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  Competition issues in the area of financial technology (FinTech)
  

  The increasing number of FinTech services provided by newcomer start-ups, traditional financial institutions and big tech companies can bring new competition challenges to the playing field. Some factors can result in anticompetitive behaviours, namely the network effects derived from the use of...

  The increasing number of FinTech services provided by newcomer start-ups, traditional financial institutions and big tech companies can bring new competition challenges to the playing field. Some factors can result in anticompetitive behaviours, namely the network effects derived from the use of online platforms, the access to customer data, standardisation, interoperability and the use of algorithms. Combined with a service-by-service analysis, the study provides both, descriptive analysis and normative tools to anticipate and manage anticompetitive behaviours as they occur. This document was provided by Policy Department A at the request of the ECON Committee.

  • Published: 2018-10-04
  • Corporate Author(s): Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union (European Parliament)
  • Subject: banking, competition, digital technology, electronic money, financial institution, innovation, market, new technology, payment, standardisation, type of business
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  Standards for the performance and durability assessment of electric vehicle batteries
  Possible performance criteria for an Ecodesign Regulation

  This document describes existing standards and standards under development relevant to electric vehicle battery performance, degradation and lifetime. It identifies measuring and testing methods to be used in the compliance assessment of electric vehicle batteries in order to meet Ecodesign requ...

  This document describes existing standards and standards under development relevant to electric vehicle battery performance, degradation and lifetime. It identifies measuring and testing methods to be used in the compliance assessment of electric vehicle batteries in order to meet Ecodesign requirements. Additionally, gaps and needs not covered by existing standards are identified. Standards at both European and international level have been analysed, aiming at assessing the feasibility of an Ecodesign proposal including specific requirements for this product group.

  • Published: 2018-10-12
  • Corporate Author(s): Joint Research Centre (European Commission)
  • Subject: eco-label, electric vehicle, electricity storage device, energy efficiency, energy research, European standard, international standard, product life, regulation (EU), research report, standardisation, technical standard
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  Central bank communication at times of non-standard monetary policies
  Monetary dialogue September 2018 : in-depth analysis

  Communication is an important monetary policy tool, as central banks can use it to manage the expectations of economic agents. Communication becomes even more important in times of non-standard monetary policies due to increased levels of uncertainty and the introduction of new policy tools. In ...

  Communication is an important monetary policy tool, as central banks can use it to manage the expectations of economic agents. Communication becomes even more important in times of non-standard monetary policies due to increased levels of uncertainty and the introduction of new policy tools. In this paper, we summarise the literature on central bank communication in times of non-standard monetary policies, with a particular focus on forward guidance. This document was provided by Policy Department A at the request of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.

  • Published: 2018-10-04
  • Corporate Author(s): Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union (European Parliament)
  • Subject: communications policy, economic model, economic policy, monetary policy, standardisation
• COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT on the implementation of the actions foreseen in the annual Union work programme for European standardisation for 2019 Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS The annual Union work programme for European standardisation for 2019

  • Published: 2018-10-11
  • Corporate Author(s): Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (European Commission) ; European Commission
  • Subject: action programme, circular economy, energy policy, European security, European standardisation body, institutional cooperation, international cooperation, public-private partnership, single market, standardisation
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  Main developments in the postal sector (2013-2016)
  Country fiches

  • Published: 2018-09-18
  • Corporate Author(s): Copenhagen Economics ; Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (European Commission)
  • Subject: competitiveness, consumer protection, delivery, electronic commerce, electronic mail, employment policy, environmental impact, EU Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, postal service, prices policy, provision of services, standardisation, Switzerland, Universal Postal Union, universal service
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  Main developments in the postal sector (2013-2016)
  

  The years from 2013 to 2016 have been characterized by two major opposing pressures in the postal sector: (i) letter volume decline, and (ii) growth in e-commerce packets/parcels volume. These contrasting pressures underpin different challenges for all stakeholders in the postal sector. Whereas ...

  The years from 2013 to 2016 have been characterized by two major opposing pressures in the postal sector: (i) letter volume decline, and (ii) growth in e-commerce packets/parcels volume. These contrasting pressures underpin different challenges for all stakeholders in the postal sector. Whereas letter volume decline has shaped the postal market and continues to drive changes, the growing e-commerce industry creates new opportunities and demands for the postal market to respond to and to minimise the negative impact of letter volume decline. The combination of strong letter volume decline and growth in parcel volumes has important operational and economic implications for postal networks. In several instances, it has also called for substantial changes in postal regulation.

  • Published: 2018-09-18
  • Corporate Author(s): Copenhagen Economics ; Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (European Commission)
  • Subject: competitiveness, consumer protection, delivery, electronic commerce, electronic mail, employment policy, environmental impact, EU Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, postal service, prices policy, provision of services, standardisation, Switzerland, Universal Postal Union, universal service
• COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS The annual Union work programme for European standardisation for 2019

  • Published: 2018-10-11
  • Corporate Author(s): Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (European Commission) ; European Commission
  • Subject: action programme, circular economy, energy policy, European security, European standardisation body, institutional cooperation, international cooperation, public-private partnership, single market, standardisation
• Council Decision (EU) 2018/1303 of 18 September 2018 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Association Committee in Trade configuration established by the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part, regarding the update of Annex III (Approximation) concerning rules applicable to standardisation, accreditation, conformity assessment, technical regulation and metrology, and Annex XVI (Public Procurement) to the Agreement

  • Published: 2018-09-18
  • Corporate Author(s): Council of the European Union
  • Subject: approximation of laws, association agreement (EU), Association Council (EU), EAEC, Georgia, metrology, public contract, revision of an agreement, standardisation
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  An analysis on the development and application of cybersecurity standards
  

  This report was produced in the context of the Administrative Arrangement Id 34294 between the JRC and DG CNECT to investigate and propose recommendations for the establishment of a European ICT security certification framework and to assess the feasibility of a European cybersecurity labelling ...

  This report was produced in the context of the Administrative Arrangement Id 34294 between the JRC and DG CNECT to investigate and propose recommendations for the establishment of a European ICT security certification framework and to assess the feasibility of a European cybersecurity labelling framework. One of the key elements for the establishment of a European ICT security certification framework is the role of cybersecurity standards and their application in the market. Because cybersecurity standards have an important role in security certification and in general for the security of the ICT infrastructures, an analysis is needed to investigate the current status of cybersecurity standards, their role and their effectiveness to support the cybersecurity market and the European cybersecurity industry. To this purpose, the cybersecurity expert Scott Cadzow was requested to provide an analysis on the role and the current status of cybersecurity standards, which could support the European cybersecurity industry. The outcome of the analysis, finalised in February 2017, was to provide potential recommendations to improve the process of production and application of cybersecurity standards in Europe. JRC complemented this analysis with additional considerations on the parallel effort performed by organizations like ECSO and ENISA and the link to the European ICT security certification framework. This report does not aim to provide a detailed view of cybersecurity standards in Europe. A number of reports by ECSO, ENISA and ETSI have recently addressed this task and this report refers to them for additional details on the current cybersecurity standards. The present report provides complementary considerations and recommendations on how to potentially support the European cybersecurity industry from standardisation work.

  • Published: 2018-04-18
  • Corporate Author(s): Joint Research Centre (European Commission)
  • Subject: computer crime, computer network, computer systems, data protection, digital technology, information technology, Internet, regulation of telecommunications, report, standardisation
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  Cybersecurity
  Ensuring awareness and resilience of the private sector across Europe in face of mounting cyber risks

  This study examines the impact of cyber-related threats and challenges on corporate Europe and the degree of engagement of European businesses in tackling issues at stake. Although the new digitization era offers huge economic and social opportunities, it also changes the nature and magnitude of...

  This study examines the impact of cyber-related threats and challenges on corporate Europe and the degree of engagement of European businesses in tackling issues at stake. Although the new digitization era offers huge economic and social opportunities, it also changes the nature and magnitude of cyber risks and creates new vulnerabilities cyber attackers seek to exploit. European countries and businesses are targeted with growing frequency. Many companies, however, remain unaware or seem to underestimate, and even neglect the vulnerabilities they are facing through and in cyberspace. An open, safe and secure cyberspace is indispensable for the reliable functioning of European economies. Recognizing the importance of corporate cybersecurity for the economic wellbeing of Europe, this study presents the challenges European companies face in implementing good cybersecurity practices and offers recommendations on how to overcome them. The study first looks into the current cyber threat environment, and assesses its impact on the private sector. The second part addresses the level of awareness, preparedness and resilience against mounting cyber threats at the European, national and corporate level. Third, key challenges and bottlenecks that inhibit implementation of good cybersecurity practices are presented and analyzed. The final part outlines good practices and inspiring examples observed across the EU that could help overcome the aforementioned bottlenecks.

  • Published: 2018-05-22
  • Corporate Author(s): European Economic and Social Committee
  • Subject: computer crime, computer network, computer systems, data protection, digital technology, European undertaking, information technology, Internet, private sector, standardisation