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OPINION (COM(2021)0579 – C90364/2021 – 2021/0297(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on applying a generalised scheme of tariff preferences and repealing Regulation (EU) No 978/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council

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Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Maria Arena

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The Committee on Foreign Affairs opinion on the proposed GSP regulation suggests amendments to strengthen human rights and environmental protections, including ex-ante impact assessments, enhanced monitoring, and civil society involvement. It proposes adding new withdrawal grounds for serious violations, sectoral withdrawals, and a new urgent procedure, while reinforcing due diligence and the role of the European Parliament.

Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes amendments to strengthen the GSP regulation's human rights and environmental safeguards, including ex-ante assessments, enhanced monitoring, and new withdrawal procedures.

Key points

  1. Calls for an ex-ante human rights and environmental impact assessment before granting any preferential regime, to identify and mitigate risks.
  2. Requires standard GSP beneficiaries to sign and commit to ratifying core conventions within five years, and removes high-income countries from eligibility.
  3. Extends positive conditionality to standard GSP, requiring ratification and implementation of conventions, with a time-bound plan of action.
  4. Strengthens monitoring by requiring reports every two years, high-level missions, and public lists of issues, with civil society consultation.
  5. Establishes an advisory body to assist in monitoring and to consult on plans of action and due diligence measures.
  6. Adds new grounds for temporary withdrawal, including failure to implement plans of action, undermining EU due diligence laws, and serious violations.
  7. Introduces an enhanced engagement process with time-bound roadmaps before withdrawal, extendable by one year, with public roadmaps.
  8. Allows sectoral withdrawal of preferences and lists companies that may still benefit if they meet due diligence obligations.
  9. Requires the Commission to inform Parliament and Council of complaints and to consider Parliament's requests for withdrawal procedures.
  10. Adds the Rome Statute, the First Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, and the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention to Annex VI.

Who is affected

  • Beneficiary countries under GSP, GSP+, and EBA: must meet stricter human rights, environmental, and due diligence conditions.
  • Civil society organisations and human rights defenders: can submit complaints and participate in monitoring.
  • EU importers and local suppliers: may be listed as still benefiting from preferences if they prove due diligence.

Figures and deadlines

  • Five years: time for standard GSP beneficiaries to sign and commit to ratifying conventions.
  • Two years: frequency of Commission reports on ratification and implementation.
  • One year: duration of enhanced engagement, extendable by another year.
  • Six months: monitoring and evaluation period after notice of withdrawal.
  • One month: reduced period for urgent withdrawal procedure.
  • Three months: reduced deadline for Commission report in urgent cases.