Among the new challenges the Single Market is faced with, the EESC singles out the following:
the EU's open strategic autonomy is the number one new challenge facing the single market. Priority must be given to supply and trade, energy and critical raw materials.
the increasing emergence of national regulations "pre-empting" EU initiatives and preventing harmonization across the Member States is the most worrying trend affecting the competitiveness and sustainability of Europe's businesses;
The EESC sees a need to revise the rules as follows:
raising the current ceiling for state aid allocated to health and social services, which currently amounts to EUR 500 000 over three financial years. In the EESC's view, increases should go beyond the rate of inflation, in view of the strategic role played by health and social services across the EU and the worrying situation in many Member States when it comes to access to care. The Commission should support the Member States' efforts to invest in such areas.
clarifying the key concepts of reasonable profit margin, market failure and social housing.
The EESC agrees with the need for effective collection and transfer of advanced passenger information (API) and passenger name records (PNR) data for border management purposes, for combatting illegal immigration and for security reasons;
recognises the need for harmonised implementation and monitoring of the applicable legal framework to eliminate differences resulting from varied practices in Member States;
suggests further clarifying the norms on penalties imposed on private operators in the aviation industry and proposes a "threshold of tolerance" for errors at EU level ...
The EESC points out the need for digital skills programming to be more targeted towards training older people and other disadvantaged groups;
calls for the EU Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027 to include effective strategies to improve training and adapt the skills of employed and unemployed workers in all sectors, regardless of company size;
calls for efforts to promote and facilitate the adjustment of existing learning programmes to include the skills needed for the dual digital and green transitions.
believes that the EU can and should increase its global competitiveness by implementing a comprehensive policy framework with administrative, legislative, normative, and economic measures.
believes that the consumers need to be informed and empowered to play an active role in achieving green transition goals, including awareness, recognition, and proper end-of-life management of bioplastics. Clear labeling can help facilitate this.
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supports the Commission's initiative to revise packaging and packaging waste legislation due to the increasing negative impact of packaging waste on health, economies, and the environment. While packaging plays a crucial role in ensuring consumer safety and food quality, the EESC also welcomes a revision that balances environmental concerns with consumer safety.
highlights the need to avoid imposing unnecessary administrative or operational burdens on SMEs when transposing the updated regulation into national legislation. It is crucial to consider appropriate deadlines for effective implementation, especially for affected industries and consumers.
underlines that the algae can help combat climate change and meet the needs of a growing global population in various ways. They can be grown in freshwater and eutrophicated water, thermal bath wastewater, and other types of wastewaters to serve environmental or energy purposes, showcasing the diversity of their potential uses.
believes that the EU possesses advanced scientific and technological expertise in microalgae, even in landlocked countries like Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary. This knowledge can support the development of a European algae sector and help increase public awareness and market acceptance.
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believes that with Russia's war in Ukraine and potential accession to the EU, it is crucial for the EU and its Member States to uphold the right to a healthy environment. The EESC highlights the pressing need to enhance environmental protection to protect fundamental rights in the EU and beyond, particularly given the environmental harm resulting from the war in Ukraine.
believes that Russia's actions constitute ecocide and is urging for the inclusion of "ecocide" as a criminal offense in EU law.
The EESC proposed to make sure that the relevant European and national legislation is fully implemented and enforced so as to reduce precarious work and the prevalence of the associated mental health problems;
to adopt specific legislation on preventing psychosocial risks at EU level;
to combat identified work-related psychosocial risks at the source.
