The European Parliament adopted by 410 votes to 192 with 51 abstentions a legislative resolution on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council discontinuing seasonal changes of time and repealing Directive 2000/84/EC.
The position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure has amended the Commission proposal as follows:
End of the biannual seasonal change of time
Members supported the Commission’s proposal to discontinue the time change but voted in favour of postponing the date from 2019 to 2021.
They proposed that the time change scheduled for the last Sunday in March 2021 should be the last for EU Member States wishing to keep summer time. Member States that prefer to keep the standard time, i.e. winter time, may change their time one last time on the last Sunday in October 2021. Member States should notify their decision to the Commission by 1 April 2020 at the latest.
The decision on the time zone to be applied in each Member State should be preceded by consultations and studies taking into account citizens' preferences, geographical variations, regional differences, standard working arrangements and other factors relevant to the Member State in question. Member States should therefore have sufficient time to analyse the impact of the proposal and choose the most advantageous solution for their population, while taking into account the proper functioning of the internal market.
Member States should cooperate with one another and take decisions on their envisaged time arrangements in a concerted and coordinated manner. Therefore, a coordination mechanism should be established, consisting of a designated representative from each Member State and a representative of the Commission. The coordination mechanism should discuss and assess the potential impact of any envisaged decision on a Member State’s standard times on the functioning of the internal market, in order to avoid significant disruptions.
Protecting the functioning of the internal market
Where the Commission considers that the envisaged change will significantly affect the proper functioning of the internal market, it shall inform the notifying Member State thereof.
By 31 October 2020 at the latest, the notifying Member State shall decide whether to maintain its intention or not. Where the notifying Member State decides to maintain its intention, it shall provide a detailed explanation of how it will address the negative impact of the change on the functioning of the internal market.
Where the Commission determines that the envisaged time arrangements, notified by the Member States, have the potential to significantly and permanently hamper the proper functioning of the internal market, it is empowered to adopt delegated acts to postpone the date of application of this directive by no more than 12 months and submit a legislative proposal, if appropriate.
Assessment
By 31 December 2025 at the latest the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council an evaluation report on the application and implementation of this directive, accompanied, where necessary, by a legislative proposal for its review based on a thorough impact assessment, involving all relevant stakeholders.