European Citizens' Initiative: Commission decides to register two new citizens' initiatives
Today, the European Commission decided to register two European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘European EcoScore' and ‘Save cruelty-free cosmetics - Commit to a Europe without animal testing'. The Commission considers that the two initiatives are legally admissible, as they met the necessary conditions. The Commission has not analysed the substance of the initiatives at this stage.
‘European EcoScore'
The organisers of the ‘European EcoScore' initiative call on the Commission to propose ‘a reliable European EcoScore' - a mandatory label providing consumers with information about the environmental impact of products manufactured or sold on the EU market. The label would be based on a standardised calculation, starting with food and clothing but ultimately aiming to cover all types of products.
‘Save cruelty-free cosmetics - Commit to a Europe without animal testing'
The organisers of the ‘Save cruelty-free cosmetics - Commit to a Europe without animal testing' initiative call on the Commission to propose legislation, which would strengthen and broaden the existing EU bans on animal testing for cosmetics and the marketing of ingredients tested on animals. The legislation would also set out a roadmap to phase out all animal testing before the end of the Commission's current mandate.
Next Steps
Following today's registration of the two ECIs, the organisers can start the process of collecting signatures. If an ECI receives 1 million statements of support within 1 year from at least 7 different Member States, the Commission will have to react. The Commission could decide either to follow the request or not, and in both instances would be required to explain its reasoning.
Background
The European Citizens' Initiative was introduced with the Lisbon Treaty as an agenda-setting tool in the hands of citizens. It was officially launched in April 2012.
Once formally registered, a European Citizens' Initiative allows for 1 million citizens from at least seven EU Member States to invite the European Commission to propose legal acts in areas where it has the power to act.
The conditions for admissibility are: (1) the proposed action does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission's powers to submit a proposal for a legal act, (2) it is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious and (3) it is not manifestly contrary to the values of the Union.
Since the beginning of the ECI, the Commission has received 104 requests to launch an ECI, 81 of which were in fields where the Commission has the power to propose legislation and thus qualified to be registered.
For More Information
‘SAVE CRUELTY-FREE COSMETICS - COMMIT TO A EUROPE WITHOUT ANIMAL TESTING'
European Citizens' Initiative - website
ECIs currently collecting signatures
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