Consultations

Le Bureau Alsace poste les consultations publiques diffusées par l'Union européenne.
Celles-ci ont pour objet de recueillir le point de vue des citoyens européens et parties prenantes et d'en tenir compte dans l'élaboration de la politique européenne.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jusqu’au 5 septembre 2010:
Public consultation on the Addictiveness and Attractiveness of Tobacco Additives
The European Commission has requested the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) to prepare an opinion on the addictiveness and attractiveness of tobacco additives. The SCENIHR has approved a pre-consultation opinion on this topic by written procedure on 6 July. In the report, the SCENIHR provides scientific advice on the role of additives in tobacco products and the role of design features and technical characteristics in the attractiveness and addictiveness of tobacco products. Furthermore, the SCENIHR assesses the criteria based on which an additive can be classified as an addictive or an attractive substance and evaluates the methods currently used to examine addictiveness and attractiveness of additives/tobacco products.

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consultations/public_consultations/scenihr_cons_12_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jusqu’au 10 septembre 2010:
Consultation sur les règles en matière d'aides d'État applicables aux services d'intérêt économique général
La politique de la Commission en matière d'application des règles relatives aux aides d'État aux services d'intérêt économique général (SIEG) vise à assurer le bon fonctionnement du marché intérieur en garantissant des règles du jeu équitables pour l'ensemble des prestataires de SIEG, tout en sauvegardant l'intérêt général, notamment la satisfaction des besoins essentiels des citoyens. Selon ces règles, les prestataires de services publics peuvent percevoir des compensations couvrant la totalité des coûts nets occasionnés par la prestation du SIEG et incluant éventuellement un bénéfice raisonnable. Dans son arrêt dans l'affaire Altmark, la Cour de justice a jugé que la compensation de service public ne constitue pas une aide d’État au sens de l’article 87, paragraphe 1, du traité CE [devenu l'article 107, paragraphe 1, du traité sur le fonctionnement de l'Union européenne] dès lors qu’elle remplit quatre conditions cumulatives. Cependant, si au moins une des conditions précisées dans l'arrêt Altmark n'est pas remplie, et si les autres critères constitutifs d'une aide d'État sont présents, la compensation de service public en cause constitue une aide d'État. Sur la base de cette jurisprudence, la Commission a adopté, en juillet 2005, le «paquet SIEG» en vue de définir les conditions dans lesquelles une aide d'État sous forme de compensation de service public peut être considérée comme compatible avec le marché commun. La Commission souhaite maintenant consulter les prestataires de services publics et leurs associations, les usagers des services publics et leurs associations, les parties prenantes, les citoyens et toutes les parties intéressées, de façon à connaître leur avis sur l'application du paquet SIEG.

Pour en savoir plus :
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/consultations/2010_sgei/index_fr.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jusqu’au 10 septembre 2010:
Consultation on the Retail market monitoring report "Towards more efficient and fairer retail services in the internal market for 2020"
The purpose of this consultation is to collect views of all interested parties on the internal market problems identified in the Commission's report and that should be given priority in the Commission's future policy response.

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/consultations/2010/retail_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Until 13th September 2010:
Mutual evaluation foreseen by the Services Directive - Stakeholders' consultation
The current consultation is undertaken by the Commission in the context of the "mutual evaluation process" foreseen by the Services Directive. Its objective is to obtain feedback from consumers, businesses and any other interested party as to their assessment of national measures implementing the Services Directive as well as other existing national provisions applicable in the area of services. It should be clear however that not all national implementing measures or existing national provisions are the object of this consultation. Only certain types of measures relating to requirements imposed either on the establishment of service providers or on the cross border provision of their services form the object of this consultation. For more explanations, please see the attached consultation documents.

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/infrastructure/consultations/2010_09_15_future_policy_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jusqu'au 15 septembre 2010:
Public consultation on the impact of options currently under consideration for the revision of the R&TTE Directive
The main objective of this public consultation launched by DG Enterprise and Industry is to ask the views and opinions of citizens and stakeholders on the various issues that may need to be addressed in a draft proposal for further amending the Directive. The replies to this consultation will provide the Commission services with a broader range of views on the identified policy needs and should enable to improving or confirming the envisaged approaches. After analysing the results of this consultation, the Commission services will publish their findings on the Commission website. The findings on this public consultation will be part of the impact assessment report that will accompany the Commission's proposal for amending the Directive.

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/rtte/public-consultation/index_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jusqu’au 15 septembre 2010:
Public consultation on the preliminary opinion concerning the critical review of any new evidence on the hazard profile, health effects, and human exposure to fluoride and the fluoridating agents of drinking water
The European Commission has requested the Scientific Committee on Health and Environment Risks (SCHER) to critically evaluate any new evidence on the hazard profile, health effects, and human exposure to fluoride, and assessment of the risks that may be associated with the use of the most common drinking water fluoridating agents including silicofluorides (e.g. (hydro)fluorosilicic acid, sodium silicofluoride, disodium hexafluorosilicate or hexafluorosilicic acid).

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consultations/public_consultations/scher_cons_05_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jusqu’au 15 septembre 2010:
Public consultation on Scientific Basis for a Definition of the Term "Nanomaterial" 
The European Commission has requested the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) to provide advice on the essential elements of a science-based working definition of “nanomaterials” and, specifically, to identify the most appropriate metrics to define materials at nanoscale, taking into account reported size ranges and other relevant characteristics and corresponding metrics, characteristics, physico-chemical properties and thresholds.

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consultations/public_consultations/scenihr_cons_13_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Until 15th September 2010:
Consultation on the Future Trans-European Transport Network
With the Green Paper on the future development of the trans-European transport network, published in February 2009, the Commission had launched a review of the TEN-T policy. The proposed concept of a dual layer planning approach with a “core network” as the top layer of the TEN-T was supported by the majority of stakeholders, as well as the EU institutions and consultative bodies. Based on these reactions, and also drawing on the work of six expert groups dealing with specific issues of TEN-T planning and implementation, the Commission has elaborated a proposal for a new methodology for TEN-T planning. In this context, the Commission has also further developed its reflections on financial and non-financial instruments for TEN-T implementation.

The Commission Working Document “Consultation on the future trans-European transport network policy”, which includes as main elements this proposed planning methodology and some ideas on how to enhance the effectiveness of instruments for TEN-T implementation, invites stakeholders to express their views and constitutes the second important milestone of the TEN-T policy review process. 

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/infrastructure/consultations/2010_09_15_future_policy_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jusqu’au 19 septembre 2010:
Consultation publique sur l’Initiative Matières Premières
En 2008 la Commission a lancé l'Initiative "Matières premières" au sein de l'UE. La Commission est en train de préparer une nouvelle Communication qui non seulement fera un rapport relatif aux progrès réalisés à la mise en œuvre de cette Initiative, mais aussi indiquera la voie à suivre. L’objectif de la consultation est de mieux comprendre le point de vue des parties concernées sur la mise en œuvre de l'Initiative ainsi que de recueillir leurs avis et suggestions sur les potentielles voies que la Commission pourrait explorer en vue de formuler des propositions concrètes.

Pour en savoir plus :
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/raw-materials/public-consultation/index_fr.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Until 19th September 2010:
Public consultation on the deployment of in-vehicle Emergency call - eCALL - in Europe
The European Commission is carrying out an impact assessment of the eCall deployment. The assessment considers various policy options (no intervention, voluntary approach or mandatory implementation of eCall) to implement the eCall system in Europe. The main objective of this public consultation is to collect the opinions of stakeholders and EU citizens on the issue and therefore ensure the transparency of the decision making process.

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=eCall
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jusqu’au 22 septembre 2010:
Consultation on possible approaches to tackling cross-border inheritance tax obstacles within the EU 
It appears that cross-border inheritance tax issues are becoming one of growing concern to EU citizens. It is possible that EU Member States' inheritance tax rules as applied in cross-border situations are hindering EU citizens from benefiting fully from their right to move and operate freely across borders within the Internal Market. These rules may also be creating difficulties for the transfer of small businesses on the death of owners.
The Commission is currently working on several different fronts to obtain more evidence of the extent of any cross-border inheritance tax problems within the EU and to find solutions to any problems identified. The Commission is launching the present public consultation to obtain views from all interested stakeholders and individuals on the extent of the problem and ideas on possible solutions. 

Pour en savoir plus :
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/consultations/tax/2010_06_inheritance_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jusqu’au 22 septembre 2010:
Consultation on possible approaches to tackling cross-border inheritance tax obstacles within the EU 
It appears that cross-border inheritance tax issues are becoming one of growing concern to EU citizens. It is possible that EU Member States' inheritance tax rules as applied in cross-border situations are hindering EU citizens from benefiting fully from their right to move and operate freely across borders within the Internal Market. These rules may also be creating difficulties for the transfer of small businesses on the death of owners.
The Commission is currently working on several different fronts to obtain more evidence of the extent of any cross-border inheritance tax problems within the EU and to find solutions to any problems identified. The Commission is launching the present public consultation to obtain views from all interested stakeholders and individuals on the extent of the problem and ideas on possible solutions. 

Pour en savoir plus :
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/consultations/tax/2010_06_inheritance_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jusqu’au 24 septembre 2010:
Public consultation on the Review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive
The objective of this public consultation is to collect opinions on:
- the overall view on the functioning and effectiveness of the EIA Directive,
- the need to amend the EIA Directive,
- the possible policy options for review,
- the areas to be improved / amended.
The internet consultation will assist the European Commission in the decision-making process, together with other sources (e.g. experience of the Commission, advice of a group of national experts and findings of relevant studies to be conducted) when considering options for the review of the EIA Directive. 

Pour en savoir plus :
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/eia.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jusqu’au 30 septembre 2010:
Public consultation on the open internet and net neutrality
DG Information Society and Media has launched a public consultation on key questions arising from the issue of net neutrality. European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, announced in April 2010 her intention to launch this consultation in order to take forward Europe's net neutrality debate. The consultation is part of the Commission's follow-up to its commitment – one of the prerequisites for the successful conclusion of the 2009 EU telecoms reform package – to scrutinise closely the open and neutral nature of the internet and to report on the state of play to the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
The consultation covers such issues as whether internet providers should be allowed to adopt certain traffic management practices, prioritising one kind of internet traffic over another; whether such traffic management practices may create problems and have unfair effects for users; whether the level of competition between different internet service providers and the transparency requirements of the new telecom framework may be sufficient to avoid potential problems by allowing consumers' choice; and whether the EU needs to act further to ensure fairness in the internet market, or whether industry should take the lead. All interested parties – service and content providers, consumers, businesses and researchers – are invited to respond to the consultation by 30 September 2010. The consultation will feed into a Commission report on net neutrality, which should be presented by the end of this year.

Pour en savoir plus :
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/policy/ecomm/library/public_consult/net_neutrality/index_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Until 30th September 2010:
Consultation on an EU initiative on Concessions
The Commission is in the process of assessing the need for and impact of an initiative on concessions with a view to improving the current legal framework. The aim of this questionnaire is to learn from your participation in and experience with concessions, to hear your views on how the present rules work and to gather your suggestions for improvements.

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/consultations/2010/concessions_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jusqu'au 30 septembre 2010:
Consultation sur les moyens d'encourager la mise en ligne du patrimoine culturel
Toutes les parties intéressées (particuliers, institutions culturelles, pouvoirs publics, entreprises privées, ONG, établissements universitaires) sont invitées à donner leur avis sur les principaux aspects de la numérisation, notamment les sources potentielles de financement pour la numérisation et pour le développement d’Europeana, la bibliothèque numérique européenne. Elles peuvent aussi faire part de leurs idées concernant les modèles d’exploitation acceptables pour les contenus dont la numérisation a bénéficié d’un financement public, les conditions des partenariats public-privé conclus pour réaliser des numérisations, le développement de la mise en ligne de documents protégés par le droit d’auteur, ou encore l’accès transfrontière aux ressources numérisées.

Pour en savoir plus:
http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=comitedessages&lang=fr
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Until 15th October 2010:
“Draft report on alternative (non-animal) methods for cosmetics testing: current status and future prospects 2010”
The Commission would like to consult the public on the five chapters of the “Draft Report on Alternative (non-animal) methods for cosmetics testing: current status and future prospects - 2010”. The focus of the consultation is to ensure that each chapter correctly reflects the current state of the art and the prospects. In 2011, the Commission will have to inform the European Parliament and the Council in case alternative methods to animal testing will not be developed and validated before 2013 for the remaining endpoints that are exempted from the Cosmetics Directive's marketing ban until 2013 (for details see attached consultation document). To this end the Draft Technical Report that is the subject of this consultation has been elaborated by experts proposed by the different stakeholders and chaired by the Commission's Joint Research Centre.

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/sectors/cosmetics/files/pdf/animal_testing/consultation_animal_testing_en.pdf
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Until 22nd October 2010:
Protecting our natural capital: an EU strategy to conserve biodiversity and ensure the provision of ecosystem services by 2020
Many authoritative reports confirm that global biodiversity remains under severe threat, with losses occurring at 100 to 1000 times the normal rate. More than a third of species assessed are facing extinction and an estimated 60% of the Earth’s ecosystems have been degraded in the last 50 years. In 2001, the EU set itself the target to halt biodiversity loss in the EU by 2010. Efforts to tackle biodiversity loss were subsequently stepped up, and an EU Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) was adopted by the Commission in 2006 to accelerate progress. Despite the efforts to date, however, there are clear indications that the EU has not achieved its target. The objective of this consultation is to gather input from a wide range of stakeholders on possible policy options for the European Union's post-2010 EU biodiversity strategy, which will be assessed by the Commission as part of the process of its development.

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/biodecline.htm#lang_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jusqu’au 31 octobre 2010:
Consultation sur la simplification des procédures de perception de la TVA dans le cadre du dédouanement centralisé
En vertu de l’article 106 du code des douanes modernisé, les autorités douanières peuvent autoriser les importateurs à déclarer et à payer les droits de douane à l’administration douanière locale de l’État où ils sont établis (ci-après – État membre d’agrément), indépendamment du lieu où les marchandises sont physiquement importées et de celui où elles sont transportées au sein de l’UE. Cependant, en vertu de la législation sur la TVA en vigueur (directive 2006/112/CE), ces importateurs doivent déterminer le montant de la TVA et le payer dans l’État membre d’importation. Considérant que l’objectif du dédouanement centralisé est de simplifier les obligations des entreprises en réduisant les charges administratives des opérateurs économiques autorisés, il pourrait être nécessaire de modifier les règles relatives à la TVA afin que les entreprises puissent tirer pleinement avantage du dédouanement centralisé. Les solutions possibles ont été analysées par des spécialistes de la TVA et des douanes au sein des groupes de travail concernés de la Commission traitant de ces questions. L’objectif de cette consultation est d’obtenir l’avis des entreprises sur une série de solutions relatives à d’éventuelles adaptations des règles concernant la perception de la TVA.

Pour en savoir plus :
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/consultations/customs/customs_clearance_2010_fr.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Until 31st October 2010:
Public consultation on indirect land use change and biofuels
Indirect land use change is a subject of great complexity. The Commission is therefore consulting on a wide basis; seeking advice on both the scale and characteristics of the problem, as well as, if the scale of the problem is significant enough, how it should be addressed. The Commission has issued several studies on the topic, which are found below, together with the consultation document. Interested parties are welcome to base their contributions on these studies, where comments on assumptions, data and methodology are of special interest, as well as on other analytical work. The Commissions is also seeking advice on concrete policy options.

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/consultations/2010_10_31_iluc_and_biofuels_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jusqu’au 30 novembre 2010:
Consultation on the White Paper on Insurance Guarantee Schemes
This White Paper sets out a coherent framework for EU action on IGS protection for policyholders and beneficiaries. In particular, it proposes introducing a Directive to ensure that all member States have an IGS that complies with a minimum set of design requirements. The White Paper raises a number of issues in relation to the introduction of al legally binding EU solution for IGS. The Commission's preferred option are clearly set out in text boxes throughout Sections 3 and 4. The Commission calls upon all interested parties to provide their views on these options.

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/consultations/2010/whitepaper-on-igs_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Until 1st January 2010:
Consultation on the Green Paper from the Commission on policy options for progress towards a European Contract Law for consumers and businesses
The internal market is built on a multitude of contracts governed by different national contract laws. Yet, differences between national contract laws may entail additional transaction costs and legal uncertainty for businesses and lead to a lack of consumer confidence in the internal market. Divergences in contract law rules may require businesses to adapt their contractual terms. Furthermore, diverging national laws are rarely available in other European languages, which imply that market actors need to take advice from a lawyer who knows the laws of the legal system. The Commission wants citizens to take full advantage of the internal market. The Union must do more to ease cross-border transactions. The purpose of this Green Paper is to set out the options on how to strengthen the internal market by making progress in the area of European Contract Law, and launch a public consultation on them. Depending on the evaluation of the results of the consultation, the Commission could propose further action by 2012.

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/news/consulting_public/news_consulting_0052_en.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Until 31st January 2010 :
Public consultation on the Green Paper from the Commission on policy options for progress towards a European Contract Law for consumers and businesses
The internal market is built on a multitude of contracts governed by different national contract laws. Yet, differences between national contract laws may entail additional transaction costs and legal uncertainty for businesses and lead to a lack of consumer confidence in the internal market. Divergences in contract law rules may require businesses to adapt their contractual terms. Furthermore, diverging national laws are rarely available in other European languages, which imply that market actors need to take advice from a lawyer who knows the laws of the legal system. The Commission wants citizens to take full advantage of the internal market. The Union must do more to ease cross-border transactions. The purpose of this Green Paper is to set out the options on how to strengthen the internal market by making progress in the area of European Contract Law, and launch a public consultation on them. Depending on the evaluation of the results of the consultation, the Commission could propose further action by 2012.

For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/news/consulting_public/news_consulting_0052_en.htm