The rule of law is one of the common values on which the European Union is founded. European Commission’s rule of law mechanism has so far only examined compliance with the rule of law in the member states in only four areas, but unfortunately not as a prerequisite for economic activity or as a location factor. The own-initiative opinion on the economic dimension of the Rule of Law looks for examples of protectionism and the implementation of discriminatory measures against foreign investors in some member states as non-compliance and circumvention of European regulations leading to enormous distortions of competition for companies operating in the internal market. The economic dimension of the rule of law is not adequately reflected in the European Commission’s Rule of Law Report, which is why the EESC advocates the inclusion of a fifth pillar.
Goedgekeurd on 30/04/2025 - Bureau decision date: 11/07/2024
Referentie
ECO/652-EESC-2024
Rapporteur
, Luca JAHIER (Civil Society Organisations - GR III/Italy)
Plenary session number
596
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Information Report ECO/651 and Own-initiative opinion ECO/652 are a continuation of the European Semester Group's (ESG) work to consult annually national economic and social councils, social partners and civil society organisations from EU Member States on reform and investment proposals made in the context of the European Semester and their implementation in the Member States. The Information Report aims to collect the views of social partners and civil society organisations in the Member States on the reform and investment proposals and their implementation, in particular those indicated in the 2024 Country-Specific Recommendations. The Own-initiative opinion aims to complement the Information Report and to include the EESC's policy recommendations based on the results of the stakeholder consultation. It allows the EESC to formulate general and specific considerations, and to present the associated EESC's conclusions and policy proposals.
The proposed flexibility measure allows manufacturers' compliance with the CO2 targets for 2025, 2026 and 2027 to be assessed over the entire three-year period averaging their performance, rather than annually.
This own-initiative opinion will examine the impact of single market fragmentation on the cost of living and competitiveness and look into successful EU initiatives to tackle such issues. It will aim at proposing possible solutions, with particular attention to consumer protection, to the cost-of-living crisis.
The opinion focuses on the legislative proposal for the establishment of a single digital declaration portal for companies providing services and temporarily sending workers to another Member State, known as ‘posted workers'.
Information Report ECO/651 and Own-initiative opinion ECO/652 are a continuation of the European Semester Group's (ESG) work to consult annually national economic and social councils, social partners and civil society organisations from EU Member States on reform and investment proposals made in the context of the European Semester and their implementation in the Member States. The Information Report aims to collect the views of social partners and civil society organisations in the Member States on the reform and investment proposals and their implementation, in particular those indicated in the 2024 Country-Specific Recommendations. The Own-initiative opinion aims to complement the Information Report and to include the EESC's policy recommendations based on the results of the stakeholder consultation. It allows the EESC to formulate general and specific considerations, and to present the associated EESC's conclusions and policy proposals.
Download — Information report: The point of view of organised civil society in the EU Member States on national reform and investment proposals and their implementation (2024-2025 European Semester cycle)
In this opinion, the EESC presents its view on the impact of new technologies and AI both in terms of facilitating the inclusion of people with disabilities but also as potential cause of discrimination. Among its recommendations:
Persons with disabilities should be included throughout the process of designing, developing, assessing and implementing new technologies and AI-based applications. This involvement is key to mitigating potential discriminatory risks.
Member States and the EU should carry out an evaluation of existing AI applications to assess their inclusivity in critical fields, including employment and recruitment.
Goods and services that apply new technologies and AI‑based solutions should comply with EU accessibility standards.
Download — advies EESC: Including persons with disabilities in the development of new technologies and AI – possibilities, challenges, risks and opportunities
In this opinion, the EESC highlights the need for adequate social protection for the self-employed, in line with international and European standards. It calls for further reforms to create inclusive social security systems for workers and the self-employed, especially in the context of platform work. The Committee also supports continued monitoring of the 2019 Council Recommendation on access to social protection within the European Semester and the sharing of best practices among Member States, aiming to ensure that the self-employed receive protection equal to that of workers while respecting national and EU competences in this field.
Download — advies EESC: Amendment of the Common Markets Organisation (CMO) Regulation on rules on contracts, producer organisations and cooperation between farmers
This proposal aims to postpone the application of certain reporting requirements under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the transposition deadline and application of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The objective is to simplify the reporting framework, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure a more proportionate approach to sustainability reporting and due diligence obligations.
Download — advies EESC: Application and reporting deadlines/CSRD and CSDDD
Download — advies EESC: Working time, the efficiency of the economy, and the well-being of workers (including in the context of digital change and work automation): a legal and comparative analysis of the situation in the EU Member States
The opinion focuses on the importance of a human-centric approach in addressing occupational safety and health (OSH) challenges in an increasingly digitalised work environment. It stresses that new technologies can both enhance and introduce workplace hazards, necessitating a proactive regulatory framework. The opinion underlines the need for OSH training, particularly when AI-driven systems and digital tools are introduced, ensuring that workers have the necessary skills to navigate evolving work environments safely. It calls for transparent AI deployment to prevent bias and discrimination and encourages social partners to actively engage in shaping AI regulation through collective agreements. Furthermore, the opinion demands that the European Commission provide resources for social partners, enabling them to address digitalisation challenges effectively while maintaining social cohesion and worker rights in a rapidly changing labour market.
In this Opinion, the EESC welcomes the EU's focus on civil preparedness and stresses the need for a culture of resilience across all levels of society. It highlights civil society's specific role in crisis response and stresses that preparedness initiatives must aim to a just and sustainable peace, addressing the root causes of conflict and fostering equality and social progress. The EESC calls for full integration of civil society into preparedness efforts, increased investment in its capacities, clear role definitions, stronger democratic safeguards, and easier cross-border cooperation.
