About 80% of the EU budget is financed from national contributions based on gross national income and value added tax. Hundreds of technical, legal and bureaucratic barriers to free trade and free movement between EU Member States have been removed to make things flow more easily within the single market. The annual budget is decided democratically. However, in doing so they must respect certain fundamental principles, such as non-discrimination and respect for free movement of goods and services in the single market. The advisory bodies (the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Committee of the Regions) as well as the national parliaments are involved in the process by providing their opinions on the proposals, mainly from the perspective of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. The decisions of the Commission are made based on the collective responsibility of the College of Commissioners. EU funds are always topped up with national (private and/or public) funds. The EU’s single market offers consumers access to greater choice, flexibility, quality and value for money. There may be police checks, based on police information and experience, that are not equivalent to border checks. The EU values are common to the EU countries in a society in which inclusion, tolerance, justice, solidarity and non-discrimination prevail. The Commission has proposed to boost funding in areas where the EU can contribute most effectively. Through the Interreg programmes, regional policy pays particular attention to the needs and potential of border regions. These include the following in particular. On some occasions, the Council may do this alone. The EU supports research and innovation and the effective deployment of new green transport technologies, for example through new rules promoting clean vehicle technologies. Unsafe airlines are banned from flying in Europe and the EU has introduced tighter rules on maritime safety. The EU is committed to helping victims of man-made and natural disasters worldwide and supports over 120 million people each year. Generally it is the European Commission that proposes new laws and the European Parliament and the Council that adopt them. These cover the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, the right to the protection of your personal data, and the right to get access to justice. The digital single market will also help drive the economy by ensuring the free flow of non-personal data, investing in digital skills and providing better access to online public services. Work in the European Parliament’s eighth term ended on 18 April 2019. What began as a purely economic union has evolved into an organization spanning policy areas, from climate, environment and health to external relations and security, justice and migration. According to the European Union's official website, the union's purpose is to promote peace, establish a unified economic and monetary system, promote inclusion and … As part of this, the Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT) identifies opportunities to reduce regulatory costs and simplify existing laws. Every action taken by the EU is founded on treaties that have been approved voluntarily and democratically by all EU countries. The banking union transferred bank supervision and resolution from national to EU level in the 19 Member States of the euro area. Instead it sets the EU's policy agenda, traditionally by adopting 'conclusions' during European Council meetings which identify issues of concern and actions to take. The Commission is also responsible for sectors with geostrategic implications and a high degree of public intervention, such as defence, security and space. National customs authorities carry out regular joint customs operations with OLAF (and other EU agencies) to stop smuggling and fraud in certain high-risk areas and on identified routes. It also needs to become more energy efficient, embrace innovation and new technologies, improve cross-border energy connections and reduce dependence on energy imports. With national budgets in many Member States under severe strain, the EU budget, and the Structural Funds in particular, emerged from the 2008 crisis as a stabilisation factor investing in growth and jobs. The EU offers its citizens an area of freedom, security and justice without internal borders. For example, in 2017, joint customs operations financed by the European Anti-Fraud Office led to the seizure of 75 million cigarettes, as well as tens of thousands of other counterfeit products. The EU does not have a direct role in raising taxes or setting tax rates. The EU has a range of policies and instruments in place for lowering emissions and driving the low-carbon transition, while its adaptation strategy promotes actions such as building flood defences, developing drought-tolerant crops and changing building regulations. The EU and Member States cooperate to tackle terrorism and violent radicalisation, serious and organised crime and cybercrime. The EU has delivered more than half a century of peace, stability and prosperity, helped raise living standards and launched a single European currency: the euro. The European Court of Auditors is the independent external audit institution of the European Union. It maintains a balance between being open and ensuring that rules are respected and that EU industries are protected against unfair trade and unjustified barriers. The consultative committees (the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Committee of the Regions) have an advisory role towards the European Parliament, Council and Commission. The EU’s employment and social affairs policies are designed to: These policies contribute to achieving the Europe 2020 targets in employment, social inclusion and education. negotiates and adopts EU laws, together with the European Parliament, based on proposals from the European Commission; develops the EU’s foreign and security policy, based on European Council guidelines; concludes agreements between the EU and other countries or international organisations; adopts the annual EU budget jointly with the European Parliament. The European Council, based in Brussels, is made up of the Heads of State or Government of all of the EU Member States, the President of the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Decisions are taken as openly as possible and as closely as possible to the citizen. This article is more than 1 year old. Water, air pollution and chemicals are among people’s top environmental concerns. After an investigation is concluded, OLAF recommends action to the EU institutions and national governments concerned: this usually includes launching criminal investigations, financial recoveries or other disciplinary measures. OLAF is part of the European Commission, but acts in full independence in its investigative mandate. 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In practice, this means that the Member States delegate some of their decision-making powers to the shared institutions they have created, so that decisions on specific matters of common interest can be made democratically at EU level. See Part 3 of this section Ensuring EU laws are respected for more information. Three years on, we still need to be told: what does the EU do for us? It safeguards health at every stage of the food chain by preventing food contamination and promoting food hygiene, plant health and animal health and welfare. The Commission takes action in regard to: EU investigations into anti-competitive practices can cover not only goods but also professions and services. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2020. Over 200 different unsafe products are notified via the EU’s Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products each year. The EU has presented an Action Plan on sustainable finance, which is investment that takes into account environmental, social and governance considerations. The work of the European Union is assisted by a number of EU agencies, which are separate legal entities set up to perform specific tasks under EU law. This is especially important in civil cases such as divorce, child custody or maintenance claims. To ensure that the EU remains at the forefront of digital transformation, the Commission proposes to invest €9.2 billion in the Digital Europe and Creative Europe programmes. The EU remains focused on making its governing institutions more transparent and democratic. The latest one (for the 2017-2020 period) defines three priorities: the integrity of sport, the economic dimension of sport, and sport and society. It does things like proposing new laws for the European Parliament to vote on, … The EU also protects people through laws to limit working hours, tackle workplace discrimination, make working conditions safer and ensure that they receive compensation for work injuries. Most recently, the budget has also underpinned the management of the EU’s external borders and the European response to the refugee crisis and to the threat of organised crime and terrorism. 2.2 What do we produce in the EU? Over 620 000 lives have been saved in the Aegean and the Mediterranean since 2015 thanks to Italian and Greek rescue operations and the work of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, established in 2016. The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political union between 27 European countries. establish a common consolidated corporate tax base in the EU and a financial transaction tax. Petitions are examined by Parliament’s Committee on Petitions, which makes a decision on their admissibility and is responsible for dealing with them. This is why the EU works actively to improve road safety. The European neighbourhood policy offers a framework for more effective and stronger partnerships based on common interests and action on both sides. Committees to prepare legislation: the Parliament has 20 committees and two subcommittees, each handling a particular policy area. The European Union is the largest trade block in the world. These are the European Committee of the Regions, which consists of representatives of regional and local government, and the European Economic and Social Committee, comprising representatives of employees’ and employers’ organisations and stakeholders’ groups. The number of deaths on Europe’s roads halved between 1992 and 2010. The EU agrees long-term spending plans (known as the multiannual financial framework) which provide a stable basis for implementing the budget over a period of at least 5 years. The treaties lay down the objectives of the European Union, and set out the rules for how the EU institutions operate, on how decisions are made and on the relationship between the EU and its Member States. The newly-established European Public Prosecutor’s Office, due to start work in 2020, will investigate, prosecute and bring to judgment crimes against the EU budget, such as fraud, corruption or serious cross-border VAT fraud. In July 2019, the European Council elected Charles Michel as its President for the period from 1 December 2019 to 31 May 2022. It translates the EU’s wish to build on common interests with partner countries and a commitment to work jointly in priority areas. Emergency relief to displaced people inside Syria and refugees in neighbouring countries. Each Commissioner is assigned responsibility for specific policy areas by the President. EU policies encourage the creation of new businesses and support innovative enterprises in their efforts to scale up. Culture and creativity are at the core of the European project and at the heart of the EU’s cultural policy. What is the European Parliament? With every €1 billion in exports supporting 14 000 jobs in Europe, the EU fights for open, rules-based markets, a level playing field and the highest international standards. The basic principles of the EU’s food safety policy are defined in the EU’s general food law, which ensures a high level of protection for people’s health and consumer interests, while ensuring the single market works efficiently. The European neighbourhood policy governs the EU’s relations with 16 of its closest eastern and southern partners. The European Anti-Fraud Office ensures taxpayers’ money is put to the best possible use by investigating cases of fraud, corruption and illegal activities involving EU funds. strengthen its industrial base and promote the transition to a low-carbon economy; promote innovation as a means to generate new sources of growth; encourage small businesses and promote an entrepreneurial culture; guarantee an EU-wide market for goods; and. A minimum number of signatories is required in each of those seven Member States. They provide opinions on proposed legislative acts. The open border allows the free flow of goods and people. The ministers meet several times a year to make decisions relating to the EU, though government officials have meetings all year round to discuss the policy details. make lifelong learning and mobility a reality; improve the quality and efficiency of education and training; promote equity, social cohesion and active citizenship; and. The EU’s youth policies also offer young people the chance to fill any gaps in their education and skills, enabling them to better adapt to challenges and contribute to positive change in society. The Council is not to be confused with the Council of Europe, which is not a European Union body but an international organisation that was set up to promote democracy and protect human rights and the rule of law in Europe. In December 2018 the European Parliament, the Council and Commission agreed on the Cybersecurity Act, which strengthens the mandate of the EU cybersecurity agency (European Union Agency for Network and Information Security) so as to better support Members States with tackling cybersecurity threats and attacks. The European Commission has developed sector-specific action plans and legislation to support more than a dozen key industrial sectors, including the chemicals, automotive, food, healthcare, biotechnology and aeronautics industries. It is the world's biggest exporter of manufactured goods and services, and the biggest import market for over 100 countries. The EU helps improve the quality of education by encouraging cooperation between Member States and by complementing national actions. Challenges like climate change, violent extremism, trafficking and irregular migration are no respecters of borders, and only by working with partner countries in the developing world can we tackle extreme poverty. Stringent safety standards apply to toys, electrical appliances, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and strict rules ensure that unsafe products are recalled from the market. Thanks to the single market (sometimes also called the internal market) people, goods, services and money can move around the EU almost as freely as within a single country. If a private individual or a company has suffered damage as a result of action or inaction by an EU institution or its staff they can take action against them in the Court, in one of two ways: If someone considers that the authorities in any country have infringed EU law they can follow the official complaints procedure. The Commission is also in constant political dialogue with national parliaments, which send their opinions on any legislative or political initiative of the Commission or on any political subject on their own initiative. The 7th EU environment action programme guides the EU’s environmental policy until 2020, and sets out a vision of where the EU should be by 2050. However, some barriers remain to a fully functioning single market. The EU’s policy on sport is now mainly carried out through the Erasmus+ programme. To do away with the wasteful practice of fishing fleets dumping unwanted fish, a landing obligation is gradually being implemented. In this case, decisions are made by simple majority, with every Commissioner having one vote. As a key element of the EU’s foreign policy, the European neighbourhood policy focuses on stabilising the region in political, economic and security terms. Citizens’ health is a major priority for the European Union. The President can also convene additional meetings to address urgent issues. Thanks to the Schengen Agreement, checks at many EU internal borders have been progressively abolished. The Eurogroup consists of the ministers of economy and finance of the euro-area members. It applies in all areas. Similarly, opening up the maritime market has allowed shipping companies to operate in more countries. The EU aims to: The EU is committed to helping businesses and industry to be competitive and to generate growth and new jobs. It is also one of the key steps towards implementing the Paris Agreement and the EU’s agenda for sustainable development. Europe Direct is a service that answers your questions about the European Union. The European Commission works with authorities and stakeholders in Member States to monitor and enforce the existing rules so that people and businesses can benefit from the opportunities offered by the single market. boost excellent science, including through the, promote industrial leadership in areas such as nanotechnologies, biotechnology and information and communications technology, and through support for companies and entrepreneurs; and. Sport can bridge social divides, empower people and provide opportunities to develop leadership skills. The Council and the Member States examine the legislation in detail; most of this discussion happens in a working group of civil servants. The EU has the exclusive power to legislate and conclude international trade agreements under areas covered by its common commercial policy, based on World Trade Organization rules, on behalf of its Member States. For any use or reproduction of photos or other material that is not under the copyright of the European Union, permission must be sought directly from the copyright holders. Sport also provides significant economic benefits and is an important tool in the EU’s external relations. In 2016 around €61 billion (some 38% of the EU budget) was invested in supporting farmers to produce food in a sustainable way, while also promoting growth in the rural economy and a living countryside. The EU is governed by the principle of representative democracy, with citizens directly represented at Union level in the European Parliament and Member States represented in the European Council and the Council of the EU. The EU’s annual budget is decided jointly by the Parliament and the Council of the European Union. .eu is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the European Union (EU). In addition, more than 1 600 European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) officers are now helping Member States’ national border guards to patrol in places like Greece, Italy, Bulgaria and Spain. While national governments are responsible for setting tax rates and collecting taxes, the EU ensures that people or businesses from another Member State are not discriminated against and that taxes do not hinder the EU’s single market. The European Council takes the form of (usually quarterly) summit meetings between EU leaders, chaired by the President of the European Council. The EU’s consumer policy ensures that people’s rights will be upheld if they encounter any problems when buying goods or services from other EU countries, including online. Its main purpose is to maintain monetary stability in the euro area by ensuring low and stable consumer price inflation. Each Member State elects a number of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs); seats are allocated on the basis of the population of each Member State. Every year, following a recommendation by the Council, the European Parliament decides whether to give its final approval, or ‘discharge’, on the way the Commission has implemented the EU budget. The benefits for consumers should also be significant in terms of their rights to change energy suppliers, lower household bills, and quality of life issues such as less air pollution. The EU is active in many different areas, such as capacity building to increase the uptake of vaccinations, pooling knowledge on cancer, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and combating smoking through tobacco legislation. Close coordination between tax administrations also helps to prevent companies from exploiting loopholes between different countries’ systems with the aim of reducing the amount of taxes they pay. The Commission monitors the assistance Member State governments give to businesses to ensure that it does not give certain companies an unfair advantage over their competitors. These are guaranteed by the European Union where EU law is at stake. The European Commission is not liable for any consequence stemming from the reuse of this publication. Being a European citizen also means enjoying political rights. There are several types of legal acts, which are applied in different ways. What began as a purely economic union has evolved into an organisation spanning many different policy areas, from climate, environment and health to external relations and security, justice and migration. A further EU initiative is the establishment of the European Energy Union, which will improve synergies with other policy areas, such as transport, research and innovation, digitalisation, the circular economy, and sustainable financing. Together with the European Parliament, the Council is the main decision-making body of the EU. While social security remains the responsibility of each Member State, the EU creates bridges between national systems for citizens moving across borders. Most EU countries, and some non-EU countries, have taken away border controls between their countries. It is not one of the EU's legislating institutions, so does not negotiate or adopt EU laws. Reviewing the Commission’s work programme and requesting that it propose legislation. But it can also pose challenges to consumers, especially in fast-developing areas like digital, energy and financial services. The EU’s health policy focuses on tackling serious EU-wide health threats, preventing diseases and ensuring an equal chance of good health and quality healthcare for all. The UK had free ports until 2012. The common agricultural policy also supports environmentally and climate-friendly farming practices across the EU, and encourages healthy lifestyles. Whenever significant outbreaks of animal disease or food poisoning affect consumers, EU authorities can follow the movement of food products via the TRACES (Trade Control and Expert System) electronic system. The EU budget helps to deliver on the things that matter to Europeans. Research and innovation are essential to our economy and society. Then the national governments (acting through the Council of the European Union) and the directly elected European Parliament approve the EU budget, usually before the beginning of the year. The Commission is responsible for managing and implementing the EU budget and the policies and programmes adopted by the Parliament and the Council. 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