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Competitiveness Council (Internal market and industry), 1 December 2022
Main results
Chips Act
Ministers unanimously adopted a negotiating position ('general approach') on the regulation establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe's semiconductor ecosystem, better known as the 'Chips Act'.
Chips are amongst the most important cutting-edge technologies that exist today, but the EU currently does not have sufficient capacity to design and produce its own mature and advanced chips. The EU has to reduce its overdependence on global semiconductor leaders in Asia and the USA and with the Chips Act, it is taking matters in its own hands.
Jozef Síkela, Czech minister for industry and trade
Ministers welcomed the Council's negotiating mandate on the Chips Act and emphasised the need to have a sufficient budget for the future programme. They in particular welcomed the presidency's solution on the financial architecture of the Chips Act, which invites the European Commission, together with member states and the European Parliament, to look for alternatives solutions to maintain the level of ambition on the Chips Act's budget
Ministers adopted a negotiating position ('general approach') on the corporate sustainability due diligence directive. This directive will enhance the protection of the environment and human rights in the EU and beyond.
The due diligence directive lays down rules on obligations for large companies regarding actual and potential adverse impacts on human rights and the environment, with respect to their own operations, those of their subsidiaries, and those carried out by their business partners in the companies’ chain of activities. It also lays down rules on penalties and civil liability for violating these obligations.
Geographical indication protection for craft and industrial products
Ministers unanimously adopted a Council position ('general approach') on the regulation on geographical indication (GI) protection for craft and industrial products.
Geographical indications establish intellectual property rights for specific products whose qualities are essentially linked to the area of production, such as Bohemian glass, Limoges porcelain or Solingen cutlery.
During their interventions, ministers welcomed the presidency's compromise text for the general approach, emphasising how this regulation will help prosperity in Europe's regions, safeguard cultural heritage and benefit SMEs. As regards the upcoming negotiations with the European Parliament, member states looked forward to reaching an early agreement.
The Council adopted conclusions setting out a European agenda for Tourism 2030.
The EU is a top destination for both international visitors and its residents. However, the COVID-19 pandemic had a particularly devastating effect on the tourism ecosystem and has led to significant losses of income and jobs across Europe. This, together with the Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and rising energy prices, has negatively impacted the European tourism sector.
The European Agenda for Tourism 2030 includes a multi-annual EU work plan to help member states, public authorities, the Commission and stakeholder to render the tourism sector more sustainable, resilient, greener and digitalised.
The presidency presented the progress made so far on the directive on empowering consumers for the green transition, as well as on the ecodesign for sustainable products regulation, where it informed ministers about the main topics for the discussions ahead.
Under any other business, ministers were informed by the European Commission on the Single Market Enforcement Taskforce report, as well as on the 2022 report on the SME Envoy Network.
Member states were informed by the Austrian delegation about IPCEI improvements, as well as by the Swedish delegation on the programme for their upcoming presidency.
Over an informal lunch, ministers discussed how to address the EU’s dependencies via diversification of supply chains. The discussion focussed on possible new bilateral or multilateral partnerships in the field of critical raw materials or hydrogen.
The Council also adopted without discussion the items included in the list of legislative and non-legislative ‘A’ items.
Chips are amongst the most important cutting-edge technologies that exist today, but the EU currently does not have sufficient capacity to design and produce its own mature and advanced chips. The EU has to reduce its overdependence on global semiconductor leaders in Asia and the USA and with the Chips Act, it is taking matters in its own hands.
