Legal provisions of COM(2020)221 - Temporary measures for time limits in collection, verification and examination stages in Regulation 2019/788 on the European citizens' initiative in view of COVID-19 - Main contents
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dossier | COM(2020)221 - Temporary measures for time limits in collection, verification and examination stages in Regulation 2019/788 on the European ... |
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document | COM(2020)221 |
date | July 15, 2020 |
Contents
- Article 1 - Subject matter
- Article 2 - Extension of time limits for the collection of statements of support
- Article 3 - Extension of time limits for the verification of statements of support by the Member States
- Article 4 - Extension of time limits for the examination of valid initiatives
- Article 5 - Extension of time limits for retention of personal data
- Article 6 - Committee procedure
- Article 7 - Retroactive application
- Article 8 - Entry into force
Article 1 - Subject matter
Article 2 - Extension of time limits for the collection of statements of support
Where the collection of statements of support for an initiative started between 11 March 2020 and 11 September 2020, the collection period shall be extended until 11 September 2021, in respect of that initiative.
The Commission shall inform the organisers of the initiatives concerned and the Member States of the extension provided for in the first and second subparagraphs of this paragraph. It shall indicate the new end date of the collection period for each initiative in the online register referred to in Article 4(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788.
2. The Commission may adopt implementing acts to further extend the maximum collection period for statements of support for initiatives referred to in paragraph 1, where at least a quarter of Member States or a number of Member States representing more than 35 % of the Union population continue to apply after 11 September 2020 measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which substantially hamper the ability of organisers to collect statements of support in paper form and to inform the public of their ongoing initiatives.
The Commission may also adopt implementing acts to extend the maximum collection period for statements of support for initiatives in respect of which collection is ongoing at the moment of a new COVID-19 outbreak where at least a quarter of Member States or a number of Member States representing more than 35 % of the Union population apply measures that negatively affect organisers of those initiatives to the same extent as the measures referred to in the first subparagraph.
The implementing acts provided for in the first and second subparagraphs shall identify which initiatives are concerned and the new end date of their collection period.
Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 6(2).
The duration of each extension under this paragraph shall be three months.
For the purpose of the assessment by the Commission of whether the requirements for the adoption of implementing acts referred to in the first and second subparagraphs are fulfilled, the Member States shall provide the Commission, upon request, with information on the measures that they have taken or intend to take in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or in response to a new COVID-19 outbreak.
The Commission shall notify its decision to the organisers and inform the Member States of any extension granted in respect of each initiative concerned. It shall publish its decision in the online register referred to in Article 4(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788.
3. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2, the total duration of the collection period shall not exceed 24 months.
Article 3 - Extension of time limits for the verification of statements of support by the Member States
2. Where, upon a request submitted in accordance with paragraph 1, the Commission finds that the requirements laid down in that paragraph are fulfilled, it shall adopt an implementing act granting an extension of the period referred to in paragraph 1 to the Member State concerned. The extension shall not be less than one month or more than three months.
3. The Commission shall notify its decision to the Member State and inform the organisers of the initiative concerned of the extension. It shall publish its decision in the online register referred to in Article 4(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788.
Article 4 - Extension of time limits for the examination of valid initiatives
2. Notwithstanding Article 15(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788, where the European Parliament postpones the public hearing pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article, the Commission shall adopt its communication setting out its legal and political conclusions on the initiative within three months after the public hearing.
Article 5 - Extension of time limits for retention of personal data
2. Notwithstanding Article 19(8) of Regulation (EU) 2019/788, where the maximum collection period, verification period, or examination period for a given initiative is extended in accordance with Article 2, 3 or 4 of this Regulation, the time limits within which records of email addresses are to be destroyed shall be extended by the same period.
Article 6 - Committee procedure
2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.
Article 7 - Retroactive application
Article 8 - Entry into force
It shall apply until 31 December 2022.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.