The EU Competitiveness Fund, part of the Multiannual Financial Framework, will streamline support for innovation and industrial development by merging existing programmes, simplifying access – particularly for SMEs – and guiding investments across key sectors with unified rules and a shared financial toolbox.
In this opinion, the EESC fully supports the priorities identified by the Commission and reiterates the need for a cohesive European response. The EESC also stresses that removing barriers is key and that regulatory simplification must take place with full respect for social and workers’ rights. Finally, it calls on the Commission to put forward legislative proposals to address regional supply constraints.
Download — ETSK:n lausunto: Sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic substances Directive 2004/37/EC: extending the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens, mutagens or reprotoxic substances at work
Download — ETSK:n lausunto: Strengthening European values in candidate countries by supporting the public service sector and empowering social partners and civil society organisations
The new state aid framework aims to draw from the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, a crisis measure to help countries support industry in the fallout from the pandemic and the Ukraine war. The new framework seeks to accompany the Clean Industrial Deal by setting out how Member States can design State aid measures to support its objectives, and will be in force until end 2030.
The Defence Readiness Omnibus reflects the priorities set out in the White Paper for European Defence-Readiness 2030, which recognises that the Union’s current regulatory framework must be adapted to enable rapid capability development and deployment. The package includes a Commission Communication and a series of legislative and non-legislative proposals, covering both defence-specific and broader regulatory areas. It aims to remove bottlenecks in public procurement, permitting, reporting obligations, and cross-border cooperation.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has issued an opinion on the European Commission’s proposal for a Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of Member States. These guidelines form part of the Spring package of the European Semester and are intended to support national labour market reforms, promote inclusive growth, and align with the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) Action Plan and the Union of Skills initiative. The opinion reflects on the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape, labour shortages, and the need for inclusive and future-ready employment strategies.
Download — ETSK:n lausunto: Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States
The EESC supports the objectives of the Commission's package on securitisation, and recommends to ensure that the freed-up capital is used to fund the real economy, introduce safeguards for consumers and investors, guarantee financial stability, and avoid weakening, to the extent possible, international standards.
Among the measures to make it possible, the EESC recommends a two-years reporting period, the introduction of a fast-track mechanism, taking additional measures to preserve the long-term relationship between lenders and borrowers, and introducing social, environmental and governance information in the revised reporting templates.
The opinion focuses on the legislative proposals package "Omnibus IV" whose measures aim at cutting red tape for small-mid caps and modernising EU rules as regards digitalisation and common specifications.
