European Commission Work Programme 2023
"A Union standing firm and united"
IF/CC – 11/2022
On
18 October, the European Commission published its work programme under the title "A Union standing firm and united" for 2023. The programme focuses on crisis
management and cohesion. 43 new initiatives were drawn up by the Commission to
drive forward the development of the European Union. There were no surprises
with regard to the concerned topic either in the area of general social,
economic or health policy initiatives. Nevertheless, these will be the last
major political projects of the European Commission before the upcoming
European elections in 2024.
The 2023
work programme comprises six overarching goals. These include, for example, the European Green Deal and
digitisation. The objectives are based on the political guidelines of the European
Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and the Strategic Agenda of the
European Council 2019-2024.The
objectives are based on the political guidelines of the European Commission
President Ursula von der Leyen and the Strategic Agenda of the European Council
2019-2024.
What is in store for social security?
Several
initiatives are relevant for social insurance, which can be derived from the
overarching goals. The Green Deal in particular has shaped the last work
programme of the European Commission. All major sectors of industry, business,
agriculture including food and product safety as well as the world of work and,
ultimately, workers are affected by climate-neutral measures.
Cleaner environment, better occupational health and safety
For
example, the current version of the REACH regulation, which was announced in
the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, is being revised. The aim is to
secure European competitive advantage and innovation by promoting sustainable
chemicals, simplifying regulatory processes, reducing exposure and protecting
human health and the environment. The inspection and registration of asbestos
in buildings is also planned. These are to be tested for the suspected presence
of asbestos. Thus, the information is to be made available to the authorities
when buildings are used or maintained.
Implementation of the beating cancer plan: More prevention
In the
area of health, in addition to the European Health Data Space (EHDS), the
implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is to be continued. The focus
here is on prevention. A proposal to revise the European Council's
recommendations for more smoke-free environments would include stricter
measures on outdoor smoking, e.g. in parks and playgrounds, and extend the scope
to include novel tobacco products. In addition, a proposal for new Council
recommendations on vaccination against preventable cancers is also foreseen.
This is to ensure access to vaccinations against hepatitis B and human
papillomavirus (HPV). The European Commission intends that at least 90 per cent
of girls receive HPV vaccination by 2030 and that the vaccination rate for boys
is significantly increased.
Mental health strategy, efficiency in marketing authorisation of pharmaceuticals
The
European Commission also announces an EU strategy on mental health. It is not
yet known what is actually behind this. Mental well-being - especially of
minors - is increasingly in EU’s focus. Another project of the European
Commission is the implementation of the pharmaceutical strategy and the
procedures in the marketing authorisation of pharmaceuticals. A revision of the
legal framework on the review of variations to the marketing authorisation of
pharmaceuticals is planned. The initiative will aim to revise the current legislation
and guidelines that govern how a variation of a marketing authorisation of
pharmaceuticals for human use takes place.
More inclusion, more digitisation
To meet
the target of increased participation and co-determination of citizens, the Conference on the Future of Europe was launched in 2020. This resulted in several
initiatives as well as the desire for better inclusion of the disabled. A pan-European Disability Card is
envisaged. The card is designed to make it easier for people with disabilities
to get the appropriate support when they travel or move to another EU country.
In addition, it was mentioned in the work programme that in view of
the ongoing work on the European Social Security Passport an initiative on the digitisation of social
security systems and social safety nets to support labour mobility will be
presented in 2023. We will follow all initiatives with interest.