Sektionen for Det Indre Marked, Produktion og Forbrug (INT) - Related Opinions

Over the last two decades, the volume of annual investments in such ‘intellectual property products’ increased by 87% in the EU, while the volume of tangible (non-residential) investments increased by only 30%. There is a need to further build on our strengths by upgrading the EU’s framework, where needed, and putting in place well-calibrated IP policies to help companies capitalise on their inventions and creations. There is plenty of inventiveness and creativity in the EU: it is therefore necessary to maximise the incentives to bring out this potential and to put our companies on track towards economic recovery and Europe’s global green and digital leadership.

The landscape of digital services is significantly different today from 20 years ago, when the eCommerce Directive was adopted. Online intermediaries have become vital players in the digital transformation. Online platforms in particular have created significant benefits for consumers and innovation, but at the same time, they can be used as a vehicle for disseminating illegal content, or selling illegal goods or services online.

e-CODEX (e-Justice Communication via On-line Data Exchange) was launched under the multiannual e-Justice action plan 2009-2013, mainly to promote the digitalisation of cross-border judicial proceedings and to facilitate the communication between Member States’ judicial authorities. The Commission is putting forward a proposal for a Regulation as the proposed legal instrument to establish the e-CODEX system at EU level, and is entrusting the eu-LISA Agency with the system’s operational management.

Social economy is a key and a growing contributor to the European economy and the job creation.

This exploratory opinion has been requested by the Portuguese presidency of the Council. Social economy represents a key and a growing contributor to the European economy and the job creation. It has a positive impact on working conditions and the enlargement of the labour market. Social economy has a pivotal role to play in the future Action plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights by promoting social inclusion and a better access to the labour market.