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Meetings Wednesday 24 November 2021   ● Council of the EU   24/11/2021 15:36 | MEETING | Main results - European Economic Area Council, 24 November 2021   The European Economic Area (‘EEA’) Council discussed the overall functioning of the EEA Agreement and the New Industrial Policy.

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Council of the EU
European Economic Area Council, 24 November 2021

Main Results

The 53rd session of the EEA Council assessed the overall functioning of the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement). The EEA Council also held a policy debate on the New Industrial Policy.

In the margins of the meeting, ministers held an informal exchange of views on China, Belarus and the Strategic Compass.

The meeting was chaired by Ms Anniken Huitfeldt, the Norwegian Minister for Foreign Affairs. Mr Zdravko Počivalšek, the Minister for Economic Development and Technology (Slovenia), co-chaired the session, on behalf of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. On the EEA EFTA side, Ms Dominique Hasler, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport (Liechtenstein) was also present.

Meeting information

Brussels
24 November 2021
14:00
Preparatory documents
Provisional agenda
Minutes of the 52nd meeting of the EEA Council held in Brussels on 19 November 2019
Progress Report by the EEA Joint Committee
Minutes of the informal meeting of the members of the EEA Council via video conference, 28 May 2021

Thursday 25 November 2021

● Council of the EU   25/11/2021 11:22 | Press release | Regulating ‘big tech’: Council agrees on enhancing competition in the digital sphere   The Council agreed its position (‘general approach’) on the proposal for a Digital Markets Act (DMA). The proposal aims to ensure a competitive and fair digital sector with a view to promoting innovation, high-quality digital products and services, fair prices, and high quality and choice in the digital sector. "Today we reached an important milestone in the creation of a more open and a more competitive digital market. The Slovenian presidency has been working hard with member states and the European Commission to find a good compromise and to further improve the DMA’s goals: ensuring a fair and competitive digital market. We are proud that member states unanimously supported the general approach. This shows that the EU is strongly committed to ensure fair competition online. The proposed DMA shows our willingness and ambition to regulate big tech and will hopefully set a trend worldwide." Zdravko Počivalšek, Slovenian Minister for Economic Development and Technology Online platforms offering core platform services – such as search engines, social networking services and intermediation services – are playing an increasingly important role in our social and economic life. However, a few large online platforms are seen as ‘gatekeepers’ between businesses and consumers, creating bottlenecks in the economy through their market power and control over digital ecosystems. This negatively affects fair competition. With this proposal, ministers aim to create a level playing field in the digital sector, with clear rights and obligations for large online platforms. The regulation of the digital market at EU level will ensure a level playing field and a competitive and fair digital sector, so that companies and consumers can all benefit from digital opportunities.

The Council agreed its position (‘general approach’) on the proposal for a Digital Services Act (DSA). The main aim of the proposed DSA is to keep us… Thursday 25 November 2021   ● Council of the EU   25/11/2021 14:12 | Press release | What is illegal offline should be illegal online: Council agrees position on the Digital Services Act   The Council agreed its position (‘general approach’) on the proposal for a Digital Services Act (DSA). The main aim of the proposed DSA is to keep users safe from illegal goods, content or services, and to protect their fundamental rights online. It also modernises part of the e-commerce directive from 2000. "The Digital Services Act is a big and necessary step forward in the creation of a safer online environment. It provides solutions for the safety of our citizens in the 21st century, for our businesses and for our democracies. The proposal boosts trust in the digital space and allows for fully using the potential of the online platform economy in a safe way." Mark Boris Andrijanič, Slovenian Minister for Digital Transformation The rules set out under the DSA are designed to expand and clarify a common set of responsibilities for online businesses providing services in the EU from anywhere in the world. The proposal follows the principle that what is illegal offline should also be illegal online. It defines clear responsibilities and accountability for providers of intermediary services, such as social media and online marketplaces. The rules proposed by the DSA are designed asymmetrically, which means that larger intermediary services with significant societal impact would be subject to stricter rules. Once adopted, the DSA will provide a modern, future-proof governance framework and set out clear due-diligence obligations for online intermediary services. Meeting of EU internal market and industry ministers in Brussels to discuss the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act. Meetings Thursday 25 November 2021   ● Council of the EU   25/11/2021 20:53 | MEETING | Main results - Competitiveness Council (Internal market and industry), 25 November 2021   Meeting of EU internal market and industry ministers in Brussels to discuss the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act. Council of the EU Competitiveness Council (Internal market and industry), 25 November 2021 Main results Digital Markets Act The Council unanimously agreed on a general approach on the proposal for a Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to create a digital level playing field, with clear rights and obligations for large online platforms. With the Council’s agreement on both the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act, we have accomplished one of the key priorities of our presidency. We believe that we, the European Union, are leading by example with the regulation of the digital market, which will lead to a more competitive digital space and a fairer business environment.Zdravko Počivalšek, Slovenian Minister for Economic Development and Technology Infographic - Digital Markets ActSee full infographic Ministers emphasised the importance of the DMA, and pointed to the need to regulate large online platforms and to the need for a proposal that ensures legal certainty and is futureproof. Some member states emphasised they do not wish this proposal to be watered down during negotiations with the European Parliament, and most ministers supported the European Commission as sole enforcer of the regulation. The importance of allowing SMEs to get their innovations onto the market and of having a level playing field for all businesses was also mentioned by many delegations. Ministers broadly agreed that the proposal presents a fair and balanced compromise that establishes a strong mandate for the negotiations with the European Parliament, which are scheduled to start in 2022. Watch the recording of the public debate Council general approach [and member states’ statements] Regulating ‘big tech’: Council agrees on enhancing competition in the digital sphere (press release, 25 November 2021) Digital Services Act The Council agreed on a general approach on the proposal for a Digital Services Act (DSA). The main aim of the DSA is to keep users safe from illegal goods, content and services, and to protect their fundamental rights online. The proposal also modernises part of the e-commerce directive from 2000. The Digital Services Act will change the EU’s digital sphere enormously, creating a safer and fairer online space for EU citizens. Together with the DMA, this proposal is at the core of the European digital strategy, and we are convinced it will restore citizens trust and increase consumer protection.Mark Boris Andrijanič, Slovenian Minister for Digital Transformation Infographic - Digital Services ActSee full infographic During the public session, ministers expressed their support for the proposal and emphasised the importance of having a safer digital space, based on the principle of ‘what is illegal offline, should also be illegal online’. While emphasising the importance of innovation and the need to react swiftly while safeguarding quality, ministers broadly agreed that the text constitutes a balanced compromise. Most member states welcomed the enhanced protection of minors, and several member states emphasised the importance of the country-of-origin principle. This general approach will be the basis for negotiations with the European Parliament, which are scheduled to start in 2022. Watch the recording of the public debate Council general approach [and member states’ statements] What is illegal offline should be illegal online: Council agrees on position on the digital services act (press release 25 November 2021) Recovery plan for Europe Ministers held a policy debate on the recovery plan for Europe. They discussed the state of play of member states’ implementation of national recovery and resilience plans, as well as approaches to the preparation of the plans. Ministers explained the challenges they foresee in the implementation of the plans, such as the current supply shortages in the field of semiconductors and raw materials, as well as the current labour market shortage. Many member states welcomed the European Commission’s upcoming Chips Act and the proposal for a second IPCEI on microelectronics. Watch the recording of the public debate Presidency note on the implementation of the recovery plan for Europe A recovery plan for Europe (background information) Competition policy The European Commission updated ministers on a communication on a competition policy that should be fit for new challenges. This competition policy review was adopted by the European Commission on 18 November. It outlines the contribution of competition policy and of its review to green and digital transition and to a resilient single market. Other topics on the agenda Watch the recording of the public debate Fit for 55 legislative package The Slovenian presidency provided an update on the state of play in the examination of the different elements of the Fit for 55 package of climate-related legislative proposals. The Fit for 55 package is a set of interconnected proposals adopted by the Commission on 14 July with the aim of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. The Competitiveness Council has a key role to play in making sure that the EU delivers on the agreed level of ambition that the package proposes, and could provide guidance by addressing challenges and opportunities for businesses arising from the transition towards climate neutrality. Overview of progress of the Fit for 55 Directive as regards corporate sustainability reporting The Slovenian presidency presented a progress report regarding the examination of the proposal as regards corporate sustainability reporting, which was adopted by the European Commission on 21 April 2021. The proposed directive aims to extend and strengthen existing rules on non-financial reporting, in order to ensure a consistent flow of sustainability information through the financial system and thus to facilitate the transition to a sustainable economy. The proposal is expected to be adopted in 2022. Progress report by the presidency Regulation on general products safety The Slovenian presidency provided information on the state of play in the examination of this important consumer protection file, which was adopted by the European Commission on 30 June 2021. The regulation on general products safety updates and modernises the general framework for the safety of non-food consumer products and is of major importance for the reinforcement of the single market. Progress report by the presidency Directive on consumer credit The Slovenian presidency presented a report on the progress made in relation to the proposal for a directive on consumer credit. The proposal, which was tabled by the European Commission on 30 June 2021, seeks to increase protection of financial consumers, as well as to contribute to a more harmonised EU legal framework for the provision of retail financial services in and between member states. The proposal is expected to be adopted in 2022. Progress report by the presidency The Slovenian presidency also provided information on the state of play on the regulation on machinery products. Progress report by the presidency Other business points The presidency informed delegations on the EU Next Generation Innovators Summit, which was held 26-27 October in Ljubljana, and on the results of a workshop on the reform of REACH restrictions, in particular in the areas of authorisation and restriction, which was held in Brdo on 9 November 2021. The European Commission presented the 2021 Annual report of the SME envoy network and updated ministers on the work of the Industrial Forum. The Greek delegation briefed ministers on enhancing resilience of the EU health sector and the pharmaceutical sector, and the Swedish delegation presented a non-paper on an action plan for the services sector. The French delegation presented its work programme for the upcoming presidency. The Council also adopted without discussion the items that figure in the lists of non-legislative A items. Meeting information Meeting n°3830-1 Brussels 25 November 2021 Preparatory documents Provisional agenda Background brief List of A items, non-legislative activities Outcome documents List of participants