Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

Introduction

The Commission's proposal for a directive on European cross-border associations (ECBAs) introduces an additional legal form of a European cross-border association (ECBA) in national legal systems of the Member States, which is specifically designed for cross-border purposes and will reduce legal and administrative burden when it comes to the recognition and establishment of non-profit associations engaging in activities in another Member State. Once established in one Member State, an ECBA will be recognised automatically and will be able to engage in activities in all Member States, including economic activities, thereby allowing non-profit associations to unleash their full societal and economic potential in the EU.

With the proposed directive, the Commission also proposed an accompanying Regulation of technical nature amending the Internal Market Information (IMI) system and the Single Digital Gateway (SDG) Regulations, to allow cooperation and exchange of information among competent authorities through the IMI system and to conduct digital operations through the SDG allowing access to information about ECBAs available online.

Draft report

The Rapporteur welcomes the Commission proposal to amend the IMI system and SDG for the purpose of establishing and operating ECBAs. The draft report contains only technical changes to enhance the clarity of the text, without modifying the substance. Amongst others, the draft report clarifies that also the exchanges of information between the competent authorities should be established in the IMI system. The opinion of the European Data Protection Supervisor, which was published on 31 October 2023, should be highlighted in a recital.