New Industrial Strategy for Europe

The European Commission yesterday, on 10 March 2020, published the New Industrial Strategy for Europe. The Communication was presented alongside the SME strategy, the Single Market Barriers Report and the Enforcement Action Plan for the Single Market, by Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and Commissioner Thierry Breton.

According to Commissioner Vestager, Europe is in the middle of two great transitions – digital and green. Both of these transitions present opportunities and challenges for companies, especially for small and medium businesses.

The new EU rules will aim to address to address unfair global competition, protectionism, market distortions, trade tensions and challenges to the rules-based system. The New Industrial strategy sets out ways to support the transition to a greener and more digital European industry with a goal to improve the EU's global competitiveness.

The industry has a leading role to play in reaching the goal of the European Green Deal -- becoming the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050.

Firstly, all industrial value chains, including energy-intensive sectors, will have to play a key role. Secondly, the industry will need secure supply of clean and affordable energy and raw materials. Thirdly, the EU institutions, Member States, regions, industry and all other relevant players are encouraged to work together to create lead markets in clean technologies. Regulatory policies, public procurement, fair competition and the involvement of SMEs will play a key role in making this happen. Lastly, the EU will enhance its industrial capacity in critical digital infrastructure by deploying the roll-out of 5G network and will invest in 6G networks. 

How to make it happen?

Digital single market: 

1. The Single Market Enforcement Action Plan adopted today puts forward concrete proposals to strengthen joint efforts to allow the single market to propel the EU's industry forward
2. The Single Market Barriers Report shows the need to break down the barriers facing businesses
3. Setting up a Single Market Enforcement Task-Force, composed of Member States and the Commission
4. "SME to SME approach"
5. Robust, well-functioning systems for standardization and certification
6. Intellectual Property Action Plan
7. Review of the EU competition rules as of 2021, including the ongoing evaluation of merger control and fitness check of State aid guidelines·       
8. Digital Services Act ·      
9. Initiative on improving the working conditions for platform workers.

Global level playing field:​

1. White paper on an instrument on foreign subsidies by mid-2020
2. Strengthening the global rules on industrial subsidies in the World Trade Organization
3. International Procurement Instrument
4. Action plan on the Customs Union in 2020 

Climate neutrality:

1. Strategy for smart sector integration.
   
2. A Common European Energy data space
3. Just Transition Platform
4. EU Strategy on Clean Steel
5. Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
6. Trans-European Network Energy regulation
7. Offshore Renewable Energy
8. Comprehensive Strategy for Sustainable and Smart Mobility
9. 'Renovation Wave' Initiative and Strategy on the built environment
10. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism 

1. Circular Economy Action Plan
2. New Regulatory Framework for Sustainable Batteries
3. EU Strategy for Textiles
4. Circular Electronics Initiative
5. Empowering consumers

Skilling and Reskilling

1. Update of the Skills Agenda for Europe in 2030
2. Launch of a European Pact for Skills
3. Communication on a European Education Area Strategic Framework
4. Digital Education Action Plan
5. Implementation of the EU Gender Strategy, adopted in March 2020

Investing and financing the transition

1. Consideration of an investment by Member States and industry in the form of new Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs)
2. Follow-up to the first IPCEIs on batteries and microelectronics
3. Review State aid rules for IPCEIs, including energy transition projects
4. A renewed sustainable finance strategy
5. A new Digital Finance Strategy
6. Action Plan on the Capital Markets Union in 2020
7. EU taxonomy

EU's industrial and strategic autonomy

1. Follow-up to the 5G Communication and the Recommendation on cybersecurity of 5G networks
2. Action Plan on synergies between civil, defence and space industries
3. A new EU pharmaceutical strategy in 2020
4. An Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials

If you want to learn how the Industrial Strategy impacts your business do not hesitate to get in touch with Schuman Associates at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

​Source of the photo:

European Union, 2020

Source: EC - Audiovisual Service

Date: 10/03/2020

https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/photo/P-042885~2F00-01