BusinessEurope Headlines No. 2017-20
Business fully onboard with the circular economy
“We need to understand the challenges of the resource-intensive industries and the small and medium-sized enterprises when moving to a circular economy. BusinessEurope wants to highlight these challenges through something that we officially launch today, namely the EU Circular Economy Industry Platform”, said BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer. “Business is fully onboard, not only because it makes business sense to save resources, but also because of the strong positive impacts on both job creation and sustainability. The challenges that business faces are not just policy-related, and should therefore not just be patched up with new regulation. It is important to talk to a wide range of stakeholders to make sure that new policies do not hamper the shift towards a more circular Europe”, he added.
Mr. Beyrer launched the platform, which can be accessed through www.circulary.eu, at the closing session of the EU Green Jobs Summit of the Green Week on 31 May, alongside European Commissioners Karmenu Vella (Environment) and Marianne Thyssen (Employment). Director General Calleja Crespo (European Commission DG Environment) moderated the session.
One week later, on 7 June, BusinessEurope will organise a high-level event on circular economy to engage business and the EU Member States. Speakers include European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen and BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer. The event will be moderated by MEP Pavel Telička, Vice-President of the European Parliament (ALDE). Registrations are open here.
Contact: Leon de Graaf
EU social partners at Green Week 2017
“If properly managed, the transition to a more circular economy can bring substantial benefits to the European economy, not least in terms of jobs creation,” commented Alexandre Affre, Director Industrial Affairs, at the opening session of the EU Green Week. On that occasion, the European Social Partners published a statement on tapping the potential from greening the economy for jobs creation. It calls on the European institutions to perform, in close coordination with the European Social Partners, an in-depth analysis of the expected effects on various sectors and of the success factors for European companies and workers to benefit from this transition.
Contact: Alexandre Affre
European Commission discussed reform implementation with BusinessEurope
Two days after the release of the European Semester 2017 Spring Package, Mary Veronica Tovšak Pleterski, Director at the European Commission’s DG ECFIN, presented key highlights of the package at BusinessEurope’s Ecofin Committee meeting on 24 May. Mrs Tovšak Pleterski gave additional insights of the Commission’s new multiannual assessment framework, compared to its annual assessment of CSR implementation. The Committee then discussed the 2016 country-specific recommendations (CSRs), noting that despite the Commission’s renewed focus on implementation, further efforts still need to be made by member states to improve reform implementation.
Contact: Frederik Lange
Data ownership, access and liability: We need an innovation-friendly approach
Data use can significantly improve our lives, our economy and our jobs. Speaking at the 31 May European Parliament hearing “Building a European Data Economy: Challenges and Opportunities” hosted by MEP Charanzová, BusinessEurope’s Deputy Director Guido Lobrano called on policy-makers to uphold today’s general practice, based on contractual solutions, for ownership, collection and processing of data. These agreements allow for flexible data streams and their use for potentially endless aims. Likewise, liability issues can currently be addressed within the existing legal framework. Finally, a balanced approach to third-party data access is also key to help protect those who invest in innovative data solutions.
Contact: Guido Lobrano
COSME Programme: BusinessEurope calls for strengthening some of its components
“Internationalisation of SMEs, better regulation and SME access to finance should be prioritised in the COSME Programme – the EU programme for competitiveness of SMEs – between now and 2020”, Daniel Cloquet, BusinessEurope’s Director for Entrepreneurship and SMEs, said at the COSME interim evaluation workshop organised by the European Commission on 31 May. Initiatives for improving access to markets should optimise synergies with existing support schemes in member states. COSME should intensify action to improve SME and start-up access to risk finance, and to deploy guarantees that facilitate financing in cases where credit risks are perceived as higher.
Contact: Daniel Cloquet
e-Privacy proposal needs serious revision to work in practice
The proposal for a regulation on e-privacy needs substantial adjustments to meet the aim of updating the current framework with meaningful and proportionate provisions that will actually enhance trust and security. BusinessEurope suggestions to get there were presented by BusinessEurope’s Deputy Director Guido Lobrano during the European Parliament roundtable on “Privacy by design and default” hosted by MEP Lauristin on 3 May. The proposal also needs to align fully with the General Data Protection Regulation and keep a balance between protecting personal data and facilitating innovative business models. Specific aspects related to privacy by default are too focused on existing technology and will not stand future technology developments.
Contact: Guido Lobrano
Cost-effectiveness of apprenticeships key to increasing training opportunities
There needs to be an openness at national level to reform apprenticeship systems so as to make them cost-effective for companies, which will help to encourage more employers to offer an apprenticeship. This was one of the main messages given by Robert Plummer, Social Affairs Senior Adviser at BusinessEurope, at the event marking the 4th anniversary of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships on 30 May. Furthermore, commenting on the European Commission's anticipated initiative on a European Council recommendation for a European framework for quality and effective apprenticeships, it was added that such a proposal needs to look at quality and effectiveness in terms of learning outcomes and employability and to advocate appropriate governance structures that give a clear role to employers and social partners. This will help to improve the relevance of apprenticeship training vis-à-vis companies’ skills needs and strengthen career prospects for apprentices.
Contact: Robert Plummer
Calendar
2 June 2017: 12th EU-China Business Summit, Brussels- 3 June 2017: Maltese General Election
- 7 June 2017: Conference Circular economy: engaging business and member states, Brussels
- 8 June 2017: UK snap election