What is Next for EU Health Policy?

The European Union (EU) is entering a crucial period for health policy. The 2024-2029 term will shape how the EU responds to ongoing and new health challenges. Aging populations, rising chronic diseases, and mental health concerns are straining healthcare systems while advancements in medical research, digital health, and pharmaceutical innovation are accelerating. At the same time, the lingering effects of past crises, particularly COVID-19, have exposed both strengths and weaknesses in EU health systems—highlighting gaps in preparedness, medicine shortages, and workforce limitations. While coordination between EU institutions and national governments played a key role in crisis response, it also underscored the limits of subsidiarity in health policy.

Moving forward, EU policies must be proactive rather than reactive. Strengthening crisis preparedness, workforce planning, and regulatory flexibility is essential, but this must be balanced with avoiding unnecessary burdens on innovation. Resources are limited, yet investment in infrastructure and healthcare personnel is necessary. Health policy cannot be addressed in isolation—it is deeply linked to economic resilience and technological progress. Medical breakthroughs and AI-driven diagnostics offer potential cost savings and better patient outcomes, but they require stable investment environments, clear regulations, and strong public-private collaboration.

A resilient healthcare system also supports economic growth by improving workforce productivity, lowering long-term costs, and strengthening Europe’s position in global healthcare innovation. This paper examines key challenges and opportunities, focusing on systemic health issues, regulatory frameworks, and resilience. The goal is to outline practical, balanced solutions that support public health while supporting European industries to remain competitive.

See the full report here: What is Next for EU Health Policy?

Report: The Future of EU Customs: Challenges, Opportunities, and Implications

The rapid expansion of e-commerce has fundamentally reshaped global trade, presenting both  opportunities and challenges for customs systems worldwide. In the European Union (EU), cross border online sales have surged, necessitating reforms to modernize the Customs Union and adapt it  to the complexities of the digital economy. This paper examines the pressing need for change in  customs policies, driven by increased parcel volumes, evolving business models, and the rise of e commerce. In 2023, EU customs authorities processed over 2.6 billion imported items, with a  significant portion declared under the H7 regime for low-value goods. The current system, originally  designed for bulk shipments, struggles to ensure compliance with VAT, customs duties, and safety  regulations, leading to revenue losses and the infiltration of non-compliant or counterfeit goods.  However, industry representatives emphasize that revenue losses are also linked to systemic  undervaluation practices, rather than being solely due to the de minimis exemption. According to  European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) investigations, certain sectors, such as textiles and footwear, have  seen systematic undervaluation practices that significantly impact the EU budget. To address these  challenges, the European Commission has proposed a series of reforms, including centralized  clearance, digitalization of customs processes, enhanced risk management, and collaboration with e-commerce platforms. While these measures aim to create a resilient, efficient, and future-proof  Customs Union, business stakeholders stress the importance of risk-based enforcement and improved  data-sharing to ensure compliance without overburdening businesses. They emphasize that reforms  should focus on enhancing customs capacity and modernizing enforcement mechanisms rather than  solely relying on increased compliance obligations for platforms and importers. The proposed changes  will not only affect trade within the EU but will also have implications for EU candidate countries such  as Moldova and Ukraine, which align their customs regulations with EU standards. Ensuring a smooth  transition and regulatory predictability will be key in fostering trade relations between the EU and its  future members. Customs policies may be better supported by the EU, protect income sources, and  encourage fair competition by being in line with the reality of contemporary commerce. However, we  emphasize that reforms should be implemented in a manner that does not disproportionately impact  SMEs or create unintended monopolization within the e-commerce sector.

See the full report: The Future of EU Customs: Challenges, Opportunities, and Implications

14 November 2024, Warsaw

EU digital single market: a catalyst for business growth in the CEE region

The e-commerce sector in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region has experienced dynamic growth in recent years, mainly due to the increasing digitalisation of economies and integration into the European Union’s Single Digital Market (DSM). This integration enables companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to access new markets, which has a positive impact on their competitiveness and cross-border trade opportunities. The Digital Single Market plays a key role in their development, eliminating barriers to online trade and promoting the harmonisation of regulations across the European Union, resulting in a better operating conditions for companies in the CEE region. In this report, we take a broader look at the main aspects of the development of the e-commerce sector and the challenges faced by companies seeking further expansion.

As the data shows, countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovenia are experiencing significant growth in e-commerce. In 2023, the value of the e-commerce market in the region increased by 29%, reaching EUR 104 billion. Forecasts indicate that by 2026, the share of e-commerce in retail sales in Poland and the Czech Republic could reach 23% and 24% respectively, highlighting a strong growth potential. The growth is also being driven by investments in modern digital infrastructure and the development of logistics, which enables companies to fulfil orders efficiently.

The Digital Single Market makes it much easier for companies in the CEE region to operate internationally. Previously, companies had to struggle with discrepancies in the legal regulations in their respective countries, which made expansion into other markets difficult. The harmonisation of online trading regulations reduces operational costs and simplifies procedures. In 2021, the value of cross- -border e-commerce sales in Europe amounted to EUR 237 billion, 59% of it coming from marketplace platforms. Standardised regulations give companies from the CEE region the opportunity to expand rapidly into European markets, resulting in their increased competitiveness.

See the full report: EU digital single market: a catalyst for business growth in the CEE region

Brussels, 19 August 2024

Unlocking Growth: Overcoming Barriers to the Single Market for Services in the EU

 

Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP) & European Enterprise Alliance, present our position regarding the limitations on the EU Single Market’s for services. The progress of services liberalization within the EU has lagged. Unlike the well-developed Single Market for goods, the services sector remains underdeveloped, resulting in slower economic growth, lower employment rates, and diminished competitiveness. The 2023 Annual Single Market Report highlights that trade integration in services was just 3% in 1993, increasing to only 6% by 2021, illustrating a stagnation in market integration. The Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (ZPP) & the European Enterprise Alliance, reaffirms our commitment to fostering economic cooperation within the EU. As we navigate current challenges, we strongly advocate for addressing the significant limitations on the freedom of services

Read more: Unlocking Growth: Overcoming Barriers to the Single Market for Services in the EU

Brussels, 25.07.2024

Brief on Committee Changes in the New EP Term 

1. Introduction 

The European Parliament has confirmed the list and size of its committees and delegations for the first half of the 10th legislative term. This brief outlines the key changes in committee composition, with a particular focus on the Industry, Research, and Energy (ITRE) and Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) committees, as well as the newly established Public Health (SANT) sub-committee. 

2. General Changes in Committees 

The European Parliament has 20 committees and four sub-committees. The number of members in several committees has been adjusted to reflect current priorities and demands. Notable changes include the increase in the size of the ITRE and ENVI committees, both of which now have 90 members. 

3. Focus on Key Committees 

A) Industry, Research, and Energy (ITRE) 

The ITRE committee has seen a significant expansion, increasing its membership by 12 seats to a total of 90 members. This change underscores the Parliament’s commitment to leveraging decarbonization as an opportunity to boost Europe’s industrial competitiveness. 

Key members and their roles include: 

• Borys Budka (EPP), the newly elected chair, known for his work on restructuring Polish state enterprises. 
• Ville Niinistö (Greens), who retains his seat but relinquishes his position on ENVI. ● Other notable members include Niels Fuglsang, Jens Geier, Nicolas Gonzalez Casares (S&D), Christophe Grudler, Bart Groothuis (Renew), and Michael Bloss (Greens). 

B) Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) 

The ENVI committee also expanded, now comprising 90 members, reflecting the high demand and importance placed on environmental and public health issues. 

Key members and their roles include: 

• Alessandra Moretti (S&D), anticipated to chair the committee, bringing her extensive experience since 2019. 
• Peter Liese (EPP), known for his work on emissions trading systems. 
  

• Other prominent members include Cesar Luena, Mohammed Chahim (S&D), Pascal Canfin, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Emma Wiesner (Renew), Jutta Paulus, and Tilly Metz (Greens). 

C) Public Health (SANT) 

The new Public Health sub-committee (SANT) has been established with 30 members. This committee will focus on addressing pressing public health challenges, particularly in the wake of recent global health crises. 

4. Allocation and Distribution of Seats 

The composition of committees and sub-committees is designed to reflect the overall makeup of the Parliament. Seats are allocated among political groups in a manner that ensures fair representation. For instance, the socialists (S&D), liberals (Renew), and greens have strategically placed their key members in influential committees. 

5. Key Positions 

• ITRE: Borys Budka (EPP) is set to chair the committee. 
• ENVI: Alessandra Moretti (S&D) is the leading candidate for the chair position. 

Notable substitutes include Bas Eickhout (Greens) and Marie Toussaint (French Greens) for ENVI and ITRE, respectively, who, despite their substitute status, are expected to play significant roles. 

6. Current Status 

The names of the MEPs appointed to each committee have been announced, with the election of committee chairs and vice-chairs taking place during their constitutive meetings on July 23, 2024. The committees are poised to be pivotal in shaping legislative proposals, holding debates, and conducting hearings with external experts. 

7. Conclusion 

The changes in committee compositions reflect the European Parliament’s strategic priorities for the new term. With increased focus and expanded membership in key committees like ITRE, ENVI & SANT, the Parliament is poised to tackle critical issues related to industrial competitiveness, environmental protection, and public health. 

See more details: Brief on Committee Changes in the New EP Term 

Brussels, 11 April 2024

Report ZPP Brussels |Focus on Europe|
Underrepresentation of CEE Region in the EU Institutions

The European Union (EU), a complex mosaic of nations and policies, has continually shifted its contours to accommodate evolving geopolitical and internal dynamics. Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), with its rich historical tapestry, cultural diversity, and burgeoning economies, stands as a pivotal pillar in this European narrative. However, a palpable and persistent underrepresentation of the CEE region within the upper echelons of EU institutions has surfaced as a salient concern, particularly underscored by the 2019 European Elections where CEE countries found themselves conspicuously absent from high-level positions. This absence is not merely statistical but resonates with broader systemic challenges, geopolitical shifts, and policy implications, including the increasing economic importance of CEE in driving and sustaining the EU’s economic growth.

Events such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have amplified the strategic importance of the CEE region, underscoring its proactive role and contributions on the European stage. Yet, the glaring disparity in representation within key EU roles impedes the region’s ability to advocate effectively for its interests, shape policy agendas, and contribute meaningfully to EU-wide decision-making processes. This report delves into the intricate backdrop of this underrepresentation, navigating through historical paradigms, geopolitical intricacies, and systemic biases that have perpetuated this imbalance. It underscores the complexities of EU appointment mechanisms, influenced by negotiations, party politics, and historical legacies, which have inadvertently resulted in a disproportionate emphasis on Western European representation.

 

See more: 10.04.2024 Report by the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers: Underrepresentation of CEE Region in the EU institutions

Brussels, 11 April 2024

Report ZPP Brussels |Focus on Europe|
EU Competitiveness in a global perspective

For decades, the pillar of European integration was economic cooperation (in particular, the creation of the customs union and the establishment of a common market based on the elimination of barriers to the movement of people, services, goods, and capital). This approach, along with further enlargement of the Community to include new Member States, has brought major economic benefits to the European Union, as evidenced by the fact that between 1970 and 1980, the European Union’s GDP grew significantly and reached a level higher than that of the United States.

After 2008, the European Union’s GDP in nominal terms fell significantly and did not return to its value of that year until 2021, while at the same time both the U.S. and Chinese economies were growing steadily. The lack of significant expansion of the common market to new countries (only Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia joined the EU at the time) and the focus on pursuing a unified policy on many non-economic issues did not produce good economic results for the EU.

 

See more: 10.04.2024 Report by the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers: EU Competitiveness in a Global Perspective

Warsaw, 2^nd November 2023

 

Report by the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers and Symfonia
on the 2023 SME digitisation level “Digitisation of the SME sector in Poland”

 

According to a study conducted by Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers, 10 months before the obligation to use the National e-Invoice System KSeF enters into force, only 60% of Polish companies see the need for deeper digitisation, while 38% of them use only basic tools in business. The group that declares the lowest level of digitisation are micro-entrepreneurs, almost 40% of whom claim that they do not use any digital tools.

Mere moments before the introduction of the mandatory use of the National e-Invoice System (Krajowy System e-Faktur – KSeF), the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers, in cooperation with Symfonia, published a report “Digitisation of the SME sector in Poland”. The aim of the study was to investigate both the awareness and level of digitisation of economic entities in 2023.

Piotr Ciski, President of the Board at Symfonia: “We focused on SMEs in our study, because they are the backbone of the Polish economy. The upcoming mandatory full digitisation of invoices will also cover other market segments. We are the sole EU member state to introduce KSeF for all fiscal documents, without any limits on amounts or settlement areas. This is a massive challenge for Polish entrepreneurs, which impacts not only IT systems, but also internal processes related to, among others, the circulation and acceptance of cost invoices. We at Symfonia have many years of experience in the field of electronic invoicing. It was us who introduced the first structured invoice on the Polish market, which is why we share our knowledge. We have been conducting an extensive educational campaign in cooperation with the Accountants Association in Poland and the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers. We have launched a free KSeF hotline and implemented a series of training courses as part of the Symfonia Academy, which are used on a daily basis by our clients as well as people who work on our competitors’ systems.”

The introduction of KSeF will allow public administration to have real-time insight into each economic transaction, because they will be processed in a central e-invoicing system. This requires entrepreneurs to change processes and adapt tools to new requirements. The National e-Invoice System is a fully cloud-based solution, which means that the entire market will naturally transfer some of its business processes to the cloud.

Meanwhile, as the new report shows, only 14% of surveyed SMEs declare the use of cloud computing, and 13% use of process management systems, including ERP (enterprise resource planning) – in neither category, does the share of micro-enterprises exceed 10%. Only 3% of respondents declare the use of AI-powered solutions in everyday business operations.

The study shows that 44% of respondents indicate increased work efficiency as the main benefit of digitisation. As many as 33% have observed a reduction of the harmful impact on the environment. Only 19% of respondents perceive digitisation as a tool with potential to increase company revenues.

Nevertheless, almost half of respondents (46%) are afraid of the costs related to digitisation. Moreover, there are also concerns of a purely human nature: 16% of employees declare reluctance to change.

 

Full version of the report available for download right HERE.

Warsaw, 7^th August 2023

 

The second edition of the “Europe – Poland – Ukraine. Rebuild Together” conference in a nutshell:
Business cooperation between Poland and Ukraine in the context of reconstruction and development

 

In the second part of July 2023, the 2^nd edition of “Europe – Poland – Ukraine. Rebuild Together” took place, organised jointly by the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers and the Warsaw Enterprise Institute. In spite of the peak holiday date, the event at the Hilton Hotel in Warsaw was attended by approx. 1,000 guests from Poland and abroad. This record attendance is testament to the high demand for meeting platforms dedicated to the development of Polish-Ukrainian business.

Politicians and experts from Poland, Brussels, Ukraine and Moldova took part in five plenary and four industry sessions as part of the conference. Cezary Kaźmierczak, the President of Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers ZPP, opened the event on a high note, stating that in case of the willingness to enter the Ukrainian market, “it is better to be first than best”. Foreign companies with large capital have already undertaken expansion operations in Ukraine and the ongoing war has thus far failed to prevent them from gaining a strategic foothold for their interests. Other guests, among them heads and secretaries of state from Polish and Ukrainian ministries, representatives of Polish and international financial institutions, or CEOs and presidents of associations, discussed the prospects of reconstruction, based on such factors as immense financial resources allocated for this purpose by international organisations. There were also separate sessions for specific industry sectors: energy, pharmaceutical, and digital, as well as for the labour market, attended by experts and decision makers from Poland and Ukraine.

The conference was summarised in the speech by Marcin Przydacz, Secretary of State and Head of the Office of International Policy in the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland, who presented three advantages Polish companies have over other countries in reconstruction efforts of Ukraine:

1. in geographical terms, Poland is Ukraine’s closest partner with an infrastructure ready at its neighbour’s disposal,
2. both countries boast the best relations ever in history,
3. the two nations are culturally and linguistically close, and Ukrainians make up the largest minority in Poland.

ZPP President Cezary Kaźmierczak then added, “Whoever is first on the Ukrainian market, they will have the most time to dominate it”.

Such events as “Europe – Poland – Ukraine. Rebuild Together” are proof of the demand for reliable and up-to-date information about the Ukrainian market and of the need for a platform to establish direct business relations between partners from both countries. ZPP has been active in this field for years and is the only Polish association of entrepreneurs supporting business relations through its offices in Kyiv, Lviv, Lutsk and Vinnytsia, also representing Polish-Ukrainian joint ventures through its office in Brussels.

 

Warsaw, 14^th July 2023

1992-2022. Best period in Poland’s history
The Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers publishes new report

Poland has come a long way since the systemic transformation that begun in 1989. As a result, it has managed to make up part of the losses in terms of development and the country is now closer than ever to the level of the world’s largest economies. From the position of one of the poorest countries in Europe, a modest representative of the Eastern Bloc, we have become a significant producer and exporter of goods, a country with the lowest unemployment rate in the EU, with a GDP far away from the European bottom.

Political changes turned out to be the driving force behind the economic transformation: we cut ourselves off from a communist legacy, chose democracy instead, and joined the European Union and NATO. Poland implemented several major reforms which helped liberalise economic law, and subsequently became a place to invest capital, reflected in an increase in GDP, a continuous decrease in unemployment, an increase in the average salary, and further changed to a number of other economic indicators.

However, there is still much room for improvement in Poland. Our objective today should be to create a legal and regulatory environment that favours the development of entrepreneurship. On the one hand, it will fully unleash the potential of the SME sector while, on the other, it will attract more foreign investors. The investment rate at the level of 16.8% is one of the most severe shortcomings of the country’s present economy. We are definitely below the EU average, ahead only of Bulgaria and Greece.

Nevertheless, the Polish economy made a leap that has changed our economic reality. Systemic transformation brought about progress in terms of the standard of living of citizens:

• the number of places in kindergartens in cities increased from 680,000 in 1989 to 881,000 in 2017,
• the number of tertiary education institutions increased from 98 in 1989 to 394 in 2019,
• the number of students increased from 378,000 to in 1989 to 1.2 million in 2017,
• the percentage of PhDs awarded to women increased from 29% in 1989 to 53% in 2017,
• the number of cases of chickenpox fell from 220,000 in 1990 to 16,000 in 2016.

These data show on how many levels the lives of Poles have changed. It is hard to undermine the argument that appears increasingly frequently in public debate that the last 30 years have been the best period in the history of Poland.

The Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers has initiated the “1992-2022. Najlepszy czas Polski” campaign which can be translated to “1992-2022. Best period in Poland’s history”. It summarises the achievements of our country in the field of socioeconomics over the last three decades. As part of the project, a report was published which constitutes an analysis of the main macroeconomic indicators illustrating the changes that had taken place in Poland. It discusses the advances in the scope and structure of Polish exports, analyses the complicated situation on the Polish labour market, changes in the structure of tax revenues and a number of other important macroeconomic data. The authors of the report also attempted to outline the impact of the last three decades on the situation of the so-called average Joe or plain Jane.

While the past three decades were a time of titanic work and spectacular challenges, the next few years – considering such factors as the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic or the war in Ukraine – will be crucial for solidifying the position of Poland and Polish enterprises internationally.

***

Organiser: Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers

Main Partners: Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, ORLEN S.A.

Partners: Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A. (Industrial Development Agency JSC), Polski Fundusz Rozwoju (Polish Development Fund)

Supporting Partner: Kompania Piwowarska

Institutional Partner: Akademia Leona Koźmińskiego (Kozminski University)

Media Partner: “Dziennik Gazeta Prawna”

Content Partners: Browary Polskie (Union of Brewing Industry Employers – Polish Breweries), Cyfrowa Polska (Association of Importers and Producers of Electrical and Electronic Equipment – ZIPSEE “Digital Poland”), Fundacja Republikańska (Republican Foundation), Instytut Jagielloński, Klub Jagielloński, Krajowi Producenci Leków, Ogólnopolski Związek Pracodawców Transportu Drogowego, Ośrodek Myśli Politycznej (Center for Political Thought), Ośrodek Studiów Wschodnich (Centre for Eastern Studies ), Polska Federacja Producentów Żywności Związek Pracodawców (Polish Federation of Food Industry Union of Employers), Polskie Stowarzyszenie Przemysłu Kosmetycznego i Detergentowego (Polish Association of Cosmetic and Detergent Industry), Stowarzyszenie Dystrybutorów i Producentów Części Motoryzacyjnych (Association of Automotive Parts Distributors and Producers), Warsaw Enterprise Institute, WiseEuropa

 

View report: 14.07.2023 Report by the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers: “1992-2022. Najlepszy czas Polski”