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At national level, member States generally provide for different types of authorizations for the opening of retail outlets. Some relate to the compliance of the premises with defined requirements or are linked to the sale of certain products (food, alcohol, tobacco, etc.) others are directly linked to the retail activity. As far as the type of authorization is concerned, two groups of member States can be distinguished: on the one hand, member States such as Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia, that rely on general planning provisions and building permits, and which at times resort to partnerships between private investors and public authorities, and, on the other hand, member States such as Romania, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, and Greece which apply, in addition to the planning provisions/and building permits, a specific prior authorization procedure to establish retail outlets. There are further differences within these two groups and priorities may vary: the protection of the environment, the vitality of city centres, diversity of offers etc.

On 31 January 2013, the Commission adopted its European Retail Action Plan (ERAP). The Plan describes the challenges faced by the sector (financial crisis, ageing population, development of e-commerce, sustainability challenges and remaining regulatory barriers to a better functioning of the internal market) and suggests a series of actions, mostly of a non-legislative nature, to address these challenges: (...) sustainability; (...)

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. (...)

(...) In June 2014, Georgia signed the Association Agreement with the European Union, reaching an important milestone under the EU Eastern Partnership programme. The Agreement marks years of cooperation between Tbilisi and Brussels under the Eastern Partnership program. It envisages the gradual improvements needed in areas such as trade, environment, agriculture, tourism, energy, transport, and education to bring Georgia in line with EU standards. (...)

(...) In 2007, Georgia and the United States signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), which set up a joint US-Georgia Council on Trade and Investment that addresses trade and investment issues, including trade capacity building, intellectual property, labour and environmental issues. (...)

Georgia does not apply contingency measures and has not elaborated relevant legislation for such measures. Georgia notified to the WTO its list of products prohibited from importation/exportation, and that import/export permits are required only to protect public health, national security and the environment.

(...) Georgia notified to the WTO its list of products prohibited from importation/exportation, and that import/export permits are required only to protect public health, national security and the environment. (...)