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Adopted text

Discontinuing seasonal changes of time ***I

TA-8-2019-0225 · P8_TA(2019)0225 · PE632.060

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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 would end seasonal clock changes across the Union and repeal Directive 2000/84/EC. Member States could still make one final seasonal change in 2021, and any later change of standard time must be notified to the Commission. 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. The Commission could postpone the directive's application by no more than 12 months through delegated acts and would report on implementation by 31 December 2025.

Key points

  1. Member States would not apply seasonal changes to their standard time or times.
  2. By way of derogation, Member States could still apply a seasonal change in 2021 at 1.00 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time on the last Sunday in October, notifying the Commission by 1 April 2020.
  3. A Member State deciding to change its standard time would notify the Commission at least 6 months before the change takes effect.
  4. A coordination mechanism of one representative per Member State and one Commission representative would be set up to ensure a harmonised approach.
  5. The mechanism would assess the impact of a notified change on the internal market, and the Commission would inform the notifying Member State if it considers the change significantly affects the internal market.
  6. By 31 October 2020 the notifying Member State would decide whether to maintain its intention and, if so, explain how it will address the negative impact.
  7. The Commission would submit an evaluation report to Parliament and the Council by 31 December 2025, with Member States providing information by 30 April 2025.
  8. Member States would adopt and publish the laws needed to comply by 1 April 2021 and apply them from that date.
  9. The Commission, with the coordination mechanism, would monitor time arrangements and could adopt delegated acts to postpone application by no more than 12 months.
  10. Delegated acts would be subject to conditions, including a two-month objection period for Parliament and the Council, extendable by two months.
  11. Directive 2000/84/EC would be repealed with effect from 1 April 2021.

Who is affected

  • Member States, which would stop seasonal clock changes and notify the Commission of any standard time change.
  • The Commission, which would monitor arrangements, report and possibly postpone application.
  • Citizens and stakeholders, whom Member States should consult before changing time zones.

Figures and deadlines

  • 1 April 2020: deadline for Member States to notify the Commission of a final seasonal change.
  • 6 months: minimum notice before a standard time change takes effect.
  • 31 October 2020: deadline for a notifying Member State to decide whether to maintain its intention.
  • 31 December 2025: deadline for the Commission's evaluation report.
  • 30 April 2025: deadline for Member States to provide relevant information to the Commission.
  • 1 April 2021: deadline for Member States to adopt and publish compliance laws and date of application.
  • 12 months: maximum postponement of the directive's application by delegated act.
  • Two months: period for Parliament or Council to object to a delegated act, extendable by two months.

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