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DRAFT OPINION (COM(2018)0639 – C80408/2018 – 2018/0332(COD))

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

IMCO-PA-630406

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection · Rapporteur: Igor Šoltes

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The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection's draft opinion responds to the Commission's proposal to end seasonal clock changes and repeal Directive 2000/84/EC. It welcomes the proposal but asks to delay application by one year, to 30 March 2020, and to keep a coordinated approach among member states. It proposes a coordination network of member state representatives and the Commission to mediate planned time changes, and would shorten the Commission's evaluation to three years after entry into force. It amends the text to require member states to notify the Commission six months ahead of a standard-time change, to withdraw a notification at least three months before, and to inform the public and economic operators.

Committee position. The rapporteur welcomes the Commission's proposal but proposes amendments: delay application by one year to 30 March 2020, set up a coordination network, require six-month notification and three-month withdrawal for time changes, and shorten evaluation to three years.

Key points

  1. The rapporteur welcomes the Commission's proposal to discontinue the bi-annual clock change, in line with Parliament's February 2018 resolution and citizens' views.
  2. Studies cited show negative consequences of the clock change, including health risks from disturbed circadian rhythms, higher accident rates, and administrative burden and costs for economic sectors.
  3. A 2018 Commission public consultation received 4.6 million replies, 99.8% from citizens and 0.2% from stakeholders or businesses, with 84% in favour of discontinuing the clock change.
  4. Member states remain competent to decide their standard time, but the rapporteur says a harmonised approach is needed to protect the internal market and avoid a patchwork of 60-minute time changes.
  5. A coordinated approach needs a timeline letting member states assess permanent GMT+1 or GMT+2, including effects on cross-border trade, communications, transport, health, road safety and the environment.
  6. The rapporteur proposes delaying the date of application by one year so member states can coordinate and involve stakeholders and citizens through public consultations.
  7. A coordination network of one representative per member state and the Commission would be set up, meeting ad hoc, to mediate where a member state's planned time change raises concerns for the internal market.
  8. The Commission would report on implementation three years after entry into force instead of five, and member states would provide relevant information 30 months after entry into force.
  9. Member states would have to notify the Commission at least six months before a standard-time change takes effect, and apply it only if not withdrawn at least three months before.
  10. Within one month of notification the Commission would inform other member states and publish the information in the Official Journal; member states would then communicate it to the public and economic operators.
  11. The directive would apply from 30 March 2020, with the last summer-time period starting at 1.00 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time on 29 March 2020 and member states changing standard time on 25 October 2020.
  12. Member states would adopt and publish compliance laws by 30 March 2020 and apply them from that date, when Directive 2000/84/EC is repealed.

Who is affected

  • Member states: remain competent for standard time but must coordinate, notify the Commission six months ahead and inform the public.
  • Economic operators and stakeholders: would be involved in the coordination network and informed of time changes.
  • Citizens: would be consulted at national level and informed of time changes.
  • The Commission: would convene the coordination network, mediate, publish notifications and report on implementation.

Figures and deadlines

  • 4.6 million replies to the 2018 public consultation, 99.8% from citizens and 0.2% from stakeholders or businesses.
  • 84% of consultation respondents in favour of discontinuing the bi-annual clock change.
  • Three time zones: GMT, GMT+1 and GMT+2.
  • Application from 30 March 2020; last summer-time period starts at 1.00 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time on 29 March 2020.
  • Standard-time change at 1.00 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time on 25 October 2020.
  • Notification at least 6 months before a time change takes effect; withdrawal at least 3 months before.
  • Commission report three years after entry into force; member states provide information 30 months after entry into force.
  • Compliance laws adopted and published by 30 March 2020, applied from that date; Directive 2000/84/EC repealed from 30 March 2020.