How to consider value chains in policymaking

Background

In today’s world of global instability, the resilience of Europe’s value chains is becoming just as important as their efficiency. Value chains – how goods and services are created and delivered – are crucial to the EU’s security, economic strength and innovation capacity. While once praised for boosting competitiveness, long global supply chains have also exposed Europe’s vulnerabilities, especially its dependence on a few countries for critical materials like semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) supports a value-chain-specific policy that goes beyond one-size-fits-all strategies. It calls for detailed mapping of regional strengths, smarter industrial policies that benefit both large and small companies and a focus on quality jobs and social fairness. Value chains must become greener, more digital and more inclusive, with social partners and local actors involved in shaping change.

Modernising older industries with digital tools and artificial intelligence is a key part of the plan. These technologies can make production more efficient and traceable, helping Europe stay competitive. Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises is another priority. This includes improving their access to funding, helping them scale up through start-up collaboration, and encouraging the formation of strong business ecosystems.

To strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy, the EU is also investing in critical infrastructure, fostering industrial alliances and encouraging collaboration with research institutions. There is growing recognition that defence investments can also drive civilian innovation, especially in dual-use technologies that benefit both security and society.

Finally, those who manage value chains must be ready for disruptions. This means having strong emergency planning, robust digital and physical infrastructure, and clear communication with the public. Lessons from recent energy shortages show that how people respond to crises is just as important as the systems in place.

Key points:

In the opinion, the EESC:

• considers it very important to strengthen the role of European companies in supply chains, including in leadership positions, to support a competitive and sustainable production model throughout the chain, which benefits regions, companies and workers;
• recommends developing urgent measures to strengthen the EU internal market, ensuring strategic autonomy and production capacity. In particular, this means advancing EU industrial and competition policies rooted in sustainable competitiveness and innovation;
• highlights the need for detailed mapping of supply chains, by analysing individual sectors and levels of company involvement, in order to design targeted policies that address sector-specific challenges and development opportunities, including at regional level.

Read the opinion.

Additional information

Section: Single Market, Production and Consumption

Opinion number: INT/1087

Opinion type: Exploratory opinion

Rapporteur: Andrea Mone

Co-rapporteur: Gonçalo Lobo Xavier

Reference: Referral – Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU, 7/2/2025

Date of adoption by section: 26/6/2025

Result of the vote: 74 in favour/0 against/1 abstention                                                   

Date of adoption in plenary: 17/7/2025

Result of the vote: in favour/ against/ abstentions

Contacts:

Press officer: Laura Lui          

Tel.: + 32 2 546 9189

Email:  laurairena.lui@eesc.europa.eu

Administrator: Silvia Staffa

Tel.: + 32 2 546 8378

Email: Silvia.Staffa@eesc.europa.eu