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OPINION (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

ITRE-AD-632025

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy · Rapporteur: Sven Schulze

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The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy gives its opinion on the proposed directive discontinuing seasonal changes of time and repealing Directive 2000/84/EC. It supports ending bi-annual clock changes, but only if member states first agree on a coordination mechanism for standard time. The opinion proposes amendments to delay the directive's application to 2020, extend notification periods, and require the Council to set up a coordination mechanism. It warns that uncoordinated national time choices would fragment the internal market and harm transport, trade and aviation, and says the three existing time zones should be kept.

Committee position. The committee supports ending bi-annual clock changes only if member states first agree on a coordination mechanism for standard time, and proposes amendments to delay application to 2020, extend notification periods, and require the Council to establish that mechanism.

Key points

  1. The opinion supports terminating bi-annual clock changes, but only under certain conditions.
  2. It says ending EU-wide harmonisation would return the issue to member states, which could keep or end summer time.
  3. It warns that uncoordinated national time arrangements would likely harm the internal market and must be avoided.
  4. It says a patchwork of time zones would complicate cross-border trade, transport, communication and travel, and affect aviation's slot system.
  5. It proposes linking entry into force to a prior consensual agreement among all member states on a coordination mechanism for a new standard time.
  6. It says the three existing time zones should be kept intact and the Council Presidency should coordinate the process.
  7. Amendment 1 adds references to citizens' petitions, parliamentary questions and a public hearing, and stresses maintaining a harmonised approach and a unified EU time regime.
  8. Amendment 2 adds predictability, long-term certainty, the energy sector, ICT testing, and recent scientific studies on negative health effects of biannual time change.
  9. Amendments 3 and 4 add that the public debate is not new, that some member states held national consultations, and that the Commission's consultation received 4.6 million replies with a majority against the current system.
  10. Amendment 5 requires a coordination process before ending summer-time arrangements, respecting each member state's sovereign right to decide its standard time.
  11. Amendment 7 requires member states to notify the Commission and all other member states of any standard time change, and the Commission to inform the public.
  12. Amendments 10 to 20 delay application to 2020, extend notification from 6 to 12 months, require the Council to establish a coordination mechanism, and postpone reporting and repeal dates.

Who is affected

  • Member states, which would decide their own standard time but must notify and coordinate changes.
  • The transport sector, especially aviation and its slot system, which could face disruption from time zone differences.
  • Businesses and citizens, who would face cross-border complications and are promised no additional costs from ICT testing.
  • The Commission, which would receive notifications, inform member states and the public, and report on implementation.
  • The Council, which would establish a coordination mechanism and whose Presidency would lead the process.

Figures and deadlines

  • 4.6 million replies to the Commission's public consultation, of which 84% favoured discontinuing bi-annual clock changes and 16% wanted to keep them.
  • The directive should apply from 1 April 2020, with the last summer-time period starting at 1.00 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time on 29 March 2020.
  • Member states intending to adopt winter time should change their standard time at 1.00 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time on 25 October 2020.
  • Member states may still apply a seasonal change in 2020 at 1.00 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time on 25 October 2020.
  • Member states must notify the Commission at least 12 months before a standard time change takes effect.
  • The Commission must report on implementation by 31 December 2025, and member states must provide information by 30 April 2025.
  • Member states must adopt and publish compliance provisions by 1 April 2020 and apply them from that date.
  • Directive 2000/84/EC is repealed with effect from 1 April 2020.