INDUSTRIAL ACCELERATOR ACT: EESC BACKS ‘MADE IN EUROPE’ BUT CALLS FOR STRICTER SAFEGUARDS AND MORE FOCUS ON WORKERS

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has welcomed the European Commission’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) as a timely move to strengthen Europe’s industrial competitiveness, at a time when manufacturing’s share of EU GDP has fallen from 17.4% in 2000 to just 14.3% today.

In an opinion on the IAA adopted at its July plenary session, the EESC said it supported the Commission’s ambition to increase manufacturing’s share of EU GDP to 20% by 2035, but stressed that the legislation must do more to protect European industry, ensure fair competition and create quality jobs.

‘Achieving this ambition will require more than just setting targets. We must create the conditions that allow companies to invest, innovate and grow in Europe,’ said Antje Gerstein, president of the EESC’s Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption, which drafted the opinion.

She added that the focus on simplifying and accelerating permitting procedures was a crucial step forward, but highlighted that speeding up permits would make little difference if other obstacles remained: ‘Companies also need reliable energy supplies, modern infrastructure and skilled workers, as well as better coordination between EU and national rules. Without these conditions, delays and higher costs will remain a reality.’

The EESC said acceleration areas must not widen regional inequalities. 

It also threw its support behind the IAA's ‘Made in Europe’ approach, but warned that non-EU countries should benefit only if they offer genuine reciprocity, meet equivalent EU standards and respect European value chains. (ll)