Brussels, 18 December 2017

The 34^th plenary session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly takes place this week, from 18th to 20th December, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Key topics on the agenda are climate change, the development-security nexus, public health, mineral resources, blue economy, sustainable tourism, as well as the situation in Libya, Mauritania, Zimbabwe, and in Catalonia. S&D Members - the largest political group delegation from the European Parliament - continue to play a leading role in the Women's Forum and the Youth Conference events in the framework of the session.

Commenting on the Women's Forum conference, Cécile Kyenge, S&D MEP co-chair of the Women's Forum and ACP-EU JPA vice-president, said:
 
"The promotion of women's role in the fight against climate change begins with the recognition of their rights as citizens; rights that must be guaranteed, particularly in the field of education. Education is the foundation on which political, economic and social rights are built.

"Today, women are playing a crucial role in politics and economics. Their political leadership is expressed through greater inclusivity in the institutions for which they are responsible. At the economic level, we also see action by women entrepreneurs who are economic leaders and feel the need to bring their businesses into compliance with environmental standards."

S&D MEP and co-chair of the Youth Conference Maria Noichl said:
 
"It was inspiring to see so many young people give their time and energy over the weekend to participate in discussions about the future of their country.

"It was clear that the number one priority of young people in Haiti is access to education. Unlocking affordable, high quality education is key to stimulating research and entrepreneurship, creating quality jobs and making sustainable progress on poverty eradication and equality.

"We must maintain EU support on teacher training, providing educational resources and making all levels of education - from primary to university higher education - available and affordable to all young people. This generation has significant challenges to face and we must do all we can to equip them with the tools to tackle them.
 
* S&D MEPs that participate in the session are Cécile Kyenge, Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar, Louis Joseph Manscour (vice-presidents of the ACP-EU JPA) and Ole Christensen, Seb Dance, Norbert Neuser, Maria Noichl, Ricardo Serrão Santo, Julie Ward, Carlos Zorrinho.

MEPs INVOLVED

KYENGE Cécile Kashetu

kashetu.kyenge@ep.europa.eu

+32(0)2 28 45123

+33(0)3 88 1 75123

http://cecilekyenge.it

NOICHL Maria

maria.noichl@ep.europa.eu

+32(0)2 28 45157

+33(0)3 88 1 75157

https://maria-noichl.eu/

S&D PRESS CONTACT

KOMODROMOS, Dimitris

dimitris.komodromos@ep.europa.eu

+33 3 88 17 46 98

+32 2 283 14 59

Brussels, 18 December 2017

After 17 hours of tough negotiations last night, the Council and the European Parliament representatives finally reached an agreement. Despite strong opposition from some EU member states, the Parliament negotiator, S&D MEP Simona Bonafè, ensured that the Waste Package as proposed by the Commission would not be watered down.

Simona Bonafè said:

“It has been a very tough negotiation, and we risked that a minimum threshold of member states could reject the whole package, so for hours and hours we pushed for the best possible deal. We ensured a common EU target for recycling 65% of municipal waste; a common EU target for recycling 55% of plastic packaging waste by 2030 and a binding landfill target to reduce landfill to a maximum of 10% of municipal waste, all by 2035, that is to say, five years later than the original proposal.”

“However the most important achievement is the simplification and improvement of definitions and harmonised calculation methods for recycling rates. Right now, member states use different criteria and therefore it is very difficult to ensure compliance.

“The measures agreed on last night actually ignite a real transition towards a zero-waste circular economy that will benefit all: citizens, companies and also the environment. An ethical and sustainable economic model is possible, and it is our task as politicians to pave the way for it.

"The package includes a waste hierarchy, meaning that the main effort by member states should be placed in waste prevention. In fact, for the first time in any EU piece of legislation there is a mandatory obligation for a cut in food waste and marine litter, in line with the 50% reduction target of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This way we will cut down on the approximately 89 million tonnes of food waste that we in the EU produce every year, around 180 kg per person."

S&D vice-president on sustainability, Kathleen Van Brempt, said:

“The negotiators have reached a very delicate balance between ambitious targets and pragmatic flexibility for member states to adapt, because the situation in each EU country is very different.

“We welcome the fact that for the first time there will be a ceiling for landfilling. Right now over a quarter of municipal waste is put in landfill and less than half is recycled, so now member states will have the economic tools to discourage this practice.”

“Another important novelty is the introduction of a minimum mandatory requirement for extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes. Producers will have to take responsibility for collecting or taking back their already-used products, and also for sorting and treatment of their recycling.

"To reach a real circular economy, we should not only focus on the push factors and the waste stages of materials, but also on the up-cycling and re-manufacturing loop. Therefore the traditional waste polices have to be complemented by product and (re)manufacturing policies that preserve valuable high quality materials in closed loops, creating an EU wide market for high end recycling. These kind of market based production-oriented instruments should be part of the upcoming Plastics Strategy that the Commission will announce in January.

“We also expect the Commission to present its proposal for eco-design, so that we complete the legislation to move towards a sustainable and humane economy in which resources are not wasted.”

MEPs INVOLVED

BONAFE Simona

simona.bonafe@ep.europa.eu

+32(0)2 28 45595

+33(0)3 88 1 75595

VAN BREMPT Kathleen

kathleen.vanbrempt@ep.europa.eu

+ 32 2 284 54 47

+ 33 3 88 17 54 47

http://kathleenvanbrempt.be/

S&D PRESS CONTACT

MARTIN DE LA TORRE, Victoria

victoria.martindelatorre@ep.europa.eu

+33 3 88 16 42 98

+32 2 284 30 81

Photo caption: Alexis Van Maercke, APEAL Secretary General.

APEAL (the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging) has welcomed the announcement of a balanced Circular Economy Package, following the considerable progress made during the last Trilogue discussions under the Estonian Presidency on 18 December.

Even if the final compromise still has to be formally adopted by the European Parliament (EP) and confirmed under the Bulgarian presidency, APEAL welcomes the general principles from the EU Institutions to place the measurement point of recycling as close as possible to real recycling.

With 77,5% recycled in 2015(¹⁾, steel is ideally positioned as the model packaging material for a circular economy and the new steel targets clearly reflect this.

Even if the agreed targets for all materials are an important step forward, we feel that the Member States could have shown more ambition during the final Trilogue. The last-minute introduction of a flexibility mechanism for Member States to perform lower in one or two packaging materials of their choice weakens the deal.

APEAL is pleased to note the EP has continued to endorse “multiple recycling” and that this is reflected in the final text. Through multiple recycling, products and packaging made from permanent materials, such as steel, are kept in the material loop and can become resources for other products and packaging.

We also welcome the maintaining of the ‘internal market’ legal base of the PPWD(²⁾.  APEAL, along with a large number of national and EU industries had repeatedly called for the safeguarding of the Internal market and the free circulation of packaging and packaged goods in order to avoid differences in interpretation or implementation.

To reach the objective of a truly circular economy in Europe, and reap the full environmental and economic benefits of recycling, APEAL now urges Member States to invest in the necessary infrastructure so that the recycling targets can be met for all packaging materials.

“The switch from a linear to circular economy is a concept that is supported globally by our industry and as an advanced industrial sector we wholly support this paradigm shift,” said Alexis Van Maercke, secretary general of APEAL.

“Implementing the CEP as soon as possible in the Member States will bring numerous benefits and APEAL is committed to work with the European Commission and all stakeholders to help achieve this.”

Media enquiries:

Will Herman

Pelican Communications

Email: will.herman@pelicomms.co.uk

00 +44 (0)1457 820807

APEAL:

Patricia Mobbs

Communications Manager

E-mail: p.mobbs@apeal.be

www.apeal.org

www.steelforpackaging.org

About APEAL

APEAL - the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging is a federation of four multi-national producers of steel for packaging (ArcelorMittal, Tata Steel, thyssenkrupp Rasselstein, U.S. Steel Košice). In total these four companies employ over 200,000 workers in Europe. Founded in 1986, APEAL represents today about 95% of the total European production of steel for packaging.

About Steel for Packaging

Steel is a unique packaging material, combining exceptional performance capabilities with unrivalled environmental credentials. Strong, formable and long-lasting, steel offers numerous benefits for the safe packaging of a wide variety of products.

⁽¹⁾ Source APEAL, verified by independent energy and waste specialist consultancy, Eunomia

⁽²⁾ Packaging and Packaging Waste framework Directive

EXPRA, WEEE Forum and EucoLight call on policymakers to introduce explicit obligations for online sellers under the new waste legislation

Brussels, 19 December 2017

S&D Euro MPs today welcomed the Commission’s legislative proposals to make it easier for companies, especially SMEs, to sell their products across Europe, and to strengthen controls by national authorities and customs officers to prevent unsafe products from being sold to European consumers.

S&D Group spokesperson for the internal market and consumer protection Nicola Danti said:

“Safety of consumers and effective market surveillance rules on the products sold in the Internal Market have always been a key-priority for us. In the next months, the S&D Group will work hard to ensure the new legislation proposed will help to create a fairer and safer internal market for goods. After recent scandals, it is essential to rebuild consumer´s trust in the common Market.”

MEPs INVOLVED

DANTI Nicola

nicola.danti@ep.europa.eu

+32(0)2 28 45143

+33(0)3 88 1 75143

http://www.nicoladanti.it/

S&D PRESS CONTACT

HÉLIN-VILLES, Solange

solange.helin@ep.europa.eu

+33 3 88 17 47 79

+32 2 283 21 47

December 20, 2017

Brussels, BELGIUM --  The Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) has issued a long awaited ruling that could have a broad impact in shaping Europe’s digital economy. The CJEU ruled today that Uber is a transport company rather than a digital platform that connects riders with drivers.

The case could impact how technology companies expand operations in Europe and whether they face one European set of rules or different regulations from each of the 28 Member States.

The ruling is seen as impacting the next generation of startups more than Uber itself, as Uber already abides by various rules in major EU cities where the ride sharing service is offered.

The Computer The Computer & Communications Industry Association represents a range of technology companies from telecommunications to Internet services and has advocated for decades in favour of innovation and competition that brings advantages to consumers and society at large. The following statement can be attributed to Jakob Kucharczyk, Vice President, Competition & EU Regulatory Policy:

“We regret the judgment effectively threatens the application of harmonized EU rules to online intermediaries. The purpose of those rules is to make sure online innovators can achieve greater scalability and competitiveness in the EU, unfettered from undue national restrictions. After today’s judgment innovators will increasingly be subject to divergent national and sectoral rules. This is a blow to the EU’s ambition of building an integrated digital single market.”

Contact:

Heather Greenfield hgreenfield@ccianet.org

Jakob Kucharczyk jkucharczyk@ccianet.org

About CCIA:

The Computer & Communications Industry Association is an international, nonprofit association representing a broad cross section of computer, communications and Internet industry firms. CCIA remains dedicated, as it has for over 40 years, to promoting innovation and preserving full, fair and open competition throughout our industry. Our members employ more than 750,000 workers and generate annual revenues in excess of $540 billion. For more, please go to: www.ccianet.org

ACCA’s Chief Executive meets members and students in Paris to discuss the impact of digital technologies on the role of professional accountants and the corporate finance functions

Technology is transforming our lives.  There’s no denying that the pace of change is increasing and the accountancy and finance profession is far from immune to this rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.  But it is important to continue raising awareness about technology developments to be able to make the most of its opportunities.

With this in mind, ACCA, the Conseil Supérieur de l’Ordre des Experts-Comptables (CSOEC) and the Compagnie Nationale des Commissaires aux Comptes (CNCC) joined forces to organise the first ever joint members event in Paris.

Around 70 members of ACCA and of the French bodies attended the end-of-year networking reception, which started with speeches from Charles-René Tandé, President of CSOEC and Jean-Bouquot, President of CNCC, Philippe Arraou, Président d’honneur du CSOEC and Membre du Conseil de l’IFAC,  Helen Brand, OBE, Chief Executive of ACCA , and Roxana Damianov, Corporate Finance and Reporting Leader at the  European Securities and Markets Agency (ESMA). The aim of the event was to discuss the challenges and opportunities of digital for the profession, but also  to create networking opportunities for our members and students, discovering new opportunities and shared connections.

Helen Brand, OBE, ACCA”s Chief Executive said: “As new paradigms are emerging in accounting and finance, it is our duty – as a professional body -  to lead the way and ensure our members and students are equipped with the skills they need for the future.  ACCA has just unveiled a brand new study called The Race for  relevance, which encapsulates the opportunities finance functions now have because of the emergence of technologies that improve data quality, efficiency and reduce costs.

At ACCA, we know that accountancy and auditing are vital for economies to grow and prosper. This means that the role of professional accountants and auditors has never been more exciting, more challenging or more important.’

Roxana Damianov, leader of corporate finance and reporting with the ESMA and ACCA member said: “Digitalisation has increasingly impacted our day to day life, as well as generated opportunities in creating business and solving various issues, whether in the area of industry, banking, medicine or education. The corporate reporting area is no exception to that and has arrived at a stage where transformation needs to take place”. 

Following examples from the US, where digital financial reports submission was introduced some 10 years ago, the European Union has included in the Transparency Directive a requirement for companies to prepare annual financial reports in a single European electronic format from 2020.

ESMA had the task to analyse the relevant technologies and to choose the most appropriate one to deliver the objectives and, after three years, has finalised the technical standard to be used as a basis for the new European Single Electronic Format (ESEF), by around 5 000 companies across Europe. The final draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) , setting out the ESEF, unveiled on 18  December, represent a significant step forward in the digitalisation of financial information from European issuers. The introduction of the new reporting format in 2020 will make financial statements more accessible and more easily comparable for investors across the EU, facilitating progress towards a single capital market and contributing to increased investor protection.

Philippe Arraou, Honorary President of CSOEC, and Member of the IFAC board, recalled the urgency for the accountants and finance professionals to embrace the challenge of digital. He concluded that  it is vital to encourage the profession to become the connection between the opportunities of the digital transformation and their clients, especially SMES. Accountants are already professionals of dematerialisation, and SMEs count on them to accompany them in their digital transition.

-ends-

Notes to Editors

Contact: Cecile Bonino, head of EU Affairs, cecile.bonino@accaglobal.com or +32 (0) 2 286 11 37

About ACCA

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

ACCA supports its 200,000 members and 486,000 students in 180 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 101 offices and centres and more than 7,200 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

ACCA is currently introducing major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up to date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally.

Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com

The beginning of December saw ACCA hold its epic three-day global virtual conference, Accounting for the Future.

Accounting for the Future, which has been running for the past eight years, was the most successful conference yet with around 24,000 people from over 175 countries visiting the event, up from 18,000 people from the previous year. It is designed to give ACCA members the opportunity to keep themselves updated on the latest trends and developments affecting their professional life.

Delegates were given access to ACCA’s Professional Insights reports; a vast network of members from across markets; and a chance to listen to speakers from many countries and ask them questions, all within a virtual conference environment.

There was particular focus on technology and ethics this year, but the 28 sessions ranged across the board with presenters from many countries and organisations – other topics covered included corporate reporting, tax, and trade issues such as Brexit and Belt and Road. The level of engagement was extremely high and technology sessions based on the Professional Insights report, Race for relevance, were the most tuned into sessions.

There were:

• 23,808 registrations from 177 countries
• 11,951 delegates attending a total of 62,634 sessions
• 28 sessions over three days from 4 – 6 December
• 74,639 hours of engagement

ACCA’s director of Professional Insights, Maggie McGhee, said:

‘This has been another successful and exciting year for Accounting for the Future. Many personalities have come together over the past three days to present some really insightful and entertaining sessions. We’ve seen a number of high profile individuals ranging from the likes of Corporate philosopher, Roger Steere; Grant Thornton’s CEO, Sacha Romanovitch to Richard Howitt, chief executive of the International Integrated Reporting Council.

‘More than 16,000 items of ACCA’s Professional Insights work– such as our reports, online magazines and ACCA’s Professional Insights app – have been accessed. These numbers will certainly increase between now and next year.

‘For anyone who was unable to attend, the material from the conference remains open ‘on demand’ until April 2018 at accaglobal.com/accountingforthefuture.’ 

- ends -

For media enquiries, contact:

Monique McKenzie, ACCA Newsroom
T: +44 (0)20 7059 5030
M: +44 (0)7725 613 447
E: monique.mckenzie@accaglobal.com
Twitter @ACCANews

About ACCA

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

ACCA supports its 200,000 members and 486,000 students in 180countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 101 offices and centres and more than 7,200 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

ACCA is currently introducing major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up-to-date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally.

Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com

Brussels, 20 December 2017

Following the decision of the European Commission to trigger Article 7.1 of the EU treaties in response to violations of the rule of law and the separation of power in Poland, S&D Group President Gianni Pittella said: 

"We fully support the decision of the European Commission to launch Article 7 procedures. The Commission is the guardian of the treaties and it is essential that they act when they see a clear threat to the rule of law in any Member State. This is not a political decision but a necessary step based on the treaties. It comes after two years of overtures and invitations to dialogue addressed by the Commission to the Polish government, which unfortunately fell on deaf ears. The Commission had no choice but to launch Article 7.
 
"This is a development caused by the Polish government. We urge President Andrzej Duda to veto the laws adopted last week by the Polish parliament, and begin process of resolving this situation. Further, we urge Law and Justice leader Jarosław Kaczyński and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to follow the recommendations sent by the Commission today and change all of the offending laws.

"The separation of powers is essential to ensure that the EU works effectively. We have to fight to protect it wherever it is under threat. Poland is a vital part of the EU and we urge the government to come back to the negotiating table and finally end this stalemate."

MEPs INVOLVED

PITTELLA Gianni

gianni.pittella@ep.europa.eu

+32 2 284 51 59

+33 3 88 17 51 59

http://www.giannipittella.eu/

S&D PRESS CONTACT

BERNAS, Jan

jan.bernas@ep.europa.eu

+33 3 88 16 43 69

+32 2 284 21 32

ALLAN, Tim

tim.allan@ep.europa.eu

+32 2 283 41 82

The Party of European Socialists approves of the European Commission's decision to trigger Article 7 of the EU treaties, in response to the violations of the rule of law and the separation of powers by the government and president of Poland.

The PES believes this to be a proportionate measure, after a long period of warnings and of non-cooperation by the Polish authorities.

PES president Sergei Stanishev said:

"As Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans has said, we have two options: to avoid confrontation indefinitely, or to engage in confrontation now and preserve fundamental rights now and in the future, for the sake of Polish citizens and all other European citizens.

"The separation of powers is one of the EU's fundamental values. It is a false narrative to say that newer member states are being targeted by Brussels. The Polish government should stop portraying itself as a victim -- the true victim here is Polish democracy."

The Article 7 measure will now be submitted to the Council for approval.

Brussels, 21 December 2017

Commenting on the 34^th plenary session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (18-20 December, Port-au-Prince, Haiti), which focused particularly on sustainable development, security and the political and migration situation, S&D MEP Louis-Joseph Manscour, vice-chair of the ACP-EU JPA said:

"We have seen and heard clearly this week about the vulnerability of ACP countries, in particular island states to the effects of climate change and natural disasters.

"S&D MEPs have continued to work with our sister parties from across the ACP to advance an agenda of sustainable development and climate resilience.

"There are enormous opportunities to create sustainable jobs in the tourism and research sectors. We are committed to enhancing technical know-how and political dialogue between ACP countries and the EU for mutually beneficial progress."

S&D MEP and ACP-EU JPA vice-chair Juan Fernando López Aguilar said:
 
"Intense discussions were held this week on the political, security and migration challenges we are facing. S&D Members recommitted with our ACP partners to advance a human rights-based policy on migration in counties of origin, transit and destination.
 
"The situation in Libya is extremely concerning, and parliamentarians from across the ACP and EU urged the European Commission and ACP governments to step up action immediately to eradicate all forms of human trafficking and slavery. 
 
"Respect for human rights and the rule of law form one of the fundamental principles of our joint ACP-EU parliamentary cooperation and we will continue to advocate these priorities."

 MEPs INVOLVED

MANSCOUR Louis-Joseph

louis-joseph.manscour@ep.europa.eu

+32(0)2 28 45228

+33(0)3 88 1 75228

LÓPEZ AGUILAR Juan Fernando

juanfernando.lopezaguilar@ep.europa.eu

+32(0)2 28 45336

+33(0)3 88 1 75336

http://juanfernandolopezaguilar.es/

S&D PRESS CONTACT

KOMODROMOS, Dimitris

dimitris.komodromos@ep.europa.eu

+33 3 88 17 46 98

+32 2 283 14 59

Following the presentation of the European Commission proposal for a “Directive for more transparent and predictable working conditions across the EU” revising the Written Statement Directive, CEEP General Secretary Valeria Ronzitti commented:

“The European Commission proposal confirms what CEEP has been stating over the past few months: the written statement directive touches upon the core business and daily operation of employers and workers; the proposed revision should therefore be a task for social partners, who are the best placed to find solutions with and for their members.

It is our ‘raison d’être’ to solve issues occurring at the workplace. Therefore, we are very disappointed that the European Commission had no choice but to move forward with its own proposal.

With a clear mandate from its whole membership firmly supporting social partners’ negotiations, CEEP and public services’ employers were open to negotiate with trade unions on all aspects of the second stage consultation.

Now that the proposal is on the table, our main lobby activity will consist in pushing Member States to empower national and local social partners to find the solutions we were not able to find at European level.”

For further information, please contact:
Maxime STAELENS, Communication Officer
Email: maxime.staelens@ceep.eu
Tel.: + 32(0) 2 229 21 40

To subscribe to our newsletter, please follow this link.
 

CEEP, European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public Services and Services of General Interest, is one of the three general cross-sectoral European Social Partners. It gathers public and private providers of services of general interest from across Europe. CEEP members contribute to more than 26% of EU GDP and employ 30% of the EU workforce.