ITEM C.6.bAPPENDIX

European Economic and Social Committee

Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI)

EESC-2015-05928-18-03-NB-TRA – Pt C.6.b(EN) 1/3

Brussels, 2 December 2015

CCMI STRATEGY - 2016

Industrial policy

  • Applying its unique and broad remit, CCMI aims to anticipate industrial change and promote an industrial policy whose objective is to make Europe's manufacturing sector stronger and to pave the way for a greener economy, based on sustainable development, innovation, high-quality jobs and social cohesion; making European industry a strong competitor within the globalised economy.
  • The sectoral dimension is of paramount importance for CCMI activities, given its special, practical and lasting connection with the main European trade unions, employers' organisations and sectoral consumer associations. These players from the real European economic and social world make a unique contribution to anticipating industrial change and take a long-term perspective that complies with the values, principles and objectives of the European Union.
  • The fourth industrial revolution -aka Industry 4.0- is a new reality resulting from a vertical and horizontal cooperation from machine to internet, machine to human, and machine to machine.CCMI will make its upmost to encourage decision makers to create the best conditions for European industries to take profit of this fundamental change.
  • European diversity should be exploited as a basis for creativity and competitiveness. Business and consumers, as well as society at large, should be committed to European production based on economic, social and environmental responsibility.
  • In practical terms, the CCMI will help ensure that attention is paid to the industrial dimension across all relevant European Commission directorates general as well as within the European Parliament and the Council, looking more specifically to join up all those policies that, until now, have not necessarily been compatible.CCMI will also emphasise the necessity to take into account the interests of less mediatised industrial sectors.
  • Working within its remit as part of the EESC, the CCMI will endeavour to boost coordination and cooperation with the Committee's sections, observatories and categories, on a level of equal dignity. It will contribute to guarantee that industrial point of view is integrated by the Committee in various topical and vital files like refugees and immigration, security situation in Europe, regional development.
  • From now on, the European Union must continue to concentrate on revitalising its industry and fulfil the target to rise its contribution to the EU GDP up to 20% in 2020. This would nurture recovery through investment in strategic manufacturing sectors (automotive, chemical, metalworking, electronic, etc.) and areas of future growth: disruptive technologies, eco-industries, biotechnology, cultural industries, renewable energy, personal services, etc.
  • To this end, it is essential to target public investment carefully and provide for appropriate incentives with a view to making Europe the first choice for private investment aimed at reshoring industrial activities, and developing "green" infrastructure and research, development and innovation, so as to facilitate transition by means of sustainable and inclusive growth, using our energy resources in a fully efficient manner.
  • With regard to EU trade policy, in order to avert the risk of industrial relocation, customs tariffs equivalent to the CO2 taxes should be considered for countries that refuse to comply with international agreements on reducing emissions.
  • The impact of various European policies -ETS included- on energy intensive industries and the risk of carbon leakage should be closely monitored
  • An analysis should be made of the degree to which the recommendations made in the most important CCMI opinions of recent years have been taken into account and acted on while a fresh look should be taken at the following areas:

Industrial policy implementation, with particular regard to creating the right conditions for reshoring manufacturing to the EU

Youth employment and the need to gear young people's training to the needs of the industry

Drawing European authorities' attention to neglected and vulnerable industrial sectors

Promotion of services that is essential to stimulate innovative developments in production industries and strengthen work force capacities

Access to raw materials

The varied impact of energy costs on industrial divestment in Europe compared with other regions

Preparing for the mid-term review of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund

Boosting access to credit for SMEs (mutual guarantee schemes, microcredit, venture capital, etc., strengthening the role of the EIB and the EIF)

Continuous attention to research and innovation programmes through participation to the activity of the main sectoral European Technology Platforms to enhance the bottom up approach and cover the full path of innovation up to the higher Technology Readiness Levels (RTLs).

Communication and follow up

  • The CCMI should disseminate its opinions and, more specifically, its recommendations proactively and widely – coordinating as appropriate with the communication department – in order to make sure that they find their way into the public debate and onto political and expert group agendas.
  • CCMI should try to have more partners, like IndustriAll, displaying its opinions on their website.Contacts could also be taken withthe main European sector social dialogue committees (SSDC) to use them as both sources of inputs and channels of dissemination.Furthermore, should continue to involve SSDC stakeholders in the hearings and in the activity of the Study Group as experts.Closer relationship with specialised press should be encouraged
  • There is a need to encourage dialogue between the various stakeholders in order to accommodate the views of all those involved in developing a sectoral plan and monitoring its implementation. Business and trade unions, as well as civil society in the broadest sense, must be involved in this necessary transition process at all levels (European, national and regional). The CCMI should use public conferences to bring together all those key stakeholders that play a part or that are needed to make reindustrialisation a success.

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EESC-2015-05928-18-03-NB-TRA – Pt C.6.b(EN) 1/3