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DRAFT 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-PA-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 application to 1 April 2020, extend notification periods to 12 months, and postpone reporting deadlines to 2025. It warns that uncoordinated national time arrangements would disrupt the internal market, especially transport and aviation, and calls for keeping the three existing time zones.

Committee position. The committee supports ending bi-annual clock changes, but proposes amendments to delay application to 2020, extend notification periods to 12 months, and require a prior coordination mechanism among member states.

Key points

  1. The opinion supports terminating bi-annual clock changes, but only under certain conditions.
  2. It proposes linking the directive's entry into force to a prior consensual agreement among all member states on a coordination mechanism for a new standard time.
  3. It says the three existing time zones should be kept intact.
  4. It states the Council Presidency should coordinate the process of establishing the coordination mechanism.
  5. It amends Recital 4 to say summer-time arrangements should only end if member states have first agreed on a coordination mechanism, taking account of the three existing time zones.
  6. It amends Recital 5 to add that member states should notify the Commission of standard time changes in due time, and that the decision to abolish clock changes should not jeopardise the competitiveness of European airlines and airports.
  7. It amends Recital 7 to delay application to 1 April 2020, with the last summer-time period starting at 1.00 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time on 29 March 2020, and changes to winter time at 1.00 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time on 01 November 2020.
  8. It amends Recital 8 to require that implementation be monitored and covered by the coordination mechanism agreed in advance among member states.
  9. It amends Article 1(2) to allow seasonal changes in 2020 at 1.00 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time on 01 November 2020.
  10. It amends Article 2(1) to require member states to notify the Commission at least 12 months before a standard time change takes effect.
  11. It amends Article 3 to require the Commission to report by 31 December 2025 and member states to provide information by 30 April 2025.
  12. It amends Article 4 to require member states to adopt and publish compliance provisions by 1 April 2020 and apply them from that date, and Article 5 to repeal Directive 2000/84/EC with effect from 1 April 2020.

Who is affected

  • Member states, which would need to agree on a coordination mechanism and notify standard time changes 12 months in advance.
  • The Commission, which would monitor implementation and report to Parliament and the Council.
  • The transport sector, especially aviation, which could face disruption from uncoordinated time arrangements.
  • European airlines and airports, whose competitiveness with third countries should not be jeopardised.

Figures and deadlines

  • 1 April 2020, date from which the directive should apply.
  • 1.00 a.m., Coordinated Universal Time, on 29 March 2020, start of the last summer-time period.
  • 1.00 a.m., Coordinated Universal Time, on 01 November 2020, date for changing standard time.
  • 12 months, minimum notification period before a standard time change takes effect.
  • 31 December 2025, deadline for the Commission's report.
  • 30 April 2025, deadline for member states to provide information to the Commission.