Press Summaries

  • The EESC:

    • supports satellite Direct-to-Device connectivity, which can extend mobile coverage beyond the reach of terrestrial networks and provide supplementary connectivity when those networks are disrupted; stresses that deployment should particularly benefit underserved rural, remote, island, mountainous, border and outermost areas, thereby contributing to territorial and digital cohesion; calls for coverage reporting to be complemented by indicators on effective service availability, continuity and quality, and for services to be accessible and affordable, including for persons with disabilities, with transparent information for users on actual availability and limitations;
  • The EESC:

    • recommends that the proposal extend beyond pre-contractual data to cover post-purchase information, integrating EPREL into the product lifecycle via the future Digital Product Passport; considers that the EPREL database structure should be updated to showcase operational data such as battery cycles, repairability and water usage; stresses that relevant information must remain free and accessible without registration for as long as the product is usable, even after the model has been withdrawn or the supplier has ceased its activities, so that consumers, repairers and technicians can still service and repair the product;
  • The EESC:

    • believes that modern methods of construction (MMC) are one of the key enablers of the circular economy in the construction sector. It is essential that MMC buildings have the same long-term quality and value as traditionally built homes. The EU needs to drive forward targeted investment in the development of industrial capacity to manufacture prefabrication offsite construction systems.
  • The EESC:

    • welcomes the proposed regulation as a useful step towards improving transparency and competitiveness in the EU ticket distribution market, notably through neutral presentation of search results, limits on paid placement, obligations for platforms with significant market presence and the prohibition of anti-competitive contractual clauses; 
  • The EESC:

    • calls for a single, interoperable European rail ticketing framework to overcome fragmentation and enable seamless travel across operators and borders; 
  • The EESC:

    • suggests that, in the event of missed connections and subsequent delays, passengers should be allowed to use rail services during the next leg of their trip, without any restriction, for the following 3 hours or using the first subsequent similar connection. Providers should ensure the availability of seats, even if this means upgrading to higher class of seat. An effective universal ‘insurance’ mechanism should be applied across the board.
  • The EESC:

    • emphasises that satellite Position, Navigation and Timing services together with Earth Observation services, are vital assets for the EU single market;
  • The EESC:

    • recognises the value of a strategy for the development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Europe;
    • believes that the European strategy for SMRs should be based on standardisation requirements by product family, provided that the highest safety standards are upheld;
  • The EESC:

    • stresses that the European energy-intensive industry, and in particular the chemical sector, is facing a deep structural crisis, driven primarily by persistently high and volatile energy costs, low investments and global competition; 
  • The EESC:

    • considers that a successful EU Ports Strategy will depend on integrated governance, long-term investment planning, coordination across multiple policy domains and a strong social foundation that guarantees decent work, fair competition and active social dialogue while taking passengers’ rights into consideration;