Business Europe
Recent News About Business Europe
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BusinessEurope publishes recommendations on European Economic Security Strategy
BusinessEurope has published its position paper on a European Economic Security Strategy. BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer stated, "At a time when the debate on the development of a European Economic Security Strategy is intensifying, BusinessEurope is publishing this paper to provide concrete recommendations on this topic. For us, the Strategy must be anchored in the principles of competitiveness and openness. The protection of vital security interests must not be used as cover for disguised protectionism, and it must not endanger the integrity of the Single...
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BusinessEurope reacts to EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive adoption
Reacting to today’s Council agreement, which finalizes the legislative process to adopt the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer commented: "Harmonised transposition and clear guidance for companies will be key for implementation."
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Letta Report: A significant call for a reboot of the EU Single Market
BusinessEurope welcomes today’s publication of Enrico Letta’s report on the future of the EU Single Market, with Director General Markus J. Beyrer commenting that "We very much agree with the key message of the Letta report: it is time to reboot the EU Single Market for today’s “large world”. This should be driven by the fundamentals of the four freedoms of the Single Market, keeping a strong focus on free trade and openness."Mr Letta rightly draws attention to the worrying trend of companies and investment leaving the European Union due to an overly complex and...
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EU Elections: BusinessEurope Calls for Reboot to Enhance European Competitiveness
BusinessEurope has launched its campaign for policy changes for the next EU political cycle, under the motto ‘Reboot Europe’. Commenting on the necessary actions for Europe in the upcoming years, BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson emphasized the importance of competitiveness, stating, "Faced with multiple geopolitical risks and economic uncertainty, the EU must put competitiveness at the forefront and use the next EU cycle to reboot its policies for today’s challenges."Persson highlighted the need for the EU to focus on improving its attractiveness as an investment...
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BusinessEurope Reacts to EU Action Plan on Labour and Skills Shortages
BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer expressed his organization's stance on the EU action plan on labour and skills shortages, recently unveiled by the European Commission. Beyrer welcomed the publication of the plan, emphasizing the severity of the issue by stating, "With labour and skills shortages hitting our companies and labour markets, we welcome today’s publication of the Commission action plan to address them. This challenge is structural and will be with us for the next generation."In addition to this, Beyrer highlighted the importance of addressing...
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No improvement in the EU’s investment environment in 2023
BusinessEurope has just published our 2024 Reform Barometer, which looks at Europe’s global competitiveness performance and evaluates policy decisions.BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson expressed, "Our key finding is that 88% of our national member federations believe that, having declined significantly between 2020 and 2023, there was no improvement in the attractiveness of the EU's investment environment vis-à-vis our major competitors over the last 12 months. Moreover, over half of our member federations (54%) believe that the regulatory burden for companies...
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Agreement on EU due diligence: still far from a workable solution
Reacting to the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive agreement, BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer expressed concerns about the implications of the new rules. Beyrer stated, "The new due diligence rules will add unparalleled obligations, set harsh sanctions with potential existential implications for companies, and unilaterally expose them to litigation from all parts of the world." He highlighted the negative impact on SMEs, noting that they "will be negatively affected as they make up the largest part of value chains."Furthermore, Beyrer...
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BusinessEurope Reacts to Approval of Political Agreement on Prohibiting Products Made with Forced Labour
BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer welcomed the approval of the political agreement on prohibiting products made with forced labour by Member States. Beyrer acknowledged the significance of this step, stating, "This is an important step in the EU’s efforts to tackle forced labour, but there is still much work to be done to make the Regulation workable and effective."Beyrer emphasized the stance of European businesses on forced labour, saying, "Forced labour is a serious human rights violation that European business fully condemns." He noted improvements in...
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BusinessEurope Reacts to the European Parliament Plenary Vote on the AI Act
BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer commented on the European Parliament Plenary vote on the AI Act, stating, "This is a pivotal moment for AI development in Europe, but successful implementation will be key to reassure investors, AI developers, and citizens that trustworthy AI is here to stay."Beyrer further expressed that the AI Act maintains a risk-based framework and prevents the emergence of divergent national laws. However, he highlighted concerns about the need for extensive secondary legislation and guidelines, emphasizing their importance for legal...
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WTO Ministerial finds interim solution on e-commerce
The 13th WTO Ministerial, which concluded today in Abu Dhabi, has reached an interim solution on the e-commerce moratorium until the next Ministerial meeting. Reacting to the outcomes of the meeting, BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer expressed his views, stating, "Our expectations were not overly ambitious ahead of the 13th WTO Ministerial given the increasing global divisions about how trade should be disciplined. In this context, the results from MC13 are not ideal but they are better than expected."Beyrer highlighted that WTO members have agreed to...
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EU Strengthens Ties with Africa and Latin America Through New Trade Deals
The European Parliament has given its consent to the ratification of the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement and to the Advanced Framework Agreement and an Interim Trade Agreement with Chile. These agreements are seen as significant milestones in strengthening the EU's relationships with key partners in Africa and Latin America. BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer highlighted the importance of these deals, stating, "These agreements mark an important step, consolidating the EU's ties with important partners in Africa and Latin America. They show real...
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BEFIT Tax Package: Business Community Urges Caution and Global Alignment
25 January 2024 - BusinessEurope has published a new position paper on the European Commission’s BEFIT proposal, with BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer emphasizing the importance of global alignment in tax reform. Beyrer stated, "European businesses support the Commission’s overall objectives of strengthening the Single Market by simplifying the tax landscape and reducing tax compliance costs for businesses." However, he also pointed out that "for the BEFIT reform to be effective, it must align fully with global tax rules."In light of the complexities of...
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BusinessEurope Expresses Concerns Over European Works Council Directive Revision
BusinessEurope has expressed serious concerns about the proposed revision of the European Works Council Directive published by the European Commission. In a statement, BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer highlighted several key issues with the proposed changes.Beyrer stated, "The Commission’s proposal to include agreements made before 1996 or between 2009-2011 in the Directive will damage many well-functioning European Works Councils. The renewal procedures in these agreements, allowing for mutually beneficial adaptations, should be respected."He also...
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BusinessEurope Director Welcomes EU Economic Security Proposals for Clarity and Debate
BusinessEurope Director, Markus J. Beyrer, has welcomed the European Commission's proposals on economic security, stating that "Today’s EU economic security package brings much-needed clarity to the Commission Strategy announced in June 2023." Beyrer emphasized the importance of a more European approach on export controls and inbound Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening, highlighting the significance of coordinated implementation to mitigate security-related risks and safeguard the single market.Beyrer also expressed approval for the gradual approach to outbound...
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BusinessEurope Urges EU to Address Industry Concerns on Platform Work Directive
BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer has expressed industry concerns ahead of the EU Member States meeting on the Platform Work Directive proposal. Beyrer emphasized that the "presumption of employment and additional regulatory burdens remain the key industry concerns around the Platform Work Directive."Beyrer highlighted the importance of resolving key issues surrounding the proposed rebuttable presumption of employment, stating that it should respect the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity. He also stressed the need for Member States to have the...
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BusinessEurope Reacts to Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation Proposal
BusinessEurope Reacts to Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation ProposalDec 19 2023Commenting on the Environment Council’s agreement on a General Approach on the proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer highlighted the importance of both reuse and recycling in managing packaging waste. Beyrer stated, “Reuse and recycling of packaging waste are two sides of the same coin, and this should be better reflected in the regulation.”Beyrer emphasized that while reusable packaging can be a sustainable waste...
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BusinessEurope Director General Expresses Concerns Over EU Product Liability Directive Revision
BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer has expressed strong reservations about the recent political deal on the EU Product Liability Directive. Beyrer stated, "European industry has serious concerns over the revision of the EU Product Liability Directive."Beyrer further highlighted the concerns of the business community regarding the scope of the revision aimed at addressing new technologies. He mentioned, "The broad scope of this revision aimed at addressing new technologies raises serious concerns among the business community. We recognise the importance of...
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EU due diligence could leave companies between a rock and a hard place
Decisive political negotiations on the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive are set to commence, with EU co-legislators aiming to finalize a deal on the Corporate Sustainability and Due Diligence Directive. BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer expressed concerns about the current state of affairs, stating, "We are still far from the workable and clear rules which EU businesses need to properly apply due diligence across their value chains, leaving companies between a rock and a hard place."Beyrer highlighted the potential repercussions of the...
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BusinessEurope Reacts to Political Deal on EU AI Act
BusinessEurope Reacts to Political Deal on EU AI ActDec 11, 2023In response to the historical political deal reached by EU co-legislators on the AI Act, Director General of BusinessEurope Markus J. Beyrer expressed concerns regarding the potential impact on companies and AI investments in Europe. Beyrer stated, "The potential lack of legal certainty is a concern for companies and may hamper AI investments in Europe, hurting our global competitiveness."Beyrer further commented on the necessity of a comprehensive rulebook on AI, acknowledging the positive step taken...
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BusinessEurope Reacts to EU Co-legislators' Deal on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation
BusinessEurope Reacts to EU Co-legislators' Deal on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products RegulationDec 5 2023Commenting on the political agreement reached last night by EU co-legislators on the proposal for an Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer expressed his views on the matter. Beyrer stated, "We welcome the deal on the ecodesign proposal, but concerns remain about the feasibility of information requirements."Beyrer further elaborated on the potential impact of the ecodesign regulation, stating, "The...