Newsletters

On 18 February, CLECAT submitted its input to the call for evidence on the evaluation of the Directive 96/53/EC on weights and dimensions for heavy duty-vehicles. CLECAT welcomes the initiative to revise the Directive, setting standards for the maximum authorised weights and dimensions of heavy-duty vehicles used in national and international transport. This revision should contribute to a more efficient and low-emission transport system and harmonised rules for cross-border operations.

The European Parliament in Plenary session formally adopted on 17 February the revised Eurovignette Directive, updating the rules defining the charges member states can impose on trucks and lorries, but also buses, vans and passenger cars using trans-European transport (TEN-T) network roads. All amendments tabled for this vote have been rejected, the Parliament has therefore adopted the Council position which concludes the legislative procedure.

On 14 February, the TRAN Committee published the draft report of MEP Ismail Ertug (S&D, Germany), Rapporteur on the Commission proposal for a Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, the so-called AFIR. Mr Ertug tabled 131 amendments, which will drive the negotiations among MEPs within the Committee.

On 18 February, CLECAT’s Customs and Indirect Taxation Institute (CITI) met online to discuss ongoing regulatory developments at EU and national level and reflect on important developments concerning post Brexit EU-UK trade and the future of the EU Customs Union. The CITI re-elected its Chair, Dimitri Sérafimoff, from Forward Belgium, and Vice-Chair, Olivier Thouard, representing TLF Overseas, who will continue to guide the work of the Institute for another term of two years.

On 8 February, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have completed new digital air cargo technical specifications guidance that shall help to accelerate the transition towards safer and more resilient supply chains, while making important contributions to COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.

On 9 February, the European Commission approved, under EU State aid rules, a €30 million Spanish scheme to remove barriers to interoperability in rail freight transport in Spain. The scheme will be funded through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (‘RRF'), following the Commission's positive assessment of the Spanish Recovery and Resilience Plan and its adoption by Council.

On 10 February, CLECAT submitted its input to the public consultation on the draft Delegated Regulation for Safe and Secure Truck Parking Areas (SSTPAs) in Europe, which enshrines the EU SSTPA Standard into legislation by virtue of Article 8a of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006. The standard, which is based on four levels of security, a common level of service and certification procedures builds on the work of the 2019 Commission study on SSTPAs.

Members of the European Parliament’s ENVI Committee held an exchange of views on 10 February about MEP Peter Liese’s draft report on the revision of the EU ETS. The Rapporteur reiterated that carbon must have a price in all parts of the economy to incentivise decarbonisation.

CLECAT, the European Express Association (EEA) and the European Shippers’ Council (ESC), representing European freight forwarders and logistics service providers, express delivery operators, and importers and exporters, embrace the concept of an EU ETS for road transport which provides a uniform EU carbon price and level-playing field to address the decarbonisation of road transport within the Single Market.