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DRAFT REPORT (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

TRAN-PR-632060

Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Marita Ulvskog

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The rapporteur's draft report responds to the Commission proposal to end seasonal clock changes and repeal Directive 2000/84/EC. It supports ending the biannual change but replaces the fixed 2019 date with a two-year transition after entry into force. It keeps each member state's right to choose its standard time, but requires them to notify the Commission and all other member states 18 months before any change, and to set up a network of national contact points. Member states that want permanent summer time would change their standard time at 1.00 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time on the last Sunday in March of the transition year. The Commission would report on implementation five years after entry into force, and member states would provide information by the same deadline.

Committee position. The rapporteur supports abolishing seasonal clock changes but considers the Commission proposal premature due to the lack of a proper impact assessment and the short eight-week consultation. She proposes a two-year transition period, an 18-month notification period, and a network of national contact points to coordinate member states' choices of standard time.

Key points

  1. Parliament adopts its position at first reading on the proposal to discontinue seasonal changes of time and repeal Directive 2000/84/EC.
  2. The Commission should refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal.
  3. Recital 2 is amended to stress the importance of maintaining a harmonised approach to time arrangements and a unified EU time regime.
  4. Recital 3 is amended to add that harmonised rules create predictability and long-term certainty, and that recent scientific studies point out possible negative effects on human health linked to a biannual change of time.
  5. Recital 4 is amended to note that around 4.6 million citizens participated in the Commission's public consultation, the largest number of responses ever received.
  6. Member states should refrain from changing their standard time for reasons related to seasonal changes, and should notify the Commission and all other member states in due time of any intended change.
  7. The Commission should publish notified changes in the Official Journal and inform the general public and stakeholders.
  8. A network of national contact points on time arrangements should be set up to strengthen cooperation and coordination between member states.
  9. The directive should apply two years after entry into force, not from 1 April 2019; member states wishing to adopt permanent summer time should change their standard time at 1.00 a.m. Coordinated Universal Time on the last Sunday in March of that year.
  10. Member states must notify the Commission and all other member states at least 18 months before a standard time change takes effect, and must apply the change if the notification is not withdrawn at least 18 months before.
  11. The Commission must publish the notification in the Official Journal within 1 month and inform the general public.
  12. The Commission must report on implementation, and member states must provide relevant information, five years after entry into force; member states must transpose the directive by two years after entry into force.

Who is affected

  • Member states: may keep their standard time but must notify changes 18 months in advance and coordinate through contact points.
  • Economic operators, including transport and cross-border trade: gain predictability and long-term certainty on applicable times.
  • Citizens and stakeholders: to be informed of upcoming time changes by the Commission.

Figures and deadlines

  • Around 4.6 million citizens participated in the Commission's public consultation.
  • 84% of responses were in favour of abolishing seasonal changes of time.
  • Member states must notify a standard time change at least 18 months before it takes effect.
  • The Commission must publish the notification within 1 month.
  • The Commission must report on implementation by five years after entry into force.
  • Member states must provide relevant information by five years after entry into force.
  • Member states must transpose the directive by two years after entry into force.
  • Directive 2000/84/EC is repealed with effect from two years after entry into force.

Legal basis: Article 294(2) and Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.