Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2018)447 - Space programme of the Union and the EU Agency for the Space Programme - Main contents
Please note
This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2018)447 - Space programme of the Union and the EU Agency for the Space Programme. |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2018)447  |
| date | 06-06-2018 |
1. CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL
• Reasons for and objectives of the proposal
Since the 1990s, the Union has been increasing its investment in the space sector. Even before the Lisbon Treaty came into force with a new Article 189 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) laying the foundations for its action in this area, the Union had successfully developed EGNOS and Galileo, the European satellite navigation programmes. Both these programmes are in operation 1 , and Galileo is currently regarded as a flagship system of the Union.
In 2014, the Earth Observation Programme, Copernicus 2 , based on the GMES programme was added to the first two programmes. More recently, the Union launched activities within the Framework for Space Surveillance and Tracking Support 3 , ‘SST’. The total budgetary allocation for all the Union’s space activities, including research, for the 2014-2020 period, was EUR 12.6 billion.
In its Communication of 26 October 2016 entitled ‘Space Strategy for Europe’ 4 , the Commission set out a new space strategy for Europe focusing on four strategic goals: maximising the benefits of space for society and the EU economy, fostering a competitive and innovative European space sector, reinforcing Europe’s strategic autonomy in accessing and using space in a secure and safe environment, and strengthening Europe’s role as a global actor and promoting international cooperation.
The rationale for adopting the Space Strategy for Europe is based on the strategic importance of the space sector for the Union and on the need for the European space sector to adapt to the changing global environment. Space supports many policies and strategic priorities of the Union. Space can play a crucial role in effectively tackling new challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, border control, maritime surveillance and security of Union citizens. The emergence of those new Union priorities leads to new ways of developing the Programme. Security requirements need to be strengthened when developing Union space systems, to fully benefit from synergies between civil and security activities.
But space is also part of a global value chain, which is facing major changes pushing away the traditional boundaries of the space sector. The so-called 'New Space' is revolutionising the space sector, not only from the technological point of view but also from the business model point of view. Space is attracting more and more businesses and entrepreneurs, sometimes with no experience in the area. It is therefore crucial that the Union actively supports the entire space sector, in particular research and development, start-ups and incubators of companies active in the space sector.
As regards its programmes more specifically, the Commission stressed in the Space Strategy for Europe, the importance of ensuring the continued operation of the services offered by Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus, and of preparing new generations of these services, enhancing the SST services and announced the governmental satellite communications initiative ‘GOVSATCOM’, initially included in the 2017 Commission Work Programme. Moreover, it emphasised the key role of partnerships between the Commission, the Member States, the European GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) Agency, the European Space Agency and all the other agencies and stakeholders that are involved in the implementation of the European space policy, thus highlighting the crucial importance of putting in place efficient and appropriate governance for delivery of the Union space programme.
As regards the new initiative, GOVSATCOM, Europe's capability deficits regarding secure satellite communications have been recognized in the European Council Conclusions of December 2013 and various subsequent Council conclusions, in the Commission White Paper on the future of Europe, in the Rome Declaration of the Leaders of 27 Member States, and in several European Parliament resolutions.
The approach advocated by the Commission in its Communication on a Space Strategy for Europe was affirmed by both the Council in its Conclusions adopted on 30 May 2017 5 and the European Parliament in its resolution of 12 September 2017 6 . In its conclusions of 30 May 2017, the Council in particular encouraged the Commission and the Member States to continue, as appropriate, to rely on the technical know-how of the European Space Agency and of European national space agencies, invited the Commission to analyse and assess the potential evolution of the European GNSS Agency’s responsibilities and acknowledged the need to pursue stronger synergies, where appropriate, between the civilian and military uses of space assets.
The proposal for a Regulation is part of the follow-up to the Space Strategy for Europe. A fully integrated space programme will bring together all of the Union’s activities in this highly strategic field. This will provide a coherent framework for future investment, offering increased visibility and more flexibility. By improving efficiency, it will ultimately help roll out new space-driven services that will benefit all EU citizens.
Contents
- The Programme thus aims to:
- The Union acquis in the space sector currently includes the following Regulations and Decisions:
- In terms of specific lessons learned, the unprecedented success of the programme and its volume of data led to two main findings:
- This initiative is also supported by extensive public consultations and workshops, seeking the views of all relevant stakeholders (industry, Member States, researchers etc.), more precisely:
- As for the major public consultation, undertaken by the Commission prior to the adoption of the Space Strategy for Europe in 2016, the key messages are the following:
- Specific reports have been carried out:
- The impact assessment was based on three specific goals:
–provide, or contribute to the provision of, high-quality and up-to-date and, where appropriate, secure space-related data, information and services without interruption and wherever possible at global level, meeting existing and future needs and able to meet the Union's political priorities, including as regards climate change and security and defence;
–maximise the socio-economic benefits, including by promoting the widest possible use of the data, information and services provided by the Programme's components;
–enhance the security of the Union and its Member States, as well as its freedom of action and its strategic autonomy, in particular in technological and evidence-based decision-making terms;
–promote the role of the Union in the international arena as a leading actor in the space sector and strengthening its role in tackling global challenges and supporting global initiatives, including as regards climate change and sustainable development.
The proposal for a Regulation contains suitable measures for achieving these aims.
The proposal for a Regulation significantly simplifies and streamlines the existing Union acquis by combining in a single text and harmonising almost all rules that were hitherto contained in separate Regulations or Decisions. This raises the profile of the Union space policy, which is in line with the major role that the Union intends to play in future as a global player in space.
The proposal provides the Union with a space budget of a sufficient size to carry out the various activities envisaged, in particular in respect of continuing and improving Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus and SST, as well as launching the Govsatcom initiative.
It lays down the rules for the governance of the Programme by clarifying the relations between the various players involved and the role of these players, mainly the Member States, the Commission and the European Union Agency for Space, and by establishing a unified system of governance for all the components of this programme. It enhances the role of the former European GNSS Agency by expanding the scope of its tasks as regards security accreditation to include all the components of the Programme, thus justifying a change of name for this agency, which is to become the European Union Agency for the Space Programme.
Finally, it specifies and standardises the security framework for the Programme, particularly as regards the principles to be respected, procedures to be followed and measures to be taken, which is of crucial importance, given the dual use nature of the actions.
This proposal provides for a date of application as of 1 January 2021 and is presented for a Union of 27 Member States, in line with the notification by the United Kingdom of its intention to withdraw from the European Union and Euratom based on Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union received by the European Council on 29 March 2017.
• Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area
–Regulation (EU) No 1285/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the implementation and exploitation of the European satellite navigation systems, Galileo and EGNOS;
–Regulation (EU) No 377/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Copernicus Programme;
–Decision No 541/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Framework for Space Surveillance and Tracking Support (SST);
–Regulation (EU) No 912/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up the European GNSS Agency;
–Decision No 1104/2011/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the rules for access to the public regulated service provided by the Galileo system;
–Council Decision 2014/496/CFSP on aspects of the deployment, operation and use of the Galileo system affecting the security of the European Union.
The present Regulation replaces the first four of these texts, which it also repeals. It lays down rules common to all the components of the Programme, including Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus and SST, and sets out certain rules that are specific to each of these components. As regards Regulation (EU) No 912/2010, the required changes are such that, in the interest of clarity and simplification, it is preferable to repeal this text too and to incorporate the rules on the new Agency, which succeeds the European GNSS Agency, into the proposed Regulation establishing the Union Space Programme.
The proposed Regulation in no way amends or affects Decision No 1104/2011/EU, which will continue to regulate one particular service provided by Galileo, namely the Public Regulated Service (PRS). That Decision will thus continue to apply alongside the proposed Regulation, complementing it by means of a lex specialis regarding this particular service. In addition, Decision 2014/496/CFSP, which is based on Article 28 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), will also continue to apply as before.
In the context of Galileo and EGNOS, in all cases where the deployment, operation or use of the components may hinder the security of the Union or of one of its Member States, in particular as a result of an international situation requiring action by the Union or in the event of a threat to the operation of the components themselves or their services, the procedures provided for in Decision 2014/496/CFSP apply.
• Consistency with other Union policies
The space sector gives rise to many positive spillover effects on other sectors of the economy. Maximising the benefits of space for citizens’ well-being and the prosperity of the Union economy, promoting scientific and technical progress as well as the competitiveness and innovative capacity of European industry, and contributing to the objectives of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth are also among the main goals of the Union’s space strategy that are duly included in the proposal for a Regulation.
The operation of space systems such as EGNOS, Galileo or Copernicus directly complements actions engaged in under many other Union policies, in particular research and innovation policy, security policy and migration, industrial policy, the common agricultural policy, fisheries policy, trans-European networks, environment policy, energy policy and development aid.
SST and the new GOVSATCOM initiative will also contribute to the objectives of the European Defence Action Plan and the European Union Global Strategy. They will enhance the operational effectiveness of security actors and will safeguard citizens' rights to security, to diplomatic or consular protection, and to protection of personal data. Finally, they will improve the effectiveness major EU policies, such as the maritime security strategy, the cyber defence policy framework, the Arctic policy, border management and migration, humanitarian aid, fisheries, transport and management of critical infrastructure.
The Programme's actions should be used to address market failures or sub-optimal investment situations, in a proportionate manner, without duplicating or crowding out private financing and have a clear European added value. This will ensure consistency between the actions of the programme and EU State aid rules, avoiding undue distortions of competition in the internal market.
2. LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY
• Legal basis
The legal basis for the proposed Regulation is Article 189(2) TFEU, which provides for the Union to draw up a European space policy and gives the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, the power to adopt a Programme to contribute to attaining that policy’s objectives.
Whereas GNSS Regulation (EU) No 1285/2013 and the European GNSS Agency Regulation (EU) No 912/2010, which deal with Galileo and EGNOS specifically, are based on Article 172 TFEU (Trans-European Networks), it is – in light of the case law of the Court of Justice on the choice of legal basis – appropriate to base the proposed Regulation on Article 189(2) TFEU, having regard to the content and objectives of the measures provided therein.
• Subsidiarity
Space is a cutting-edge sector which mobilises considerable financial resources and applies advanced technologies in various fields. The objectives of the proposed Regulation, as described above, cannot be adequately achieved by the Member States, even by those leading the field in the space sector. The fact is that scientific and technical experience and know-how in this sector are spread over several of the Union’s economic regions as well as the European Space Agency, which is an international organisation of which most of the EU’s Member States are a member country. On the financial side, the task of constructing and operating systems such as Galileo and Copernicus, which provide services of interest to all the Union’s Member States, not to say all the regions of the world, is too large in size to be performed by a single Member State acting on its own. Such are the scale and ramifications of the proposed Regulation’s aims that they can only be properly achieved by action at Union level.
• Proportionality
The proposed Regulation provides for measures that do not go beyond what is necessary for achieving its objectives. The Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus, SST and GOVSATCOM components are in keeping with the needs of the Union’s businesses and citizens. They have significant positive spillover effects on the Union’s economy. The way in which these systems are being developed is intended to support the implementation of EU legislation and best meet the Union’s political priorities including in the areas of climate change and security and defence. Supporting the space sector within the Union, particularly by giving backing to start-ups or launchers, helps to safeguard the Union’s freedom of action and technological strategic autonomy and to expand its international outreach.
Furthermore, the budget allocated to the Programme is not disproportionate to the objectives being sought. The amounts needed to deliver the Programme have been determined in the light of a number of analyses and estimates carried out as part of the impact assessment and described below.
• Choice of the instrument
A Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Programme is not only explicitly provided for by Article 189(2) TFEU but is also the preferred instrument for placing the Programme on a sustainable footing. For that choice of legal instrument ensures the uniformity and direct application which are required for the effective implementation of the Programme, while giving it all due visibility and providing it with the financial resources it needs for its implementation.
3. RESULTS OF EX-POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
• Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation
As regards Galileo and EGNOS, pursuant to Article 34 of the GNSS Regulation (EU) No 1285/2013 and Article 26 of the European GNSS Agency (GSA) Regulation (EU) No 912/2010, the Commission provided the European Parliament and Council with a mid-term report on the progress of Galileo and EGNOS and the running of the European GNSS Agency. In that context, a mid-term evaluation study was carried out on behalf of the Commission 7 .
The mid-term evaluation report focused on the implementation of the Programme over the period 2014-2016. It concluded that Galileo and EGNOS have shown a satisfactory level of effectiveness and are on track to achieve the long-term objectives for 2020 set by the GNSS Regulation. Nevertheless, some inefficiencies and areas for possible improvements been identified in the security governance of Galileo and in the overall governance of Galileo and EGNOS.
As regards governance, the 2014-2016 timeframe constituted an important transition period, as key elements of the governance and management framework were progressively implemented and consolidated. Their future development will be an important aspect for Galileo’s forthcoming exploitation phase and it will need to be addressed with care.
As regards security governance, particular attention should be paid in the next phase to secure the independence of the Security Accreditation Board and of the staff working for it from the operational activities relating to Galileo and EGNOS.
Regarding financial matters, as of the end of 2016, both Galileo and EGNOS were implemented within the budget set by the GNSS Regulation (EUR 7.071 million) and no general cost overrun has been recorded.
In terms of coherence with other EU policies, within the programmes themselves and with other GNSS programmes, both Galileo and EGNOS have shown a high level of coherence.
Finally, the GSA has successfully achieved its objectives, related to the progress of Galileo and EGNOS and the development of the downstream market, through an effective implementation of both core and delegated tasks. However, there have been some difficulties related to its capacity to hire appropriate staff.
As for Copernicus, pursuant to Article 32 of the Copernicus Regulation (EU) No 377/2014, the Commission provided the European Parliament and Council with a mid-term evaluation on the achievement of the objectives of all the tasks financed by Copernicus at the level of their results and impacts, their European added value and on the efficiency of the use of resources. A mid-term evaluation study was carried out on behalf of the Commission.
The mid-term evaluation covered the period 2014-2016. It concluded that Copernicus was “on track, having already met some major expectations to support the autonomy of Europe in the provision of quality and useful data and its exploitation by a large number of users, for both institutional and commercial purposes”.
Other strong assets of Copernicus were highlighted such as the open data policy, the actions stimulating uptake by the private sector, the tangible economic benefits, the good level of coherence internally and with other EU actions, the excellent budget implementation within the budget set by the Regulation and a good cooperation internally within the Commission and with Member States.
In terms of specific lessons learned, the unprecedented success of the programme and its volume of data led to two main findings:
i) the need to improve the distribution and access to data: due to the very high number of user registrations, the communication aspects, the data distribution and access, and data download need to be improved.
ii) the need to strengthen the integration of space data into other policy areas and economic sectors through increased focus on user uptake: Copernicus is reaching user constituencies from the traditional space area but additional effort is needed to reach other potential users outside space.
For SST, the Commission adopted a report on the implementation of the SST support framework (2014-2017) on 3 May 2018 (COM(2018)256). The report concluded that EU SST delivered results for all actions and three services, and created EU added value, but the EU SST needs to evolve to improve its effectiveness. To respond to the report’s recommendations, the accompanying impact assessment mentioned four issues to be addressed in order to step up the implementation in the next years:
i) Improve EU SST services autonomy by upgrading SST sensors, developing new sensors and establishing a European SST catalogue of space objects.
ii) Foster the European dimension of EU SST by removing unnecessary duplications between SST national operational centres and by requiring specialisation, based on best performance.
iii) Modify the decision-making structure by using the qualified majority and by creating a joint coordination team to ensure the supervision of the technical work.
iv) Revise the funding mechanism by establishing a programme with one budget line and long-term perspective.
• Consultation of stakeholders
This initiative is also supported by extensive public consultations and workshops, seeking the views of all relevant stakeholders (industry, Member States, researchers etc.), more precisely:
·In 2016: a major public consultation across all space aspects including the programmes proposed at present for the next MFF was undertaken by the Commission prior to the adoption of the Space Strategy for Europe.;
·In 2015-2016: two targeted consultations were undertaken for space research aspects including positions papers by Member States, major industry trade associations and research organisations.
·In 2015-2017: numerous dedicated workshops, meetings and reports at expert level have been held to consult stakeholders on: (i) the evolution of Copernicus and Galileo; (ii) specific needs of industry; (iii) specific needs on governmental satellite communications; (iv) specific needs on space situational awareness including SST, space weather and near-Earth objects.
·In 2016-2017, as part of the impact assessment for the future GOVSATCOM programme, targeted consultations were carried out with all relevant stakeholders – Member States in their quality of GOVSATCOM providers and users, EU Institutions and Agencies, and Industry including satellite manufacturers, operators and SMEs – trough bilateral contacts and plenary meetings. Most MS and industry clearly support the program and its objectives. Stakeholders' recommendations, in particular for strong security, aggregation of demand, reliance on national and commercial suppliers, civil-military synergies and a modular service-centred approach were integrated in the proposal.
As for the major public consultation, undertaken by the Commission prior to the adoption of the Space Strategy for Europe in 2016, the key messages are the following:
For Galileo and EGNOS, there is globally a sufficient level of satisfaction from stakeholders with respect to the implementation of the EU intervention logic and the achievements of the programmes during the evaluation period.
Their effectiveness has been particularly evident in the achievements of Galileo’s space segment and the consolidation of the stability and high performance of EGNOS service provision with the declaration of the LPV-200 service and the provision of APV-I services over the 98,98% of the land mass of the EU Member States plus Norway and Switzerland. Nevertheless, stakeholders consider that the effectiveness of the governance could benefit from a reduction in its complexity, often leading to duplication of effort and delays. In addition to that, stakeholders consider governance should be adapted in the future as Galileo moves into its exploitation phase.
For Copernicus, the open data policy is considered a strong asset. The Copernicus services are appreciated by the users regarding product relevance, timeliness of delivery and availability of products. The coordination of the in-situ component has demonstrated good results with an increase of users and the production of a wider catalogue of datasets. However, still more emphasis needs to be given to the development of the in-situ component of Copernicus and the use of relevant in-situ datasets, with added value to be gained from integrating different sources of earth observation data. The management of Copernicus is seen as working efficiently. However, the access to in-situ data needs to be improved. Gaps in the availability of in-situ data stand in the way of reaching the full potential of the Copernicus services.
The Copernicus objectives are still appropriate but stakeholders mentioned that additional ones should be addressed (e.g. anthropogenic CO2 emissions, environmental and climate compliance assurance 8 , polar zones, cultural heritage preservation etc.). They also mentioned that the access to sentinel data and integration of various data sources could be improved.
Regarding the EU dimension of the programme, there was strong agreement among stakeholders concerning the necessity to ensure continuity of the EU action, while it was agreed among the stakeholders that, stopping or withdrawing the existing EU intervention would have such severe consequences for Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus which could jeopardise the entire programme.
• Collection and use of expertise
·As noted above, a mid-term evaluation study was carried out and delivered by external contractors on 23 June 2017. It served as a basis for the Commission report to the European Parliament and Council on the status of Galileo and EGNOS and the establishment of the GSA, to fulfil the requirement set by Article 34 of the GNSS Regulation (EU) No 1285/2013and Article 26 of the European GNNS Agency Regulation (EU) No 912/2010.
·A study on the impacts of funding to Galileo and EGNOS has been carried out in the first quarter of 2018.
·As also noted above, a mid-term evaluation study on Copernicus was carried out and delivered by external contractors on 23 June 2017. It served as a basis for the Commission report to the European Parliament and Council on the status of Copernicus, to fulfil the requirement set by Article 32 of the Copernicus Regulation (EU) No 377/2014.
·A study on Socio-economic benefits of Copernicus was carried out and finalised by external contractors in January 2018.
·A study on the impacts, costs and benefits of the evolution of SST was carried out and delivered by external contractors in May 2018 9 .
·For GOVSATCOM, the Commission relied on a Group of Experts from Member States, the European Space Agency and the European Defence Agency. The Group elaborated the GOVSATCOM High Level Civil-Military User Needs Document, accompanied the impact assessment process including the GOVSATCOM impact Assessment Study by PwC, published in February 2018, and provided expertise to the Commission on satellite communication matters. Further expertise was provided by national administrations and industry during the stakeholder consultation.
·Additional studies have also been performed on specific issues (e.g. access to space).
All studies are publicly available in the EU Bookshop.
• Impact assessment
In line with its “Better Regulation” policy, the Commission conducted an impact assessment in view of the establishment of a Union Space Programme.
·Ensuring the continuity of the existing space infrastructures and services and the development of new or enhanced ones;
·Fostering an innovative European space sector; and
·Maintaining the EU's capacity to have autonomous access to space relying on an EU independent industry, guaranteed access to EU space data and services and use them safely and securely.
Regarding the funding of the Programme, two options were assessed.
The “Baseline scenario” consisted of a reduction (-15%) of the current budget, taking into account the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. The proposed scenario consisted of a sustained level of funding, increased by 50%, compared to the current budget.
The baseline scenario was considered insufficient in order to achieve the ambitious objectives of the Union space policy as highlighted in the Space Strategy for Europe. For Galileo, a decrease in the current budget would lead to a gradual degradation of its infrastructures and services and to a final shut down of its activities in the following decades. As for EGNOS, it would remain operational but could not augment Galileo as provided for in the GNSS Regulation. Similar consequences could be expected for Copernicus since the whole Copernicus architecture could barely continue, let alone making any improvement possible, by preventing the full replacement of the existing satellites when they would reach their end of life in orbit.
The proposed scenario would ensure continuity in the operations and service provision, the constellation of Galileo’s 30 satellites, and technological evolution, which would contribute to the second-generation deployment, as well as support the flourishing of the applications markets. A sustained level of funding of Copernicus would allow the Union to maintain its autonomy and leadership in environmental monitoring, emergency management and support to border and maritime security and to establish a level of confidence for the downstream sector to use and integrate Copernicus data and information based on the existing Copernicus infrastructure and services.
It is expected that the continuity of Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus and SST, through the provision of adequate budgetary resources, will bring significant socio-economic and environmental benefits, including new job creation. End-users will benefit directly from a variety of new applications, which will improve the way people travel, work, communicate. It is expected that the citizens will benefit from modernised and environmentally friendly transport services, which will lead to a more efficient and less polluting traffic management. More efficient emergency services will secure a better and quicker reaction in emergencies, while the use of advanced GNSS applications in agriculture together with Earth Observation data will ensure more sustainable food availability.
For GOVSATCOM, a full self-standing impact assessment was conducted. The Regulatory Scrutiny Board delivered a positive opinion on 29 September 2017. This assessment analysed the baseline and four policy options which share a common set of underlying core-elements, including common security requirements, synergies by aggregating national and EU demand, coordinating supply, civil-military coherence, economies of scale and efficiency gains, strengthening of Union autonomy and industrial competitiveness. The four options differ on the supply-side by using either using national or commercial SatCom capacities and services, or a mixture thereof. They also vary with regard to the possible future acquisition of space infrastructure, either through a public-private partnership or by fully EU-owned assets.
The option retained optimises the advantages of the different options, respects subsidiarity, and reflects stakeholders' recommendations. Aggregating civil and military users at national and EU level, financing of services through the Program budget, and using both national and security accredited commercial assets will allow for a quick start of operations and enhance the flexibility and scope of GOVSATCOM. Cost-effective public-private partnerships are deemed best for future space infrastructure development if required. An EU-owned Hub and coherent security requirements are indispensable.
For the Programme, a draft version of the impact assessment (excluding GOVSATCOM which was covered by another impact assessment) was presented to the Regulatory Scrutiny Board on 11 April 2018. The Regulatory Scrutiny Board issued a negative opinion on 13 April 2018. Subsequently, the draft report was amended considerably in order to take into account the recommendations for improvement, in particular:
·Clearer description of the challenges faced by the Programme, including a better description of the origin of the challenges (political challenges, global challenges, challenges based on lessons learned from existing programmes)
·Clearer links between these challenges and the specific objectives of the Programme
·Clearer description of the priorities of the Programme and how they are linked to the challenges and objectives
·Clarifications regarding the changes on governance of the Programme
·Additional information on the budgetary allocation to the main activities
A second draft version was sent to the Regulatory Scrutiny Board on 25 April 2018. The Board issued a positive opinion on 3 May 2018 with a recommendation to further improve the report with two key aspects. Subsequently and in line with the instruction to take those comments into account prior to launching the interservice consultation, the draft report was amended in particular on the following points:
·Improved description of the division of responsibilities between the European Union Agency for the Space Programme and the Commission
·Additional explanation on budget allocated to continuity and new activities
·Better distinction between the general objectives and the specific objectives
The Regulatory Scrutiny Board delivered a positive opinion on the draft impact assessment on 3 May 2018.
• Regulatory fitness and simplification
As explained above, the proposed Regulation aims to considerably simplify the legislation in force in that it consolidates the key components of the Union Space Programme in a single text and replaces three Regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council and one decision of the European Parliament and of the Council, which currently regulate those components.
• Fundamental rights
The proposed Regulation contains the usual stipulations on the protection of personal data and privacy. In particular, it lays down that all personal data handled in the context of the tasks and activities provided for in this Regulation, including by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme, are to be processed in accordance with the applicable law on personal data protection.
4. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS
The Union's contribution to the Programme from 2021 is EUR 16 billion at current prices.
Most of the budget will be implemented through indirect management thanks to contribution agreements with entrusted entities.
The estimated costs of the Programme are the result of extensive analyses, supported by the experience acquired by the Commission in the management of existing actions (Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus and SST) and through preparatory studies and stakeholder consultations for GOVSATCOM. This expertise acquired by the Commission is essential factor in ensuring the continuity of the actions. The estimated requirements in Human Resources as indicated in the Financial Statement accompanying this regulation reflect this need of continuity in the expertise.
5. OTHER ELEMENTS
• Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements
The proposed Regulation provides that the Programme is to be implemented by the Commission through the work programmes referred to in [Article 108] of the Financial Regulation, taking into account evolving user needs and technological developments.
Implementation of the proposed Regulation is to be monitored in a number of ways.
Firstly, the Commission is to report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the Programme. The report is to include information pertaining to risk management, overall cost, annual operating cost, results of the calls for tender, revenues, schedule and performance.
Secondly, performance indicators are to be defined for monitoring the implementation of the Programme and the achievement of the Regulation’s objectives, with the beneficiaries of Union funds being obliged to provide the relevant information. Data must also be collected on the exploitation and deployment of research and innovation results, including through monitoring the funding allocated for the uptake of research and innovation results, notably from the Horizon Europe.
Thirdly, the Programme is to be evaluated at least once every four years. These evaluations are to be carried out in good time to allow the appropriate decisions to be taken.
Evaluations will be carried out in line with paragraphs 22 and 23 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 10 , where the three institutions confirmed that evaluations of existing legislation and policy should provide the basis for impact assessments of options for further action. The evaluations will assess the Programme's effects on the ground based on the Programme indicators/targets and a detailed analysis of the degree to which the Programme can be deemed relevant, effective, efficient, provides enough EU added value and is coherent with other EU policies. They will include lessons learnt to identify any lacks/problems or any potential to further improve the actions or their results and to help maximise their exploitation/impact
The conclusions of the evaluations, together with the Commission’s observations, are to be communicated to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
• Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal
The proposed Regulation consists of 12 titles.
Title I contains general provisions setting out, amongst other things, the subject of the Regulation, the components of the Programme, the objectives of that Programme and the principle of Union ownership of the assets created or developed under the Programme.
Title II provides for the budgetary contributions and mechanisms of the Programme.
Title III sets out the financial provisions applicable to the Programme. As regards public procurement, it is necessary, given the complexity and specificities of the contracts to be concluded in the space sector, to provide for measures related to the implementation of the Financial Regulation. The financial provisions must also allow the differing needs of the programme’s various components to be met and a range of forms of cooperation and partnership between stakeholders to be used.
Title IV relates to the governance of the Programme. It details the role to be played by this programme’s four main actors, namely the Commission, the European Union Agency for the Space Programme, the European Space Agency and the Member States, and the relations between these various actors.
Title V deals with security, which is particularly important in view of the strategic nature of several of the Programme’s components and the links between space and security. A high level of security has to be achieved and maintained by imposing effective governance arrangements that are largely based on the Member States’ experience and on the experience gained by the Commission in recent years. Furthermore, like any programme with a strategic dimension, the Programme has to undergo independent security accreditation following the appropriate standards in this respect.
Title VI relates to Galileo and EGNOS. These provisions are largely based on the relevant provisions of GNSS Regulation (EU) No 1285/2013, but they have been updated and adjusted where necessary, taking into account inter alia that these two systems are now in operation and have become components of the Union's overarching space programme.
Title VII relates to Copernicus. This title contains some provisions very similar to those in the current Copernicus Regulation (EU) No 377/2014, whilst nevertheless reflecting certain major developments of the system focused on the processing and management of data and the establishment of an overarching legal framework,.
Title VIII sets out the details of the other components of the Union Space Programme, mainly SST and GOVSATCOM. Whereas the provisions on SST build up on those already laid down in SST Decision No 541/2014/EU, the section on GOVSATCOM is completely new.
Title IX changes the name of the European GNSS Agency to the European Union Agency for the Space Programme and amends some of the Agency’s operating rules currently laid down in Regulation (EU) No 912/2010. These changes reflect in particular the new role assigned to the Agency, whose tasks are extended to potentially include all the components of the Union Space Programme.
Titles X, XI and XII set out respectively miscellaneous provisions, provisions on delegation and implementing measures and final provisions.
• Climate mainstreaming
The Commission proposal for the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework set a more ambitious goal for climate mainstreaming across all EU programmes, with an overall target of 25% of EU expenditure contributing to climate objectives. The contribution of this programme to the achievement of this overall target will be tracked through an EU climate marker system at an appropriate level of disaggregation, including the use of more precise methodologies where these are available. The Commission will continue to present the information annually in terms of commitment appropriations in the context of the annual draft budget.
To support the full utilisation of the potential of the programme to contribute to climate objectives, the Commission will seek to identify relevant actions throughout the programme preparation, implementation, review and evaluation processes.