The main objective of this initiative is to encourage consumers to use consumer goods for a longer time, by repairing defective goods and by purchasing more second-hand and refurbished goods. It will entail the adoption of a proposal for an amendment of the Sale of Goods Directive and possibly a separate new legislative proposal on the right to repair.
The EESC asserts that businesses and workers must have proper channels for participating in efforts to support environmental protection and combat climate change. While respecting the role of national industrial relations systems and the autonomy of the social partners, the EESC considers that issues related to the green transition could be a stronger focus of collective bargaining at the appropriate levels. It highlights collective bargaining as a key tool that can help companies and workers face the challenges of the climate crisis, including the derived costs for companies.
Download — ETSK:n lausunto: Green collective bargaining
In accordance with the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, a number of EU legislative acts concerning sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures apply to and in the UK in respect of Northern Irelandafter the end of the transition period set out in the Withdrawal Agreement.
Accordingly, the entry into Northern Ireland from other parts of the UK of certain consignments of products of animal or plant origin, including animal food, plants for planting, machinery and vehicles for agricultural or forestry purposes and seed potatoes falls within the scope of these acts and is subject to official controls, certification requirements and prohibitions. This also applies to non-commercial movements of certain pet animals.
Download — ETSK:n lausunto: Specific rules relating to the entry into Northern Ireland from other parts of the United Kingdom of certain consignments of goods
In accordance with the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 and Directive 2001/83/EC as well as the Commission acts based on them, apply to and in the UK in respect of Northern Ireland.
Download — ETSK:n lausunto: Specific rules relating to medicinal products for human use intended to be placed on the market of Northern Ireland
believes that the non-mutual recognition of disability among EU Member States, by hindering the availability of support measures for persons with disabilities traveling to another member State, implies a denial of their freedom of movement.
Recommends that the EU Disability Card is implemented by a Regulation, that PWDs and their organization are fully involved in each step leading to its implementation and monitoring, and that complementary measures are taken to ensure accessibility of transport, services and of the built environment and compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation
Believes that the EU Disability Card and EU parking Card remain physically separate
Download — ETSK:n lausunto: European Disability Card
The EESC welcomes the Commission Communication and the Commission proposal for a Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the European Union. The Committee is fully aligned with the view that social dialogue can be a beneficial tool to drive economic and social resilience, competitiveness, and sustainable and inclusive growth. Establishing a common effective framework, to be implemented at national level for the involvement of social partners, might help ensure that effective and quality consultations with national social partners take place.
Download — ETSK:n lausunto: Strengthening social dialogue
Working life is transforming due to the accelerating digital transformation, automation, and transition to climate neutrality. A workforce with the right skills will contribute to strengthen the competitiveness of the union. Against the background of the Commission’s announcement of making 2023 the European Year of Skills. What competence and skill development will be needed?
Download — ETSK:n lausunto: Competence and skill development in a context of the green and digital transition
The EESC welcomes the Commission's proposal to amend the Anti-Trafficking Directive, as it agrees with the need for further progress and improvement in the fight against trafficking in human beings and the protection of victims. The gender dimension in the content and implementation of the directive should be strengthened, given that the vast majority of victims are women and girls. The EESC believes that the directive should pay greater attention to victims of trafficking, and wishes to highlight the Member States' obligation to care for and protect victims and ensure their social inclusion as far as possible.
The evaluation aims at checking if the rules on health and social services of general economic interest meet their objectives under the 2012 services package.
Download — ETSK:n lausunto: State subsidy rules for health and social services / SGEI
This is an exploratory opinion requested by the Swedish presidency of the Council as a follow-up to the opinion INT/1000 Competitiveness check adopted at the request of the Czech presidency.
Download — ETSK:n lausunto: Further enhancing the EU's digital competitiveness
This opinion underlines that the Social Imbalances Procedure (SIP) would offer an opportunity to improve the coordination of national efforts to achieve upward social convergence. It recommends that the SIP should be integrated into the European Semester, throughout its different phases. The opinion proposes social imbalances to be defined as the critical situations identified by the social scoreboard and clear deviations from the path towards achieving the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan targets. It also suggests that the Commission and the Member States consider making existing rules for funds allocation more flexible so that they can be quickly adapted to current societal challenges and critical situations identified in the implementation of the SIP.
Download — ETSK:n lausunto: Social Imbalances Procedure
Democracy at work should cover all workers, types of work, as well as all workplaces, including platform workers. It makes companies more resilient, economically successful and better able to deliver on employment and decent work. Successful forms of democratic participation are also found in the social economy, and cooperatives. European Works Councils (EWCs) could be improved by improving participation rights and sanctioning infringements. More democracy in the world of work depends on cooperation of all stakeholders, and can help ease the green and digital transitions. It is crucial to educate young people in favor of democracy at work.
