European Trade Union Institute [ ETUI-REHS | European Trade Union Institute for Research, Education and Health and Safety ]

European Trade Union Institute | ETUI [Abbr.]

12. Acknowledges the important role played by stakeholder organisations pursuing interests of the public good at European level such as ANEC, ECOS and ETUI-REHS, and the essential role played by NORMAPME; recognises that their limited resources can hinder effective participation in the standard-making process and calls on the Commission to earmark some of the financing provided for European standardisation to these organisations, particularly to support the participation of experts in the elaboration of standards; asks the Commission to evaluate the contributions by these organisations within two years to make sure that the funding the ...[+++]y receive is merited; also asks the Commission to consider whether other organisations would merit similar support and, if so, to consider increasing relevant funding; expects these organisations, amongst others, to play a more important role in advising Member States in future and thus ensure the participation of stakeholder groups (consumers, environmental groups, trade unions and SMEs) on the national ‘mirror committees’ in European standardisation projects;

5. Points out that the annual 1% reduction in funds (the degressivity clause) is increasingly hindering the European trade union institute ETUI-REHS and the European Centre for Workers' Questions EZA in carrying out European projects because of the generally low equity ratios of their member organisations in the new Member States;

6. Calls on the Commission to find, in 2009, as part of the revision of the Financial Regulation, a way of limiting the annual reduction in funds for ETUI-REHS and EZA;