Ultimi documenti

Riassunto : Cross-border parental child abductions in the EU are governed by The 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and (except for Denmark) the Brussels II-ter Regulation. Countries outside of the EU may or may not be Contracting States to ‘the Convention’, but will not be bound by Brussels II-ter. Research has found that the often negative, long-lasting impact of abduction may continue throughout the lifecycle of those who have been abducted. It may also affect future generations of society. This means that every effort to deter abduction should be made. Where that is not possible, the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention should be nurtured to support its application in contemporary society. Specialist mediation should be encouraged in relation to international child abduction generally, and specifically in relation to Third Countries which are not Contracting States to ‘the Convention’. This study was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee.

Autori : Marilyn FREEMAN

Autori : ANDRZEJ SANDERSKI

Riassunto : This study, which was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee, provides a comparative analysis of the laws on public benefit status found in the Member States of the EU from the perspective of associations and discusses the state of the art of EU law in this field. The study also deals with the legal regulation of cross-border conversion, merger and division of associations, focusing on some problematic aspects that also concern associations that hold the public benefit status. Conclusions focus on the need for the introduction of an EU statute that guarantees public benefit organizations effective freedom of establishment within the Union.

Autori : Antonio FICI

Autori : ANDRZEJ SANDERSKI, ANNA MANGINI

Riassunto : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee, provides an analysis of buyout contracts imposed by platforms in the cultural and creative sector in EU law. The study provides a detailed analysis of buyout practices and assess their economic and cultural impact on the creative sector. Policy recommendations are formulated in relation to EU creators’ protection, in light of EU and member states’ implementations.

Autori : Stéphanie CARRE, Stéphanie LE CAM & Franck MACREZ

Riassunto : This collection of studies, prepared by the Policy Department C at the request of European Parliament's JURI Committee, indicates that better EU legislation and regulation can deliver gains to the European economy of over EUR 2,200 billion, while even selected sectorial legislation can deliver EUR 575 billon in case of free movement of goods and customs union, EUR 389 billon in case of free movement of services and EUR 177 billion in case of the Digital Single Market, annually. At the same time delaying better legislation and regulation in the EU leads to an aggregate annual loss of EUR 319 billion just in the digital transformation area. Experts indicate at an urgent need of new instruments for the EU better regulation agenda.

Autori : Siôn JONES, Andrea RENDA & Giovanni SARTOR

Riassunto : Il presente studio esamina la questione delle domande transfrontaliere per la restituzione di opere d'arte saccheggiate, prendendo in considerazione le opere d'arte saccheggiate dai nazisti e le appropriazioni coloniali, ma anche le perdite culturali più recenti dovute a traffici illeciti. Sebbene tali categorie si differenzino notevolmente, esistono dei punti in comune. Lo studio evidenzia le lacune del quadro giuridico e politico e formula raccomandazioni sui modi per colmarle. Il presente studio è stato commissionato dal Dipartimento tematico Diritti dei cittadini e affari costituzionali del Parlamento europeo su richiesta della commissione JURI.

Autori : Evelien CAMPFENS

Riassunto : This study – commissioned by the Policy Department C at the request of the Committee on Legal Affairs – aims at discussing the reasons why the law chosen in commercial contracts is largely non-European and non-member state law. To do so, it first provides an overview of the relevant academic and policy efforts underwent to formulate a European contract law. Then it moves on to touch upon a broad spectrum of matters emerging both from international reports on the adjudication and the functioning of the courts systems, as well as from academic literature on matters that span from contract qualification, interpretation, integration, and some fundamental aspects of remedies.

Autori : Andrea BERTOLINI

Riassunto : The study submits that ‘One in, one out’ is a tool for less, not better, regulation and legislation, and, as such, it is not a suitable instrument for better law-making. To achieve effectiveness of legislation, the EU must reform its law-making policy holistically by placing the citizen at the core of its legislative communication. The EP must lead on and defend the citizens’ right to better legislation. To put this reform to effect, the JURI Committee must place itself at the centre of deliberations, via a Working Group dedicated to Better Regulation, to assure a constant reflection on better regulation with the support of a network of European academic experts. This study was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee.

Autori : Helen XANTHAKI

Riassunto : Ad aprile 2023 la Commissione ha adottato alcune proposte di regolamento che introducono un certificato protettivo complementare (CPC) unitario e una procedura di valutazione centralizzata per i CPC dei medicinali. Il presente studio analizza le potenziali ripercussioni di tali proposte sull'accesso ai medicinali, gli oneri amministrativi a carico dei richiedenti e i costi per i sistemi sanitari nazionali. Questo documento è stato elaborato dal Dipartimento tematico Diritti dei cittadini e affari costituzionali su richiesta della commissione JURI.

Autori : Thyra DE JONGH, Bregtje KAMPHUIS, Sven BOSTYN & Alfred RADAUER

Riassunto : The initiative's objective is to facilitate the use of digital tools and processes in EU company law. The problem definition appears to be well supported by evidence. The IA substantiates the nature and scale of the problem, as well as who it affects (business registers, public authorities, businesses, citizens/ consumers) and how. The policy options are not alternatives to each other but each one of them is a group of (sub-) options for each of the four intervention areas. The sub-options under each option are cumulative – it is questionable whether they qualify as alternative options under the Better Regulation Guidelines. The assessment of the options' impacts (economic, social and environmental) is qualitative and quantitative and appears to be based on sound research and analysis. The IA provides a comprehensive summary of the costs and benefits of the preferred set of options for the affected stakeholder groups. The IA considers that SMEs would particularly benefit from the reduction of administrative burden and increase in legal certainty. It provides the views of stakeholder groups on the problems, the problem drivers, the objectives and options in a transparent manner. It appears that the preferred set of options is supported by the stakeholders.

Autori : DIETER FRIZBERG

Riassunto : Lo studio, commissionato dal dipartimento tematico Diritti dei cittadini e affari costituzionali del Parlamento europeo su richiesta della commissione JURI, analizza lo status normativo degli impegni giuridici degli Stati in materia di diritto climatico internazionale. Lo studio giunge alla conclusione che gli obblighi di dovuta diligenza degli Stati per realizzare i loro contributi determinati a livello nazionale (NDC) possono essere considerati come una norma del diritto internazionale generale, che tuttavia per il momento non ha carattere imperativo. Dallo studio risulta inoltre che attualmente l'impatto giuridico di tale norma rientra nell'ambito dell'interpretazione e dell'armonizzazione del diritto internazionale esistente e non comporta l'invalidazione di leggi contrastanti.

Autori : Marcel BRUS, Panos MERKOURIS, André DE HOOGH

Riassunto : This study was prepared by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee. Commercial, industrial and military applications of metaverse bring both opportunities as well as significant concerns for everyday life, health, work, and security. Legislative initiatives promoting fundamental principles of law, legislative and judicial oversight, applied comprehensively across a broad range of policies, are necessary to make sure that metaverse will play a positive role.

Autori : Mariusz MACIEJEWSKI

Riassunto : This study, commissioned by the Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee, looks into the challenges and possible improvements of administrative cooperation between Member States, as regards cross-border enforcement of administrative fines and recovery claims. Legal instruments to facilitate transnational cooperation are necessary. Also the terms ‘fine’ and ‘recovery claim’ are often subject to different definitions in the Member States. Framework Decision 2005/214/JHA works for offenses regulated therein. Measures to improve cooperation are allowed by Article 82(1) TFEU but administrative authorities are regularly not judicial authorities. Amendments can be based on Article 114(1) TFEU if they serve to supplement provisions on information, service and enforcement assistance.

Autori : Prof. Dr. Marc RÖCKINGHAUSEN and Prof. Dr. Christof MUTHERS

Riassunto : This appraisal assesses two regulations for intellectual property rights applicable to the specific case of medicinal products and plant protection products – the Supplementary Protection Certificate Regulations (SPC Regulations for short). The analysis highlights the outcome of the European Commission's assessment, discrepancies in implementation between Member States, and the complexity of striking a balance between various interests, since both regulations aim to reconcile public health imperatives, the need to foster research and development, and the interests of the pharmaceutical industry. The initiative may either put in place a unitary supplementary protection certificate and/or a single ('unified') procedure for granting national supplementary protection certificates. The objective is to make supplementary protection certificates more accessible and efficient for the health sector.

Autori : MARIE-ASTRID HUEMER

Riassunto : Il presente studio, commissionato dal dipartimento tematico Diritti dei cittadini e affari costituzionali del Parlamento europeo su richiesta della commissione JURI, analizza le implicazioni della Brexit sotto il profilo della cooperazione giudiziaria in materia civile. Esso esamina il quadro giuridico esistente per individuare le aree del diritto che presentano lacune dal punto di vista delle relazioni tra l'UE e il Regno Unito e valuta le conseguenze della mancata adesione del Regno Unito alla convenzione di Lugano del 2007. Conclude che sarebbe opportuno perseguire la conclusione di nuovi trattati tra l'UE e il Regno Unito nei settori in cui esiste un vuoto normativo, con particolare riferimento all'ambito dei diritti umani.

Autori : Lotario Benedetto DITTRICH

Riassunto : On 7 December 2022, the Commission tabled a proposal for a directive aimed at enhancing and harmonising insolvency law in the EU. The proposal seeks to make it easier to recover assets from the liquidated insolvency estate; render insolvency proceedings more efficient; and ensure a predictable and fair distribution of recovered value among creditors. The directive would complement two recently adopted pieces of legislation, namely, the directive on pre-insolvency proceedings and debt discharge following insolvency proceedings, and the regulation on the determination of jurisdiction and applicable law for cross-border insolvency. In the European Parliament, the referral was announced in plenary on 26 January 2023, and the file was assigned to the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI). Parliament has expressed concern at the lack of harmonisation of insolvency law across the EU on several occasions in the framework of previous legislative procedures. First edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Autori : ISSAM HALLAK

Riassunto : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Riassunto : This European added value assessment seeks to support a European Parliament legislative own-initiative report on digitalisation and administrative law (2021/2161(INL)), asking the European Commission to present a legislative proposal on an EU law on administrative procedure. The study investigates the current state of play with regard to digitalisation and the use of digital tools in EU public administration. The analysis identifies five regulatory gaps and their impact on citizens and businesses. It presents three broad possible policy options for EU action that could address the identified gaps to some extent and generate positive impacts for citizens and businesses.

Autori : LENKA JANCOVA, MEENAKSHI FERNANDES

Riassunto : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee, aims to provide an overview over Intellectual Property Rights and Distributed Ledger Technology with a focus on IP issues relating to art NFTs and tokenized physical art works.

Autori : Katharina Garbers-von Boehm, Helena Haag, Katharina Gruber

Riassunto : The IA is based on solid expertise, with ample information in 13 annexes, some of which form an integral part of the analysis (namely Annexes 5 and 12 for the problem definition and Annex 8 for the assessment of the options' impacts). The qualitative and quantitative assessment of the options is concise, balanced and logical. The IA is transparent regarding methods, assumptions and uncertainties in the analysis, which it addresses through a sensitivity analysis to ensure a robust evidence base. The impacts of all options are assessed against a set of 16 criteria and compared to the baseline in terms of their effectiveness, efficiency, coherence and proportionality. The IA decides against options it considers disproportionate, such as an EU body to pre-approve sustainability labels. It highlights the importance of coherence with other complementary EU actions, but potential interactions could have been indicated in a more precise and structured manner, to better illustrate potential overlaps.

Autori : Esther KRAMER

Riassunto : This document is a compilation of briefings that track the commitments made by the Vice-Presidents and Commissioners to the European Parliament – in their written answers to Parliament’s questions, at their hearings, and, in some cases, in subsequent appearances before Parliament’s committees. The document provides an overview of the state-of-play at the mid-term of the von der Leyen Commission. Since many of these commitments were made, major international crises have shifted some political priorities. The Vice-Presidents’ and Commissioners’ progress on their commitments should be considered in this context.

Riassunto : This briefing follows up the commitments made by the commissioner in 2019.

Riassunto : This briefing follows up the commitments made by the commissioner since 2019.

Riassunto : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Riassunto : The approach taken by the jurisprudence of the Polish courts, especially the Constitutional Tribunal, concerning the principle of the primacy of the EU law in relation to the Polish law and in particular to the Polish Constitution has changed substantially since Polish accession to the EU. The in-depth analysis evaluates three distinct periods in the jurisprudence of Polish Constitutional Tribunal. This study is commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee.

Autori : Frederyck Zoll

Riassunto : his in-depth analysis, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee, looks at the use of data for the purpose of regulatory assessment/evaluation. The author finds that data is needed to support evidence-based regulation, that information technologies, and in particular AI, can enable a more extensive and beneficial use of data, and that the use of data in ex-post evaluations can improve the regulatory process. The in-depth analysis offers policy recommendations.

Autori : Giovanni SARTOR

Riassunto : This briefing, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee, provides recommendations for better regulation in the EU by improving quality and reducing delays. It points at significant actual and potential benefits from EU legislative initiatives amounting to over €2,200bn as well as costs of slow Europe of €319 billion in lost annual benefits.

Autori : Siôn Jones, Greta Dohler, Luke Pate

Riassunto : This in-depth analysis commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee, looks at the past and current developments in the EU better regulation agenda. The author finds that, despite important achievements that put the EU at the forefront in this field, many of the most ambitious reforms announced over the past few years are still far from complete. The in-depth analysis offers several policy recommendations.

Autori : RENDA Andrea

Riassunto : This study, commissioned by the Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs of the European Parliament, explains the principle of the primacy of European Union law and its practical consequences, as established by the Treaty system and developed by Court of Justice case-law since 1964. It explains how Member State courts accept, interpret and apply the principle, subject to any limits.

Autori : Jacques Ziller

Riassunto : This study analyses recent developments in data related practice, law and policy as well as the current legal framework for data access, sharing, and use in the European Union. The study identifies particular issues of concern and highlights respective need for action. On this basis, the study evaluates the Commission’s proposal for a Data Act. The study is commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Legal Affairs.

Autori : Matthias Leistner, Lucie Antoine

Riassunto : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Riassunto : Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty (2009), the EU national parliaments have had the right to control the principle of subsidiarity through the Early Warning System (EWS). This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee, examines how the EWS has worked over the past 12 years. It also looks into the interaction of the European Commission, local and regional entities, the Committee of the Regions and the Court of Justice of the EU with national parliaments to this end.

Autori : Diane FROMAGE

Riassunto : The IA covers two Commission proposals representing the biggest amendment to date of the Solvency II framework, which came into force in the EU in 2016. Important parts of the framework laid down in delegated and implementing acts will be updated by the Commission at a later stage. This IA builds on a broad consultation of stakeholders, and on extensive advice from the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA). In addition to various reports from EIOPA including a holistic IA, the IA draws on a technical report from the JRC and an external study, which are adequately referenced and publicly accessible. The objectives are directly linked to the problems identified in the IA and their consequences. The Solvency II review aims to increase policyholders' protection as well as the insurers' contribution to the long-term green financing of the economy, to contribute to financial stability, and to preserve the international competitiveness of the EU insurance industry. The preferred options are in line with EIOPA's advice, except for the policy dimension related to proportionality, where the IA explains why the preferred option deviates from EIOPA's recommendation. The IA shows how the combination of preferred options is expected to contribute to the achievement of the objectives identified. The IA assesses and compares the potential impacts of the options presented to achieve these objectives in a systematic way. In addition, the IA describes the potential positive impact of the preferred options on SMEs. The IA also explains how the proposed Solvency II review is expected to improve proportionality and to simplify the regulatory framework. The IA mainly focuses on the economic impacts of the initiative. The main social impact assessed by the IA concerns the expected improvement of policyholder protection. Potential environmental impacts relating to enhanced green financing, could have been more clearly addressed in the IA.

Autori : VERONIQUE GIRARD

Riassunto : This study analyses the clarity and adaptability of EU environmental law and how these could be improved by means of regulatory options, by looking at four core EU environmental directives, in the field of water, air, nature and waste. Recommendations are made to improve the effectiveness of environmental law in European Union The research has been prepared at the request of the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs as asked by the Committee on Petitions (PETI).

Autori : Lorenzo Squintani

Riassunto : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Riassunto : Sunset clauses in International Treaties account for numerous benefits. However, their entrenchment effect disproportionally burdens future policymakers. This is the case of the Energy Charter Treaty, which poses unique challenges for two main reasons. First, compared to other treaties, the ECT contains a 20-year sunset clause. Second, the treaty is a multilateral with a rigid amendment procedure, which empowers the entrenchment effect of that treaty. Within this context, the study explores the policy options to disengage from the ECT and the entrenchment effect of its sunset clauses.

Autori : Antonios Kouroutakis

Riassunto : Upon request by the Committee on Legal Affairs, this handbook, provided by the Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, summarises, in its first part, the EU legal framework on the incompatibilities and immunity of Members of the European Parliament. Based on national reports, the second part of the handbook gives an overview, for each EU Member State, of the relevant national provisions on the composition of national governments and parliaments as well as those on national parliamentary immunities. This handbook will be updated regularly based on information received; please hold as reference the date of edition.

Autori : Eeva PAVY

Riassunto : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee, aims to provide an overview of cross-border enforcement of intellectual property rights in the EU with a particular emphasis on copyright and related rights in the online environment. The study provides a detailed analysis of the current situation of cross-border IPR enforcement and formulates various policy recommendations to improve current IPR enforcement options among MS.

Autori : Oleksandr BULAYENKO Giancarlo FROSIO Anna LAWRYNOWICZ-DREWEK Natasha MANGAL

Riassunto : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Riassunto : Il presente studio, commissionato dal dipartimento tematico Diritti dei cittadini e affari costituzionali del Parlamento europeo su richiesta della commissione JURI, fornisce una rassegna delle politiche riguardanti la presenza delle donne nei consigli di amministrazione negli Stati membri dell'UE. Propone in particolare un'analisi dettagliata delle politiche e delle pratiche in materia nonché del loro impatto sulla rappresentanza femminile nei consigli di amministrazione in Spagna, Francia, Italia, Paesi Bassi e Germania. A conclusione dello studio viene raccomandata la tempestiva adozione della proposta di direttiva del Parlamento europeo e del Consiglio riguardante il miglioramento dell'equilibrio di genere fra gli amministratori senza incarichi esecutivi delle società quotate in Borsa e relative misure (COM(2012) 614).

Autori : Anja KIRSCH

Riassunto : Il presente studio, commissionato dal Dipartimento tematico Diritti dei cittadini e affari costituzionali del Parlamento europeo su richiesta della commissione JURI, fornisce un'analisi approfondita dello stato dell'arte a livello politico e giuridico in materia di discriminazione retributiva di genere nell'Unione europea. A tale scopo, si basa su uno studio comparativo completo che coinvolge alcuni paesi europei (Italia, Francia, Germania, Danimarca, Islanda e Spagna) al fine di progettare ed elaborare in modo definitivo raccomandazioni strategiche specifiche per giungere a una soluzione condivisa e basata su informazioni adeguate in materia di discriminazione salariale nell'UE, soprattutto alla luce della proposta di direttiva relativa alla comunicazione societaria sulla sostenibilità (CSRD) recentemente adottata dalla Commissione.

Autori : Paola PROFETA, Maria Lucia PASSADO, Ximena CALÓ

Riassunto : Diese Studie, die von der Politischen Abteilung für Bürgerrechte und konstitutionelle Angelegenheiten des Europäischen Parlaments auf Ersuchen des JURI-Ausschusses in Auftrag gegeben wurde, analysiert Rechtsdefinitionen von strategischen Klagen gegen öffentliche Beteiligung (SLAPP) und bewertet die Vereinbarkeit einer Anti-SLAPP-Gesetzgebung mit EU-Recht. Es wird empfohlen, eine Anti-SLAPP-Richtlinie zu verabschieden sowie die Brüssel-Ia-Verordnung und die Rom-II-Verordnung neu zu fassen, um das Auftreten von SLAPP-Klagen zu begrenzen.

Autori : Justin BORG-BARTHET Benedetta LOBINA Magdalena ZABROCKA.

Riassunto : La présente étude, commandée par le département thématique des droits des citoyens et des affaires constitutionnelles du Parlement européen à la demande de la commission des affaires juridiques (JURI), analyse les définitions juridiques des poursuites stratégiques altérant le débat public (poursuites-bâillons) et évalue la compatibilité de la législation contre les poursuites-bâillons dans le droit européen. Il est recommandé l’adoption d’une directive contre les poursuites-bâillons et la refonte des règlements Bruxelles I bis et Rome II en vue de limiter l’incidence des poursuites-bâillons.

Autori : Justin BORG-BARTHET Benedetta LOBINA Magdalena ZABROCKA.

Riassunto : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Riassunto : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI and PETI Committees, analyses the use of biometric techniques from an ethical and legal perspective. Biometric techniques raise a number of specific ethical issues, as an individual cannot easily change biometric features, and as these techniques tend to intrude into the human body and ultimately the human self. Further issues are more generally associated with large-scale surveillance, algorithmic decision making, or profiling. The study analyses different types of biometric techniques and draws conclusions for EU legislation

Autori : Christiane WENDEHORST, Yannic DULLER

Riassunto : The study addresses the regulation of targeted and behavioural advertising in the context of digital services. Marketing methods and technologies deployed in behavioural and target advertising are presented. The EU law on consent to the processing of personal data is analysed, in connection with advertising practices. Ways of improving the quality of consent are discussed as well as ways of restricting its scope as a legal basis for the processing of personal data. This study is commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee...

Autori : Giovanni SARTOR, Francesca LAGIOIA, Federico GALLI,

Riassunto : The study addresses the regulation of targeted and behavioural advertising in the context of digital services. Marketing methods and technologies deployed in behavioural and target advertising are presented. The EU law on consent to the processing of personal data is analysed, in connection with advertising practices. Ways of improving the quality of consent are discussed as well as ways of restricting its scope as a legal basis for the processing of personal data. This study is commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee.

Autori : Giovanni SARTOR, Francesca LAGIOIA, Federico GALLI

Riassunto : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI and PETI Committees, analyses the use of biometric techniques from an ethical and legal perspective. Biometric techniques raise a number of specific ethical issues, as an individual cannot easily change biometric features, and as these techniques tend to intrude into the human body and ultimately the human self. Further issues are more generally associated with large-scale surveillance, algorithmic decision making, or profiling. The study analyses different types of biometric techniques and draws conclusions for EU legislation.

Autori : Christiane WENDEHORST, Yannic DULLER.

Riassunto : The European Commission proposed to improve sustainability reporting by revising the non-financial reporting directive 2014/95/EU. The accompanying impact assessment (IA) provides a well-defined problem that is substantiated with evidence, a clear set of objectives that correspond to the problems identified and makes effort to cover SMEs in the consultation strategy. Overall, the evidence used in the IA seems recent and reliable. However, the IA has not set any concrete targets, indicators or timelines for achieving its objectives. The range of options in the IA appears rather imbalanced, the analysis has been predominantly economic and has focused on the effectiveness of meeting the specific objectives and their costs, while the discussion of benefits has remained rather descriptive. Environmental impacts seem to have been completely excluded, the costs of indirect effects on SMEs in the supply chains of large companies have not been quantified and the benefits for listed SMEs have not been elaborated on.

Autori : Vera VIKOLAINEN

Riassunto : The Commission is proposing a new Artificial Intelligence Act laying down rules harmonised rules on AI. This initial appraisal of the Commission’s impact assessment on the proposal notes how the impact assessment the impact assessment banks on a wealth of available research on the topic at hand and uses numerous sources to underpin the discussion. It observes that the impact assessment offers a diverse and realistic range of options and traces a clear intervention logic connecting the problems and their drivers with the specific objectives and the policy options.

Autori : HUBERT DALLI

Riassunto : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Riassunto : This At a glance of the study with the same title, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee, analyses legal definitions of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) and assesses the compatibility of anti-SLAPP legislation with EU law. It is recommended that an anti-SLAPP Directive should be adopted, and that the Brussels Ia Regulation and Rome II Regulation should be recast to limit the incidence of SLAPPs.

Autori : Justin BORG-BARTHET Benedetta LOBINA Magdalena ZABROCKA.

Riassunto : Questo studio verte sulla responsabilità ambientale e i reati ambientali nel contesto delle fusioni e acquisizioni. Analizza la possibilità che la responsabilità ambientale sia trasferita a una subentrante o a una società madre. Valuta altresì il ruolo delle società nella direttiva sulla tutela penale dell'ambiente prestando particolare attenzione al subentro di società. Viene inoltre preso particolarmente in considerazione il concetto di ecocidio. Lo studio giunge alla conclusione che, in caso di fusione o acquisizione, gli obblighi di carattere ambientale sono trasferiti alla società incorporante. Sussiste tuttavia ancora il rischio che le società possano organizzare la propria insolvenza. A tale situazione è possibile porre rimedio imponendo garanzie di solvibilità obbligatorie. In molti sistemi giuridici, la responsabilità penale di un'impresa può essere anch'essa trasferita alla subentrante

Autori : Michael G. FAURE

Riassunto : La Convenzione europea dei diritti dell'uomo (CEDU) stabilisce l'obbligo positivo di salvaguardare la libertà dei media pluralisti e di creare un ambiente favorevole alla partecipazione al dibattito pubblico. Le azioni legali strategiche tese a bloccare la partecipazione pubblica (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, SLAPP) sono azioni di tipo ritorsivo dirette a scoraggiare l'esercizio della libertà di espressione su questioni di interesse pubblico e costituiscono una seria minaccia all'adempim ento di questo obbligo.

Autori : Justin BORG-BARTHET Benedetta LOBINA Magdalena ZABROCKA.

Riassunto : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Riassunto : Il presente studio, commissionato dal dipartimento tematico Diritti dei cittadini e affari costituzionali del Parlamento europeo su richiesta della commissione JURI, fornisce un'analisi comparativa delle principali leggi in materia di organizzazioni senza scopo di lucro in vigore in alcuni paesi europei ed esamina una potenziale iniziativa legislativa dell'Unione europea in merito. Lo studio presenta le diverse opzioni disponibili e conclude che l'Unione europea dovrebbe introdurre uno status europeo che, anziché essere limitato alle organizzazioni senza scopo di lucro, dovrebbe mirare a includere le organizzazioni correlate come quelle del terzo settore e di economia sociale.

Autori : Prof. Antonio FICI

Riassunto : The study examines the potential EU added value of the policy options (encouraging cross-border transactions, enhancing social outcomes and increasing economic contributions) as well as the drawbacks. In addition, the assessment highlights supporting non-legislative measures that could promote specific NPO functions in the EU.

Autori : KLAUS MULLER, MEENAKSHI FERNANDES

Riassunto : A responsible TPLF regulatory framework should aim at lowering costs, simplifying unnecessary procedures, increasing the predictability of costs, and delivering efficient services at costs that are proportionate to the amounts in dispute. We explored additional effective safeguards and a number of policy options regarding the contractual, ethical and procedural aspects of TPLF. We then estimated the European added value (EAV) for two alternatives, namely a moderate and a strong regulatory approach scenario using a standard benefits-costs analytical conceptual framework.

Autori : KLAUS MULLER, JEROME LEON SAULNIER

Riassunto : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee, explores the concept of “Rights of Nature” (RoN) and its different aspects in legal philosophy and international agreements, as well as in legislation and case-law on different levels. The study delves on the ideas of rights of nature in comparison with rights to nature, legal personhood and standing in court for natural entities, and analyses ECtHR and CJEU case-law on access to justice in environmental decision-making. It emphasises, in particular, the need to strengthen the requirements for independent scientific evaluations in certain permit regimes under EU law. The study also highlights the crucial importance of promoting the role of civil society as watchdog over the implementation of EU environmental law by way of a wider access to justice via both the national courts and the CJEU, which is also in line with the political priorities for delivering the European Green Deal.

Autori : Jan DARPÖ

Riassunto : Il presente studio analizza le clausole comuni nei contratti dei fornitori di servizi digitali, indicando quando possano falsare in modo significativo l'equilibrio tra i diritti e gli obblighi delle parti a danno dei consumatori e debbano pertanto rientrare nell'ambito di applicazione della direttiva sulle clausole abusive nei contratti. Inoltre, lo studio esamina le particolarità della valutazione della trasparenza on-line delle clausole dei fornitori di servizi digitali e le sanzioni a cui questi ultimi potrebbero essere soggetti in caso di violazione dell'attuale quadro di tutela dei consumatori. Sono formulate raccomandazioni per migliorare l'efficacia di tale quadro mediante: l'introduzione di una lista nera e di una lista grigia di clausole abusive, il rafforzamento delle attuali sanzioni e l'introduzione di nuovi obblighi per i fornitori di servizi digitali.

Autori : Marco LOOS, Joasia LUZAK

Riassunto : In line with the European Green Deal, a key element to foster sustainable growth and finance the green transition will be to channel funding in economic activities that contribute to environmental, social and governance-related objectives. Directive 2014/95/EU on the disclosure of non-financial and diversity information (NFRD) has set the EU on a clear course towards greater business transparency and accountability on social and environmental issues. It helps to measure, monitor and manage companies' performance and their impact on society. However, as this briefing shows, the NFRD suffers from several deficiencies such as lack of comparability, reliability and relevance of non-financial information provided. The Commission therefore intends to review the NFRD in the first quarter of 2021.

Autori : Nora HAHNKAMPER-VANDENBULCKE

Riassunto : Lo studio comparativo, commissionato dal dipartimento tematico Diritti dei cittadini e affari costituzionali del Parlamento europeo, analizza l'efficacia delle pertinenti norme, politiche e pratiche adottate negli Stati membri in materia di conflitto di interessi per quanto riguarda le nomine politiche ad alto livello (capo del governo, ministri e altri funzionari di livello elevato). La ricerca mette in risalto gli aspetti teorici e pratici della nozione di conflitto di interessi, fornendo alcune raccomandazioni strategiche al riguardo.

Autori : Christoph DEMMKE; Maros PAULINI; Jari AUTIONIEMI; Florian LENNER

Riassunto : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Riassunto : This in-depth analysis has been commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee in the context of the workshop to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. It looks into the implementation of the 1980 Convention, as regards the respect of autonomy of parts, validity of agreements and mediation, and describes, from a practitioner’s point of view, how the parents and children see the process. The paper concludes that in order to protect the interest of the child, the 1980 Convention should be maintained with restricted exceptions, but more should be done in terms of prevention. The new measures should include, in particular, harmonisation of the relocation proceedings and principles, enforceability of mediation agreements, and increasing of the autonomy of the parties through the inclusion of residence and custody plans in prenuptial agreements.

Autori : Adriana DE RUITER

Riassunto : Questo studio, commissionato dal dipartimento tematico Diritti dei cittadini e affari costituzionali del Parlamento europeo su richiesta della commissione giuridica (JURI), valuta in che misura gli Stati membri stiano sostenendo lo sviluppo e l'attuazione delle strategie in materia di responsabilità sociale delle imprese (RSI) nel mondo degli affari, con un'attenzione particolare alle prescrizioni relative al dovere di diligenza. Fornisce altresì raccomandazioni per lo sviluppo di un approccio globale e strutturato all'RSI per tutta l'UE.

Autori : Kletia Noti ; Prof. Federico Maria Mucciarelli; Dr Virginia dalla Pozza; Carlo Angelici Mattia PILLININI.

Riassunto : This in-depth analysis, commissioned by the Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Legal Affairs in the context of the Workshop to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, examines the way in which subject children feature within Convention proceedings. It considers the aims of the Convention, and the lack of supranational control of its application. It draws on empirical research relating to the effects and consequences of child abduction to discuss the opportunities for children and young people to participate within Convention proceedings, and highlights the international obligations for such participation within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and other regional instruments. Different jurisdictional approaches are explained, and the role of culture in this context is probed. The impact of COVID-19 on abducted children is also explored.

Autori : Marilyn FREEMAN

Riassunto : Environemtnal damage. For an implementation of the companies' liability. Remedial perspectives

Autori : Roberta Landi

Riassunto : This in depth analysis explores different possibilities of updating the ELD directive in relation to the environmental responsibility of companies and seeks to highlight the basic policy choices and options in order to ensure a high protection of the environment

Autori : Lucas BERGKAMP

Riassunto : This document provides links to all Briefings produced by the Policy Departments of the Directorate-General for Internal Policies and of the Directorate-General for External Policies of the European Parliament, with salient points and essential commitments made by the Vice-Presidents and Commissioners-designates at their respective hearings before the European Parliament, in September-November 2019 and in October 2020. For an exhaustive list of all commitments made and positions taken by the candidates, the full verbatim report of each public hearing is available on the dedicated hearings website of the European Parliament, as are the written questions and answers.

Riassunto : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Riassunto : Lo studio analizza il filtraggio automatico dei contenuti online e guarda ai filtri automatici come un aspetto della moderazione dei materiali generati dagli utenti. Presenta le tecnologie di filtraggio attualmente utilizzate per i diversi tipi di media, quali testi, immagini o video. Lo studio esamina inoltre le principali criticità nell'ambito dell'attuale quadro giuridico e presenta proposte di regolamentazione nel contesto di una futura legge dell'UE sui servizi digitali.

Autori : Prof. Giovanni Sartor and Dr. Andrea Loreggia

Riassunto : This study – commissioned by the Policy Department C at the request of the Committee on Legal Affairs – analyses the notion of AI-technologies and the applicable legal framework for civil liability. It demonstrates how technology regulation should be technology-specific, and presents a Risk Management Approach, where the party who is best capable of controlling and managing a technology-related risk is held strictly liable, as a single entry point for litigation. It then applies such approach to four case-studies, to elaborate recommendations.

Autori : Andrea BERTOLINI, Ph.D., LL.M. (Yale) Assistant Professor of Private Law, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (Pisa) Director of the Jean Monnet - European Centre of Excellence on the Regulation of Robotics and AI (EURA)

Riassunto : This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, aims at gaining deeper insights into the environmental liability of companies in the European Union. It analyses the role of companies within the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD) and pays attention to potential hurdles that may limit the possibility to hold companies liable for environmental harm. Various remedies to the limited liability of the corporation are discussed and suggestions are formulated to improve access to justice for victims of environmental harm. Specific attention is paid to a balanced regime of mandatory solvency guarantees to support the ELD liabilities of companies.

Autori : Prof. Dr. Michael G. Faure, Professor of comparative and international environmental law, at Maastricht University and Professor of comparative private law and economics, at Erasmus School of Law in Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Riassunto : This study presents the 2018 and 2019 Country-Specific Recommendations as adopted by the Council and their implementation based on the assessment by the European Commission in its Country Reports of 27 February 2019, 05 June 2019 and 26 February 2020. This study was provided by the Economic Governance Support Unit (EGOV).

Autori : Jost ANGERER, OVIDIU IONUT TURCU, KRISTINA GRIGAITE

Riassunto : Upon request by the Committee on Legal Affairs, this handbook, provided by the Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, summarises, in its first part, the EU legal framework on the incompatibilities and immunity of Members of the European Parliament. Based on national reports, the second part of the handbook gives an overview, for each EU Member State, of the relevant national provisions on the composition of national governments and parliaments as well as those on national parliamentary immunities. This handbook will be updated regularly based on information received; please hold as reference the date of edition.

Autori : Roberta PANIZZA, Eeva PAVY

Riassunto : Great Britain has recently made known that it does not intend to apply the International Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPCA).

Autori : Udo BUX

Riassunto : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Riassunto : Il presente documento contiene una sintesi dei punti salienti e degli impegni essenziali espressi dai vicepresidenti e dai commissari designati in occasione delle rispettive audizioni dinanzi al Parlamento europeo, con l'obiettivo di fornire uno strumento pratico e conciso per monitorare gli sforzi e le azioni dei futuri commissari. Per un elenco esaustivo di tutte le posizioni e di tutti gli impegni assunti dai candidati, è possibile consultare il resoconto integrale di ciascuna audizione pubblica come pure le domande e risposte scritte sul sito web del Parlamento dedicato alle audizioni 2019. Il presente documento include un addendum in cui sono riportati gli impegni assunti in occasione delle audizioni dell'ottobre 2020.

Riassunto : This briefing includes a series of quotes, which make reference to the oral commitments made during the hearing of Vice-President-designate for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight Maroš Šefčovič.

Autori : Giorgio Mussa, Roberta PANIZZA