We are receiving an increasing number of visitors in Brussels from `candidate' countries who are hoping to become members of the European Union during the process of enlargement. During one such familiarisation visit to Brussels a Maltese lady discreetly whispered in my ear, "What does the EU Commission actually do?" I thought my answer sounded rather pompous! Still, here it is. The Commission's main job is to be an effective civil service, even though it is quite small - smaller than the number of civil servants who run Scotland; it is the guardian of the European Treaties, seeing that these are obeyed and their terms put into practice by the Member States; and it is also the proposer and initiator of legislation.
It is this last area where there is a lot of acrimonious misunderstanding and ill informed accusations about laws imposed by unelected, faceless bureaucrats. For one thing, there is now much more power and co-decision-making in the hands of the elected European Parliament and, for another, proposals may seem to originate with the Commission but in reality arrive by other sources. For example, it was a Member State - the United Kingdom -which put forward the suggestion for EU legislation on timesharing. It was, moreover, strong supplier lobby groups with interests in packaging which pushed for legislation controlling the sale of those much-maligned bent bananas and curved cucumbers.
As time goes by the Commission is introducing fewer formal proposals itself and is becoming much more consultative in order to remedy the so-called democratic deficit. So it is now easier not only for organised civil society and special interest groups like consumers, but also for the general public to have a say in Europe's future. We are seeing far more consultative documents in the form of green and white papers open for comment, suggestion and public debate. Their readability has also improved, though it still has some way to go and much effort is needed.
This is something our Minister for Europe, Peter Hain, endorses, since he now proposes to get the Plain English Campaign to work on simplification and the prevention of what he refers to as "eurobabble".
Candidate countries too can make the most of the chance to shape future legislation by reacting to consultative papers in several ways: through their own political and communication processes, the intervention of organised civil society and NGOs (non-governmental organisations), and the participation of individual citizens.
There is a clear opportunity here to respond either collectively or individually. How? It is essential first to identify and obtain the original Commission document, to know to whom to respond and whether there is a particular deadline. Here are a couple of current examples of direct concern to consumers and citizens. You can be sure there will be others!
You can access the text of COM(2001) 428 final on website http:europa.eu.inVcomm/governance/index en. htm and you can send your e-mail comments on sg-governancefcec.eu.int. If you prefer to write in, the address is: Governance White Paper, European Commission, C80 05/66, Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Bruxelles. The closing date is March 31 st. This Paper sets out to adapt the European policy-making process in order to meet citizens' expectations and address the present lack of confidence in EU institutions. Five principles underpin "good governance": openness, participation, accountability, effectiveness and. coherence. And the Paper recommends the involvement of civil society organisations more deeply throughout the policy-making process at both EU and national level.
The e-mail address for comments is: consultsancofec.emint and the postal address: The European Commission, Health & Consumer Protection DG, F101 06/52, Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Bruxelles.
The objectives of this Paper are to launch "an extensive public consultation on the future of EU policy", using a prompt-list of questions on which you can base your reply. The Commission is considering the mixed approach of a comprehensive framework directive based on the duty to trade fairly, supplemented by specially targeted directives where necessary and by voluntary agreements in the form of Codes of Conduct. (It is interesting to note a state of conflict here: the Commission thought it was a good idea to launch this Green Paper at the same time as its Communication on Sales Promotion in the Internal Market - COM (2001)546 final. BEUC - the Bureau Europeen des Unions de Consommateurs - wants it withdrawn until the Green Paper has been dealt with.)
There are also other possibilities for participation. Some members of our local Groups have, I know, particular areas of interest and expertise and comments on specific EU proposals for legislation or regulation won't come amiss - the Commission is generally accessible and approachable' - So are the relevant study groups set up by the EU's Economic & Social Committee (of which I am a member) to deal with referrals on draft legislation. Respond clearly and concisely if you have a point to make! A good example here is the Commission's current proposal for revised legislation concerning pharmaceutical products for both humans and animals. The final document is not yet available (as at December 1st) but you can get an advanced idea by consulting existing texts on http:pharmacos.eudra.org - and be ready with your reactions, whether these concern the provision of information to patients - CA is very concerned at the idea of information being given to the public by the industry -or the need for the advertising of prescription drugs to remain banned.
I started off by repeating the question from Malta: "What does the Commission actually do?" There is now a parallel question: "What can European citizens -and consumers, both present and potential, actually do?" The answer lies in making the most of the new opportunities now presented by the Commission for positive and public participation.
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