- + vc     (unchanged)
              22       (unchanged)                                     15.- + vc    (unchanged)
              30       (unchanged)                                     15.- + vc    (unchanged)
              50       (unchanged)                                  (unchanged)     (unchanged)
     1908.
              10        (unchanged)                                    27.- + vc     (unchanged)
              12        (unchanged)                                    27.- + vc     (unchanged)
              14        (unchanged)                                    27.- + vc     (unchanged)
              16         (unchanged)                                   27.- + vc      (unchanged)
    *0n products c o n ta i ni n g aLcohoL the charges are those imposed by Swiss customs
      Le gi sLa ti on on aLcohoL.
 ---pagebreak---  Suiss custcms
     T a riff                                                                     Duty applicable
  heading Nd.    Description                                     Basic duties*   on 1 May 1981*
                                                                    SwF per          SwF per
                                                                  100 kg gross    100 kg gross
  (1908.)
           20    (unchanged)                                        60.-   + vc   (unchanged)
           22    (unchanged)                                        60.-   + vc   (unchanged)
           30    (unchanged)                                        60.-   + vc   (unchanged)
           40    (unchanged)                                         60.-  + vc   (unchanged)
            50   (unchanged)                                         60.-  + vc    (unchanged)
           70    (unchanged)                                         60.-  + vc    (unchanged)
           72    (unchanged)                                         60.-  + vc    (unchanged)
            76   (unchanged)                                         60.-  +  vc   (unchanged)
  2102 .20 /
  2107.22        (unchanged)                                       (unchanged)     (unchanged)
  2107.          - infant food:
                 - - containing butterfat or mi Ik
                     constituents, with a content by
                     weight of butterfat of:
            26   - - - more than 3 % . . . . . . . . . . .           10.- + vc         vc
            27   - - - 3 % or Less . . . . . . . . . . . .           10.- + vc         vc
            28   - - other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     10.- + vc         vc
            30   (unchanged)                                         10.- + vc 1       vc 1
            32   (unchanged)                                        (unchanged)     20. -
  2107.34/
  2209.40        (unchanged)                                        (unchanged)    (unchanged)
  2904.50        (unchanged)                                          2.20 + vc        vc
          58     - mannite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       1.50 vc         vc
  2910.01/
  3812.01        (unchanged)                                        (unchanged)    (unchanged)
★
   On products containing alcohol the charges are those imposed by Swiss customs
   legislation on alcohol.
1
   Until further notice Switzerland will levy a Standard duty of SwF 100 instead of
   the variable component. ^The Standard duty will be reduced to SwF 90 when the sale
   of ice-cream incorporating vegetable fats is authorized throughout the Community.
 ---pagebreak--- jswiss custcms
     Tariff                                                                            Cuty applicable
  heading No.     Description                                        Basic duties*    on 1 May 1981*
  3819.         Chemical products and preparations of
                the Chemical or allied industries
                (including those consisting of mixtures
                of natural products), not elsewhere
                specified or included; residual pro
                ducts of the Chemical or allied
                industries, not elsewhere specified
                or included:
     ex 20)     - sorbite, other than sorbite falling                  10.-   + vc
     ex 50)        within heading No. 2904                             1.50   + vc         vc
                                                                        SwF per          SwF per
                                                                     100 kg gross     100 kg gross
 (3819.)
     ex 50      - products of sorbitol cracking;
                   foundry core binders based on
                   synthetic resins . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        1.50   + vc         o
 3902.20/
 3906.42        (unchanged)                                           (unchanged)       (unchanged)
  On products c o nt a i n i n g a l c o h o l the charges are those iraposed by Swi ss customs
   legislation.


Avis juridique important

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31992H0214

92/214/EEC: Commission Recommendation of 3 March 1992 concerning the information to be provided by the person responsible for placing a dangerous preparation on the market when making use of the provisions relating to the confidentiality of the chemical name of a substance

Official Journal L 102 , 16/04/1992 P. 0047

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION  of 3 March 1992  concerning the information to be provided by the person responsible for placing a dangerous preparation on the market when making use of the provisions relating to the confidentiality of the chemical  name of a substance  (92/214/EEC)THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular the second indent of Article 155 thereof,  Whereas the second subparagraph of Article 7 (1) (c) of Council Directive 88/379/EEC of 7 June 1988 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the classification, packaging and labelling  of dangerous preparations (1), as last amended by Commission Directive 90/492/EEC (2), specifies that the person responsible for placing a preparation on the market shall be permitted, in the case of certain harmful substances, to use either a name  identifying the most important functional chemical groups or an alternative designation where he can demonstrate that disclosure of the chemical identity of these substances will put at risk the confidential nature of this property; whereas the third  subparagraph of the same paragraph obliges the person responsible for placing a preparation on the market to inform the authorities of the Member State where the preparation is placed on the market, and requires those authorities to inform the  Commission and the other Member States;  Whereas, on implementation of that Directive, the authorities of certain Member States have been confronted with this problem of confidentiality; whereas this experience has demonstrated a two-fold need: one, to define, clearly and uniformly, the  information which the person responsible for placing on the market shall be required to supply to the authorities of Member States as provided for under the Directive; the other, to provide guidelines to this person in the choice of an alternative  designation;  Whereas Commission Directive 91/155/EEC (3) defines and details, in accordance with Article 10 of Directive 88/379/EEC, the arrangements for a system of specific information in safety data-sheet form relating to dangerous preparations principally  intended for use by industrial users; whereas the information contained in the safety data sheet must allow the user to take the necessary measures as regards the protection of health and safety at the place of work, it is important that the alternative  designation chosen will allow them to take such measures;  Whereas there are within each Member State national associations representative of the majority of the undertakings in the chemical industry; whereas all of these national associations are members of either the ECCMF (European Council of Chemical  Manufacturers' Federations) or other European associations;  Whereas this recommendation has been prepared in collaboration with the authorized representatives of the authorities of the Member States and the representatives of the ECCMF; whereas this recommendation should therefore be implemented as soon as  possible in order to establish common rules in this area,  HEREBY FORMULATES THIS RECOMMENDATION:  Article 1  1. Where the person responsible for placing a dangerous preparation on the market makes use of the provisions of the second subparagraph of Article 7 (1) (c) of Directive 88/379/EEC relating to the confidentiality of the chemical identity of  a substance present in that preparation, he shall inform the authorities of the Member State where this preparation is placed on the market for the first time.  This information shall include the elements set out in Annex I.  Any modification carried out by the person responsible for placing the preparation on the market and involving any of the elements of points 1 to 9 of Annex I shall be communicated to the national authority of the Member State where the initial  declaration of confidentiality was made.  2. In the instances specified in Annex I, Note C, a single declaration of confidentiality may be made by the person responsible for placing several preparations on the market.  3. Anyone other than the person responsible for placing the preparation on the market as referred to in paragraph 1, who modifies only the designation or commercial name of a preparation the labelling of which contains one or more alternative  designations (protecting the chemical identity of identities) shall inform the authorities of the Member States where this preparation, together with its new designation or commercial name, is placed on the market for the first time.  This information shall include:  - the old designation or commercial name,  - the new designation or commercial name,  - the alternative designation(s) employed.  The alternative designations shall not be modified.  Article 2  1. For the purposes of transmitting information to the national authorities concerning the alternative name designed to protect the chemical identity of the substance which may put at risk the confidential nature of his property, the person  responsible for placing the preparation on the market should preferably use a generic name that identifies the most important functional chemical groups.  2. The glossary appearing in Annex II constitutes a guide to choosing the proposed alternative designation.  Article 3  1. Member States shall implement this recommendation through their competent authorities and in cooperation with the Commission as from 15 April 1992.  2. They shall inform the Commission of the steps taken to give effect to this recommendation.  3. Acting in conjunction with the Member States, the Commission shall organize periodic assessments of the implementation of this recommendation.  Article 4  The Commission shall, if necessary, and in collaboration with the Member States, initiate the revision of the present recommendation on the basis of the periodic assessments specified in Article 3 (3). Done at Brussels, 3 March 1992. For the  Commission  Martin BANGEMANN  Vice-President   (1) OJ No L 187, 16. 7. 1988, p. 14. (2) OJ No L 275, 5. 10. 1990, p. 35. (3) OJ No L 76, 22. 3. 1991, p. 35.    ANNEX I INFORMATION TO BE GIVEN BY THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PLACING ON THE MARKET OF A PREPARATION WHEN THE PROVISION UNDER ARTICLE 7 (DIRECTIVE 88/379/EEC) REGARDING CONDIFENTIALITY IS USED  Notes  A. The second subparagraph of Article 7 (1) (c) specifies the conditions under which the person responsible for placing the preparation on the market may avail himself of the confidentiality clause, namely:  - the substance whose chemical identity he wishes to protect must be classified harmful and must not be assigned one of the type phrases R 39, R 40, R 42, R 43, R 42/43, R 45, R 46, R 47, and/or R 48,  - the person responsible for placing the preparation on the market must provide evidence that the divulging of the chemical identity of the preparation on the label will place at risk the confidential nature of his property.  B. The alternative designation used on the label must be the same as that given under heading 2 'Composition/information on ingredients' contained in the safety data sheet established for the preparation (Directive 91/155/EEC).  This implies that the alternative designation used will contain enough information about the substance to ensure risk-free handling.  C. In order to avoid multiple notifications, if a certain number of preparations:  - contain the same dangerous constituents in the same concentration range,  - have the same classification and labelling,  - have the same intended uses,  only one declaration of confidentiality is necessary.  The declaration of confidentiality must include all the elements provided for in this Annex, not forgetting the designation or commercial name of each preparation. A single consistent alternative designation must be used to protect the chemical identity  of the same substance under consideration in the case of all the preparations referred to.  Declaration of confidentiality  1. Name and full address (including telephone number) of the person established in the Community who is responsible for placing the preparation on the market (manufacturer, importer of distributor).  2. Precise identification of the substance(s) for which confidentiality is proposed and the alternative designation.        Case No  No Einecs  Chemical name according to international nomenclature and classification (Annex I to Council Directive 67/548/EEC or provisional classification)  Alternative designation           (a)     (b)         (c)          NB: Where  substances are classified provisionally, accompanying information (bibliographical references) should be provided as evidence that the provisional classification takes account of all existing pertinent information available on the properties of the  substance.   3. Justification for the confidentiality (probability - plausability)  4. Designation(s) or commercial name(s) of the preparation(s)  5. Is this designation or commercial name the same for all the Community?  YES NO  If no, specify the designation(s) or commercial name(s) used in the different Member States  Belgium:  Denmark:  Germany:  Greece:  France:  Spain:  Ireland:  Italy:  Luxembourg:  Netherlands:  Portugal:  United Kingdom:  6. Composition of the preparation(s) (defined in point 2 of the Annex to Directive 91/155/EEC)  7. Classification of the preparation(s) according to Article 3 of Directive 88/379/EEC.  8. Labelling of the preparation(s) according to Article 7 of Directive 88/379/EEC.  9. Intended uses for the preparation(s).  10. Safety data sheet(s) conforming to Directive 91/155/EEC to be attached.  Date and signature     ANNEX II LEXICON-GUIDE FOR ESTABLISHING THE ALTERNATIVE DESIGNATIONS (GENERIC NAMES) PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 7 OF DIRECTIVE 88/379/EEC  1. Introductory note  This lexicon-guide is based on the procedure for the classification of dangerous substances (division of substances into families) which appears in Annex I to Directive 67/548/EEC.  The families are defined in the following manner:  - inorganic or organic substances whose properties are identified by having a common chemical element as their chief characteristic. The family name is derived from the name of the chemical element. These families are identified as in Annex I by the  atomic number of the chemical element (001 to 013),  - organic substances whose properties are identified by having a common functional group as their chief characteristic.  The family name is derived from the functional group name.  These families are identified by the conventional number found in Annex 1 (601 to 650).  Sub-families bringing together substances with a common specific character have been added in certain cases.  2. Establishing the generic name  (a) General principles:  For the purposes of establishing the generic name, the following general approach, involving two successive stages, is adopted:  (i) identification of the functional groups and chemical elements present in the molecule;  (ii) determination of the extent to which account should be taken of the most important functional groups and chemical elements.  The identified functional groups and elements taken into account are the names of the families and sub-families set out in point 3 of this Annex in the form of a (non-restrictive) list.  (b) Practical application:  After having conducted a search to see if the substance belongs to one or more families or sub-families on the list, the generic name can be established in the following way:  (i) If the name of a family or sub-family is sufficient to characterize the chemical elements or important functional groups, this name will be chosen as the generic name.  Examples:  - 1,4 dihydroxybenzen  family 604: phenols and derivatives   generic name: phenol derivative  - butanol  family 603: alcohols and derivatives  sub-family: aliphatic alcohols   generic name: aliphatic alcohol  - 2-Isopropoxyethanol  family 603: alcohols and derivatives  sub-family: glycolethers   generic name: glycolether  - methacrylate  family 607: organic acids and derivatives  sub-family: acrylates   generic name: acrylate  (ii) If the name of a family or sub-family is not sufficient to characterize the chemical elements of important functional groups, the generic name will be a combination of the corresponding different family or sub-family names:  Examples:  - lead hexafluorosilicate  family 009: fluorine compounds  sub-family: inorganic fluorides  family 082: lead compounds   generic name: inorganic lead fluoride  - chlorobenzene  family 602: halogenated hydrocarbons  sub-family: halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons  family 017: chlorine compounds   generic name: chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon  - 2,3,6-trichlorophenylacetic acid  family 607: organic acids  sub-family: halogenated aromatic acids  family 017: chlorine compounds   generic name: chlorinated aromatic acid  - 1-chloro-1-nitropropane  family 610: chloronitrated derivatives  family 601: hydrocarbons  sub-family: aliphatic hydrocarbons   generic name: chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon  - tetrapropyl dithiopyrophosphate  family 015: phosphorus compounds  sub-family: phosphoric esters  family 016: sulphur compounds   generic name: thiophosphoric ester  NB: In the case of certain elements, notably metals, the name of the family or sub-family may be indicated by the words 'organic' or 'inorganic'.  Examples:  - dimercury chloride  family 080: mercury compounds   generic name: inorganic mercury compound  - barium acetate  family 056: barium compounds   generic name: organic barium compound  - ethyl nitrite  family 007: nitrogen compounds  sub-family: nitrites   generic name: organic nitrite  - sodium hydrosulphite  family 016: sulphur compounds   generic name: inorganic sulphur compound  (The examples cited are substances taken from Annex I to Directive 67/548/EEC (12th adaptation) in respect of which requests for confidentiality may be submitted.)  3. Division of substances into families and sub-families      Family No Annex I to Directive 67/548/EEC  Families  Sub-families       001  Hydrogen compounds  Hydrides     002  Helium compounds     003  Lithium compounds     004  Beryllium compounds     005  Boron compounds  Boranes  Borates     006  Carbon compounds  Carbamates  Inorganic carbon compounds  Salts of hydrogen cyanide  Urea and derivatives     007  Nitrogen compounds  Quaternary ammonium compounds  Acid nitrogen compounds  Nitrates  Nitrites     008  Oxygen compounds     009  Fluorine compounds  Inorganic fluorides     010  Neon compounds     011  Sodium compounds     012  Magnesium compounds  Organometallic magnesium derivatives     013  Aluminium compounds  Organometallic aluminium derivatives     014  Silicon compounds  Silicanes  Silicates     015  Phosphorus compounds  Acid phosphorus compounds  Phosphonium compounds  Phosphoric esters  Phosphates  Phosphites  Phosphoramides and derivates     016  Sulphur compounds  Acid sulphur compounds  Mercaptans  Sulphates  Sulphites     017  Chlorine compounds  Chlorates  Perchlorates     018  Argon compounds     019  Potassium compounds     020  Calcium compounds     021  Scandium compounds     022  Titanium compounds     023  Vanadium compounds     024  Chromium compounds  Chromium VI compounds     025  Manganese compounds     026  Iron compounds     027  Cobalt compounds     028  Nickel compounds     029  Copper compounds     030  Zinc compounds  Organometallic zinc derivatives     031  Gallium compounds     032  Germanium compounds     033  Arsenic compounds     034  Selenium compounds     035  Bromine compounds     036  Krypton compounds     037  Rubidium compounds     038  Strontium compounds      039  Yttrium compounds     040  Zirconium compounds     041  Niobium compounds     042  Molybdenum compounds     043  Technetium compounds     044  Ruthenium compounds     045  Rhodium compounds     046  Palladium compounds     047  Silver compounds      048  Cadmium compounds     049  Indium compounds     050  Tin compounds  Organometallic tin derivates     051  Antimony compounds     052  Tellurium compounds     053  Iodine compounds     054  Xenon compounds     055  Caesium compounds     056  Barium compounds     057  Lanthanum     058  Cerium compounds     059   Praseodymium compounds     060  Neodymium compounds     061  Promethium compounds     062  Samarium compounds     063  Europium compounds     064  Gandolinium compounds     065  Terbium compounds     066  Dysprosium compounds     067  Holmium compounds      068  Erbium compounds     069  Thulium compounds     070  Ytterbium compounds     071  Lutetium compounds     072  Hafnium compounds     073  Tantanium compounds     074  Tungsten compounds     075  Rhenium compounds     076  Osmium compounds      077  Iridium compounds     078  Platinum compounts     079  Gold compounds     080  Mercury compounds  Organometallic mercury derivatives     081  Thallium compounds     082  Lead compounds  Organometallic lead derivatives     083  Bismuth compounds     084  Polonium compounds     085  Astate compounds     086  Radon compounds     087  Francium compounds     088  Radium compounds     089  Actinium compounds     090  Thorium compounds      091  Protactinium compounds     092  Uranium compounds     093  Neptunium compounds     094  Plutonium compounds     095  Americum compounds     096  Curium compounds     097  Berkelium compounds     098  Californium compounds     099  Einsteinium  compounds     100  Fermium compounds     101  Mendelevium compounds     102  Nobelium compounds     103  Lawrencium compounds     601  Hydrocarbons  Aliphatic hydrocarbons  Aromatic hydrocarbons  Alicyclic hydrocarbons  Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)     602  Halogenated hydrocarbons (*)  Halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons (*)  Halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (*)  Halogenated alicyclic hydrocarbons (*)   (*) Specify according to the family corresponding to halogen     603  Alcohols and derivates  Aliphatic alcohols  Aromatic alcohols  Alicyclic alcohols  Alcanolamines  Epoxy derivatives  Ethers  Glycolehters  Glycols and polyols     604  Phenols and derivatives  Halogenated phenol derivatives (*)   (*) Specify according to the family corresponding to halogen     605  Aldehydes and derivatives  Aliphatic aldehydes  Aromatic aldehydes  Alicyclic aldehydes  Aliphatic acetals  Aromatic acetals  Alicyclic acetals     606  Ketones and derivatives  Aliphatic Ketones  Aromatic Ketones (*)  Alicyclic Ketones   (*) Quinones included     607  Organic acids and derivatives  Aliphatic acids  Halogenated aliphatic acids (*)  Aromatic acids  Halogenated aromatic acids (*)  Alicyclic acids  Halogenated alicyclic acids (*)  Aliphatic acid anhydrides  Halogenated aliphatic acid anhydrides (*)  Aromatic acid anhydrides  Halogenated aromatic acid anhydrides (*)  Alicyclic acid anhydrides  Halogenated alicyclic acid anhydrides (*)  Salts of aliphatic acid  Salts of halogenated aliphatic acid (*)  Salts of aromatic acid  Salts of halogenated aromatic acid (*)  Salts of alicyclic acid  Salts of halogenated alicyclic acid (*)  Esters of aliphatic acid  Esters of halogenated alicyclic acid (*)  Esters of aromatic acid  Esters of halogenated aromatic acid (*)  Esters of alicyclic acid  Esters of halogenated alicyclic acid (*)  Esters of glycol ether  Acrylates  Méthacrylates  Lactones  Acyl halogenides   (*) specify according to the family corresponding to halogen     608  Nitriles and derivatives     609  Nitrated derivatives     610  Chloronitrated derivatives     611  Azoxy and azoic derivatives     612  Aminated derivatives  Aliphatic amines and derivatives  Alicyclic amines and derivatives  Aromatic amines and derivatives  Aniline and derivatives  Benzidine and derivatives     613  Heterocyclic bases and derivatives  Benzimidazote and derivatives Imidazol and derivatives  Pyrethrinoids  Quinoline and derivatives  Triazine and derivatives  Triazole and derivatives     614  Glucosides and alcaloids  Alcaloid and derivatives  Glucosids and derivatives     615  Cyanates and isocyanates  Cyanates  Isocyanates     616  Amides and derivatives  Acetamide and derivatives  Anilides     617  Organic Peroxides     650  Various substances   Do not use this family. Instead, use the families or sub-families mentioned above


European Parliament recommendation on the European Union's position at the World conference against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance


Avis juridique important

|

31995H0216

95/216/EC: Commission Recommendation of 8 June 1995 concerning improvement of safety of existing lifts

Official Journal L 134 , 20/06/1995 P. 0037 - 0038

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION of 8 June 1995 concerning improvement of safety of existing lifts (Text with the EEA relevance) (95/216/EC)THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 155, second indent, thereof,Whereas it is incumbent upon the Member States to provide for the safety of persons on their territory;Whereas the Member States have not all enacted regulations on the safety of lifts;Whereas despite the differences in design and age of such lifts, it is possible to identify a minimum number of points to be checked in all such forms of equipment;Whereas that modernization, in the interest of safety, may be spread over several years,HEREBY RECOMMENDS THAT THE MEMBER STATES:1. Take all necessary action, where existing laws are as yet inadequate to meet the requirements of this recommendation:- ensure a satisfactory level of maintenance for existing lifts,- improve the safety of these lifts based on the principles in the Annex to this recommendation.2. Take measures beyond those mentioned in the Annex, if safety demands.This recommendation is addressed to the Member States.Done at Brussels, 8 June 1995.For the CommissionMartin BANGEMANNMember of the CommissionANNEX PRINCIPLES RELATING TO IMPROVEMENT OF THE SAFETY OF EXISTING LIFTS Preliminary remarkEuropean standards EN 81-1 and EN 81-2 may be applied, whenever possible, in order to obtain numerical values relating, in particular, to dimensions, tolerances, speeds or acceleration rates.1. Car doors to be fitted and a floor-level indicator to be fitted inside the car.2. The car suspension cables to be inspected and possibly replaced.3. The stop controls to be modified in order to achieve a high degree of precision in the stopping level of the car and a gradual deceleration.4. Make the controls in both the cars and lift wells intelligible and usable by unaccompanied disabled persons.5. Fit human- or animal-presence detectors to the automatic doors.6. For lifts which travel faster than 0,6 m/s, fit a parachute system allowing them to decelerate smoothly when stopping.7. Modify the alarm systems to establish a permanent link with a high-speed breakdown service.8. Eliminate any asbestos in the braking systems, where this exists.9. Fit a device preventing uncontrolled movements towards the top of the car.10. Provide cars with emergency lighting that operates in the event of a main power supply failure. It must operate for long enough to enable the rescue services to intervene in a normal manner. The installation must also enable the alarm system provided for in item 7 to function.


				|

		52013DC0366

			Recommendation for a COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on Luxembourg’s 2013 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Luxembourg’s stability programme for 2012-2016 /* COM/2013/0366 final */

			   	Recommendation for a
COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
on Luxembourg’s 2013 national reform
programme
and delivering a Council opinion on Luxembourg’s stability programme for
2012-2016

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning
of the European Union, and in particular Articles 121(2) and 148(4) thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No
1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary
positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies[1], and in particular Article 5(2)
thereof,
Having regard to the recommendation of the
European Commission[2],
Having regard to the resolutions of the
European Parliament[3],
Having regard to the conclusions of the
European Council,
Having regard to the opinion of the
Employment Committee,
After consulting the Economic and Financial
Committee,
Whereas:
(1)       On 26 March 2010, the
European Council agreed to the Commission’s proposal to launch a new strategy
for growth and jobs, Europe 2020, based on enhanced coordination of economic
policies, which will focus on the key areas where action is needed to boost Europe’s potential for sustainable growth and competitiveness.
(2)       On 13 July 2010, on the
basis of the Commission's proposals, the Council adopted a recommendation on
the broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States and the
Union (2010 to 2014) and, on 21 October 2010, adopted a decision on guidelines
for the employment policies of the Member States[4],
which together form the ‘integrated guidelines’. Member States were invited to
take the integrated guidelines into account in their national economic and
employment policies.
(3)       On 29 June 2012, the Heads
of State or Government decided on a Compact for Growth and Jobs, providing a
coherent framework for action at national, EU and euro area levels using all
possible levers, instruments and policies. They decided on action to be taken
at the level of the Member States, in particular expressing full commitment to
achieving the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy and to implementing the
country-specific recommendations.
(4)       On 6 July 2012, the
Council adopted a recommendation on Luxembourg’s national reform programme for
2012 and delivered its opinion on Luxembourg’s updated stability programme for 2011-2015.
(5)       On 28 November 2012, the
Commission adopted the Annual Growth Survey[5],
marking the start of the 2013 European Semester for economic policy
coordination. Also on 28 November 2012, the Commission, on the basis of
Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic
imbalances, adopted the Alert Mechanism Report[6],
in which it did not identify Luxembourg as one of the Member States for which
an in-depth review would be carried out.
(6)       On 14 March 2013, the
European Council endorsed the priorities for ensuring financial stability,
fiscal consolidation and action to foster growth. It underscored the need to
pursue differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation, to restore normal
lending conditions to the economy, to promote growth and competitiveness, to
tackle unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis, and to modernise
public administration.
(7)       On 26 April 2013, Luxembourg submitted its 2013 stability programme covering the period 2012-2016 and its
2013 national reform programme. In order to take account of their
interlinkages, the two programmes have been assessed at the same time.
(8)       Based on the assessment of
the 2013 stability programme pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97,
the Council is of the opinion that the macroeconomic scenario underpinning the
budgetary projections in the programme is plausible. In particular, the
programme scenario for 2013 is very close to the 2013 Commission spring
forecast, while for 2014 it is slightly more optimistic. Medium-term deficit
projections are made under a slightly optimistic growth scenario, above
potential growth. The objective of the budgetary strategy outlined in the
programme is to bring the deficit from 0.8% of GDP in 2012 to 0.6% of GDP in
2014. However in the outer years of the programme period, the deficit is
forecast to deteriorate to 1.3% of GDP both in 2015 and 2016. This is the
result of the introduction of the new VAT rules regarding electronic services,
entering into force on 1 January 2015, which will bring Luxembourg into compliance with EU rules. According to these rules, the VAT revenues
generated from e-commerce activities will be transferred from the country where
the supplier is located to that of the residence of the customer. The impact of
the new rules is estimated by the authorities to lower tax revenues from VAT by
1.4% of GDP. The government has already announced that the standard VAT rate
will be increased, with a view to make up a part of the revenue loss. The 2013
Stability Programme confirms the previous medium-term budgetary objective (MTO)
of a structural surplus of 0.5% of GDP. The MTO is in line with the
requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact. Based on both the 2013
Commission spring forecast as well as on the (recalculated) structural budget
balance in the programme, Luxembourg is expected to be at a structural surplus
of 0.1% of GDP, which is below the MTO, in 2012, and is projected to achieve
its MTO in 2013. However, Luxembourg is projected to depart again from its MTO
starting from 2014 by 0.3% of GDP and even further in 2015 and 2016. The
national authorities have reiterated their objective to return to the MTO at
the latest in 2017 so as to provide greater room for manoeuvre. At 20.8% of GDP
in 2012, gross government debt is well below the Treaty reference value.
(9)       Luxembourg has been able
to keep its public deficit below the 3% of GDP threshold over the past years,
therefore avoiding entering the excessive deficit procedure. This has been due
more to buoyant revenues rather than to expenditure restraint. Specifically, in
2012, the growth rate of government expenditure, net of discretionary revenue
measures, is estimated to have exceeded the expenditure benchmark as defined in
the Stability and Growth Pact. The deviation of the growth rate of government
expenditure from the expenditure benchmark is estimated to reach 1.3%pp of GDP,
above the threshold of 0.5% of GDP defined in Regulation (EC) 1466/97. However,
to qualify this deviation, an overall assessment needs to be conducted, taking
into account other factors: (i) the deficit deteriorated in structural terms by
only 0.2% of GDP in 2012; (ii) the economy of Luxembourg, given the small size
of the country and its degree of openness is very volatile; and (iii) according
to the Commission services' spring 2013 forecast, Luxembourg should attain its
MTO already in 2013. All these elements point to a non-structural nature of the
deviation. Still, the high volatility of the revenues collected by Luxembourg's general government, up to now resulting in higher-than-planned revenues,
represents a risk for the sustainability of public finances. To better address
these risks, both the debt and expenditure constraints, should be established
in law. Moreover, there should be an identified monitoring body and predefined
action in case of non-compliance. The entry into force on 1 January 2015 of the
above-mentioned VAT package and its subsequent strong negative impact on tax
collection illustrates the importance for Luxembourg to introduce a medium-term
budgetary framework. Specifically, this would call for a particularly prudent
fiscal stance in 2014.
(10)     Currently, less than a
third of tax revenues are raised from consumption taxes, partially owing to
moderate standard and reduced VAT rates. Luxembourg ranks first in the EU in
terms of the number of categories of goods and services covered by reduced VAT
rates. The presence of a large financial sector, exempted from VAT, also
contributes to the low VAT to GDP ratio. Overall, Luxembourg has scope to raise
revenue by extending the standard VAT rate. In addition, the corporate tax
system in Luxembourg is characterised by a large tax bias towards indebtedness,
which contributes to a high private debt to GDP ratio.
(11)     The Luxembourg pension reform adopted in December 2012 can only be considered a first step in
the right direction. Even when taking into account most of the aspects of the
adopted pension reform, Luxembourg would still need to implement long-term sustainability-enhancing
policies equivalent to a permanent improvement of 8.6 percentage points of GDP
in the primary balance to close the fiscal gap. Luxembourg therefore needs to
go further in its pension reform. The introduction of a cap on pension adjustments
based on real wage increases would increase pension reserves and linking the
statutory retirement age to life expectancy would help ensure the long-term
sustainability of the pension system. Moreover, the possibilities for early
retirement should be reduced and it should be made more attractive to work
longer than the minimum required. In addition, the impact on fiscal
sustainability of long-term care expenditure is projected to contribute by 2.1
percentage points to Luxembourg's sustainability gap. The expected increase in
both the number of elderly and the number of dependents in Luxembourg is high compared to the EU average.
(12)     Luxembourg’s current
productivity is rather high. However, the room for manoeuvre in terms of
productivity gains is getting smaller. Therefore, the growth of unit labour
costs should be limited by ensuring a better correlation between wages and
productivity. Luxembourg has taken measures to moderate wage growth by
modulating the indexation system between 2012 and 2014. However, this reform is
only temporary and does not guarantee that wages will over time evolve in line
with productivity. Productivity is not the same across all economic sectors,
and the level of produtivity in the financial sector is almost twice as high as
in the remaining part of the economy. There will be a significant risk to Luxembourg’s competitiveness from 2015 onward, when the automatic indexation system will
again be applied in the normal way. Additional measures should thus be taken to
reform the wage setting system in a more permanent way to avoid a further
deterioration of competitiveness in the future.
(13)     Luxembourg's economy is
heavily dependent on its financial sector, which accounts for about 30% of
total value added and 25% of collected fiscal revenues. To safeguard the
country's future competitiveness, alternative "competence niches"
would need to be developed. However, the Luxembourgish research and innovation
system remains very weak and Luxembourg is not on track to reach its R&D
intensity target for 2020. The performance of Luxembourg on the indicators on
cooperation between public research institutions and firms is well below the EU
average, reflecting the current disconnections between the private sector
R&D and the public research system. Luxembourg should counteract the
declining trend of its R&D intensity, notably by helping boost business
R&D intensity. The development of a more targeted smart specialisation
strategy could play a crucial role in maximising the economic impacts of public
research funding, in particular through ensuring a leverage effect on private
investments. Such a targeted approach should be complemented by a comprehensive
horizontal policy focused on the development and growth of innovative firms.
(14)     Youth unemployment remains
persistently high at 18 % and depends heavily on the educational level.
Young residents face intense competition for jobs from non-residents, who are
often more skilled. While Luxembourg has demonstrated a strong commitment to
combat youth unemployment, further efforts are needed. In order to maximise
returns, measures taken should be made part of a comprehensive reform strategy,
including enhanced activation policies to combat benefit dependency. Luxembourg’s PISA performance testing on basic skills of young people is relatively weak. Further
measures are needed to counteract the negative tendency in reading, mathematics
and science observed since 2006. Further efforts should be made to improve and
target education resources for schools with disadvantaged students and increase
resources available for language support and remedial classes. The specific
challenges faced by people with a migrant background on the labour market
should be further examined and addressed by targeted measures, including in
respect of language skills. Vocational education and training should be given
particular attention in this context. Further measures should be taken to
improve early childhood education and reduce early school leaving, in
particular for the migrant population. The employability of older workers
should be improved, including through skills upgrading.
(15)     Luxembourg is committed to
reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in the non-ETS sectors by 20 % in
2020 compared to 2005 but is expected to fail to meet its target by 27
percentage points. The transport sector was responsible for 64 % of
non-ETS emissions in 2010 and represents a key challenge for Luxembourg. Measures currently in place would only contribute to approximately a third of
the greenhouse gas emission reduction necessary to meet the target.
Consequently, measures need to be significantly stepped up, notably by
increasing fuel taxation so as to reduce the taxation gap with neighbouring
countries. The vehicle tax reform should also be accelerated. Luxembourg should continue with the implementation of projects which favour the use of
public transport. It should introduce congestion charging on roads to encourage
a shift towards public transport. Better public transport connections with
neighbouring regions should be promoted.
(16)     In the context of the
European Semester, the Commission has carried out a comprehensive analysis of Luxembourg’s economic policy. It has assessed the stability programme and national reform
programme. It has taken into account not only their relevance for sustainable
fiscal and socio-economic policy in Luxembourg but also their compliance with
EU rules and guidance, given the need to reinforce the overall economic
governance of the European Union by providing EU-level input into future
national decisions. Its recommendations under the European
Semester are reflected in recommendations (1) to (6) below.
(17)     In the light of this
assessment, the Council has examined Luxembourg’s stability programme, and its
opinion[7]
is reflected in particular in recommendation (1) below.
(18)     In the context of the
European Semester the Commission has also carried out an analysis of the
economic policy of the euro area as a whole. On this basis the Council has
issued specific recommendations addressed to the Member States whose currency
is the euro. Luxembourg also should ensure the full and timely implementation
of these recommendations,
HEREBY RECOMMENDS that Luxembourg should take action within the period 2013-2014 to:
1.           Preserve
a sound fiscal position and remain at the medium-term objective so as to ensure
the long-term sustainability of public finances, in particular by taking into
account implicit liabilities related to ageing. Strengthen fiscal governance by
adopting a medium-term budgetary framework covering the general government and
including multi-annual expenditure ceilings, and by putting in place the
independent monitoring of fiscal rules.
2.           Take measures to address
the debt-bias in corporate taxation and extend the
application of the standard VAT rate.
3.           Curb age-related
expenditure by making long-term care more cost effective, in particular through
a stronger focus on prevention, rehabilitation and independent living, strengthening the recently adopted pension reform, taking
additional measures to curb early retirement and increasing the effective
retirement age, including by linking the statutory retirement age to life
expectancy.
4.           Beyond
the current freeze, take further structural measures, in consultation with the
social partners and in accordance with national practices, to reform the wage
setting system, including wage indexation, to improve its responsiveness to
productivity and sectoral developments and labour market conditions and foster
competitiveness. Step-up efforts to diversify the structure of the economy,
fostering private investment in research, notably by developing cooperation
between public research and firms.
5.           Step
up efforts to reduce youth unemployment by improving the design and monitoring
of active labour market policies. Strengthen general and vocational education to
better match young people’s skills with labour demand, in particular for people
with migrant background. Take resolute action to increase the participation
rate of older workers, including by improving their employability through
lifelong learning.
6.           Step
up measures to meet the target for reducing non-ETS greenhouse gas emissions,
in particular by increasing taxation on energy products for transport.
Done at Brussels,
                                                                       For
the Council
                                                                       The
President
[1]               OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 1.
[2]               COM(2013) 366 final.
[3]               P7_TA(2013)0052 and P7_TA(2013)0053.
[4]               Council Decision2013/208/EU of 22 April 2013.
[5]               COM(2012) 750 final.
[6]               COM(2012) 751 final.
[7]               Under Article 5(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No
1466/97.


Avis juridique important

|

31981H0879

81/879/EEC: Commission Recommendation of 9 October 1981 on transfrontier coordination for regional development

Official Journal L 321 , 10/11/1981 P. 0027 - 0028 Spanish special edition: Chapter 14 Volume 1 P. 0054  Portuguese special edition Chapter 14 Volume 1 P. 0054

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION of 9 October 1981 on transfrontier coordination for regional development (81/879/EEC)   THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 155 thereof,  Having regard to Council Decision 75/185/EEC of 18 March 1975 setting up a Regional Policy Committee (1), and in particular Article 2 (1) (d) thereof,  Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 724/75 of 18 March 1975 establishing a European Regional Development Fund (2), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3325/80 (3), and in particular Article 6 thereof,  Having regard to the common outline for regional development programmes (4), prepared by the Regional Policy Committee,  Having regard to Commission recommendation 79/535/EEC of 23 May 1979 to the Member States on regional development programmes (5), and in particular point 5 thereof,  Having regard to the Ems-Dollar transfrontier programme communicated to the Commission by the Governments of the Netherlands and the Federal Republic of Germany and examined by the Regional Policy Committee on 15 February 1979,  Whereas the Ems-Dollar programme prepared jointly by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Federal Republic of Germany is an initial experiment bringing into relief the specific problems of this area, and in particular the bottlenecks arising from delayed integration and from measures adopted on either side of the frontier;  Whereas this programme should be developed further on the basis of joint objectives in order to achieve improved coordination of regional development on both sides of the frontier with emphasis on uniform competitive conditions;  Whereas, in the case of these two Member States, there are other areas adjoining a common land frontier presenting special problems for which common transfrontier programmes are being prepared;  Whereas, generally, in coordinating regional development policies, internal frontier regions of the Community frequently give rise to special problems, in particular in the case of development or reconversion regions or areas;  Whereas, therefore, Member States of the Community have a special responsibility with regard to these regions and areas;  Whereas, when these special problems arise on either side of the frontier, close collaboration is necessary between the authorities concerned to ensure proper coordination between national regional policies;  Whereas, in this case the regional development programmes for the period 1981 to 1985, within the meaning of Article 6 of the ERDF Regulation, should in the economic and social analysis take account of the special geographical situation of these regions, in particular of the complementary character of their economies;  Whereas it is desirable that such cooperation lead, in the areas nearest frontiers, to the implementation of investment programmes, particularly in relation to economic and social infrastructure and to the protection of the environment;  Whereas the Commission declares its intention, on the one hand, of examining with special attention and in the light of the recommendations drawn up below the development programmes for the frontier regions as notified to it pursuant to Article 6 (3) of the ERDF Regulation and, on the other hand, of granting priority to financing studies on improved coordination in the formulation of regional development programmes for frontier regions,   (1) OJ No L 73, 21.3.1975, p. 47.  (2) OJ No L 73, 21.3.1975, p. 1.  (3) OJ No L 349, 23.12.1980, p. 10.  (4) OJ No C 69, 24.3.1976, p. 2.  (5) OJ No L 143, 12.6.1979, p. 9.  HEREBY RECOMMENDS TO THE MEMBER STATES THAT:         1. The Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Federal Republic of Germany continue their coordination with a view to developing the existing Ems Dollar transfrontier programme. They should likewise formulate programmes for other areas along the Dutch-German border. These programmes, starting from a common basis, should aim at the harmonization of regional and sectoral aids to private investment and should indicate bottlenecks as well as action to be undertaken particularly in relation to economic and social infrastructure.       2. In general, Member States which establish, for regions benefiting from ERDF assistance, regional development programmes pursuant to Article 6 of the ERDF Regulation for the period 1981 to 1985 should, when considering regions having a common frontier with regions of another Member State, make appropriate contact with the competent authorities of the neighbouring State with a view to coordinating, in particular:      - economic and social analysis, in particular concerning employment problems related to transfrontier movements,           - development objectives,           - development action.                  3. In formulating these regional development programmes the Member States should take care to achieve a better balance as regards direct and indirect aids to enterprises so as to avoid risks of distortion particularly in areas close to frontiers.       4. For areas closest to frontiers the Member States should examine the possibility of formulating common transfrontier programmes, particularly in relation to economic and social infrastructure investments and to the protection of the environment.          Done at Brussels, 9 October 1981.  For the Commission  Antonio GIOLITTI  Member of the Commission


				|

		52012DC0319

			Recommendation for a COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on Lithuania’s 2012 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Lithuania’s convergence programme for 2012-2015 /* COM/2012/0319 final */

			   	Recommendation for a
COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
on Lithuania’s 2012 national reform
programme
and delivering a Council opinion on Lithuania’s convergence programme for
2012-2015
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning
of the European Union, and in particular Articles 121(2) and 148(4) thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No
1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary
positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies[1], and in particular Article 5(2)
thereof,
Having regard to the recommendation of the
European Commission[2],
Having regard to the resolutions of the
European Parliament[3],
Having regard to the conclusions of the
European Council,
Having regard to the opinion of the
Employment Committee,
After consulting the Economic and Financial
Committee,
Whereas:
(1)       On 26 March 2010, the European Council agreed to the
European Commission’s proposal to launch a new strategy for jobs and growth,
Europe 2020, based on enhanced coordination of economic policies, which will
focus on the key areas where action is needed to boost Europe’s potential for
sustainable growth and competitiveness.
(2)       On 13 July 2010, the
Council adopted a recommendation on the broad guidelines for the economic
policies of the Member States and the Union (2010 to 2014) and, on 21 October
2010, adopted a decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the
Member States[4],
which together form the ‘integrated guidelines’. Member States were invited to
take the integrated guidelines into account in their national economic and
employment policies.
(3)       On 12 July 2011, the
Council adopted a recommendation on Lithuania’s national reform programme for
2011 and delivered its opinion on Lithuania’s updated convergence programme for
2011-2014.
(4)       On 23 November 2011, the
Commission adopted the second Annual Growth Survey, marking the start of the
second European Semester of ex-ante and integrated policy coordination, which
is anchored in the Europe 2020 strategy. On 14 February 2012, the Commission,
on the basis of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011, adopted the Alert Mechanism
Report[5],
in which it did not identify Lithuania as one of the Member States for which an
in-depth review would be carried out.
(5)       On 2 March 2012, the
European Council endorsed the priorities for ensuring financial stability,
fiscal consolidation and action to foster growth. It underscored the need to
pursue differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation, to restore normal
lending conditions to the economy, to promote growth and competitiveness, to
tackle unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis, and to modernise
public administration. It invited Member States to implement the Council’s
country-specific recommendations for 2011 and to translate these priorities
into concrete measures to be included in their stability or convergence
programmes and national reform programmes.
(6)       On
2 March 2012, the European Council also invited the Member States participating
in the Euro Plus Pact to present their commitments in time for inclusion in
their stability or convergence programmes and their national reform programmes.
(7)       On 27 April 2012,
Lithuania submitted its convergence programme covering the period 2012-2015 and,
on 30 April 2012, its 2012 national reform programme. In order to take account
of their interlinkages, the two programmes have been assessed at the same time.
(8)       Based on the assessment of
the 2012 convergence programme pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97,
the Council is of the opinion that the macroeconomic scenario underpinning
the budgetary projections in the programme is plausible. It is broadly in line
with the Commission's 2012 spring forecast for 2012 and 2013. The objective of
the budgetary strategy outlined in the programme is to correct the excessive
deficit by 2012 as recommended by the Council and progressing towards the
medium-term budgetary objective (MTO) thereafter. The programme confirms the
previous MTO, i.e. a structural general government surplus of 0.5 % of GDP, which
adequately reflects the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact, and
outlines a consolidation of at least 1 percentage point per year, planning a
balanced budget by 2015. While the budgetary plans are in line with a timely
correction of the excessive deficit, the average annual fiscal effort in
2010-2012, based on the (recalculated) structural budget balance[6], is expected to be lower than 2.25%
of GDP required by the Council in its recommendation of 16 February 2010. The planned
annual progress towards the MTO in the years following the correction of the excessive
deficit is slightly higher than 0.5% of GDP in structural terms, that is, the
benchmark of the Stability and Growth Pact. The planned rate of growth of
government expenditure, taking into account discretionary revenue measures,
complies with the expenditure benchmark of the Stability and Growth Pact in
2013 and 2014, but not in 2015. General government debt is projected to remain
below 60% of GDP over the programme period, increasing to nearly 41% of GDP in
2013, according to the Commission's 2012 spring forecast, while the convergence
programme targets the debt to decrease to around 35% by 2015. The reform of
budget planning and execution is progressing but the government has still to
approve the proposed laws. These laws would improve accountability within the
fiscal framework, by establishing an independent body, and to tighten rules on
treasury reserves.
(9)       Based on a comprehensive
tax compliance strategy, measures were implemented in 2011, which reinforced
tax compliance and yielded additional revenue. However, continuing
implementation will be required to advance significantly against tax evasion.
(10)     Demographic
developments cast serious doubts on the sustainability of the pension system. Although Lithuania adopted a gradual increase in the
pension age to 65 years by 2026, this alone will not
ensure a sustainable and adequate retirement income in the future and needs to
be complemented with additional measures. These could include linking the statutory
retirement age and future benefits to demographic factors; establishing clear
rules for indexation; introducing a closer link
between contributions and benefits, eliminating incentives to
take early retirement. Lithuania could in addition make better use of
supplementary voluntary pension provision. The establishment of occupational
pension schemes could ease the burden of the social security system and at the
same time improve the adequacy of future pension incomes. Disincentives to
continuing to work longer have been removed.
(11)     The Law on Temporary
Employment Agencies, designed to facilitate short-term employment, entered into
force on 1 December 2011. However, its impact may not be significant, since
temporary work agencies were already operating in Lithuania before. A
comprehensive review of labour law could identify unnecessary restrictions and
administrative hurdles that prevent flexible contractual agreements, dismissal
provisions and flexible working time arrangements. Additional measures to
enhance participation in the labour market, especially for young people,
unskilled persons and older workers, and to improve labour market flexibility
are necessary.
(12)     The challenge of youth
unemployment (above 30 %) and low-skilled unemployment became especially
evident during the crisis. The government is implementing a number of measures
to promote youth employment, such as first job subsidies and reduced social
security contributions. Nevertheless, activation rates remain too low and the
financial allocations for active labour market policies could be used more
effectively by targeting public works to the most vulnerable. To ensure a
better transfer from education to the labour market, apprenticeships and
internships could be made more attractive and a qualification demand
forecasting system put in place. Measures
should be in line with the outcome of the Lithuania - Commission joint action
team on youth unemployment.
(13)     Around one third of the Lithuanian
population is facing the risk of poverty and long-term exclusion. This is the
fourth highest figure in the EU. In 2011, Lithuania amended the Law on Cash
Social Assistance to reform the social support system as of January 2012. It
has launched a pilot model of social support distribution, changed the method
for calculating the amount, introduced certain work incentives and increased
coverage. The social assistance reform is a step towards reducing disincentives
to work. It is necessary to set in place a monitoring system to assess its
efficiency and its impact on poverty alleviation. The reform should also link
with activation measures that enhance participation, in particular for
long-term social beneficiaries.
(14)     The government has been
undertaking an ambitious reform of state-owned enterprises since 2010, aiming
to restructure corporate governance, increase transparency and separate
ownership and regulatory functions, and increase competition and efficiency.
The reform is relevant, involving legislative as well as organisational
changes. Major progress has been made in transparency and accountability as
reports are now published on a quarterly and annual basis. Clear enterprise
objectives have been established. However, the government has postponed some
parts of the reform, in particular the separation of commercial and
non-commercial activities of state-owned enterprises, and intends to implement
them in 2012.
(15)     Lithuania has made some
progress in improving the energy efficiency of buildings. A Multi-Apartment
Building Modernisation Programme was adopted by the government in December 2011,
but it is weakened by counteracting subsidies available in other policy areas
that reduce incentives for inhabitants of residential buildings to improve energy
efficiency. Further substantial and accelerated efforts are needed to improve
energy efficiency of buildings.
(16)     There is scope for shifting
taxation towards energy use as revenue from environmental taxes is the third
lowest in the EU, while transport taxes are the lowest in the EU. The implicit
tax rate on energy consumption was the seventh lowest in the EU in 2010 whereas
energy taxes in GDP terms are only slightly below the EU average.
(17)     The
country’s energy system infrastructure lacks competition and interconnections
and this is a factor that hinders growth. Insufficient
interconnections hinder the emergence of competition in energy markets.
Concentration remains high (above 90 %) in both the gas and electricity
markets.
(18)     Lithuania has made a number
of commitments under the Euro Plus Pact. The commitments, and the
implementation of the commitments presented in 2011, relate to fostering
competitiveness and employment, improving public finance sustainability and
reinforcing financial stability. The Commission has assessed the implementation
of the Euro Plus Pact commitments. The results of this assessment have been
taken into account in the recommendations.
(19)     In the context of the
European Semester, the Commission has carried out a comprehensive analysis of
Lithuania’s economic policy. It has assessed the convergence programme and
national reform programme. It has taken into account not only their relevance
for sustainable fiscal and socio-economic policy in Lithuania but also their
compliance with EU rules and guidance, given the need to reinforce the overall
economic governance of the European Union by providing EU-level input into
future national decisions. Its recommendations under the European Semester are
reflected in recommendations (1) to (6) below.
(20)     In the light of this
assessment, the Council has examined Lithuania’s convergence programme, and its
opinion[7]
is reflected in particular in recommendation (1) below.
HEREBY RECOMMENDS that Lithuania
should take action within the period 2012-2013 to:
1.           Ensure planned progress towards the timely correction
of the excessive deficit. To this end, fully implement the budget for the year
2012 and achieve the structural adjustment effort specified in the Council
recommendation under the Excessive Deficit Procedure. Thereafter, specify the
measures necessary to ensure implementation of the budgetary strategy for the
year 2013 and beyond as envisaged, ensuring an adequate structural adjustment
effort to make sufficient progress towards the medium-term budgetary objective,
including meeting the expenditure benchmark, while minimising cuts in
growth-enhancing expenditure. In that respect, consider increasing taxes least
detrimental to growth, such as housing and environmental taxation, including car
taxation, while reinforcing tax compliance. Strengthen the fiscal
framework, in particular by introducing enforceable and binding expenditure
ceilings in the medium-term budgetary framework.
2.           Adopt legislation on a
comprehensive pension system reform. Align the statutory retirement age with
life expectancy, establish clear rules for the indexation of pensions, and
improve complementary savings schemes. Underpin pension reform with active
ageing measures.
3.           Tackle high unemployment,
in particular among youth, low-skilled and long-term unemployed, by focusing
resources on active labour market policies while improving their efficiency.
Enhance the effectiveness of apprenticeship schemes. Amend the labour
legislation with regard to flexible contract agreements, dismissal provisions
and flexible working time arrangements.
4.           Increase work incentives
and strengthen the links between the social assistance reform and activation
measures, in particular for the most vulnerable, to reduce poverty and social
exclusion.
5.           Implement all aspects of
the State-Owned Enterprise reform package and in particular ensure a separation
of ownership and regulatory functions and a separation of commercial and
non-commercial activities. Install appropriate monitoring tools to assess the
effectiveness of the reforms and ensure compliance of
all State-Owned Enterprises with the requirements of the reform.
6.           Step
up measures to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, including through removing
disincentives and a rapid implementation of the Holding Fund. Promote
competition in energy networks by improving interconnectivity with EU countries
for both electricity and gas.
Done at Brussels,
                                                                       For
the Council
                                                                       The
President
[1]               OJ L 209, 02.08.1997, p. 1
[2]               COM(2012)319 final
[3]               P7_TA(2012)0048 and P7_TA(2012)0047
[4]               Council Decision 2012/238/EU of 26 April 2012
[5]               COM(2012) 68 final.
[6]               Cyclically adjusted balance net of one-off and
temporary measures, recalculated by the Commission services on the basis of the information provided in the programme, using
the commonly agreed methodology.
[7]               Under Article 9(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No
1466/97.


				|

		52012DC0328

			Recommendation for a COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on Sweden’s 2012 national reform programme and delivering a Council Opinion on Sweden’s convergence programme for 2012-2015 /* COM/2012/0328 final */

			   	Recommendation for a
COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
on Sweden’s 2012 national reform programme
and delivering a Council Opinion on Sweden’s convergence programme for
2012-2015
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 121(2) and 148(4)
thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No
1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary
positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies[1], and in particular Article 5(2)
thereof,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) No
1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on
the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances[2], and in particular Article 6(1)
thereof,
Having regard to the recommendation of the
European Commission[3],
Having regard to the resolutions of the
European Parliament[4],
Having regard to the conclusions of the
European Council,
Having regard to the opinion of the
Employment Committee,
After consulting the Economic and Financial
Committee,
Whereas:
(1)       On 26 March 2010, the
European Council agreed to the European Commission’s proposal to launch a new
strategy for jobs and growth, Europe 2020, based on enhanced coordination of
economic policies, which will focus on the key areas where action is needed to
boost Europe’s potential for sustainable growth and competitiveness.
(2)       On 13 July 2010, the
Council adopted a recommendation on the broad guidelines for the economic
policies of the Member States and the Union (2010 to 2014) and, on 21 October
2010, adopted a decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the
Member States[5],
which together form the ‘integrated guidelines’. Member States were invited to
take the integrated guidelines into account in their national economic and
employment policies.
(3)       On 12 July 2011, the
Council adopted a recommendation on Sweden’s national reform programme for 2011
and delivered its opinion on Sweden’s updated convergence programme for
2011-2014.
(4)       On 23 November 2011, the
Commission adopted the second Annual Growth Survey, marking the start of the second
European Semester of ex-ante and integrated policy coordination, which is
anchored in the Europe 2020 strategy. On 14 February 2012, the Commission, on
the basis of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011, adopted the Alert Mechanism Report[6], in which it identified Sweden as
one of the Member States for which an in-depth review would be carried out.
(5)       On 2 March 2012, the
European Council endorsed the priorities for ensuring financial stability,
fiscal consolidation and action to foster growth. It underscored the need to pursue
differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation, to restore normal lending
conditions to the economy, to promote growth and competitiveness, to tackle
unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis, and to modernise public
administration.
(6)       On 20 April 2012, Sweden
submitted its convergence programme covering the period 2012-2015 and its 2012 national
reform programme. In order to take account of their interlinkages, the two
programmes have been assessed at the same time. The Commission has also
assessed, in an in-depth review under Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No
1176/2011, whether Sweden is affected by macroeconomic imbalances. The
Commission concluded in its in-depth review[7]
that Sweden is experiencing imbalances, although not excessive.
(7)       Based on the assessment of
the convergence programme pursuant to Article 5(1) of Council Regulation (EC)
No 1466/97, the Council is of the opinion that the macroeconomic scenario
underpinning the budgetary projections in the programme is plausible for 2012
and optimistic in 2013-15, when GDP growth is expected to average around 3.5%.
The Commission's 2012 spring forecast foresees GDP growth of 2.1% in 2013. The
objective of the budgetary strategy outlined in the programme is to ensure
long-term sustainability by respecting the rules of the Swedish fiscal
framework, including the target of having a surplus in general government net
lending of 1% of GDP over the cycle. The strategy also aims at fulfilling the
requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact, notably respecting the 3% of GDP
reference value. The programme has changed the medium-term budgetary objective
(MTO) from a general government surplus of 1.0% of GDP to a deficit of 1.0% of
GDP. The new MTO adequately reflects the requirements of the Stability and
Growth Pact. Due to the change, the MTO is, based on the (recalculated)
structural budget balance,[8]
likely to be met over the programme period, even taking into account the
likelihood of further expansionary discretionary measures in 2013 or 2014,
which could derive from a need to restore the real value of non-indexed government
expenditure. Certain downside risks to budgetary projections from 2013 onwards
are linked to the optimistic macroeconomic assumptions. After a temporary
breach of the expenditure benchmark in 2012, the planned growth rate of
government expenditure, taking into account discretionary revenue measures,
would comply with the expenditure benchmark of the Stability and Growth Pact as
from 2013. The debt ratio is below 60% of GDP and, according to the programme,
is projected to continue to decrease over the programme period.
(8)       The Commission’s in-depth
review under Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 confirmed that Sweden
has a rather high level of household debt. While the situation in the housing
and mortgage market stabilised in 2011, several structural distortions persist
that threaten the stability of these markets in the long-term. Relevant
measures have been taken to strengthen the resilience of the financial sector.
However, there are currently a number of policies in place that may contribute
to the volatility of the Swedish housing market and mortgage debt accumulation,
which have received less attention: generous tax deductibility of interest
payments and low property taxes, little amortisation and stringent rent
regulation. On the supply side, local planning monopoly, lengthy zoning
processes and a lack of competition hinder the flexibility of housing supply.
(9)       Despite a general
improvement on the labour market during 2011, the unemployment rates for young
people and vulnerable groups remain high, in particular for people with migrant
background. Sweden is currently implementing several active labour market
policy measures and education reforms to address this situation. Most of these
measures seem relevant and credible, although it is too early to assess their
impact. However, the relevance and effectiveness of the main measure targeted
at youth employment — the VAT reduction for restaurants and catering services —
is uncertain and needs to be assessed. In addition, the level of ambition could
be increased if the challenges were tackled in a more comprehensive way, by also
addressing relatively high wages at the lower end of the wage scale and
differences in employment protection between regular and temporary workers.
(10)     Sweden has the second
highest R&D expenditure as a share of GDP in the EU and is considered an innovation
leader according to the Innovation Union Scoreboard. However, as regards the
commercialisation of innovative products, Sweden performs below the EU average
and shows a negative trend. Moreover, Sweden appears to be lagging behind in
creating fast-growing innovative enterprises. Furthermore, Sweden's overall
strong position in R&D is vulnerable due to its strong dependence on a few
large multinational companies, which are increasingly relocating their R&D
activities away from Sweden. These issues should be addressed in the new
research and innovation bill due in autumn 2012.
(11)     In the context of the
European Semester, the Commission has carried out a comprehensive analysis of Sweden’s
economic policy. It has assessed the convergence programme and national reform programme,
and presented an in-depth review. It has taken into account not only their
relevance for sustainable fiscal and socio-economic policy in Sweden but also
their compliance with EU rules and guidance, given the need to reinforce the
overall economic governance of the European Union by providing EU-level input
into future national decisions. Its recommendations under the European Semester
are reflected in recommendations (1) to (4) below.
(12)     In the light of this
assessment, the Council has examined Sweden’s convergence programme, and its
opinion[9]
is reflected in particular in recommendation (1) below.
(13)     In the light of the
Commission’s in-depth review and this assessment, the Council has examined
Sweden’s 2012 national reform programme and its convergence programme. Its
recommendations under Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 are reflected
in particular in recommendation (2) below,
HEREBY RECOMMENDS that Sweden should
take action within the period 2012-2013 to:
1.           Preserve a sound fiscal
position in 2012 and beyond by implementing the budgetary strategy as envisaged
and ensuring continued achievement of the medium-term budgetary objective,
including meeting the expenditure benchmark.
2.           Take further preventive
measures to strengthen the stability of the housing and mortgage market in the
medium term, including by fostering prudent lending, reducing the debt bias in
the financing of housing investments, and tackling constraints in housing
supply and rent regulations.
3.           Take further measures to
improve the labour market participation of youth and vulnerable groups by focusing
on effective active labour market policy measures, encouraging increased wage
flexibility, notably at the lower end of the wage scale, and reviewing selected
aspects of employment protection legislation like trial periods to ease the
transition to permanent employment. review the effectiveness of the current reduced
VAT rate for restaurants and catering services in support of job creation.
4.           Focus the upcoming
research and innovation bill on measures to improve the commercialisation of
innovative products and the development of new technologies to support
high-growth innovative firms.
Done at Brussels,
                                                                       For
the Council
                                                                       The
President
[1]               OJ L 209, 02.08.1997, p. 1
[2]               OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 25
[3]               COM(2012)328 final
[4]               P7_TA(2012)0048 and P7_TA(2012)0047
[5]               Council Decision 2012/238/EU of 26 April 2012
[6]               COM(2012) 68 final
[7]               SWD(2012)160 final
[8]               Cyclically adjusted balance net of one-off and temporary
measures, recalculated by the Commission services on the basis of the information provided in the programme, using
the commonly agreed methodology.
[9]               Under Article 9(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No
1466/97.