EU Intelligence » The ESBA Bulletin » 2007
- 17/12/2007 - Volume 9 No. 16
- 26/11/2007 - Volume 9 No. 15
- 26/10/2007 - Volume 9 No. 14
- 12/10/2007 - Volume 9 No. 13
- 21/09/2007 - Volume 9 No. 12
- 07/09/2007 - Volume 9 No. 11
- 27/07/2007 - Volume 9 No. 10
- 16/07/2007 - Volume 9 No. 9
- 12/07/2007 - Portuguese Presidency 2007
- 03/07/2007 - Volume 9 No. 8
- 15/06/2007 - Volume 9 No. 7
- 25/05/2007 - Volume 9 No. 6
- 27/04/2007 - Volume 9 No. 5
- 04/04/2007 - Volume 9 No. 4
- 09/03/2007 - Volume 9 No. 3
- 21/02/2007 - Volume 9 No. 2
- 19/01/2007 - Volume 9 No. 1
ESBA BULLETIN of 15 June 2007 - Volume 9 – No. 7
Headlines
ESBA / Annual Event highlights threats and opportunities of Energy Policy for SMEs
In Brief
ETUC/ labour law: European unions seek to pressure EU authorities
EU/ labour market: Annual review of working conditions in the EU 2006- 2007
EU/ working conditions: Commission pushes forward on consultation on work-life balance
EU/ consumer policy: Council Resolution on the Consumer Policy Strategy of the EU (2007-2013)
EU/telecomms: Council adopts Commission proposal on roaming
EU/ taxation: Council discusses VAT Package
EU / economy: Euro area employment levels on the rise
Publications
Open consultations
COMING UP
Headlines
ESBA / Annual Event highlights threats and opportunities of Energy Policy for SMEs
On the 7th June 2007, ESBA hosted its 10th Annual Small Business Event: "SMEs and the Future EU Energy Regime: Why should EU leaders think small first?" In the context of the broad 'Energy and Climate Change Package' recently announced by the European Commission and the European Council’s Spring Summit, the event brought together high-level policy makers, entrepreneurs and interested stakeholders for the first time.
The morning session included, by video address, a special update on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Report by its chairman Dr. Rajendra Pachauri. Other keynote speakers were Mr. Alfonso González Finat, Director and Mr. Jean-Arnold Vinois, Head of Unit from DG Energy and Transport who discussed the role of SMEs in the field of Renewables, Energy Efficiency and Innovation and the EU’s Future Energy Policy. ESBA’s President, Mrs Tina Sommer, also stressed why EU leaders should Think Small First on Energy Policy and Ms Christine Lins, Secretary General of the European Renewable Energy Council and Mr. Raymond van Ermen, Executive Director of European Partners for the Environment took part in a lively Panel Discussion.
Following an informal Lunch, Mr. Jeremy Rifkin, President of the Foundation on Economic Trends, and Mr. Angelo Consoli presented a survey on the potential impact of a new EU Energy Regime for SMEs. 2 Showcases of SMEs offering concrete solutions to today’s energy challenges were presented by representatives of Ropatec and ILT Technology and the results of the UK’s most recent survey on SMEs and Energy were exclusively announced by Mr. John Holbrow, Chairman for Energy Policy from the Federation of Small Businesses. Mr. Pedro Ballesteros, Project Manager from DG Energy and Transport also introduced the Commission’s Sustainable Energy Partnership and of Mr. Frédéric Soudain, ESBA’s Senior Brussels Representative, concluded a successful day of discussion.
The 10th ESBA Annual Event was a Green Meeting – one of the first at EU level. The latest methodology to limit its carbon footprint was employed and presented by Mr. Guy Bigwood, Manager of MCI Barcelona, during a Themed Networking Cocktail. Whilst threats are apparent in the legislation arising from the proposals, the ESBA Annual Event identified significant opportunities for SMEs to help confront climate change and to participate in the future EU Energy Regime. A report on the event and its findings will be published shortly.
To view the presentations, please go to:
81510/Coaching/ESBA_Annual_Event/2007.aspx
In Brief
ETUC/ labour law: European unions seek to pressure EU authorities
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Europe's main trade union body, concluded on 24 May, during the ETUC Seville 2007 Congress, to put pressure on European authorities amid a push toward more flexible work rules within the European Union. John Monks, secretary general of ETUC, called to push for workers’ protection to be included in the new Constitution for Europe. The organisation also issued a statement saying it would resist an EU constitution that does not include the European Charter of Fundamental rights guaranteeing the right to strike and negotiate, among others. ETUC also adopted a manifesto, announcing a campaign for minimum salary increases and calling for a "European social dialogue" with employers.
For more information on the ETUC Seville 2007 Congress, please go to:
To read “The Seville Manifesto”, please go to:
http://www.tradeunionpress.eu/Congress%20docs/Manifesto/Manifesto%20fin%20EN.pdf
EU/ labour market: Annual review of working conditions in the EU 2006- 2007
On 21 May European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) published its fourth Annual review of working conditions in the EU 2006- 2007. The Eurofound review reveals wide differences in the minimum wages paid to workers across the EU, from €82 gross per month in Bulgaria to €1503 in Luxembourg. According to Eurofound most member states are still struggling to hit the Lisbon strategy target of a 60 per cent employment rate for women, with the exceptions being Denmark and Sweden with a rate of 70 per cent. When it comes to unemployment, new member states still lag well behind the old EU-15: at 14 per cent, Poland has the highest rate of joblessness, followed by Slovakia with 13 per cent, while the EU average is just under nine per cent.
Publication of the Eurofound report coincides with the decision by MEPs to approve on 23 May during the Plenary Session an own-initiative report by Greek EPP member Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou on promoting decent work for all.
To read the fourth Annual review of working conditions in the EU 2006- 2007, please go to:
http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/ewco/studies/tn0702028s/tn0702028s.htm
To read the non-legislative Report on promoting decent work for all, please go to:
EU/ working conditions: Commission pushes forward on consultation on work-life balance
On 30 May European Commission has adopted the second stage consultation with workers' and employers' representatives on how to achieve a better balance between work, private and family life. Invited thirteen responding ‘social partners’ have acknowledged the importance of issues such as: accessible care facilities for children and dependants; the need for men genuinely to take up reconciliation measures; equal pay; flexible working hours and the possible updating of existing legislation related to reconciliation. During the second stage of consultation the social partners will have to provide the Commission with their opinion or a recommendation on proposals for new types of leave and improvements to maternity protection. Once the Commission receives the European social partners’ position, it will decide whether a legislative proposal is necessary.
To read more about the two stages of consultation, please go to:
To read more about the process of consultation, please go to:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/social_dialogue/consultations_en.htm
EU/ consumer policy: Council Resolution on the Consumer Policy Strategy of the EU (2007-2013)
On its meeting on 30-31 May, the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council adopted a Resolution on the Consumer Policy Strategy of the EU 2007- 2013. The Resolution emphasized the importance of taking consumer protection into account in defining and implementing Community policies. The Council welcomed the development of the Commission's Consumer Policy Strategy for 2007 - 2013 at EU level, stating that it would empower and protect consumers, whilst still promoting jobs and growt. Council called upon the Commission to implement this strategy with its all main objectives.
To see Council Resolution on the Consumer Policy Strategy of the EU 2007- 2013, please go to:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/lsa/94394.pdf
To see Communication from the Commission on EU Consumer Policy strategy 2007- 2013, go to:
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/overview/cons_policy/EN%2099.pdf
EU/telecomms: Council adopts Commission proposal on roaming
On 7 June, Council adopted the Commission’s proposal to cut roaming charges imposed by mobile telephone operators. The adopted version will limit the fees for outgoing calls from abroad to € 0.49 and those for incoming calls to € 0.24. Fees will be progressively reduced over the next two years, with the cap set at € 0.46 for outgoing and € 0.22 for incoming calls in 2008. In 2009, charges will be restricted to € 0.43 and € 0.22 respectively. The Council agreement paves the way for the Regulation to enter force in June 2007. If consumers accept the ‘Eurotariff’, which must be offered in July, they will receive lower charges within a month. Two months after the offer, the lowering of tariffs will become mandatory.
ESBA welcomes this development, which will significantly cut mobile phone charges to business users, traditionally the customers using mobiles most whilst traveling.
To see the Council conclusions, please go to:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/misc/94533.pdf
To see the Commission press release, please go to:
EU/ taxation: Council discusses VAT Package
On 5 June, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council discussed the Commission’s proposed VAT package. The VAT package is composed of interlocking elements intended to establish clear cut rules for determining the place of taxation for services and minimising regulatory burdens on business engaged in cross border trade. It is composed of: the "E-Commerce" Directive, two elements of the "VAT simplification proposal” (the one stop shop and the simplified rules for the refund of value added tax) and the proposals concerning the place of supply of B2B and B2C services. Council invited the Commission to produce the necessary legislative proposals including impact assessments by the end of 2007, for adoption by end 2008.
To see the conclusions, please go to:
For the Commission’s website on taxation and customs union, please go to:
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/index_en.htm#
EU / economy: Euro area employment levels on the rise
The latest Eurostat employment estimate for the first quarter of 2007 in dicates that employment in the euro area rose by 0.4 in the first 3 months of this year, wile job creation for the EU27 was 0.3%. This compares with 0.3 % and 0.2 % respectively in the final quarter of 2006. Compared with the first quarter of 2006, employment expansion was 1.5 % for the euro area and 1.4 % for the EU27. The total number of employed during this period is estimated to be 141.6 million in the euro area and 220.4 million in the EU27.
For the full report, please go to:
Publications
Measuring Globalisation
This publication presents detailed data on the industrial activity of multinationals in OECD countries. In an era of globalisation, these data highlight the increasing importance of multinationals in the economies of host countries. Time series cover 23 countries for the period 2000-2004.
To purchase the publication, please go to:
http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/display.asp?k=5L4S3N2SSFKG&cid=&lang=EN
EU / Open Consultations
Public Consultation On "Revision Of Toys Safety Legislation”
In preparation for a revision of Directive 88/378/EEC on the Safety of Toys, DG Enterprise and Industry asks all interested parties to contribute to the online consultation on possible modifications to be made to the current Directive on the Safety of Toys.
You will find more information and access to the questionnaire at:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/toys/public_consultation.htm
Closes 30 June 2007
Towards a future policy on industrial emissions – public consultation on the IPPC Review
In the context of the process to evaluate and review the IPPC Directive, the Commission is analysing the potential for improving the current EU legislation on industrial emissions. This questionnaire seeks your views on actions which could be taken at EU level to ensure a high level of environmental protection through the prevention and control of industrial emissions. The replies will be used as input to the process of reviewing the legislation during 2007.
You will find more information and access to the questionnaire at:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ippc/ippc_review_consul.htm
Closes 18 June 2007
COMING UP
EU Institutions: Important Dates
18-21June 2007 Plenary (Strasbourg)
25-28 June 2007 Committees
2-5 July 2007 Groups
9-12 July 2007 Plenary (Strasbourg)
SME related Events
25 June 2007 Priorities of the Portuguese Presidency, organised by CEPS, taking place in Brussels, for more information and to register, please go to: http://www.ceps.be/Events.php
26 June 2007 Energy Europe: Changing Our Energy Culture; organised by Friends of Europe; Brussels; for more information, please go to: http://www.friendsofeurope.org/
3 July 2007 Energy Conference on “The liberalisation of the EU electricity market: to unbundle or not to unbundle the ownership?”, organised by the British Chamber of Commerce, taking place in Brussels, to register, please go to:
http://www.britcham.be/events/registration.asp?Eventid=669
10 July 2007 ‘Driven by innovation’ CEO luncheon series with Nabil Sakkab, Vice President, Corporate R&D, Proctor & Gamble Cincinnati; organised by the American Chamber of Commerce; for more information, please go to:
http://www.amcham.be/cgi-bin/events.cgi?Action=register&id=
10 Sept 2007 Driven by Innovation" CEO Luncheon Series with Ajit Shetty, CEO of Janssen Pharmaceutica, organised by the American Chamber of Commerce, taking place in Brussels, for more information and to register, please go to:
http://www.amcham.be/cgi-bin/events.cgi?Action=register&id=
13 Sept 2007 EU Committee Breakfast with Petra Erler, Head of Cabinet of Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, Entreprise and Industry, taking place in Brussels, organised by the British Chamber of Commerce, for more information, please go to: http://www.britcham.be/
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Page last updated: 05/07/2007 16:20:33