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The second adopted element of the second pillar is the Directive on disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by large companies and groups. Companies concerned will need to disclose information on policies, risks and results as regards environmental matters, social and employee-related aspects, respect for human rights, anti-corruption and bribery issues, and diversity on boards of directors. The Directive gives companies significant flexibility to disclose relevant information in the way that they consider most useful, or in a separate report. Companies may use international, European or national guidelines which they consider appropriate (for instance, the UN Global Compact, ISO 26000, or the German Sustainability Code). The new rules will only apply to large companies with more than 500 employees. This Directive also represents a first step towards the implementation of the European Council conclusions of 22 May 2013 on the need for further transparency on tax matters and for ensuring country-by-country reporting by large companies and groups.

Table A3.2 Contingency measures, January 2007-November 2014
Partner affected Initiation of investigation Imposition of measures Withdrawn Product description Sector
Canada 12-Aug-10 11-May-11 Biodiesel Other
United States 25-Nov-11 23-Feb-13 Bioethanol Chemical and allied
Argentina 29-Aug-12 26-Nov-13 Biodiesel Other
Indonesia 29-Aug-12 26-Nov-13 Biodiesel Other
China 06-Sep-12 06-Dec-13 Solar panels (crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules and key components) Electronics
China 28-Feb-13 15-May-14 Solar glass Other
United States 13-Jun-08 10-Jul-09 Biodiesela Other
Canada 12-Aug-10 11-May-11 Biodiesel Other
China 08-Nov-12 06-Dec-13 Solar panels (crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules and key components) Electronics
China 27-Apr-13 15-May-14 Solar glass Other
United States 13-Jun-08 10-Jul-09 Biodiesel Other

Fisheries, environmental services, transport services, and pipelines services were comprehensively covered in the previous Review and are not included in this section. (...)

(...) In 2010 the European Commission placed the telecommunications policy into a wider framework by adopting the Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE) which is aimed at taking advantage of the potential offered by the rapid progress of digital technologies, notably by setting ambitious targets for the deployment of 4G and broadband networks, but the scope of the Agenda goes beyond telecommunication services to include areas such as e-commerce, and e-government. The DAE is itself part of a wider programme, the Europe Strategy 2020 for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth. (...)

European companies are world leaders in providing the infrastructure that many emerging countries need to take them to the next stage of development – whether in transport, sanitation, environmental services, logistics, telecoms or oil and gas exploration. Importing such products from Europe is a short-cut to a more advanced economy.

For environmental services the most notable trade development is the ongoing reform of the legislative framework for concessions in order to ensure more transparency and more competition.

The Single Market remains the European Union's most important vehicle for growth and job creation. Modernising and deepening the Single Market is a continuous exercise as the Single Market must respond to a constantly changing world where social and demographic challenges, new technology and imperatives, such as climate change must be incorporated in policy thinking. 

The Lisbon Treaty describes common commercial policy as an integral part of the EU's overall external action. The EU's trade policy is required to address developmental, environmental and social objectives, and contribute to the objectives set out in the Treaty on the European Union, including development and consolidation of democracy and the rule of law, and respect of human rights.

The European Commission's proposals aim to strengthen the competitiveness and the sustainabilityof European agriculture and maintain its presence in all regions of the European Union, in order to guarantee European citizens healthy and quality food production, to preserve the environment and to help develop the European Union's rural areas. The future policy will continue the shift towards market orientation, building on the progress achieved through previous CAP reforms over the past twenty years. The decoupled direct payments will remain the core of CAP spending and the role of market measures will not go beyond providing safety-net for farmers in crisis situations.

Reform of the CAP will continue, to promote greater competitiveness of European agriculture, efficient use of resources and policy returns in line with European citizens' expectations, with regard to food security, the environment, climate change as well as social and territorial balance. The objective will continue to be building more sustainable, smarter and more inclusive growth for rural Europe.