Search

5.39. The Commission adopted on 10 March 2020 a new SME strategy, which builds on policy initiatives, such as the 2008 Small Business Act and the Competitiveness for Small and Medium Enterprises (COSME) programme. [67] (...)
[67] The actions of the strategy are focused on three pillars: 1) supporting SMEs in their green and digital transition, (...)

6.1. (...) In a world of geopolitical, economic and environmental transition, the EU's openness to trade and investment must be coupled with its ability to effectively defend its interests and enforce its rights, notably with a view to ensuring a level playing field both within the EU and globally. This includes our renewed multilateral and bilateral agenda as well as making the best use of existing rules and structures around the newly created Chief Trade Enforcement Officer (CTEO) and closing the gap in our toolbox for dealing with new challenges, including competitive distortions (as well as sustainability and security concerns). (...)

6.3. On 24 July 2020, the European Commission created the position of a Chief Trade Enforcement Officer who steers and coordinates all EU actions in relation to the implementation and enforcement of the EU's trade policy, both for issues related to market access and for issues of non-compliance with sustainability commitments by the EU's trading partners.

6.5. On 16 November 2020, the European Commission launched the Single Entry Point (SEP) as a first point of contact for EU-based stakeholders wishing to launch complaints on potential trade barriers or breaches by trading partners of their sustainability commitments. The SEP aims to ensure effective coordination and follow-up to the trade-related complaints brought by EU stakeholders.

6.14. (...) State aid decisions amounts, beneficiaries, objectives and aid instruments are collected and published centrally in the EU State aid scoreboard. Several EU State aid guidelines have been reviewed and updated in 2020-2021. The periodical updates are intended to ensure that the guidelines continue to reflect economic and policy developments, such as the EU Green Deal. (...)

6.16. Industrial policies, including increased subsidisation, have become more prominent around the world, including in the EU, (...) to address more structural challenges such as the green transition. (...)

7.9. By way of derogation, the competent authorities of a Member State may authorise some of the activities covered by sanctions (i.e., imports, transport, services) if they have determined that it is necessary for humanitarian purposes. Among others this may include goods for humanitarian purposes, health emergencies, the urgent prevention or mitigation of an event likely to have a serious and significant impact on human health and safety or the environment, or as a response to natural disasters and this may include goods for medical or pharmaceutical purposes.

9.7. In February 2022 the EU adopted a new Standardisation strategy, which outlines the EU approach to standards within the EU Single market as well as globally to support a resilient, green and digital EU Single market. (...)

9.9. In the context of the digital transformation, the Commission proposed a regulation on machinery safety on 21 April 2021 to (...) and bring legal certainty for economic operators and environmental benefits by allowing digital instructions and documentation. (...)

9.10. As part of a broader EU effort to reduce e-waste and to empower consumers to make more sustainable choices, a regulatory measure on common charging solution for mobile phones and similar electronic devices has been adopted in September 2022. (...)