Latest consultation opportunities from Enterprise Europe East of England

Towards an integrated European market for card, internet and mobile payments

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:27:45 GMT

Buying goods and services in Europe is radically changing, with more and more shoppers making payments online and via debit cards and smart phones – all quick and efficient alternatives to cash.

Unfortunately, the lack of competition in the EU translates into inefficient electronic-payment systems, high costs and limited choices for buyers and sellers.

In its effort to create an EU-wide secure, innovative and more transparent payment environment, the European Commission has launched a public consultation on the subject. All interested stakeholders can share their views on the existing situation of the card, Internet and mobile payments markets and potential hurdles for integration.

The ultimate aim is to give EU shoppers a better choice of cash-free payment methods, especially online – by spurring competition among electronic payments providers. A more efficient a and competitive non-cash payment market would also benefit merchants and payment providers.

All comments received will be considered as policymakers decide on the next steps by July 2012.

Click here for further information

Consultation on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:53:11 GMT

The European Commission is currently examining the situation of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for business-to-business disputes in the EU. In order to correctly analyse possible problems businesses face in relation to ADR and assess the possible need to improve awareness, coverage and quality of ADR, the Commission is inviting businesses to share their experiences and opinions.

The EC is reflecting whether SMEs need cheaper, quicker and more effective ways to sort out disputes other than the court systems currently provided. A positive effect could be that a significant amount of disputes would not have to go to court, if businesses had more effective and efficient out-of-court redress systems to turn to.

Using ADR to resolve disputes would have positive financial consequences for businesses- it is likely to be cheaper, quicker and less complicated than the court systems, allowing businesses to concentrate on their core business and not loose time, money and effort in litigation.

The Enterprise Europe Network in the East of England is coordinating the responses to this consultation and will relay all feedback to the European Commission. The results of the consultation will provide a valuable contribution to future policies on ADR.

In order to have your say and get your opinions heard please complete the short questionnaire below. The deadline to complete the questionnaires is 5th March 2012.

Click here to take part.

Consultation on the application of Directive 2007/44 EC as regards acquisitions and increase of holdings in the financial sector

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:45:18 GMT

The aim of Directive 2007/44/EC was to ensure that supervisory authorities are as specific and transparent as possible if they have doubts about the sound and prudent management of the financial institution concerned, and to minimise the scope for public authorities to invoke prudential rules in order to hinder cross-border mergers and acquisitions for protectionist reasons.

According to Article 6 of the Directive, the Commission has to review the application of the Directive and submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council, together with any appropriate proposals to review the Directive. The responses to this consultation will provide useful information on how the Directive was applied in the EU Member States and will help the Commission to prepare the report on the application of the Directive.

Click here to take part in the consultation

Revision of the rules for the assessment of licensing agreements for the transfer of technology under EU competition law

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:17:57 GMT

For the purpose of the EU competition rules, a technology transfer agreement is an agreement where one party (the licensor) authorizes another party (or parties, the licensee(s)) to use its technology (patent, know-how, software license) for the production of goods and services.

The EU competition rules for licensing agreements are set out in Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Article 101 prohibits agreements between companies which lead to an appreciable restriction of competition. Enforcement of this primary rule is complemented by two instruments, the technology transfer block exemption regulation ("TTBER") and accompanying Guidelines (see legislation in force).

The TTBER creates a safe harbour for technology transfer agreements under EU competition law. The Guidelines provide guidance on the application of the TTBER as well as on the application of EU competition law to technology transfer agreements that fall outside the safe harbour of the TTBER. The competition rules aim to strengthen the incentives for initial R&D, facilitate diffusion of intellectual property and generate market competition.

These instruments will expire on 30 April 2014. In order to prepare the regime to be applied after that date and to ensure that it both reflects current market realities and provides for the possibility of non-competitors and competitors to enter into technology transfer agreements where it contributes to economic welfare without posing a risk for competition, the Commission invites stakeholders to present their views on their experiences in applying the BER and the accompanying Guidelines in practice. Receiving feedback from stakeholders is a key element of this review.

To submit your views click here