EU Intelligence » The ESBA Bulletin » 2004
- 15th December - Vol 6 N° 21
- 30th November - Vol 6 N° 21
- 16th November 2004 - Vol 6 N°20
- 4th November 2004 - Vol 6 N° 19
- 20th October 2004 - Vol 6 N° 18
- 28th September 2004 - Vol 6 N° 17
- 14th September 2004 - Vol. 6 - N°16
- 29th July 2004 - Vol. 6 N° 15
- 12th July 2004 - Vol. 6 N°14
- 25th June 2004 - Vol. 6 N° 13
- 4th June 2004 - Vol 6 N° 12
- 25th May 2004 - Vol 6 N° 11
- 7th May 2004 - Vol 6 N° 10
- 23rd April 2004 - Vol 6 - N° 9
- 9th April 2004 - Vol 6 - N° 8
- 24th March 2004 - Vol 6 – N° 7
- 5th March 2004 - Vol 6 - N° 6
- 26Th February 2004
- 17th February 2004 - Vol 6 - N° 4
- 10th February 2004 - Vol 6 N° 3
- 19th January 2004 - Vol 6 N° 2
- 12th January 2004 - Vol 6 - N° 1
ESBA BULLETIN of 14th September 2004 - Volume 6 – No. 16
Quote of the Week
We believe that tax competition is the best way forward… we will not support any move toward tax harmonisation”. Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, Informal Meeting of the Economic and Finance Ministers (11 September 2004, Sheveningen)
Headlines
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EU/ Taxation : EU survey on EU-wide corporate tax base and VAT one-stop-shop for cross border activities
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EU / Taxation : Results of informal ECOFIN Meeting of 10-11 September
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EU / Social Affairs : Lively debate on Working Time Directive
In Brief
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EU / Social Dialogue : New Communication on Social Dialogue
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EU / Employment : Labour force survey 2003
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EU / Employment : New report on ageing and work in
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EU/ E-business: Communication on B2B Markets
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EU / Entrepreneurship : New web portal of female entrepreneurship to be launched
EU / Open Consultations
COMING UP
Headlines
EU/ Taxation : EU survey on EU-wide corporate tax base and VAT one-stop-shop for cross border activities
Companies operating in several EU Member States may be faced with until 25 different company tax systems. In order to improve this situation, the European Commission organised a survey, the results of which results were published on 9 September. These highlight the need for a single basis of assessment for corporate tax for the EU-wide activities. The survey also addresses the question of “VAT one-stop shop system”, whereby a company could fulfil it Value-Added Tax (VAT) obligations for his European activities only in the
One of the key findings of the survey is that annual compliance cost (company taxation and VAT) represent about €202,000 for the average SME compared to €1,470,000 for a large company, corresponding to an estimated ratio of 2.6% for SMEs against 0.02% large companies. Moreover, a large majority of companies indicated having difficulties in coping with the procedure relating to the repayment and refund of VAT expenditures in other Member States.
EU / Taxation : Results of informal ECOFIN Meeting of 10-11 September
At the Informal Meeting of Economic and Finance Ministers on 11 September, a majority of EU Member States supported the creation of a working group on common consolidated company taxation. This working group, overseen by the European Commission, and consisting of representatives from Member States, will look at the idea of allowing companies to use a common consolidated set of rules for calculating their EU-wide taxable profits. It will however not address the question of harmonising the taxation rates as this falls within Member States’ area of sovereign competency.
According to the Commission, the main reason behind this initiative is that companies are currently facing too much red tape as a result of the lack of EU-wide set of rules for calculating their liabilities.
Taxation currently belongs to the most sensitive European issues. However, even if the new Constitution is ratified, tax policies will continue to require unanimous agreement among EU government (except if it is related to fraud).
The discussion were based on two Commission’s non-papers available at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/taxation/company_tax/developments.htm
Fore more information, see: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/04/214&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
EU / Social Affairs : Lively debate on Working Time Directive
The European Commission is currently working on an extensive review of the Working Time Directive (WTD), which sets rules for a maximum working week of 48 hours for employees across
According to the new proposal to be discussed next week by EU commissioners, the opt-out would continue for five years, but the new rules would make its use much more complicated. Employers would have to keep records of the hours worked by anyone who has agreed to waive the 48-hours rules. Also, agreements with individual workers on extra hours would be limited to one year, and would be banned during probationary periods. Moreover, unions or representatives bodies could veto opting out of the 48-hour week, regardless of individual workers’ choice.
Whereas the Commission feels that the WTD may give inadequate protection to staff, businesses, especially SMEs, maintain that removing the opt-out could lead to thousands of job cuts and deprive employers from one of the key tools in running their business, which is flexibility. Indeed, small businesses are far more dependent on flexible employment than big firms. The new proposal would thus damage both labour market flexibility and individual freedom.
The
Background information on the revision of the Working Time Directive: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/1&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
In Brief
EU / Social Dialogue : New Communication on Social Dialogue
On 12 August 2004 the European Commission adopted the Communication “Partnership for change in an enlarged
The Communication calls on social partners to concentrate on three main issues identified in the November 2003 report of the Employment Taskforce, which are improving adaptability; investing in human capital and job quality; and, attracting more people to the labour market. The text also calls for a better involvement of national social partners and better cross-industry and sectoral co-operation at European, national and company level.
Fore more information, see: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/04/211&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
EU / Employment : Labour force survey 2003
According to a report published by Eurostat on 10 September, the employment rate for people aged 15-64 was 63% in 2003. However the situation varies a lot among EU countries, with employment rates ranging from 51.2% in
Consult the Eurostat report : http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=STAT/04/110&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
EU / Employment : New report on ageing and work in
A new report published by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions analyses the future challenges of declining workforce combined with a growing strain on social welfare systems as more people enjoy increased life expectancy. It looks at the measures taken by seven countries to target the objectives of raising employment rates of older people, setting up more flexible working hours, and developing access to lifelong learning.
Fore more information, please see: http://www.eurofound.eu.int/ewco/reports/FR0407TR01/FR0407TR01.htm
EU/ E-business: Communication on B2B Markets
In spite of B2B markets becoming increasingly popular, SMEs are still reluctant to engage in electronic Business to Business. The recently adopted Communication “Enhancing Trust and Confidence in Business-to-Business Electronic Market” aims at encouraging SMEs to go for B2B solutions. It looks at how to overcome current concerns over B2B, improve SMes understanding of the legal framework, and address potential barriers to internal market for e-business. The Communication also aims to facilitate the implementation of codes of conduct in the fields of electronic B2B.
Fore more information, see: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/ict/policy/b2b/index.htm
EU / Entrepreneurship : New web portal of female entrepreneurship to be launched
The Commission will set up a portal on EUROPA which will specifically devoted to the promotion of women's entrepreneurship. The website will present links to the sites of women entrepreneurs' representative organisations, networks, projects and events that relate to the promotion of female entrepreneurship.
Should you wish to include your organisation, network, project or information about an event in this portal, please contact the European Commission at the following address (with the reference "For the Women Entrepreneurs' Portal”): entr-portal-women-entrepreneurs@cec.eu.int
Fore more information about the project "Promoting Entrepreneurship amongst Women”: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/entrepreneurship/craft/craft-women/bestproject-women.htm
EU / Open Consultations
DG
The European Commission Enterprise Directorate General has launched a survey on the consultation procedures between national/regional governments and the business community when new laws and policies are proposed. The aim of the survey is to identify the most effective consultation procedures and to use the feedback to improve future conduct.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/entrepreneurship/consultation/index.htm
DG Employment European Works Council Directive Closing Date: Not Announced
The European Commission in consulting workers’ and employers’ representatives on how European Works Councils can best respond to the challenges of a changing economic and social environment.
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/news/2004/apr/ewc_consultation_en.pdf
DG Internal Market Electronic Public Procurements Closing Date: 15 October 2004
Further to the adoption of legislative package on Public Procurement in February 2004, the European Commission has launched a consultation is aimed at identifying opportunities and challenges in electronic public procurement. The Commission is currently preparing an Action Plan that would help Member States to remove obstacles to electronic public procurement, and therefore needs inputs from businesses.
DG Research Future of EU research Policy Closing date: 15 October 2004
Further to the publication of proposals to guide future European policy to support research, ("Science and Technology: the key to the future of Europe - guidelines for future European Union policy to support research) on 16 June 2004, the consultation on these proposals will be used to shape the next Community Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, which will follow the 6th Framework Programme (2002 – 2006).
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/future/index_en.html
DG Internal Market Copyright and Related Rights Closing Date 31 October 2004
The review is aimed at updating the legislative framework in the field of copyright and related rights, increasing its consistency and also simplifying the provisions. In addition, there is a need to analyse whether this framework still contains shortcomings which have a negative impact on the functioning of the Internal Market. In this case, additional harmonisation measures may have to be envisaged.
In the framework of the review, the Commission is now launching a consultation of all interested parties on the basis of a working paper. The consultation aims at completing the legal analysis and allowing further assessment of the impact of possible changes.
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/copyright/docs/review/sec-2004-995_en.pdf
COMING UP
EU institutions : Important Dates
September 13-16 Plenary session of European Parliament
September 24-25 Competitiveness Council: Single Market, Industry & research
27 September Services Directive Proposal to be discussed in Internal Market Committee
Sept. 27- Oct. 8 Investiture Procedure of the 2004-2009 Commission - Hearings of the Commissioners Designate
October 4 Employment, Social Policy, Health & Consumers Council
October 14 Environment Council
Other Events
September 16 High-level workshop on ICT policy (
September 21-23 Microcredit European Conference,
September 26-29 31st International Small Business Conference,
September 28 Promoting SMEs in the EU of 25 – Exploiting the opportunities of enlargement” ,
Sept. 30 to Oct.3 “Presidents meeting” organised by JADE, the European Confederation of Junior Enterprises – (http://www.jadenet.org/index.php?a=0&b=0&c=0)
October 1 Top Class business services : a key to success for small enterprises in Europe” –
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