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REPORT (COM(2018)0639 – C8-0408/2018 – 2018/0332(COD))

On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council discontinuing seasonal changes of time and repealing Directive 2000/84/EC

A-8-2019-0169 · A8-0169/2019

Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Marita Ulvskog

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's amended version of a proposed directive discontinuing seasonal changes of time and repealing Directive 2000/84/EC. It ends the biannual clock change, lets each member state keep its own standard time, and sets up a coordination mechanism to avoid disruption to the internal market. Member states must notify the Commission by 1 April 2020 if they intend to change standard time, and the last seasonal change would take place on the last Sunday in October 2021. The Commission would monitor time arrangements, could postpone the directive's application by up to 12 months through delegated acts, and would report on implementation by 31 December 2025.

Committee position. The Committee on Transport and Tourism supports ending seasonal clock changes but considers the Commission proposal premature. It proposes a coordination mechanism, a later application date, and a Commission power to postpone application by up to 12 months.

Key points

  1. Member states would stop applying seasonal changes to their standard time, ending the biannual clock change across the Union.
  2. Each member state keeps the right to decide its own standard time, but must refrain from changing it for reasons linked to seasonal changes.
  3. A coordination mechanism of one representative per member state and one Commission representative would assess the impact of planned time changes on the internal market.
  4. Member states intending to change standard time must notify the Commission by 1 April 2020 at the latest.
  5. The last summer-time period under Directive 2000/84/EC would start on the last Sunday in March 2021, and member states adopting winter time would change standard time on the last Sunday in October 2021.
  6. A notifying member state must decide by 31 October 2020 whether to keep its plan, and if so explain how it will address negative effects on the internal market.
  7. The Commission could postpone the directive's application by no more than 12 months through delegated acts if planned time arrangements could significantly and permanently hamper the internal market.
  8. Member states must adopt and publish national laws to comply with the directive by 1 April 2021 and apply them from that date.
  9. Directive 2000/84/EC would be repealed with effect from 1 April 2021.
  10. The Commission would submit an evaluation report on the directive's application by 31 December 2025, with member states providing information by 30 April 2025.
  11. Member states should consult citizens and stakeholders and consider geographical aspects, natural time zones and regional differences before changing time zones.
  12. The directive cites health concerns, including effects on biorhythm and links to cardiovascular diseases, and animal welfare effects such as reduced milk yields, as reasons to end seasonal changes.

Who is affected

  • Member states: keep the right to set standard time but must notify the Commission and coordinate before changes.
  • Transport and communications sectors: the directive aims to avoid disruptions to scheduling and information systems.
  • Citizens and stakeholders: member states should consult them before deciding on time zone changes.
  • Livestock farmers and agriculture: cited as affected by seasonal time changes, including animal biorhythm and milk yields.
  • Children and older people: identified as particularly vulnerable to health effects of time changes.

Figures and deadlines

  • 1 April 2020: deadline for member states to notify the Commission of an intention to change standard time.
  • 31 October 2020: deadline for a notifying member state to decide whether to maintain its intention.
  • 1 April 2021: date from which the directive would apply and member states must apply national compliance laws.
  • Last Sunday in March 2021: start of the last summer-time period under Directive 2000/84/EC.
  • Last Sunday in October 2021: date for member states adopting winter time to change standard time.
  • 31 December 2025: deadline for the Commission's evaluation report on implementation.
  • 30 April 2025: deadline for member states to provide relevant information to the Commission.
  • 12 months: maximum period by which the Commission could postpone the directive's application.

Legal basis: Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.