1. Political implications & possible measures at EU level
- Sofia – 17 May
Francesco MARCHI, Euratex

2. INDEX The Framework set by the High Level Group process
The Actions at EU level :
34 actions for five pillars
and more to come…
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

3. The Framework
End 2004, Commission and Member States endorsed the Recommendations worked out by the High level Group
Those recommendations lists the actions to be carried-out by :
The Commission
The member States
The Stakeholders : Industry, Regions, Traders…
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

4. The five pillars Actions to be concentrated in five areas: Environment
Intellectual Property Rights
Education & Training
Innovation and R&D
Trade
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

5. Environment Impact assessment study on the New Chemical policy - REACH
Study launched early 2005
Final results at the latest May 2005
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

6. Intellectual property
User friendly multi-lingual web-site on Intellectual Propert Rights
Vade-Mecum on IPR
Information & awarness seminars at National level
On-going discussions
Drafting multi-sectorial call for tender – By April 2005
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

7. Education & Training Establishment of EU/National Observatories
Common structure of courses - Network of training
Common Qualification standards
Common project to be submitted January – Answer in May 2005
Creation of Media pool – Project to be submitted by October 2005 (Leonardo Programme)
On-going preparation of Joint project lodge mid-March – Answer in May 2005
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

8. Education & Training - 2
Implementing reconversion & re-classification units
Sectoral Dialogue
Later in 2005
Lifelong training?
Job management strategies?
Enhances Social Dialogue (project submitted)
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

9. Innovation & R&D Launched in December 2004, first results end 2005
Technology Platform to identify long term industry vision for Research &Development & Innovation
Technical textiles
Clothing Technology Breakthrough
Launched in December 2004, first results end 2005
EC call for R&D projects for construction, medical & protective textiles, ~25Mio€
Leapfrog project
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

10. Innovation & R&D - 2 Integration of SMEs in R&D programs
Non-technological innovation
Euratex postion paper on EU research programmes as input to FP7
Development of IT solutions for SMEs in Framework Programme 6-IST Programme
On-going discussion linked with State-Aid
Euratex proposal for project on Innovation financing (NetFinTex)
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

11. Euratex Projects in R&D, Innovation, Education and IPR
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

12. Regional level More flexible procedures for SMEs in Structural Funds
Greater access to structural funds
It is up to ACTE to work on those issues
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

13. Competition,Retail & Access to finance
Study on the EU retailing system & practices
Access to finance
Competition
Marketing
To be launched later in 2005 (Commission)
On-going discussions
Guide for SMEs finalised?
Working Group to be created soon
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

14. Work to be carried-out at national level
Public Procurement
Competition policy
Access to Finance
IPR
R&D
Education
Criteria art 53 Dir 2004/81/EC
Control, transparency, security Reverse auctions
Assessment instruments access to credit for SMEs
Directive on IPR Enforcement (2004)
Improve co-ordination with EC
Observatories, lifelong learning strategies, increase programmes for (re-)training, (re-)skilling
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

15. Trade Market Access Task Force
Guidelines textile specific safeguard-China
International actions
Launch end January, identification of strategy expected in May 2005?
Still waiting the publication, end March?
EU—China dialogue
Coherence within Doha Development Agenda (WTO)
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

16. Trade - 2 Monitoring of trade
Unsatisfactory results except China licensing
Decision by the Council as soon as possible.
Modification of the bilateral protocols by end 2005?
GSP regulation under discussion including rules of origin
Monitoring of trade
Euromed common origin rules for easier, faster trading relationship
Concentrate General System of Preferences (GSP) to smaller & Less Developed Countries (LDC) + adaptation rules of origin
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005

17. In summary The Actions at EU level : 34
21: carried-out or in the process of completion with Euratex involvement;
5: Euratex could take some future initiatives;
8: Euratex cannot act as those depend on Commission; Member States or Regions.
PERFECT-LINK- Seminar Sofia 2005