ESG for SMEs: Can the Proposal 2021/0104 for a European Directive Help in the Early Detection of a Crisis?

With the proposal for a European Directive 2021/0104, the number of entities who will be required to prepare a non-financial statement (NFS) has been broadened. The directive provides that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may also voluntarily opt for drawing up a non-financial statement. It is therefore important to identify reporting standards containing key performance indicators (KPIs), tailored to the characteristics and structure of SMEs. In addition to the potential advantages in terms of improvement in relationships with stakeholders, NFI could be relevant for an early diagnosis of crisis signals therefore, an early warning behavior. This paper, therefore, aims to analyze how non-financial information can be a valuable aid to all governance players in identifying those first signs of crisis. In Italy, Organismo Italiano Business Reporting (OIBR) is drafting a document that promotes the use and communication of non-financial information on the part of SMEs with the dual objective of demonstrating that corporate governance structure on the one hand, and management and accounting tools on the other should be adequately designed and functioning so as to prevent a company’s exposure to the risk of failing to operate as a going concern.

- EU Harmonised Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in E. coli from Retail Meats in UK (2020 - Year 6, chicken)

In accordance with European Directive 2003/99/EC on the monitoring of bacteria that can pass from animals to humans and cause disease, Member States are obliged to ensure that procedures are in place to monitor and report on the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in such bacteria. The UK continued to be subject to EU rules during the transition period up to the end of December 2020. The requirements state that 300 retail chicken meats should be tested by culture for the bacterium Escherichia coli. E. coli bacteria are a normal part of the gut flora of mammals and as such can be useful “indicators” of AMR in gut bacteria. Whilst some strains of E. coli can cause disease, most strains of E. coli do not cause observable disease in healthy animals and humans. Addressing the public health threat posed by AMR is a national strategic priority for the UK, which has led to both a 20-year vision of AMR (Opens in a new window)and a 5-year (2019 to 2024) AMR National Action Plan (NAP)

Science or Ignorance of Animal Welfare? A Case Study: Scientific Reports Published in Preparation for the First European Directive on Animal Welfare (1979-1980)

In 1979, the Council of the European Communities declared its intention to ban battery cages for laying hens; one year later, everything about the ban is forgotten. During this preparatory year (1979-1980), all that happened is the publication of scientific reports, that is, attempts at producing knowledge as a basis for and justification of the ban decision. This paper aims at understanding to what extent ignorance and doubt were produced instead. By examining the reports, I demonstrate that there are three interrelated levels of ignorance production: (1) the missions given by the Commission to scientists were ambiguous, (2) questions inherent to animal welfare sciences, such as the significant variability of their measures and results, lead to a systematic standardization, and (3) the battery cage works as a techno-scientific promise and an “obligatory passage point” where scientists and industry meet. Disciplinary identity issues therefore lead scientists to adopt a double standard about the welfare of laying hens.

Article 7—Common Provisions

This chapter discusses the common provisions in Article 7 of Directive 2019/790, the European directive on copyright. It explains the application of the Directive to special cases that do not conflict with the normal exploitation of works or other subject matter and do not unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the rightholders. It also seeks to achieve a fair balance between the rights and interests of authors, other rightholders, and users. The chapter mentions the protection of technological measures established in Directive 2001/29/EC, which remains essential to ensure the protection and the effective exercise of the rights granted to authors and other rightholders under Union law. It stresses the maintenance of protection while ensuring the use of technological measures that do not prevent the enjoyment of the exceptions and limitations provided in Directive 2019/790.

11. Product liability

This chapter deals with damage caused by defective products. It considers two separate legal regimes. The first is the ordinary law of negligence, and the second is the system of strict liability introduced by the Consumer Protection Act 1987, as required by a European Directive (85/374/EEC). The latter is limited to personal injuries and to damage to private property, so there are still many cases where a claimant has to rely on negligence. Also, the Act applies only to certain kinds of defendants (‘producers’), and a claimant will need to use negligence if, for example, he is injured by a defectively repaired product. One important point is that both systems apply only to damage to goods other than the defective product and not to damage which the defective product causes to itself: that is a matter solely for the law of contract.

A Novel Strategy for the Assessment of Radon Risk Based on Indicators

Among the physical pollutants affecting indoor air, the radioactive gas radon may turn out to be the most hazardous. Health effects related to radon exposure have been investigated for several decades, providing major scientific evidence to conclude that chronic exposures can cause lung cancer. Additionally, an association with other diseases, such as leukemia and cancers of the extra-thoracic airways, has been advanced. The implementation of a strategy to reduce the exposure of the population and minimize the health risk, according to the European Directive 59/2013/Euratom on ionizing radiations, is a new challenge in public health management. Starting from an understanding of the general state-of-the-art, a critical analysis of existing approaches has been conducted, identifying strengths and weaknesses. Then, a strategy for assessing the radon exposure of the general population, in a new comprehensive way, is proposed. It identifies three main areas of intervention and provides a list of hazard indicators and operative solutions to control human exposure. The strategy has been conceived to provide a supporting tool to authorities in the introduction of effective measures to assess population health risks due to radon exposure.

Dosimetric quantities and effective dose in medical imaging: a summary for medical doctors

This review presents basic information on the dosimetric quantities used in medical imaging for reporting patient doses and establishing diagnostic reference levels. The proper use of the radiation protection quantity “effective dose” to compare doses delivered by different radiological procedures and different imaging modalities with its uncertainties and limitations, is summarised. The estimates of population doses required by the European Directive on Basic Safety Standards is commented on. Referrers and radiologists should be familiar with the dose quantities to inform patients about radiation risks and benefits. The application of effective dose on the cumulative doses from recurrent imaging procedures is also discussed. Patient summary: Basic information on the measurement units (dosimetric quantities) used in medical imaging for reporting radiation doses should be understandable to patients. The Working Group on “Dosimetry for imaging in clinical practice” recommended that a brief explanation on the used dosimetric quantities and units included in the examination imaging report, should be available for patients. The use of the quantity “effective dose” to compare doses to which patients are exposed to from different radiological procedures and its uncertainties and limitations, should also be explained in plain language. This is also relevant for the dialog on to the cumulative doses from recurrent imaging procedures. The paper summarises these concepts, including the need to estimate the population doses required by the European Directive on Basic Safety Standards. Referrers and radiologists should be familiar with the dose quantities to inform patients about radiation risks and benefits.

Fire Risk Sub-Module Assessment under Solvency II. Calculating the Highest Risk Exposure

The European Directive 2009/138 of Solvency II requires adopting a new approach based on risk, applying a standard formula as a market proxy in which the risk profile of insurers is fundamental. This study focuses on the fire risk sub-module, framed within the man-made catastrophe risk module, for which the regulations require the calculation of the highest concentration of risks that make up the portfolio of an insurance company within a radius of 200 m. However, the regulations do not indicate a specific methodology. This study proposes a procedure consisting of calculating the cluster with the highest risk and identifying this on a map. The results can be applied immediately by any insurance company, covered under the Solvency II regulations, to determine their maximum exposure to the catastrophic man-made risk of fire, instantly providing them with the necessary input for calibration of the solvency capital requirement.

Definitions Establishing the Scope of Harmonization in the Field of Consumer Credits. Comparative Aspects

The sphere of consumer loans implies protection, knowledge, anticipatory regulations, flexibility, adaptability leading to the elaboration of a modern, clear legislation and an efficient internal credit market. Clear, explicit and clear legislation contributes to increasing the trust of customers, consumers and effectively to their protection. The European Directive states that: “in order to ensure consumer confidence, it is important that the market provides them with a sufficient degree of protection” [1]. In this way, the demand and supply of loans can be achieved in optimal conditions, both for professionals who offer loans and for credit consumers. A sufficient degree of protection ensures the confidence of credit consumers. In this sense, the concept of complete harmonization, from the perspective of the European Directive is seen as necessary in order to achieve a high level of interest of consumers and professionals. Legislation easily understood by the parties involved in credit agreements, does not leave room for some interpretations. For this reason, we appreciate the fact that the presentation of the definitions, the transparency in the knowledge of their meaning represent one of the important measures of protection of the customers consuming loans.